Abstract: A method and implant for the surgical treatment of scoliosis is disclosed. The method involves the segmental fixation of a rigid rod or rods to the abnormally curved portion of the spine. The rod is constructed of a shape-memory alloy such as nitinol. Prior to implementation, the rod is annealed and contoured into an ideal shape for a given patient. At the time of surgery, the rod is deformed to accommodate the existing curvature of the patient's spine and segmentally fixed thereto using novel bone clamps. The rod is then inductively heated to the transition temperature post-operatively to effect shape recovery and thereby apply corrective forces to the spine.

Abstract: An inertial bullet puller includes a rigid tough transparent plastics material carrier tube having an opening at its upper end adapted to receive a cartridge and a head portion at its lower end adapted to be struck against a hard surface. The carrier tube is affixed to the end of a handle in a manner similar to the construction of a hammer. However, the carrier tube is not completely perpendicular to the handle, but instead, resides at an angle to the handle. At the upper end of the carrier tube is disposed an annular segmented cartridge support. A cap at the upper end of the carrier tube having a tapered inner end provides a cam surface for positively moving the annular segmented cartridge support radially inwardly and holding it in position.

Abstract: A DC motor control system reduces power demands imposed upon a DC power source energizing a utilizing device by varying the time during which power application occurs, but not the magnitude of the power which remains constant. The DC motor control system includes a transducer/resistor network, a trigger pulse circuit, a control signal circuit, a driver circuit, and a switch network. The control signal circuit outputs a duty cycle control signal as regulated by the transducer/resistor network and the trigger pulse circuit. The transducer/resistor network permits an operator to determine the duration of the duty cycle control signal, which varies from 0% to 100%, while the trigger pulse circuit establishes the frequency of the duty cycle control signal. The driver circuit receives and amplifies each duty cycle control signal outputted by the control signal circuit. The driver circuit inputs each amplified duty cycle control signal into the switch network to activate it.

Abstract: A bowling ball comprises a dense inner core which cannot be penetrated during the drilling of holes for gripping purposes and balance holes to adjust the static weight, a non-spherical outer core formed about the inner core to act as a top weight, and a cover stock. The dense inner core which cannot be penetrated by a drill prevents the characteristics of the bowling ball from being changed and, further, lowers both the moment of inertia and radius or gyration of the bowling ball to improve the bowling ball's characteristics. These characteristics include enhancing the rolling pattern of the ball and increasing the energy with which the ball strikes the pins. The non-spherical outer core operates as a top weight to replace weight removed during the drilling of the finger and thumb holes and enhance the hooking action of the ball by providing a breakpoint which is very sharp at the back end of the bowling lane. That late, sharp breaking hook allows the bowling ball to strike the pins with a greater force.

Abstract: The present invention relates to resin coated particulates, the process of forming the particulates, and the particulates' utilization in petroleum well completions. More particularly, the present invention comprises the resin coated particulates and the process whereby the high strength particulate substrates are coated with a heat curable resin which is reacted with a formaldehyde source-metal compound (FS-MC) complex. The resultant resin coated particulates are less reactive or interactive with the fluids employed to convey those particulates during petroleum well completion operations.

Abstract: A beverage dispenser includes a housing that defines a cooling chamber and has dispensing nozzles mounted thereon, a water line positioned in the bottom of the cooling chamber for communicating water to the dispensing nozzles, product lines mounted in the front of the cooling chamber for communicating product to the dispensing valves, a refrigeration unit mounted over the cooling chamber that includes an evaporator coil extending into the cooling chamber, and an agitator motor mounted over the cooling chamber for driving an impeller located within the cooling chamber. The cooling chamber contains a cooling fluid, a portion of which freezes about the evaporator coil during the operation of the refrigeration unit to form a frozen cooling fluid slab.

Abstract: A pump includes a quick connect interface that attaches to any drink dispensing to allow the mounting of the pump without the necessity of connection devices such as threaded fittings and/or clamps. The quick connect interface includes a housing having an inlet port and an outlet port. The inlet port connects to a product source to deliver product into the pump, while the outlet port connects the pump to a product dispensing apparatus. Both the inlet and outlet ports include a flow regulator that prevents the flow of product from the quick connect interface when the pump is removed. The housing also has a gas port that connects to a gas source to deliver gas into the pump. The gas port includes a flow regulator that prevents the escape of gas from the gas source when the pump is removed. Additionally, the pump includes a counter that measures the volume of fluid pumped by the pump.

