Abstract: A centrifugal pellet dryer apparatus, lifter and rotor wherein the lifters can have a surface configured to deflect pellets inwardly and the rotor can have lifters attached in an arrangement designed to increase pellet impacts with lifters by providing a higher concentration of lifters on the rotor in a first region which initially engages a slurry of pellets and water. The inwardly curved lifters tend to direct the pellets inwards toward other lifters and away from dewatering screens and the higher concentration of lifters on the lower region of the rotor results in added pellet impacts with lifters. The centrifugal pellet dryer can have an outer housing, a base portion with a water discharge outlet and a top portion having a pellet discharge port and an exhaust port. Within the housing can be one or more generally cylindrical foraminous members disposed around the rotor. One or more separator plates can be provided between the foraminous members to divide the pellet dryer into sections.

Abstract: The surgical tip attachment holder tray has a base, a pivot block pivotally connected to the base, and a plurality of threaded bases attached to the pivot block. The base has a perimeter having a first section and a second section, said perimeter having at least one wall attached to the base along the first section of the perimeter and defining an open end adjacent the second section of the perimeter. The pivot block is pivotally connected to one of the base section and at least one wall at the open end of said base in a manner so that the pivot block is spaced apart from the base a sufficient distance to allow liquid to pass between the pivot block and the base tray, and allowing said pivot block to rotate from a first position to a second position. The plurality of threaded bases attached to the pivot block on said threaded base receiving surface are adapted to receive a plurality of surgical tip attachments.

Abstract: A system for forming a safe room including a plurality of preformed concrete wall panels and a roof panel. Each panel includes an extension portion and a top beam which together define a shelf. The wall panels are interconnected to define a generally continuous perimeter shelf. The roof panel is positioned within the room perimeter and is set upon and secured to the generally continuous shelf.

Abstract: Fully dense long ingots are produced by the bottom pouring method and apparatus of the present invention. A solidification sequence is achieved which is conducive to eliminating solidification shrinkage and piping. The set-up of the bottom poured ingot molds facilitates a solidification sequence starting from the top and then down the ingot mold and then up the down pour pipe.

Abstract: A centrifugal pellet dryer apparatus, lifter and rotor wherein the lifters can have a surface configured to deflect pellets inwardly and the rotor can have lifters attached in an arrangement designed to increase pellet impacts with lifters by providing a higher concentration of lifters on the rotor in a first region which initially engages a slurry of pellets and water. The inwardly curved lifters tend to direct the pellets inwards toward other lifters and away from dewatering screens and the higher concentration of lifters on the lower region of the rotor results in added pellet impacts with lifters. The centrifugal pellet dryer can have an outer housing, a base portion with a water discharge outlet and a top portion having a pellet discharge port and an exhaust port. Within the housing can be one or more generally cylindrical foraminous members disposed around the rotor. One or more separator plates can be provided between the foraminous members to divide the pellet dryer into sections.

Abstract: A cellular structure for window coverings has a plurality of cells formed by an upper vane and a lower vane each having a front edge and a rear edge. A C-shaped front wall has an upper end attached to the front edge of the upper vane and a lower end attached to the front edge of the lower vane to form an outwardly extending front tab at each end of the C-shaped front wall. The opposite end of each vane is attached to a rear wall. A C-shaped rear wall could be used for each cell. This structure is made by placing an edge of the vane between a pleat which is bonded to form each front tab and then preferably trimming the tab to a uniform width.

Abstract: An integrated locomotive braking and ECP braking control on a lead locomotive for implementing braking effort on all locomotives in a manner relative to braking effort applied on ECP freight cars. On the lead locomotive, a data interface can be established between an head-end-unit and a brake controller. The head-end-unit can electrically signal each ECP freight car to carry out braking commands. The integrated brake control can include a CPU, as part of either the brake controller or the head-end-unit, which can be programmed to provide braking effort on the lead locomotive relative to the braking effort applied on the ECP freight cars. The braking on the lead locomotive is implemented by the brake controller by controlling the independent brake relative to the braking effort commanded on the ECP freight cars. The independent brake on non-ECP trailing locomotives is connected to the lead locomotive independent brake via a standard independent brake pneumatic connection.

Abstract: Fully dense long ingots are produced by the bottom pouring method and apparatus of the present invention. A solidification sequence is achieved which is conducive to eliminating solidification shrinkage and piping. The set-up of the bottom poured ingot molds facilitates a solidification sequence starting from the top and then down the ingot mold and then up the down pour pipe.

