Abstract: The present invention provides a system and method (1) for reducing the amount of air toxic elements, particularly mercury (16), in concentrations down to and including trace levels, from a flyash (2) laden combustion gas stream (4). The method includes a step of combusting a fuel (14), often coal or solid waste to form flyash, and a step to concentrate the interaction of the flyash (2) in the combustion gas stream (4) for use as a sorbent.

Abstract: An integrated window screen system including a roller screen assembly which provides for out of view storage of the screen material (22). The screen material (22) is attached to the sash (10) of a double hung or similar window. The opposite edge of the screen (22) is attached to a roller drum (30) mounted on a shaft (78). The drum (30) is mechanically interconnected to a spring motor (26) which includes a constant force spring (62) which has the effect of keeping the screen (22) taut when deployed. The roller drum (30) is located below the window sill (50).

Abstract: A debris collection vehicle (1) having an offset cab (12) adjacent to a conveyor belt (61) which transports collected debris to a hopper (59). Rows of resilient fingers (51) are mounted on a collector drum (36), the conveyor (61) and on curb brushes (22, 24). The orientation of the collector (36) may be varied with respect to the lower drum (57) supporting the conveyor belt (61) in order to permit the reliable entrainment of various sized and shaped objects without fouling. The collector drum (36) is biased by a spring (192) to facilitate clearance of obstacles or oversized debris. A front deflection bar (229) is mounted adjacent to the collector drum (36) to direct debris toward the lower support (56) of the conveyor belt (61). A rear deflection bar (239) is mounted adjacent to the lower conveyor support (56) to direct debris toward the upper surface of the conveyor belt (61).

Abstract: An impact flowmeter (10) for measuring a stream of free flowing bulk solids (60) having low mass flow rates. The flowmeter (10) includes a barrier (18) between the flowing stream of solids (60) and the sensor chamber (16). A primary sensing element (48) includes an impact plate (50) positioned to lie in flow chamber (14). A velocity sensor (39) is mounted to an inlet chute (32) for providing a velocity output signal (284) in response to the velocity of the solids in the stream of solids (60) as the stream of solids (60) passes the velocity sensor (39). The velocity sensor (39) includes a velocity circuit (278), a first capacitance sensor (41) and a second capacitance sensor (43) mounted to the side wall of the inlet chute (32) and arranged so that the solids in the stream of solids (60) pass by the first capacitance sensor (41) before passing by the second capacitance sensor (43).

Abstract: A molded plastic holder (1, 130) for packets includes a substantially flat support panel (11, 132) which is designed to be mounted to any vertical surface. Molded as part of and integrally joined to the support panel (11, 132) along a lower edge (3) is a plurality of curved clips (12, 112) which are displaced outwardly at the base (27) so as to provide a clearance space (31) to receive the packets. The clip (12, 112) includes a retaining wall (24a) which joins the base (27) and tilts inwardly toward the support member (11, 132), terminating at an upper edge (7, 9). The clip (12, 112) is biased such that the upper edge (7,9) is urged toward the support member (11, 132).

Abstract: A variable speed belt drive having adjustable mass and moment of inertia camweights is shown for use primarily in conjunction with snowmobile, golf cart, all terrain vehicle and small automobile engines. In one version, the camweight includes a series of perforations or score lines surrounding a cross section of the camweight arm. The perforations define a volume that may be snapped or cut off of the arm with a suitable tool. Also, a series of bores are formed through the arm. In order to increase the mass of the arm, a molten metal or similar flowable material may be poured into one or more of the bores and allowed to cure. In another version of the invention, a reduced cross section arm serves as a base onto which shims are added or reoriented in order to achieve the desired mass and moment of inertia characteristics.

Abstract: Metal detector (1) including an oscillator (10) generates an RF field in the vicinity of the head (2). Two reference signals (13, 14) are generated, one signal (14) being in phase with the oscillator (10) and the other signal (13) being shifted from the oscillator signal by 90.degree.. The signal (8,9) from the receive coils (6,7) is amplified and quadrature demodulated into two signal channels, each channel giving the orthogonal component of the original signal (8,9). The signals of each channel are digitized and read by a microprocessor (37) that controls the amplitude of the balance signals (43, 49). One signal (43) is in phase with the oscillator signal (11) and the second signal (49) is shifted 90.degree. from the oscillator signal (11). Signals (43,49) return to detection circuitry (6,7), maintaining balance on each channel. By monitoring the magnitude of the phase shifted and unshifted signals (49,43), the microprocessor (37) determines the characteristics of the product.

