Abstract: An electrochemical sensor for remote detection, particularly useful for metal contaminants and organic or other compounds. The sensor circumvents technical difficulties that previously prevented in-situ remote operations. The microelectrode, connected to a long communications cable, allows convenient measurements of the element or compound at timed and frequent intervals and instrument/sample distances of ten feet to more than 100 feet. The sensor is useful for both downhole groundwater monitoring and in-situ water (e.g., shipboard seawater) analysis.

Abstract: A substance and method for minimizing or eliminating damage to objects caused by animals, especially gnawing and chewing rodents. A wide variety of objects and items can be protected by the practice of the invention. Methods are disclosed for extracting the active repellent ingredient from pepper plants, particularly habanero peppers, and for using the extract to treat the objects to be protected. Disclosed protective treatment methods include applying the extract directly to the item to be protected, and/or mixing the extract with caulks, paints, glues, or rubber coating materials.

Abstract: Disclosed are methods of repartitioning nutrients in ruminants. Serum concentrations of serum insulin, serum urea nitrogen, serum glucose, and serum growth hormone in ruminants were varied by feeding specific protein supplements and an otherwise negative energy diet. Improvement in body condition and body weight was concomitant with reduced milk production and calf weight.

Abstract: A device for the simultaneous modeling and rendering of three-dimensional objects on a computer display through a tactile user input. The tactile user input consists in part of a closed solid surface. The preferred form of this surface is a ball. This ball is enveloped by a plurality of sensors, all of which can feed electronic signals to a central processing unit equipped for graphical display. The software component of the device contains data structures representing various primitive and other generic solid objects, such as a sphere, a cube, a cylinder, and coarse generic anatomical solids (human head, hand, nose, arm, foot, torso, leg, body, horse head, dog head, etc.). Each primitive or generic solid object has defining nodes which are geometrically correllated to the relative positions of the sensors on the tactile ball. The spatial positions of the nodes are altered in response to tactile stimulus applied to corresponding sensors on the tactile ball.

Abstract: A lockout device to prevent tampering with the manually set position of a valve or regulator or other device having a rotatable shaft for adjusting, for example, the flow of fluid through the device, from a position initially set to some other position. The lockout device is usable with a wide range of standard valves and regulators which have a drive stem and includes a drive gear that engages the drive stem and a key locking device mounted in a generally cylindrical handle of the lockout device and being selectively movable from a first position in which the handle free-wheels relative to the drive stem of the valve so as to prevent unauthorized moving of the rotational position of the valve stem by any person not having a key to an engaging position in which the handle is locked to the drive stem to permit ordinary rotational movement and setting of the valve stem position.

Abstract: A multi-purpose on-line or field-portable system and method for monitoring the presence and concentration of selected antigen-antibody reactions singly or in combination that result from the presence of specific microorganisms or free antigens present or suspended in aqueous solutions, during a given time period. The detection system comprises a detection column and two sensors mounted around the detection column. Each sensor consists of an electromagnetic radiation source and an appropriate detector for the electromagnetic radiation. The reacted analyte tends to accumulate at the sensor located at the bottom detection column. The lower sensor continually nulls against the upper sensor to subtract any optical effects due to non-reactants in the aqueous process or environmental stream. The response from the detector sensors drive an electric circuit, which provides an output signal. In the on-line automatic version, the signal can drive elements of a process system by switching automated valves.

Abstract: Methods and apparatuses for removing contaminants. At least one injection well is drilled through the vadose zone to a depth below the water table defining the upper boundary of the aquifer. A plurality of venting wells or venting laterals are established to a depth above the water table sufficient to discourage fouling by contaminated water or condensate, and oxygenated substances are injected under pressure through the injection wells. Additional biochemical cleansing may occur at ground level prior to venting of contaminated air. Microbes natural to the contaminated site may be extracted, analyzed, fermented, and reintroduced to enhance biodegradation, and nutrients, food, or both, may be supplied to the microbial population to sustain high levels of degradation activity. Relatively pure liquid contaminant may be separated from other fluids, such as water.

Abstract: A replacement surface for bathtub and shower floors comprising a liner covering substantially the entire bottom interior surface of the bathtub or shower with a peripheral relief allowing access to a drain and conforming surface irregularities of the bottom interior surface to present a top surface with a relatively smooth contour, and a self-curing, waterproof adhesive layer which envelops and seals any cracks on the bottom interior surface and promotes an intimate bond between the liner and the bottom interior surface.

