Abstract: An aboveground pool decking system that entails a platform that mounts to and over the conventional top rail of an aboveground pool, creating a smooth, level and gap-free transition from the deck to the edge of the pool. The platform includes an extension that fills the gap that is required between the top rail and deck to allow for maintenance and repairs to the pool and installation of a pool cover. With the extension, the pool deck is permitted to abut against the outer edge of the platform. The platform is configured to be securely attached to and stable on the top rail, yet easily removed to re-expose the gap between the rail and deck for repairs, maintenance and installation/removal of a pool cover. Various embodiments are possible for the platform that further promote the aesthetic and functional advantages of the invention.

Abstract: A method for enhancing the brazeability of a heat exchanger manifold block (110) by promoting the braze metal flow in and around the manifold block (110) during brazing within a braze furnace. The invention is particularly directed to enhancing a brazement between a manifold block (110) and a jumper tube (124) that fluidically connects the block (110) to another component of the heat exchanger system. The method entails increasing the rate of convective and radiative heat transfer to the block (110) during brazing within a braze furnace by providing fins (116, 128), grooves (118, 130) or similar features on one or more surfaces of the block (110) that increase the surface area of the block (110), and consequently increase the heating rate of the block (110) to something closer to that of the tube (124). In effect, the surface features increase the heat transfer rate of the block (110) to compensate for the disparate thermal masses of the block (110) and tube (124).

Abstract: A heat exchanger comprises a plurality of flat tubes for heat exchange between a first fluid flowing inside the tubes and a second fluid flowing outside the tubes. A pair of hollow headers is connected to the ends of the flat tubes. An inlet and outlet are provided in the headers for introducing the first fluid into the flat tubes and discharging it therefrom. Each header is composed of at least two parallel tubes with substantially circular cross-section, two adjacent tubes having integrated wall portions, thereby providing a substantially flat header.

Abstract: A high-fidelity (hi-fi) stereo speaker (110) having a three-sided pyramidal-like cabinet (112) with pyramid-like reflectors (118, 120) that reflect sound through openings (124, 126) in three sidewalls (122A, 122B) of the cabinet (112). The speaker (110) includes a tweeter (114) and woofer (116), and optionally a midrange (128) mounted in the cabinet (112) between the tweeter (116) and woofer (116). The tweeter (114) faces upward to reflect sound off one of the reflectors (118) that faces downwardly from near the top of the cabinet (112). The woofer (116) faces downwardly, firing at one of the reflectors (120) that faces upwardly from near the bottom of the cabinet (112). The speaker (110) is configured to deliver sound through each of the three sidewalls (122A, 122B) of the cabinet (112), i.e.

Abstract: A corrosion-resistant and high tensile strength aluminum-based alloy consisting of, by weight, about 0.06-0.25% iron, 0.05-0.15% silicon, 0.03-0.08% manganese, 0.10-0.18% titanium, 0.10-0.18% chromium, up to 0.50% copper, up to 0.70% zinc, up to 0.02% incidental impurities, and the balance aluminum.

Abstract: A trailer mounts a first unit having an aggregate classifier and a pair of cyclones for pivotal movement between a generally horizontal storage position on the trailer and a generally vertical upright operational position on the trailer. A second unit having a second classifier and a second pair of cyclones is pivotally mounted on the trailer for movement between a generally horizontal storage position and a generally upright vertical operational position. In the storage positions, the units leave an open area in the middle of the trailer for storing and transporting ducts for use when operational. The duct work includes a riffle splitter "Y" duct for releasable securement to the aggregate inlets of the first and second classifiers in their upright position to provide a common aggregate inlet thereto. The ducts include a rectilinear duct for interconnecting the dust outlets of the cyclones when in their vertical operational position for channeling the dust to a baghouse.

Abstract: A cutting loop (212) for an electrocautery probe (210). The cutting loop (212) includes a conductor member having a cutting portion (214) with a proximal edge (214a) and a distal edge (214b), the proximal edge (214a) being adapted for creating an incision, i.e., resecting human tissue as the cutting loop (212) is traversed in a cutting direction approximately perpendicular to the proximal edge (212a). During the resection procedure, the cutting portion defines a cutting plane that is generally parallel to the surface of the tissue being resected. The proximal edge (214a) of the cutting portion (214) is characterized as flat or blunt, and is oriented to be substantially perpendicular to both the cutting direction and the cutting plane. The flat or blunt shape of the proximal edge (214a) enhances the current distribution characteristics of the cutting loop (212).