Abstract: An inertial bullet puller comprises a rigid, tough plastics material carrier tube having an opening at its upper end adapted to receive a cartridge and a head portion at its lower end adapted to be struck against a hard surface. The carrier tube is affixed to the end of a handle in a manner similar to the construction of a hammer. The upper end of the carrier tube includes a plurality of slots cut therein to receive an annular segmented support comprised of a plurality of segments interconnected with an O-ring. A cap at the upper end of the carrier tube includes a tapered inner end to provide a cam surface for positively moving the segments radially inward and holding them in position. After a cartridge is inserted through the segments, the cap is tightened to urge the segments inwardly along the slots so that they engage the cannelure and casing of the cartridge. In use the lower end of the tube is struck against a hard surface until the bullet is observed to pull free of the cartridge casing.

Abstract: A reversible hat includes a first crown portion and a second crown portion stitched to the first crown portion. A first brim section is stitched to a second brim section with a brim stiffener stitched therebetween. The first brim section stitches to the first crown portion, while the second brim section stitches to the second crown portion. An elastic band permits the expansion of the first and second crown portions to allow the reversible hat to fit the head of any wearer.

Abstract: A method of gelling a guar or derivatized guar polymer solution utilized to perform a hydraulic fracturing operation includes the step of adjusting the pH of the guar or derivatized guar polymer solution to between about 8.5 and 12.5. After adjusting the pH, an anhydrous boron compound or a sparingly soluble borate suspended in a mineral spirits-resin solution or an oil-resin solution is added to the guar or derivatized guar polymer solution. The guar or derivatized guar polymer solution and the anhydrous boron compound or the sparingly soluble borate solution suspended in the mineral spirits-resin solution or the oil-resin solution is then pumped into a subterranean formation under sufficient pressure to cause a fracture in the formation rock.

Abstract: An automatic drilling system regulates the drill string of a drilling rig in response to any one of, any combination of, or all of drilling fluid pressure, bit weight, drill string torque, and drill string RPM to achieve an optimal rate of bit penetration. The automatic drilling system includes a drilling fluid pressure sensor, a bit weight sensor, a drill string torque sensor, and a drill string RPM sensor which deliver a drilling fluid pressure signal, a bit weight signal, a drill string torque signal, and a drill string RPM signal to a drilling fluid pressure regulator, a bit weight regulator, a drill string torque regulator, and a drill string RPM regulator. The regulators control a drill string controller in response to the above signals so that it manipulates the drilling rig to release the drill string at a rate which maintains the maximum rate of bit penetration.

Abstract: An apparatus for detecting sticky and a leading one includes first circuitry capable of detecting both sticky and a leading one. The apparatus further includes second circuitry that determines whether a sticky or a leading one detect is required. Depending upon that determination, the second circuitry controls the first circuitry to perform a sticky detection or a leading one detection. A method practiced by the apparatus includes the steps of detecting either sticky or a leading one utilizing the same circuitry, determining whether a sticky or a leading one detect is required, and controlling the circuitry in accordance with the determination of whether a sticky or a leading one detect is required.

Abstract: Aqueous solutions of zirconium chelates are prepared by combining an alpha-hydroxycarboxylic acid salt with a solution of a zirconium compound. That preparation first involves formulating an alpha-hydroxycarboxylic acid salt through a stoichiometric reaction between an alpha-hydroxycarboxylic acids and a base. The stoichiometric reaction product consists of an approximately neutral solution of a corresponding alpha-hydroxycarboxylic acid salt. The alpha-hydroxycarboxylic acid salt is then added to a solution of a zirconium compound to produce a mildly acidic or basic solution of the corresponding zirconium alpha-hydroxycarboxylic chelate. Alternatively, the alpha-hydroxycarboxylic acid salt may be pre-prepared and added in solid or liquid form to the zirconium compound before the zirconium compound is placed in solution so that the corresponding zirconium alpha-hydroxycarboxylic chelate is produced.