Abstract: An improved silane/silica sol copolymer hardcoating composition for protecting optical plastic substrates from scratching is able to be manufactured at lower costs and to provide much-improved ease of use in transportation, storage, dipbath stability, and blush resistance in ordinary cleanroom atmospheres. The silane/silica sol copolymer is formed as a direct reaction product of an acidic silica sol and an monomethyl trialkoxy silane, preferably substantially monomethyltriethoxysilane, in ratios of 30:70 to 70:30, most preferably about 40:60. A tail solvent aids blush resistance and adhesion to unprimed polycarbonate. Optionally, colloidal silica sol dissolved in water-miscible solvent may be reacted in a second stage with acidic aqueous colloidal silica sol earlier silanized with monomethyl trialkoxy silane.

Abstract: A dismount brake device (1) is tethered by a cable (4) to a snowmobile rider (3). Pulling on the cable (4) displaces a trigger (17) which frees a piston (34). The piston (34) is biased by a main spring (39) to decrease the volume of a chamber (11) containing hydraulic fluid and which is interconnected to the brake line (13). A plunger (36) extends from the head of the piston (34) and seals a port (40) leading to the master cylinder (42). As the volume of the chamber (11) continues to decrease, the pressure in the brake line (13) reaches a value that will activate the brakes and stop rotation of snowmobile track (47). Activation of the brake handle (46) resets the device (1) for further use. An alternate embodiment (48) utilizes a solenoid (50) instead of the tether (4) to physically move a modified trigger (56) when a switch senses that the seat (64) of the snowmobile (2) is unoccupied.

Abstract: A snowmobile stud (12) having a tip (18) which permits adjustment of the degree of protrusion of the tip beyond the bottom surface (10) of the track (1). The stud (12) can be installed with the aid of a nut (20) placed within an oversized bore (19). Alternatively, the stud (12) can be mounted within an undersized bore (27) without the use of a nut. In either method, an undersized hole is drilled in the existing laterally extending track stiffening bar (7), the hole being enlarged and self tapped by the advancement of the stud (12). The stud (12) may be fully retracted for use on snow or extended to the desired extent for use on ice.

Abstract: A gusseted envelope or box making apparatus and method including the use of a tractor feed unit (11) which perforates the web stock (5) prior to a subsequent printing step capable of printing on either side of the web (5). At least one thermal print head (61) precisely activates thermal ribbon (57) which is accurately registered with the web (5) by means of pin feed holes (16,17). A product conveyor (74) manipulates the product (75) so as to automatically load the box or envelope (69) thus manufactured and printed. A multipart form (141) is disclosed including a continuous envelope (167), return reply envelope (173) and enclosed coupon (166) which may all be imprinted with unique customer information (161). The complete form (141) is folded and inserted into a parent envelope (167) by a series of vacuum plates (376) and insertion rams (392).

Abstract: A refuse collection device (1) including a collector roller (11) and an inclined conveyor (27) which deposits collected debris into a hopper (127) along arcuate paths (128, 129), thereby filling the hopper (127) initially in the region adjacent to its rear wall (130). Mounted on the collector roller (11) is a plurality of rubber fingers (13, 14, 15, 16) arranged in rows (17, 18, 19) which are laterally offset from substantially identical rubber fingers (39, 40, 41), also arranged in rows (32, 33, 34) so as to occasionally form a substantially continuous, upwardly moving entrainment platform (150) and to also occasionally form an arrangement of spaced apart fingers which each transport debris onto the conveyor (27). The collector roller (11) is attached to a biasing means (118) so as to permit the collector roller (11) to travel over excessively large debris without interference.

Abstract: A variable speed belt drive (1) having adjustable mass and moment of inertia camweights (40, 56) is shown for use primarily in conjunction with snowmobile, golf cart, all terrain vehicle and small automobile engines. In one version, the camweight (40) includes a series of perforations or score lines (47, 48, 49) surrounding a cross section of the camweight arm (45). The perforations define a volume that may be snapped or cut off of the arm (45) with a suitable tool. Also, a series of bores (52, 53, 54) are formed through the arm (45). In order to increase the mass of the arm (45), a molten metal or similar flowable material may be poured into one or more of the bores (52, 53) and allowed to cure. In another version of the invention, a reduced cross section arm (59) serves as a base onto which shims (64, 65, 66) are added or reoriented in order to achieve the desired mass and moment of inertia characteristics.