Abstract: A technique for reducing the shadow corrosion effect in zirconium-based alloys caused by .beta.-particles emitted by adjacent components containing one or more elements that emit .beta.-particle flux when activated by neutron capture. The technique entails providing a coating capable of absorbing .beta.-particles, so as to mitigate the adverse effect of .beta.-particle bombardment of a zirconium-based alloy. Preferred coating materials include beryllia, beryllium, tin, zinc, chromium and cadmium. The coatings can be applied to various nuclear reactor structural alloys, such as stainless steel and nickel, platinum, copper, hafnium and yttrium-based alloys containing 0.2 weight percent manganese or more.

Abstract: An automotive heat exchanger that includes a manifold (12) and a mounting block (10) attached to the manifold (12) and over an opening (30) in the wall of the manifold (12). The mounting block (10) has a flange portion (16) with a surface (18) that engages approximately half of the outer perimeter of the manifold (12). The block (10) also includes means (20, 24) for securing the heat exchanger to an automobile (14), and an inlet/outlet port (26) extending through the block (10) and in fluidic communication with the opening (30) in the wall of the manifold (12). Grooves (19) are preferably present in the surface (18) of the flange portion (16) of the block (10), two of which engage raised portions (23) on the perimeter of the manifold (12) in order to aid in securing the block (10) to the manifold (12). The remaining grooves (19) provide reservoirs between the block (10) and manifold (12) for braze material (21) that metallurgically bonds the block (10) to the manifold (12).

Abstract: A heat exchanger member (12) having an internal passage in which a baffle assembly (14) is received to define at least two separate flow regions within the passage. The baffle assembly (14) includes a pair of baffles (18, 26), a first (18) of which having a first peripheral portion (22) contacting the wall (16) of the heat exchanger member (12) so as to form a fluid-tight seal therebetween. The first baffle (18) further has a second peripheral portion (24) spaced apart from the wall (16) of the heat exchanger member (12) so as to form a peripheral gap (32) therebetween. The second (26) of the two baffles also has a peripheral portion (30) contacting the wall (12) of the heat exchanger member (12) so as to form a fluid-tight seal therebetween. A second peripheral portion (30) of the second baffle (26) contacts the second peripheral portion (24) of the first baffle (18) so that the baffles (18, 26) are joined together as an assembly.

Abstract: A method of depositing a bond coat (16) of a thermal barrier coating (TBC) system (14) for a component (10) designed for use in a hostile thermal environment. The method yields a bond coat (16) having an adequate surface roughness for adhering a plasma-sprayed ceramic layer (18), while also exhibiting high density and low oxide content. The method generally entails forming the bond coat (16) by depositing a metal powder on the substrate (12) using a plasma spray or high velocity oxy-fuel (HVOF) technique. The metal powder contains particles that are sufficiently large to incompletely melt during deposition, yielding a surface roughness of at least about 350 microinches Ra. The large particles cause the bond coat (16) to have relatively low density and a propensity to oxidize, both at the surface of the bond coat (16) and internally due to the porosity of the bond coat (16).

Abstract: An flue gas scrubbing apparatus and process by which flue gases are contacted by a contact medium while traveling rapidly upward through a passage, such that the contact medium is fully entrained in the upward-flowing flue gases. The gases and the entrained contact medium are then redirected downwardly so that the entrained contact medium impacts the surface of a reservoir of the contact medium contained in the tank, with the result that much of the entrained contact medium is separated from the flue gases. The surface of the reservoir of contact medium causes the flue gases to abruptly change flow direction, flowing horizontally at a reduced velocity so that any remaining contact medium entrained in the gases becomes separated from the gases. After another abrupt change in flow direction, the gases are substantially free of contact medium and can be demisted by conventional means.

Abstract: A method for repairing the rim of a steam turbine rotor, and a weld material for repairing such rotors. The method generally includes the steps of removing a damaged rim and its associated dovetail region, so as to form a surface at the perimeter of the rim portion. A weld repair region is then formed on the surface, which is machined to reconstruct the rim portion and the dovetail region exclusively with the weld repair region. Thereafter, an appropriately configured blade is secured to the rim portion with the dovetail region. The method is particularly intended for the repair of a steel alloy rotor, such as a NiCrMoV, NiMoV and CrMoV alloy, while the weld repair is formed with a nickel-base superalloy whose mechanical and thermal properties are compatible with the repair method and the steel alloy over a broad temperature range.

Abstract: A heat exchanger member (12) having an internal passage in which a baffle assembly (14) is received to define at least two separate flow regions within the passage. The baffle assembly (14) includes a pair of baffles (18, 26), a first (18) of which having a first peripheral portion (22) contacting the wall (16) of the heat exchanger member (12) so as to form a fluid-tight seal therebetween. The first baffle (18) further has a second peripheral portion (24) spaced apart from the wall (16) of the heat exchanger member (12) so as to form a peripheral gap (32) therebetween. The second (26) of the two baffles also has a peripheral portion (30) contacting the wall (12) of the heat exchanger member (12) so as to form a fluid-tight seal therebetween. A second peripheral portion (30) of the second baffle (26) contacts the second peripheral portion (24) of the first baffle (18) so that the baffles (18, 26) are joined together as an assembly.

