Abstract: An apparatus for transporting cargo comprising an enclosed van having a floor, a platform assembly for positioning on the floor of the van and bearing a load of cargo, the platform assembly being preferably in the form of a dollie which can be easily moved across the floor of the van and a stop which is secured to the floor of the van and engageable with the platform assembly to limit movement of the platform assembly in at least one direction along the floor of the van.

Abstract: A time-of-flight mass spectrometry and method of operating a TOF mass spectrometer are disclosed. The mass spectrometer includes one or more electrically charged accelerating plates for accelerating ions, a reflector, a first ion drift region upstream from the reflector, a second ion drift region downstream from the deflector, and an ion detector. The ion reflector includes a primary reflecting field for decelerating ions and reflecting low energy ions, and a second reflecting field for reflecting high energy ions and for establishing a substantially uniform ion flight time through the one or more accelerating fields and reflecting fields. According to the method of the present invention, the length of the ion drift regions may be adjusted such that ion travel time through these regions is equal to the ion travel time through the accelerating and reflecting fields.

Abstract: A machine vision system for detecting and recognizing objects. The system includes a camera which forms three different images of the object using different portions of the electromagnetic spectrum and uses these different images depending on the time of day and weather conditions. The machine vision system also enables an operator to select zones within the camera's field of view than may be of any size or shape. The machine vision system only detects objects in the specified zones. The vision system provides signals to a traffic light controller to provide vehicle or object presence indications for traffic signal sequencing purposes. The vision system can simply detect an object or optionally can pattern match for specific objects.

Abstract: Improved techniques are provided for correcting signals from a downhole sensor on a drill collar eccentrically rotating within a borehole. The corrected sensor signal may be used to generate a well log which more accurately represents the conditions which the sensor would have generated had the tool been rotating such that the spacing between the sensor and the borehole well remained constant. The sensor signals are generated at time intervals of less than half the period of rotation of the drill collar. The frequency components of the time-varying sensor signals are plotted, and the frequency component attributable to the eccentric rotation between the drill collar and the borehole may be determined. The magnitude of this frequency component may be used to generate a correcting sensor signal, which then modifies the average sensor signal so that a more accurate well log may be obtained.

Abstract: Apparatus and methods for sealing a parallel expanding gate valve are provided using upper and lower wedges separate from and located between the gate segments. The gate segments are symmetrical with respect to each other and have inner upper and lower tapered surfaces. Inclined surfaces on the upper wedge press the inner upper tapered surfaces of the gate segments. The inner lower tapered surfaces of the gate segments also press against inclined wedging surfaces on the lower wedge. This wedging action forces the gate segments outward with respect to each other and with substantial force against sealing assemblies to close and seal the gate valve.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to systems and methods for preserving, transporting, storing, re-hydrating and delivering viable micro-organisms. More particularly, the present invention is directed to a kit and method for preserving and storing dried, microbiological organisms and for re-hydrating and delivering specific and reproducible numbers of viable organisms therefrom. The kit and method of the present invention provides the capability to deliver a known quantity of rehydrated micro-organisms as a single, total dose of cells without the inaccuracies and safety hazards associated with standard needle, syringe or pipette transfer systems. The kit includes first and second vial and cap combinations, the first carrying the dried organisms in a dry, biologically inert atmosphere, the second carrying a pre-measured quantity of re-hydrating fluid. A quantitative number of selected microbiological organisms are dried under mild conditions, i.e.

Abstract: A demetallization process for catalysts used for chemical conversion of hydrocarbons, the catalysts containing at least vanadium as a metal poison, wherein the poisoned catalyst is contacted in a sulfiding zone with a sulfiding agent and a hydrocarbon having a minimum boiling point of about 300.degree. F., the hydrocarbon being at least partially vaporizable at the temperature in the sulfiding zone.

Abstract: A door locking device for preventing an opening of a hinged door. The locking device of the present invention includes a door jamb restraint independent of the conventional striker plate and secured to a door facing surface of the door jamb. In one embodiment, a main plate is provided independent of the door handle for engagement with the door jamb restraint. The main plate includes a central plate portion in engagement with the door jamb restraint, a first wing fixed on one side of the central plate portion for engagement with the interior room wall, and a second wing portion fixed on the opposing side of the central plate portion for engagement with the door, thereby preventing rotation of the main plate with respect to the door jamb restraint and thus preventing opening of the door. The device of the present invention is relatively inexpensive and does not operate in conjunction with the door handle or a conventional door jamb striker plate for increased versatility and ease of installation.

Abstract: An anti-static softening composition for use in automatic clothes dryers comprising an ethoxylated alcohol, a fatty alcohol and a stabilizer which is a particulate solid and prevents any substantial release of the ethoxylated alcohol/fatty alcohol mixture at a temperature of up to about 45.degree. C. from a substrate which carries the mixture of the ethoxylated alcohol/fatty alcohol.

