Abstract: A mud pump is provided with two cylinders for pumping mud in connection with water well drilling, and two sets of hydraulic oil cylinders with pistons connected to and driving the pistons of the mud pump by piston rod connecting plates. A flow divider located downstream from a hydraulic oil power supply pump applies hydraulic power evenly to two sets of mud pump driving cylinders, but the flow divider accommodates re-routing of hydraulic oil to one driving cylinder during a directional valve shift for the other driving cylinder. Rod position sensing switches coupled to an electro-hydraulic control system coordinates the action of the sets of pump driving cylinders and thereby of the mud pumping cylinders, to control and phase the mud driving pistons produce a steady mud pump output simulating the effect of constant velocity pistons.

Abstract: A cleanup tool is described for use in a wellbore, the tool having a body which defines flow passages which communicate with the venturi chamber, the venturi chamber itself communicating with a discharge passage for radially or near radially discharging jetted fluid for cleaning a well head or the like. The tool may further include or be associated with filtration devices, including a junk basket or filter screen.

Abstract: In one embodiment, a spinal fixation assembly includes an elongated member, such as a spinal rod, configured for placement adjacent the spine and a bone engaging fastener, such as a bone screw having a lower portion configured for engaging a vertebra and a head that is at least partially spherical. The assembly further includes a receiver member defining a bore therethrough from a top end to a bottom end, a recess for receiving the head of the bone screwing fastener therein, and a lower opening at said bottom end of the receiver member through which the bone screw extends. The recess is configured to at permit pivoting of the bone screw within the receiver member until the head is fixed within the recess. The receiver member also includes a channel communicating with the bore and having an upper opening at the top end of the receiver member for insertion of the spinal rod into the channel.

Abstract: The invention provides a method for measuring the amount of analyte in a sample of biological fluid using a simple low sample volume reagent test strip with a built in metering system. The test strip may comprise a microtitration zone to prevent oversampling and an integrated capillary to prevent problems associated with short sampling and act as means of absorbing the fluid sample. The test strip comprises a wicking layer and a reaction matrix embossed layer in the form of a pillow assembled into a microtitration pocket formed in the strip. The test strip is used in single use applications such as the determination of the concentration of glucose in blood.

Abstract: A braze alloy powder mixture that includes a low-melt powder composition and a high-melt powder composition. The low-melt powder composition is made of one or more low-melt powders and includes 50-70% Ni, 8-20% Cr, 8-15% Ta, 4-10% Co, 2-7% Al, and up to 2.25% B. The high-melt powder composition is made of one or more high-melt powders and includes 50-70% Ni, 2-10% Cr, 2-10% Ta, 5-15% Co, 2-10% Al, 2-10% W, and up to about 3% each of Re, Mo and Hf. Up to about 1% Ti, W, Mo, Re, Nb, Hf, Pd, Pt, Ir, Ru, C, Si, and/or Zr may be included in the low-melt powder, while the high-melt powder may include up to about 1% each of Ti, Nb, C, B, Si, and Zr.

Abstract: A workbench including provisions for cleaning of an object. The workbench includes an enclosure and a shelf that is slidable into and out of the enclosure. The shelf can support an object within the enclosure. A manifold and nozzles within the enclosure direct cleaning liquid or compressed gas at the object so as to clean it and collect the material removed from the object within the enclosure. The workbench includes a top suitable for dimensional gaging and inspection of the object.

Abstract: A centrifuge includes a shaft and a center tube. The shaft has a single flow passage from which fluid is supplied and has one or more fluid ports defined therein. The center tube has two sets of openings defined therein. A portion of the fluid in the centrifuge is directed to bypass the cleaning operation and is directly used to drive the centrifuge. The remaining fluid flows through the centrifuge and particulate matter is removed from the liquid. The fluid is then discharged through the nozzles in order to rotate the centrifuge.