Abstract: A method for repairing and joining aluminum alloy articles and structures, such as heat exchangers for use in automotive applications. The method utilizes a flux-coated soldering rod (10) that is used to deliver a solder alloy (12) and a flux compound to a region to be repaired. The flux compound has a higher melting temperature than the solder alloy (12), and is present as a coating (14) that sufficiently thermally insulates the alloy (12) to cause the flux compound and the solder alloy (12) to melt nearly simultaneously during the soldering operation. The solder alloy (12) is preferably a zinc-aluminum alloy, while the flux coating (14) preferably contains a cesium-aluminum flux compound such as potassium cesium tetrafluoroaluminate, dispersed in an adhesive binder that will readily volatilize or cleanly burn off during the soldering operation.

Abstract: A bilge water filtration system for removing petroleum-based liquid contaminants from the bilge water as it is being pumped from the bilge to a bilge water discharge outlet in the hull of a marine vessel, such as a boat or yacht. The filtration system employs filtration media enclosed in a modular unit equipped with a fill tube, such that media can be readily installed in the system, and then later removed to allow for subsequent destruction or recycling of the contaminants trapped by the media. The filtration system of this invention is adapted to be installed in-line with an existing bilge pumping system on boats and yachts of practically any size, and without requiring special modifications to the pumping system. In addition, the filtration system does not impede the operation of the bilge pumping system, but allows the flow bilge water to flow from the boat's bilge at conventional flow rates and with a minimal pressure drop caused by the filtration system.

Abstract: Footwear (210) that is readily adjustable to maintain the wearer in an upright, substantially vertical position, enabling the wearer to negotiate a steep roof without slipping or falling. The footwear (210) entails a pair of shoe boards (224) that attach to the wearer's shoes or feet. Each shoe board (224) is supported on a base (212) whose shape provides a large surface area that, when in contact with the roof under the weight of the wearer, securely grips the roof surface, even for roof pitches of 12/12. In addition, the shape of each base (212) is tailored to enable a pair of the footwear (210) to nest together, allowing the wearer to place his or her feet close together when desired. In a preferred embodiment, each base (212) is equipped with concave surface regions (228B, 232B) that receive convex portions (228A, 232A) of its mating shoe board (224) in a manner that provides an uncomplicated method of adjusting the pitch of the footwear (210) and securing the shoe board (224) to the base (212).

Abstract: A primary lithium battery particularly adapted for use in self-contained self-powered devices (SSPD) for mobile communication and computing products, such as radio frequency identification tags, PCMCIA cards, and smart cards. The battery utilizes a solid polymer electrolyte membrane that preferably has a polyacrylonitrile matrix. Performance of the electrolyte membrane is optimized by controlling the amount of aprotic organic solvents within the membrane within a prescribed range of ratios. The battery cathode is encapsulated within a polymeric matrix that eliminates the exposure hazard posed by lithium intercalation compounds used within the cathode. Use of stainless steel foil current collectors gives a high open circuit voltage of 3.8 volts and high cell capacity. A method of determining the optimum cathode thickness in the battery is also described. This provides a means of maximizing volumetric and gravimetric energy densities by using the optimum amount of cathode material.

Abstract: A primary lithium battery particularly adapted for use in self-contained self-powered devices (SSPD) for mobile communication and computing products, such as radio frequency identification tags, PCMCIA cards, and smart cards. The battery has a flexible and compact design which eliminates use of a separate electrolyte membrane by utilizing an electrolyte-bearing composite cathode that preferably has a polyacrylonitrile matrix. Performance of the battery is optimized by controlling the amount of aprotic organic solvents within the composite cathode within a prescribed range of ratios. In so doing, the performance characteristics of the battery closely approximate those having conventional liquid electrolytes without the safety concerns associated with liquid electrolyte leakage, and exhibit enhanced performance at sub-ambient temperatures.

Abstract: A primary lithium battery particularly adapted for use in self-contained self-powered devices (SSPD) for mobile communication and computing products, such as radio frequency identification tags, PCMCIA cards, and smart cards. The battery has a flexible and compact design, and utilizes a solid polymer electrolyte membrane that preferably has a polyacrylonitrile matrix. Performance of the electrolyte membrane is optimized by controlling the amount of aprotic organic solvents within the membrane within a prescribed range of ratios. In so doing, the performance characteristics of the battery closely approximate that of conventional liquid electrolytes without the safety hazards associated with the risk of liquid electrolyte leakage, and exhibit enhanced performance at sub-ambient temperatures. A further feature is that the battery's cathode is encapsulated within a polymeric matrix that eliminates the exposure hazard posed by lithium intercalation compounds used within the cathode.