Abstract: A valve seat for a valve used with a treater tank comprising a body having a generally cylindrical bore therethrough, the body having a first end, a second end and being made of metal, the first end having a counterbore concentric with the cylindrical bore, the body having means on the second end for mounting the valve seat in the valve and an insert carried by the body and received in the first end, the insert being comprised of an erosion-resistant synthetic polymeric material having a cylindrical passageway therethrough, the insert having a first portion defining first inner and outer concentric cylindrical surfaces, the first outer surface having a diameter greater than the diameter of the counterbore, an annular sealing surface being formed on the first portion, and a second, generally cylindrical portion, said second portion being received in the counterbore and means disposed between the body and the second portion to secure the insert to the body and effect fluid-tight sealing between said insert and

Abstract: Improved methods and apparatus are provided for obtaining multiple fluid samples from subterranean formations of interest. The present invention is particularly well suited for testing nuclear migration in ground water utilizing test wells surrounding a nuclear test site. A plurality of flow ports are provided in the casing each at a depth of a formation of interest, and a sliding sleeve is positioned over each port. A wireline tool is lowered to the selective depth, and downhole electric motor energized to power a pump and pass pressurized fluid to move a first dog radially outward. The downhole tool may be axially moved until the first dog locks into a groove provided in the casing. Fluid entering the casing is sealed above and below the sliding sleeve. Fluid pressure may then be applied to move a second dog radially outward to engage the sliding sleeve, and a control valve regulated to apply fluid pressure to axially move the sleeve and open the port.

Abstract: A preform cutting element for a rotary drill bit for use in drilling or coring holes in subsurface formations includes a cutting table 12, 13 of superhard material such as polycrystalline diamond. The rear face of the cutting table is bonded to a substrate 11 of less hard material, such as cemented tungsten carbide. A front portion 12 of the cutting table comprises a form of superhard material which is less wear-resistant than the superhard material forming the remainder 13 of the cutting table. The provision of the less wear-resistant superhard material at the front cutting faces reduces the tendency of the cutting table to spall.

Abstract: A pet carrier for use in a vehicle comprises a platform sized to generally fit on a passenger seat of the vehicle. Front, rear and side panels are pivotally connected to the platform for movement between generally horizontal positions and upright positions wherein they form a pet enclosure upstanding from the platform. The rear panel, in its upright position, is much taller than the other panels, and is inclined upwardly and rearwardly to generally match the inclination of the back of the passenger seat. Connectors are provided for releasably retaining the panels in their upright positions. The front and rear panels, in their horizontal positions, overlie the platform, and can be releasably retained in such overlying relation, for convenient carrying and storage. Supports are provided for selective adjustment to the angle of the passenger seat.

Abstract: A structural panel core is disclosed for forming a wall or the like. The wall is formed using the structural panel core by adding an inner cementitious layer adjacent the filler layer and enclosing the interior lattice structure, and an outer cementitious layer adjacent the filler layer and enclosing the exterior lattice structure. The panel core includes an interior lattice structure, an exterior lattice structure, and a substantially continuous filler layer between the lattice structures. A plurality of connecting members each passed through the filler layer and fixedly interconnect the lattice structures, with each of the connecting members being secured at a compound inclination to the lattice structure such that an inclined angle is formed between each connecting member and any plane perpendicular to either interior or exterior lattice structures.

Abstract: Various embodiments of respirometers are used to determine the biochemical oxygen demand (BOD) of samples. The respirometer includes chamber walls formed from a membrane permeable to oxygen, thereby allowing reoxidation of the contained sample. In order to ensure reliability in the computed BOD values, the respirometer preferably incorporates a framed structure, and the fluid containing chamber has a predetermined volume and repeatable configuration. The present invention is particularly directed to an improved method of determining oxygen demand for respiring liquid samples, utilizing the dissolved oxygen data and the rate of oxygen transfer through the respirometer walls.

Abstract: Disc-stem connection for a butterfly valve using interfitted slots on the disc and stem for mechanical connection. An oversize slot on the disc creates channels between the disc and the stem which allows deep penetration of a weld bead. Centralization of the stems within the oversize slots is effected by means of small spacers interposed between the stems and the slot edges. The spacers are small enough so that the necessary space created for the weld is not displaced.

Abstract: A rotary drill bit comprises a bit body having a shank for connection to a drill string and a passage for supplying drilling fluid to the face of the bit, which carries a plurality of polycrystalline diamond preform cutting elements. The cutting elements on one side of a diameter of the bit have positive side rake and the cutting elements on the other side of the diameter have negative side rake so that the vectorial sum of the reaction forces between the formation being drilled and the cutting elements provides a resultant lateral imbalance force acting on the bit body as it rotates in use. The gauge of the bit body includes low friction bearing pads so located as to transmit the resultant lateral force to the sides of the borehole. Since the bearing pads are of low friction, they slide around the surface of the formation and any tendency for bit whirl to be initiated is reduced.