Abstract: A child monitoring system that includes a first unit (10) that is worn or is otherwise attached to a child, and a monitoring unit (12) intended to be possessed by a parent or guardian responsible for the child. The monitoring system serves to monitor the proximity of the child to the monitoring unit (12), and provides for alarms (22, 40, 42) at the child's and monitoring units (10, 12) that warn the guardian and those near the child that the child has moved beyond a preset distance from the monitoring unit (12).

Abstract: A pig launcher/receiver (10) having a quick-coupling action when being secured or removed from a pipeline or similar conduit. The pig launcher/receiver (10) generally includes first and second fittings (24, 26) that are coaxially aligned with each other, and sealing elements (32, 34) for sealing abutting axial ends of the first and second fittings (24, 26). The first fitting (24) has male threads on an exterior surface thereof. The end of the second fitting (26) opposite the first fitting (24) is closed, thereby forming a cavity (52) within which at least a portion of a pig (20) can be received. The closed end of the second fitting (26) includes an inlet/outlet (50) for venting the cavity (52) between the pig (20) and the closed end, thereby enabling the pig (20) to be more fully received within the cavity (52). The pig launcher/receiver (10) further includes a sleeve member (28) circumscribing the second fitting (26) and threadably engaged with the male threads of the first fitting (24).

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 face (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 face (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 face (214a) enhances the current distribution characteristics of the cutting loop (212).

Abstract: A wheelchair braking device (10) adapted to automatically engage when the wheelchair (12) to which the device (10) is mounted is unoccupied. The braking device (10) includes a support structure (28) to which is pivotably mounted a sensing lever (14) and a braking lever (22). A biasing element (30) is coupled to the braking lever (22) to bias the braking lever (22) in a first rotational direction relative to the support structure (28) and into engagement with a wheel (32) of the wheelchair (12). The sensing and braking levers (14, 22) are interconnected such that the biasing element (30) operates through the braking lever (22) to bias the sensing lever (14) in a second rotational direction relative to the support structure (28), corresponding to a brake engagement position for the sensing lever (14).

Abstract: A hose coupling shroud for enclosing and securing coupled ends of a pair of hoses, particular those of the type used to convey an abrasive media under high pressure. The shroud has tapered portions at oppositely-disposed ends thereof, openings at the oppositely-disposed ends for receiving the hoses, and vents to allow excess pressure and media to be released from the hose coupling shroud in the event of a coupling failure. Radially-projecting ribs within the tapered portions secure the coupled ends of the hoses within the shroud in the event of coupling failure, and form a pair of sealing barriers between the coupled ends and the openings at the oppositely-disposed ends of the shroud. The tapered portions reduce the likelihood that the hose coupling shroud will become snagged on an object as the hoses are pulled through a work environment.

Abstract: A process for manufacturing a component on which in-service stresses are imposed by in-service loading conditions. The process generally entails fabricating the component such that residual stresses are induced in the component that substantially offset one or more primary stresses which would otherwise limit the maximum service life of the component. The residual stresses are induced by creating compressive stresses in the component that extend sufficiently beneath the working surface of the component during fabrication. In order to appropriately attain the necessary residual stresses, the process of this invention includes developing a model of the component, and then applying the in-service loading conditions to the model to determine the in-service stresses on the component. Thereafter, at least one of the in-service stresses is identified as being critical, i.e., a stress that establishes the maximum service life of the component.

Abstract: A mechanic's creeper composed of two separable sections. One of the sections is configured to be used as a seat, but is otherwise coupled with the other section to form the creeper. The separable sections are coupled in a manner that enables the sections to be coupled and uncoupled while a user remains seated on the seat portion. The creeper is also adapted to accommodate attachments that can be interchangeably coupled to the seat portion.

Abstract: An improved aluminum alloy containing specific additions of silicon and copper to improve wear resistance and improve solutionizing of the alloying constituents, and a process for forming a wear-resistant component from the alloy. The improved aluminum alloy is also characterized by good strength and sufficient ductility so as to permit forging of a wear-resistant component from the alloy. A preferred composition for the alloy, in weight percent, is about 13.0 to about 15.5 percent silicon; about 0.8 to about 2.0 percent copper; about 0.8 to about 1.3 percent magnesium, and the balance being aluminum and impurities. The aluminum alloy is particularly well suited to form pistons of the type used in compressors of automotive air conditioning systems.

Abstract: A shoe cover (10) characterized by being removable and replaceable without requiring the use of the wearer's hands. The shoe cover (10) generally includes a sole (16) having a heel portion (18) and a toe portion (20), one or more members (30) for elastically pulling the toe portion (20) toward the heel portion (18), and a tab (32) projecting from the shoe cover (10) near the heel portion (18). As such, prior to donning, the shoe cover (10) is biased to have a slightly arcuate shape in the region of the sole (16) between the toe and heel portions (20, 18). When putting on the shoe cover (10), the intended wearer steps on the tab (32) near the heel portion (18) so as to immobilize the cover (10), and then inserts the toe of the other foot into the toe portion (20) of the shoe cover (10) to the extent that the shoe cover (10) is generally straightened, overcoming the tension generated by the elastic member (30).