Abstract: A pollution remedial composition primarily for treating polychlorinated biphenyl compounds is disclosed. The pollution remedial composition includes from about 35 to about 40 volume % of a soluble silicate; from about 0.25 to about 2 volume % of a surfactant; from about 2 to about 5 volume % of a polyol; and the remainder water. The soluble silicate is preferably sodium silicate. The surfactant is preferably Tergitol brand surfactant. The polyol is preferably polyethylene glycol.

Abstract: A mobile workstation capable of supporting various types of electrical or diagnostic equipment for use primarily in the health care environment comprising a work surface supported by a pedestal and a base. The base includes casters for easy portability of the workstation. The workstation further includes a height adjustment mechanism and a counterbalance. The counterbalance may be supported from the underside of the top of the work surface of the workstation for counterbalancing the weight of the equipment that may be carried on the work surface so as to provide versatility when adjusting the height of the workstation from a seated position to a standing position with minimal effort from the user.

Abstract: A display tray is provided for visually displaying a plurality of products for sale, and also for displaying promotional information regarding the products within the tray. The display tray includes a tray member into which the products for sale are placed, and a display member separate from and removeably connected to the tray member for displaying promotional information regarding the products within the tray member.

Abstract: A stud form and system for forming a preformed concrete wall panel having a solid portion and a plurality of vertical concrete studs joined to the solid portion. The stud form includes a substantially U-shaped channel having a face portion that defines an elongated plane and leg portions extending along side of and away from the elongated plane to define a predetermined channel depth. The stud form further includes means for integrally connecting the stud form to the solid portion of the wall panel with the channel opened toward the solid portion.

Abstract: A flow rate control method and apparatus for a blood pump is provided wherein multiple sensors are utilized to measure physical dimensions of a ventricle to calculate either a cross sectional area or a volume of the ventricle during distention and contraction. The multiple sensors are positioned at spaced locations around the ventricle, and may be attached to or imbedded in the ventricle. The sensors may be in the same plane for determining a cross sectional area or in different planes for determining a volume. The area or volume is generally proportional to a corresponding area or volume of the ventricle such that the calculated area or volume is indicative of distention and contraction of the volume. The area or volume is utilized to control the blood pump flow rate to avoid overly distending or contracting the ventricle and for operating the flow rate in a pulsatile manner to closely approximate the natural pumping action of the heart.

Abstract: The invention provides an apparatus and method for detecting an out-of-line electrode prior to the start of an electrical discharge machining (EDM) process. The invention involves positioning an electrically conductive test component in an accurately defined location relative to a workpiece. The test component has a test hole of a size and shape corresponding to the hole to be drilled in the workpiece by an electrode of an EDM machine. The electrode is then inserted into the test hole. If the electrode is correctly aligned then it will not contact the test component and no electrically conductive path will be formed between the electrode and the test component. If such contact is detected then the electrode is misaligned and the EDM process is stopped. This sequence is repeated immediately before the commencement of drilling of each hole in the workpiece.

Abstract: A device and control method to produce braking torque counter to motor rotation. A converter supplies multiple frequency AC power to the motor. A first frequency is supplied at the normal operating frequency/speed. A second frequency, different from the normal operating frequency, is supplied to produce braking torque. The level of braking can be controlled to generally consume some or all of the braking in the device or motor. More than one braking frequency may be utilized. In addition, the relationship between the normal and braking frequency(s) can be maintained to limit motor pulsation.

Abstract: A sports racket comprising a frame made of an energy absorbing structural laminate. The structural laminate comprises: (a) a first layer of composite material comprising x1 plies; wherein at least 0.5x1 plies contain fibers arranged in a shape of a continuous curve; wherein said continuous curve is the same or different in different plies; (b) a second layer of composite material comprising x2 plies; wherein at least 0.5x2 plies contain fibers arranged in a shape of a continuous curve; wherein said continuous curve is the same or different in different plies; and (c) a viscoelastic layer disposed between the first and second layers such that shear strains are substantially distributed throughout the viscoelastic layer when a load is applied to the structural laminate.

Abstract: A method for supporting an underground pipeline in an excavated trench. The method involves supporting the pipeline on specially-designed support benches at spaced intervals. The benches are designed to fail when exposed to a predetermined load, which load will be placed on the benches at some point during the backfilling of the trench or when the pipeline undergoes hydrostatic testing. When the benches fail, the fill under the pipeline is compacted and thereby supports the pipeline in lieu of the support benches.