Abstract: A method and the apparatus (hereinafter referred to as the environmental monitoring system or EMS") designed to sample, detect, measure, and report, in real time, the presence of contaminants and thereby provide users with the ability to continually monitor conformance of water with established health and safety standards. When integrated with a user operated process control system, the EMS enables users to control the monitored process and to thereby ensure that the sampled water complies with established health and safety standards.

Abstract: A downhole pump is reciprocated subsurface for the purpose of lifting fluid from an underground borehole to the surface or other suitable storage location. As the fluid being pumped may contain gas, the efficiency of the pump may decrease to the point where no fluid is pumped due to the compression and expansion of gas within the downhole pump. This condition is commonly described as gas lock, and, when encountered, can prevent the pump from displacing any fluid, resulting in no efficiency and no work performed. Installed as an integral part of the downhole pump assembly, the device described herein effectively, mechanically, and positively prevents the gas locked condition, and, additionally, efficiently handles suspended solids due to its design incorporating no moving parts nor small fluid passages.

Abstract: Method and apparatus for management of image data using dynamic image pixel management for composite image display of image data so that "overlayed" and transparent images may be displayed, changed, and redisplayed in real time. On redisplay, the invention returns values of only those pixels, the values of which have changed, or any subset of all pixels. The invention is independent of the hardware used to display images and permits true color with transparency regardless of the number of display hardware bit planes available.

Abstract: The disclosure is directed to a method and apparatus for remotely sensing electrical activity and potential for lightning occurrence. The disclosure is particularly directed to the use of such an apparatus and method to detect the electrical alignment of particles in upper levels of electrified storms. Storms are illuminated by radar in one or more orthogonal polarizations and the co-polar and cross-polar returns are correlated coherently and incoherently. The correlation coefficient, or a function thereof, is examined to determine the degree of particle alignment, and therefore the degree of electrification and potential for lightning occurrence. The phase of the correlation computation, in coherent processing, also detects particle alignment, which can be incorporated in the predictive decision. Correlation and phase can be displayed, recorded or, utilized for a prediction or warning.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for displaying items in two orthogonal planes on a display card. The items are preferably extensibly secured to the display card by an elastic strand secured to opposed lateral portions of the item.

Abstract: Disclosed is an apparatus for storing, advancing and replacing paper rolls. The apparatus comprises a vertical magazine for storing paper rolls in a vertical column, a pivotal cradle for advancing the bottom roll while holding back the next following roll, and a cammed-spindle mechanism for replacing a spent spool on a spindle with the bottom roll. A single mechanical impetus accomplishes these functions. Also disclosed is a method of using the apparatus.

Abstract: A portable electromechanical apparatus for easily and hygienically managing and disposing of pet wastes. The apparatus contains separate solid and liquid waste collectors and containers, located beneath a platform. A waste receiving member is provided upon the platform upon which a pet's solid waste is deposited. Electronic circuitry detects the presence of a pet and judges whether excretion has taken place, whereupon the waste receiving member, bearing the excrement, is moved off the platform and into a solid waste receptacle. A mechanism for automatically opening the solid waste receptacle is provided.

Abstract: A spinal and cervical immobilization apparatus (and associated methods) combining a fiber-reinforced, resin transfer molded, spinal immobilization board having rows of slots at one end with head and neck support brackets fitting into the slots, as required by the width of the patient's head and neck. The board has rounded and upturned corners, molded grip holes with finger indentations, and beveled indentations for the head and torso of a patient into which fit padding, and is 1.75" or less in thickness, weighs nine pounds or less, and can carry 700 pounds without cracking.

Abstract: Peptides containing a biological-function domain which includes the sequence Tyr-Ile-Gly-Ser-Arg (YIGSR) and a medically useful metal ion-binding domain are labeled with medically useful metal ions for use in a variety of diseases and pathologic conditions, and particularly for diagnosis and treatment of thrombosis and other diseases and conditions.

Abstract: The invention is to be used in conjunction with other medical devices that are designed to be attached to catheters. The use of the placement needle through the other components prevents the spillage of blood that usually occurs when catheters are inserted into blood vessels by acting as a sturdy guide for the pliable catheter tip and shaft while passing through a seal before penetrating a blood vessel. The catheter is pushed inside the vessel while the needle is removed and discarded. After the placement needle is removed from the unit blood fills the chambers but is trapped by the seal at the end of the injection site.Also disclosed is a method of using the invention.