Abstract: A bowling ball comprises a core surrounded by a cover stock. The core comprises a body with its center positioned substantially coincident with the bowling ball's geometric center and a weight block positioned as close to the outer surface of the bowling ball as possible. The weight block functions as a top weight to offset the mass lost in the bowling ball due to the drilling of gripping holes and balance holes. Furthermore, the weight block provides the three ounce out of balance maximum between the top and bottom of the bowling ball to produce a gyroscopic steering effect which creates a sharp break in the path of the bowling ball at the back end of the bowling lane. The body of the core lowers the moment inertia of the bowling ball to produce a ball with stable rolling characteristics.

Abstract: A positive displacement pump includes a relief valve comprising an valve seat, a needle within the valve seat, a spring forcing the needle within the valve seat, a set screw pressing the spring against the needle and a spacer for mounting the set screw to the housing of the positive displacement pump. The relief passages are formed at the intersection of the valve sleeve and the piston. The valve seat threadably connects within the relief valve passageway to prevent the erosion of the passageway. The valve seat may be constructed from a plastic, hard rubber, or metal material and include a rubberized seal secured at one end of the valve seat. When the valve seat erodes to a point where it provides an insufficient seat for the needle, it is removed from within the relief valve passageway and replaced with a similar valve seat.

Abstract: An ice bagger includes a sanitizing system which periodically activates to sanitize the ice hopper. In operation, a flow of water is directed to the hopper to melt the ice in the hopper and to flush the melt water to a reservoir. A sanitizing agent is added to the water in the reservoir to form a sanitizing solution which is circulated throughout the hopper. After the sanitizing process, the sanitizing solution is drained from the reservoir and the reservoir is refilled with fresh water for rinsing the hopper.

Abstract: A tool measures the force required to move the handle of a railroad track switch between first and second positions that open and close the switch. The tool includes (1) an elongate tool handle; (2) a clamp for clamping the tool handle to the end of the switch handle so the longitudinal axis of the tool handle is parallel to the longitudinal axis of the switch handle and so the tool handle extends a predetermined distance from the switch handle; (3) a grip mounted on the tool handle a fixed distance from the end of the switch handle; and (4) a gauge mounted on the tool handle between the grip and the clamp to measure the maximum force exerted to throw the switch. Another embodiment provides a clamp which fits on standard torque wrenches and mounts on the handle of a railroad track switch to permit the measuring of the force required to open and close the railroad track switch.

Abstract: An apparatus for treating fluids by increasing the fluid's rate of diffusion, removing minerals in solution, releasing entrained gases, and destroying bacteria includes a pair of cascaded vortex nozzles positioned in opposed relation. Each of the vortex nozzles communicates with a fluid source to receive a fluid stream which it rotates. The cascaded vortex nozzles feed their rotating fluid stream into the rear of the vortex nozzle with which they are cascaded. The rotating fluid streams fed into the vortex nozzles combine with the rotating fluid stream within each nozzle. The combined streams then circularly rotate and exit the opposed vortex nozzles to collide in a chamber. The collision between the combined rotating streams results in the breaking of the bonds holding the fluid, gases, and minerals in their molecular array, thus, increasing the fluid's diffusion rate, allowing the gases to escape, the minerals to agglomerate, and destroying bacteria.

Abstract: A beverage dispensing apparatus includes a modular dispensing tower which may be positioned remote from both the product and the cooling unit or, alternatively, may be mounted onto the cooling unit housing using quick connect couplings. When positioned remote from the cooling unit, the modular dispensing tower connects to the cooling unit through an insulated trunk line which allows positioning of the modular dispensing tower up to twenty five feet away from the cooling unit. Additionally, the modular dispensing tower comprises an insulated manifold which operates to significantly decrease the temperature of the dispensed "casual" drink. The manifold houses a plurality of product conduits which are positioned against a carbonated water conduit which works in a recirculation system to greatly reduce the temperature of the dispensed "casual" drink. Furthermore, the modular dispensing tower may reside on the countertop or may be mounted onto the edge of the countertop in order to save countertop space.