Abstract: A method of sintering a ZrB2—SiC composite body at ambient pressures, including blending a first predetermined amount of ZrB2 powder with a second predetermined amount of SiC powder, wherein both powders are characterized by the presence of surface oxide impurities. Next the blended powders are mixed to yield a substantially homogeneous powder mixture and a portion of the substantially homogeneous powder mixture is formed into a green body. The body is fired to a first temperature, wherein substantially all surface oxide impurities are reduced and/or volatilized to substantially eliminate oxides from the green body, and the body is heated to a second temperature and sintered to yield a composite body of at least about 99 percent theoretical density (more typically at least about 99.5 percent theoretical density) and characterized by SiC whisker-like inclusions distributed substantially evenly in a ZrB2 matrix.

Abstract: An epoxy porcelain tile surface including a plurality of spaced, substantially flat substantially smooth porcelain tiles and epoxy grouting substantially filling the spaces between the porcelain tiles. The plurality of spaced, substantially flat substantially smooth porcelain tiles are substantially flush with one another and substantially flush with the epoxy grouting.

Abstract: A method for producing high-alumina bodies with superior chemical properties at reduced sintering temperatures, including the steps of providing an alumina powder precursor, adding about 4 weight percent magnesia powder precursor, homogenizing the resultant green powder precursor, pressing a green body from the green powder precursor, removing residual moisture and organic material from the green body, and firing the green body to about cone 13, wherein the resulting high-alumina body is substantially non-vitreous, has a substantially uniformly sized grain structure, is very resistant to dissolution in molten aluminum, and has superior resistance to chemical attack over substantially the entire pH range.

Abstract: A sprayed-on phosphate cement coating formed from the combination and reaction of a phosphoric acid solution and a base metal solution. The acid solution and base solution may be intermixed prior to spraying, during spraying, or on a substrate. The curing reaction rate of the phosphate cement coating and its final physical properties may be controlled by adding various retardants, accelerants, reducers, wetting agents, superplasticizers, buffers, water reducers, adhesive agents, hardening agents, and/or sequestrants to the precursor solutions. The curing rate and properties of the cement coating may be further controlled by adjusting the temperature of the precursor solutions and/or the target substrate.

Abstract: The depth of a cryogenic liquid in a Dewar may be ascertained by inserting a measurement probe into the container. The measurement probe includes a hollow tube having a proximal end and an open distal end, a heater operationally connected within the tube and positioned substantially adjacent the distal end, a pressure sensor operationally connected within the tube and positioned substantially adjacent the proximal end, and a microcontroller in electric communication with the heater and with the pressure sensor. The distal end of the measurement probe is placed against the bottom of the container, liquid from the container enters the tube, and is evaporated by the heater. The gas pressure in the tube between the heater and the pressure sensor is increased, until the gas pressure in the tube is equal to the pressure exerted by the liquid in the Dewar.

Abstract: A method of controlling the physical properties of cement by adding a predetermined amount of a second phase to a first phase cementitious precursor. The second phase is added in the form of seed crystals having controlled sizes, shapes, and compositions. The seed crystals provide growth sites upon curing the cement for a second phase in the cement body. The curing is accelerated by the presence of the seed crystals. Control of the microstructure of the resulting cement body through controlled distribution and growth of the seed crystals enables the formation of a cement body having precisely controlled physical properties.

Abstract: A combination of a casket and reattachably removable hardware for lifting the casket, including an aperture formed through a casket sidewall, a generally circular plate defined between a first radius and a second radius, an elongated lifting member having a first end, an internally threaded cavity formed in the first end, and an externally threaded connecting member. The plate is positioned adjacent the aperture and when the externally threaded connecting member extends through the aperture, the first end of said elongated lifting member rotatably removably engages the connecting member to detachably connect the elongated lifting member to the casket.

Abstract: A traction belt, including a first elongated portion, a second elongated portion oriented generally parallel to the first elongated portion and connected thereto, a first plurality of biasing members operationally connected to the first elongated portion, and a second plurality of biasing members operationally connected to the second elongated portion. Each biasing member is oriented generally perpendicular to a respective elongated portion. Each biasing member is adapted to provide a biasing force through a respective elongated portion.

Abstract: A raisable and lowerable platform that houses a removable charcoal or gas grill and a removable cooler chest, with a storage compartment between the two, a telescoping flagpole mounted to the platform, and a fold down table attached on both ends of the platform to provide more cooking area. In the preferred embodiment the platform is connected to a wheeled scissors lift system that is used to raise and lower the platform. The apparatus is carried and transported via a rollered receiver hitch assembly that is an integral part of the scissors lift system and that is conventionally mountable on a transport vehicle.