Abstract: A turbine rotor comprising a radially-inward portion of a steel alloy and a radially-outward rim portion circumscribing the radially-inward portion, the rim portion being formed by a weldment that includes a nickel-base superalloy region joining the rim portion to the inward portion of the turbine rotor, the nickel-base superalloy having a room temperature ultimate tensile strength of at least about 690 MPa.

Abstract: An attachment for a reel-to-reel film make-up bench is disclosed which is mounted to one end of the bench and provides a horizontal rotatable platter upon which film may be coiled and uncoiled. The attachment is controlled by a foot pedal which drives an electric motor to rotate the platter. A pair of spools are mounted to the attachment's frame for guiding film between the platter and a reel on the bench and a brake/clutch is provided which operates in response to the tension in the film running over one of the spools to control the platter speed so as to prevent the film overrunning.

Abstract: A method of depositing a bond coat (16) of a thermal barrier coating (TBC) system (14) for components designed for use in a hostile thermal environment, such as turbine, combustor and augmentor components (10) of a gas turbine engine. The method yields a bond coat (16) having an adequate surface roughness for adhering a plasma-sprayed ceramic layer (18) while also producing a bond coat (16) that is dense with low porosity, thereby yielding a thermal barrier coating system (14) that is highly resistant to spallation. The method generally entails forming the bond coat (16) by depositing two metal powders on the substrate (12) using either a vacuum plasma spraying (VPS) or high velocity oxy-fuel (HVOF) technique. The particle size distributions of the two powders are chosen to yield a bimodal (dual-peak) particle size distribution that will produce a VPS and HVOF bond coat (16) characterized by a macro-surface roughness of at least about 350 microinches Ra attributable to particles of the coarser powder.

Abstract: A practice device (10) that allows a musician to practice the specific skills of picking and plucking strings without producing any significant level of sound, such that the user can practice his or her playing technique without being distracted or concerned with the sound produced. The device (10) generally includes a solid, nonresonant body (12) having a front surface (14), an oppositely-disposed rear surface (16), and a short handle (38) that enables the device (10) to be firmly held and stabilized with one hand while being picked with the other hand. A pair of blocks (18, 20), roughly equivalent to a guitar bridge and headstock, are spaced apart on the front surface (14) of the device (10), and strings (28) extend in parallel between the blocks (18, 20) across the body (12) of the device (10). The strings (28) are spaced apart and securely held above the front surface (14) of the device (10) substantially identically to a conventional guitar.

Abstract: An attachment device securable to a ladder having a series of rungs. The device includes a container having a bottom and sidewall attached to its bottom so as to form an interior compartment in which materials and/or objects can be contained, such as a paint can, brushes, and related items.

Abstract: A method for scrubbing flue gases utilizing a spray tower for removing acidic gases and particulate matter from flue gases produced by processing operations of the type carried out in utility and industrial facilities. The spray tower is equipped with a tank that serves as a reservoir for an alkaline slurry used to remove acidic gases and particulate matter from the flue gases. The slurry is pumped from the tank to spraying devices located within the tower. The spray tower further includes an internal structure that enables the slurry to be oxidized and gently agitated within a limited region of the tank, and without the requirement for two separate aeration and agitation devices. As a result, the construction, operational and maintenance costs of the spray tower are significantly reduced as compared to prior art spray towers.

Abstract: A method for weld repairing an article formed of a low-alloy steel, such as a steam turbine component. The method generally includes the step of depositing a first weld repair (14) on a surface of the article, during which a hard heat-affected zone (HAZ) (18) having a fine grain size is formed in the article beneath the surface on which the weld repair (14) is deposited. The first weld repair (14) and at least a portion of the HAZ (18) adjacent the first weld repair (14) are then locally heat treated at a temperature above a critical temperature A.sub.1 of the alloy from which the article is formed. As a result of this localized heat treatment, the original grain structures of the first weld repair (14) and the HAZ (18) are entirely replaced with a fine-grain structure with acceptable hardness. Thereafter, at least one additional weld repair layer (16) is deposited on the first weld repair (14).

Abstract: A method and tool for installing a baffle in a tubular member, such as a heat exchanger manifold. The method and tool are adapted to use a baffle having a closed base that acts to obstruct the flow of a fluid within the tubular member, and further having a sidewall extending axially from the perimeter of the base so as to form a recess in the baffle. The tool is generally composed of a sleeve having an elastically and radially deformable end, such as a number of cantilevered members adapted to be elastically bent radially outward. Radially outward deformation of the sleeve enables the sleeve to securely grip the baffle, maintain the orientation of the baffle during its insertion into the tubular member, and then plastically deform the sidewalls of the baffle in order to secure the baffle to the wall of the tubular member.