Abstract: This invention describes improvements in or relating to the production of polysaccharide derivatives; more particularly it relates to a method of converting insoluble polysaccharides to a form in which they form part of an anhydrous system in which they may be used as chemical intermediates in the production of derivatives.

Abstract: A clothesline system is provided for automatically applying clothespins to articles to be dried once they are placed on a clothesline. The clothesline system comprises first and second pulleys, which are positioned at a spaced apart distance from each other, as well as a main cable, a secondary cable and a plurality of clothespins. The clothespins are capable of being removably attached to the secondary cable, and are movable between an open and closed position for receiving and gripping articles to be dried to the main cable. The clothesline system further comprises a mechanism for automatically opening and closing the clothespins so that they are able to either selectively grip or release the articles to be dried. Finally, the clothesline system comprises a support system for guiding and supporting the main cable such that the main cable is prevented from sagging beyond an acceptable distance within which the clothespins are capable of being attached to the main cable.

Abstract: A process is disclosed for infiltrating a liquid composition, such as a molten metal or thermoplastic or thermosetting polymer, into a porous solid material, such as a ceramic or porous metal, by contacting the porous material with the liquid composition at a first pressure and then increasing the pressure by at least the critical capillary pressure for the liquid composition/porous solid material system to effect infiltration. The infiltrated liquid composition may then be solidified inside the porous material, such as by cooling, to produce composite materials including ceramic-metal composites as well as ceramic-polymer, metal-polymer, and metal—metal composites.

Abstract: A silver-based alloy thin film is provided for the highly reflective or semi-reflective layer of optical discs. Alloy additions to silver include gold, palladium, copper, rhodium, ruthenium, osmium, iridium, and platinum. These alloys have moderate to high reflectivity and reasonable corrosion resistance in the ambient environment.

Abstract: A pulsed detonation engine wave rotor apparatus and method of using a pressure wave to compress a buffer gas disposed within the engine flow passages. The high pressure buffer gas is routed out of the wave rotor and subsequently reintroduced to the wave rotor to discharge and scavenge the latter stages of the combustion gas remaining under the engine flow passages.

Abstract: The present invention provides an improved torque actuator control system using data inputs from an operator controlled input transducer relating to the desired torque output of a controlled member and inputs concerning the directly measured speed and torque of the controlled member. The improved torque actuator control circuit uses the inputs to generate an output command to the controlled member that results in the direct application of the desired torque output from the controlled member.

Abstract: Novel formulations of DEET are provided which comprise liposomes and other carriers. Methods and materials for preventing Schistomiasis and other parasitic and microbial diseases are also provided. Also provided are improved materials and methods for repelling biting insects.

Abstract: A lid lifter mount is installed on the hinge pin of a conventional manway lid, and has a compression spring assembly engaging a lever which is also installed on the hinge pin. The lever has a bar engaging a lid hinge arm. A spring force adjustment screw connected to the mount enables adjustment of the amount of lift assist the bar applies to the hinge arm by cam action against the arm as the operator lifts the lid. Two embodiments are shown for attachment to two types of lid hinges.

Abstract: A system for implementing a telecommunication number processing technique is disclosed. The deployed system, e.g. a call center, comprises a CT server and a telecommunication switch. The deployed system can further comprise a computer network. The CT server receives a telecommunication number input from a telecommunication switch or the computer network. The telecommunication number input represents a telecommunication number to dial a telecommunication call to a telecommunication subscriber located within the system, or an external telephone. In response to the telecommunication number input, the CT server provides a standardized number corresponding to the telecommunication number input. The CT server subsequently provides a dial plan corresponding to the standardized number. The dial plan includes a dial string, a dial group, and a dialing classification.

Abstract: Borate-diol reaction products for wound healing are disclosed. The product is obtained by reacting 0.01-1% by weight of borate with 1-10% by weight of a mixture polyvinyl alcohols. A 1% of the polyvinyl alcohols have viscosities of 25-30 mPa s and 3-10 mPa s.