Abstract: A window attachment screen system using a roller screen assembly provides out of view storage of a screen material (16). The screen material (16) is attached to the sash (44) of a double hung or similar window. Operation of the screen material (16) is caused by movement of the window. The roller screen assembly utilizes a constant force spring (34) which resists increases in the torsional loading force.

Abstract: A portable frame straightening apparatus for straightening and repairing vehicles which is comprised of a frame structure (1) to which the damaged vehicle (124) is attached. The structure (1) is bolted to a plate (21) which is anchored to the floor. The frame structure (1) and the attached damaged vehicle (124) can be rotated to achieve the desired angle of pull needed to repair the damage. The structure (1) is then secured to the floor with a chain (214) on either side which are fastened to anchors (216) in the floor so as to prevent rotation of the structure (1) while pulling. An independently standing pulling tower (213) which is also rotatable in a similar fashion to the plate (21) can accommodate various vertical adjustments for height variation as needed in pulling on the damaged vehicle.

Abstract: The present invention provides a system and method (1) for reducing the amount of air toxic elements, particularly mercury (16), in concentrations down to and including trace levels, from a flyash (2) laden combustion gas stream (4). The method includes a step of combusting a fuel (14), often coal or solid waste to form flyash, and a step to concentrate the interaction of the flyash (2) in the combustion gas stream (4) for use as a sorbent.

Abstract: A universal tool holder (100) including a holster (110) and a rigid mounting panel (120) attached to and extending above the holster (110). The holster (110) defines an epitrochoidal cavity (1) which includes a biasing crease (2) along the rear convex wall (119). The holder (100) includes a belt mounting means (124a, 124b) and a wall mounting means (125a, 125b) which are formed as part of the panel (120). The lower opening of the holster defined by the lower edge (114) has a surface area that is at least fifty percent as great as the projected surface area defined by the upper edge (113), thereby permitting insertion of a large variety of tools (90) into the holster (110).

Abstract: A granular fertilizer spreader which may be attached to a lawn mower (1). The spreader includes a hopper (44) which is secured to the mower handle (3), the spreader including drive wheels (9,10) which frictionally engage the rear mower wheels (7,8). An impeller (99) is rotated by the drive wheels (9,10), thereby urging fertilizer or other granular material contained within hopper (44) to exit through a series of orifices (73-84) located along the bottom surface (54) of the hopper (44). A discharge chute (134) entrains the fertilizer as it exits the orifices (73-84) and guides the fertilizer along a series of open channels (138-149), each channel terminating with an outlet orifice (152-163 ) through which the fertilizer is ultimately deposited upon the ground behind the mower deck (2). The drive wheels (9,10) are urged into positive frictional contact with the mower wheels (7,8) by a spring (187) that is secured to the mower handle (3) at a user selected point by a clamp (196).

Abstract: A cable connector (82) including a thermal fuse (25) for use with a low voltage electrical system (1). The preferred connector (82) includes a pair of electrically and thermally conductive jumper elements (19,23) with a plurality of sharpened edges (30,33,64,67) for piercing the insulating jacket (32,35,73,74) surrounding the inner conductors (14,15,22,24) with which the jumpers (19,23) make electrical contact. The jumpers (19,23) include a plurality of conductor engaging slots (31,34,65,66,68,69) which mechanically grip the conductors. In operation, the quality of the electrical contact between the jumpers and the conductors is proportional to the amount of heat radiated at the junction between the terminals (26,27,62,63) and the conductors (14,15,22,24), the heat causing the thermal fuse (25) to break the electrical circuit when the sensed heat exceeds a predetermined threshold.

Abstract: An air dam (100) for a snowmobile (10) diverts air away from a cavity beneath the front end (12) of the snowmobile (10). The air dam (100) extends forward and downward, and, thus, diverted air imparts a downwardly directed force on the air dam (100), thereby helping to maintain the skis (20a, 20b) of the snowmobile (10) in contact with the ground. A template (160) is used to form rivet holes (119) in the sidewalls (114, 118) of the air dam (100) as well as in the belly pan (18) of the snowmobile (10) to which the air dam (100) is attached.