Abstract: A method for producing a precision-machined workpiece using a pulsed laser assembly, wherein a laser pulse is produced with the pulsed laser assembly and subsequently directed through the workpiece. The laser pulse includes a first relatively low energy portion and at least two relatively high-energy micro-pulses subsequent to the first relatively low energy portion. The pulsed laser assembly includes a pulse generator, a lasing pump operationally connected to the pulse generator, and at least one switch operationally connected to the pulse generator and the lasing pump. The switch is synchronized with the pump pulse and actuates the separation of the laser pulse into a plurality of discrete micro-pulses.

Abstract: A method for producing agglomerated boron carbide, including the steps of providing a boron carbide powder precursor having particle sizes smaller than about 1 micron in diameter, mixing the boron carbide powder precursor with binder solution to form a slurry, drying the slurry to yield a solid residue, crushing the solid residue to yield green boron carbide particles, and firing the green boron carbide particles. The resultant agglomerated boron carbide particles have diameters generally ranging from about 5 to about 20 microns. The agglomerated boron carbide particles are characterized as boron carbide grains of about 1-2 microns in diameter suspended in a vitreous boron oxide matrix.

Abstract: A bathtub plumbing system including a hand-held shower controlled by a compact pressure balanced, volume and temperature controlled mixing valve. The pressure-balancing valve is installed in a bathtub plumbing set having a hand-held shower accessory. The pressure balancing valve receives hot and cold water from hand-held shower water feed pipes coupled to the main hot and cold water inlet pipes, respectively, located upstream of the respective hot and cold water control valves used to supply water to the main faucet. The hand-held shower hot and cold feed pipes are each hydraulically connected to a first respective hot and cold water inlet of a compact pressure-balancing valve. The hand-held shower is hydraulically connected to the outlet of the pressure-balancing valve by a flexible hose. Hot and cold water entering the pressure-balancing valve is mixed therein independently of the hot and cold water supplied to the faucet.

Abstract: A bunion correction device for providing lateral and torsional forces to one or more misaligned joints of the afflicted and deformed toe of a bunion sufferer, including a first toe-encircling ring and a second toe-encircling ring, and an elongated flexible member connecting the first and second toe-encircling rings and extending substantially beyond the toe-encircling rings. The toe-encircling rings are adapted to engage the patient's toe while the elongated flexible member is adapted to encirclingly engage the bunion patient's ankle. The elongated flexible member urges the toe-encircling rings to apply both a longitudinal and a torsional force component to the toe. The longitudinal and torsional force components then urge the misaligned joints of the bunion patient's toe into realignment.

Abstract: An assembly for providing illumination to an automobile wheel having an at least partially transparent wheel covering. The assembly includes a bracket for securing to the a non-rotating portion of an automobile wheel and a light emitting diode or diode array operationally connected to the bracket. A rechargeable battery is electrically connected to the light emitting diode and the light emitting diode, when energized, shines light through the at least partially transparent wheel covering when the wheel covering is rotating.

Abstract: A container system including a vessel for holding a thixotropic semi-solid aluminum alloy slurry during its processing as a billet and an ejection system for cleanly discharging the processed thixotropic semi-solid aluminum billet. The crucible is preferably formed from a chemically and thermally stable material (such as graphite or a ceramic). The crucible defines a mixing volume. The crucible ejection mechanism may include a movable bottom portion mounted on a piston or may include a solenoid coil for inducing an electromotive force in the electrically conducting billet for urging it from the crucible. During processing, a molten aluminum alloy precursor is transferred into the crucible and vigorously stirred and controlledly cooled to form a thixotropic semi-solid billet. Once the billet is formed, the ejection mechanism is activated to discharge the billet from the crucible. The billet is discharged onto a shot sleeve and immediately placed in a mold and molded into a desired form.

Abstract: A raisable and lowerable platform that houses a removable charcoal or gas grill and a removable cooler chest, with a storage compartment between the two, a telescoping flagpole mounted to the platform to display team colors, and a fold down table attached on both ends of the platform to provide more cooking area. In the preferred embodiment to date the platform is connected to a wheeled scissors lift system that is used to raise and lower the platform. The apparatus is carried and transported via a rollered receiver hitch assembly that is an integral part of the scissors lift system and that is conventionally mountable on a transport vehicle.

Abstract: A system for automatically purging residual water from the whirlpool plumbing of a whirlpool bath. The system includes a bathtub, a primary water inlet in hydraulic communication with the bathtub, a primary water outlet in hydraulic communication with the bathtub, a plunger actuatable to engage the primary water outlet to prevent water flow through the primary water outlet. When the bathtub is filled with water the plunger is automatically disengaged for a predetermined length of time to flush the water manifold, the water manifold conduit, the at least one water delivery conduit and the at least one jet nozzle. Also, when the bathtub is substantially drained, the air pump may be actuated to introduce air into the at least one jet nozzle, the at least one suction fitting, the water manifold, the at least one water delivery conduit, and the at least one hydraulic suction conduit to purge residual water therefrom.