Abstract: A casing spacer disposed between and engaging an inner carrier pipe and an outer casing maintains separation between and alignment of the carrier pipe and the casing. The casing spacer includes plural connected shell members, or segments, disposed about and engaging an outer surface of a carrier pipe and an inner surface of the casing. Each shell member includes one or more non-slip members engaging the carrier pipe to prevent movement of the casing spacer along the carrier pipe/casing combination. Each shell member is comprised of a high-strength, pliable material permitting shell members of different sizes to be connected together in a single casing spacer to accommodate a wide range of carrier pipe circumferences. The shell members are connected by plural nut and bolt couplers, with each shell member further including tapered coupling apertures and plural connector flanges to facilitate assembly and installation.

Abstract: A universal communication system (UCS) consists of a number of communication modules that connect automation devices including controllers, sensors, actuators and input/output components to various communication networks. Each module transfers data between an automation device and the network using network-specific services and protocols. All modules present the same physical, electrical and logical interface to the automation device. Configuration data that customizes the presentation of the device and its data to the network is stored in non-volatile memory in the communication module. In this way, a single device design can support multiple network types by using appropriately configured modules.

Abstract: In an arrangement of rasp blades on a tire buffing machine, adjacent rasp blades in a stack of blades are mounted to the rasp hub. The blades are placed in alternating relations such that the teeth on one blade are staggered relative to the teeth on adjacent blades to increase blade life and to improve the texture of buffed tire casings and, thus, the quality of the bond between the casing and the new tread.

Abstract: In a distributed computer program, active software probes in the form of small functions built into an application are invoked by another application. When invoked, an active probe provides a positive response if the service being requested is available from the probed package. If the service is not available, the probe will fail alerting the software package installer that there is a problem. The active probes thus perform a functionality check for the software package, not a check merely based on the package's release number. Because the probe is active, it is capable of checking for subtending capabilities that the calling application may not realize are necessary for this service. This ensures full coverage of the test while hiding some implementation details from the calling application.

Abstract: A property security system and method therefor assigns a property code uniquely associated with each property owning member. The property marker code includes a two letter abbreviation for the state of residence of the property owner and a numerical code identifying the county in a given state in which the member, or property owner, resides or is located. This aspect of the invention is based on the numerical ordering of all counties in each of the fifty states. The last portion of the alphanumeric property marker code is a number representing the order of membership in the property security system of the property owner registering his or her personal property. The property marking code may also include a number or letter code representing the client's country of residence or location.

Abstract: A business form incorporates an improved multi-layer integral card utilizing microperforations to form ties which retain the card during machine handling and printing. The method employs a flexible steel die or engraved die cylinder with microperforations. The die penetrates all layers but the bottom laminate and the microperforations form ties to secure the card until removed for use. The combination and method of forming allows convenient removal of the card by an end user with edges on the removed card being smooth to sight and touch.

Abstract: An electron gun for use in a cathode ray tube (CRT) includes a source of energetic electrons, i.e., a cathode, a beam forming region for forming the energetic electrons into a narrow beam, an arrangement for deflecting the beam over a display screen, and a focus arrangement for focusing the beam on the display screen in the form of a small spot in forming a video image. The beam forming region includes a G1 control grid, a G2 screen grid and a portion of a G3 grid in facing relation to the G2 grid, where each grid includes a respective aperture through which the electron beam is directed, with the apertures aligned along a common axis. The size of the aperture on the side of the G2 grid in facing relation to the G1 grid forms a first focusing lens and is smaller than the size of the aperture on the opposed side of the G2 grid in facing relation to the G3 grid which forms a second focusing lens.

Abstract: A negative electrode (12) for a non-aqueous electrochemical cell (10) with an intermetallic host structure containing two or more elements selected from the metal elements and silicon, capable of accommodating lithium within its crystallographic host structure such that when the host structure is lithiated it transforms to a lithiated zinc-blende-type structure. Both active elements (alloying with lithium) and inactive elements (non-alloying with lithium) are disclosed. Electrochemical cells and batteries as well as methods of making the negative electrode are disclosed.

Abstract: A generally planar, structural insulated panel for building construction includes a pair of outer facings disposed on opposed surfaces of a plastic foam core. One of the outer facings is comprised of a gypsum or cementous composite for use on the panel's inner surface, while the other outer facing is comprised of oriented strand board (OSB) or other conventional building material which forms the panel's outer surface. Disposed between and laminated to the inner surface of the gypsum or cementous composite facing and the plastic foam core by a conventional bonding agent is a sheet of paper impregnated with urethane or polyisocyanurate plastic. The impregnated sheet of paper serves as a vapor barrier near the panel's inner surface to prevent moisture from permeating from the warm interior of the structure through the plastic foam insulation to the outside.

Abstract: A portable test meter is disclosed for measuring, calculating, recording and monitoring significant system parameters for a local communication network of the type used in industrial automation applications. The meter is disclosed in the context of a network employing the DeviceNet protocol. For each network parameter of interest, a rotary switch selects a desired one for display. An auto search mode selectable by the operator, increments through selected network parameters and compares measured or calculated values against stored data representing acceptable, marginal, or unacceptable conditions, and an associated visual indicia is displayed for each unacceptable or margin condition detected.

Abstract: A handwashing medium which may be in liquid, cream, powder or spray form is provided with a detection agent such as an invisible fluorescent additive, which combination is then rubbed onto one's hands using the individual's handwashing technique and is allowed to dry. The individual's hands are rinsed with water as in the normal handwashing fashion and the hands are then exposed to an activating agent such as an ultraviolet (UV) light source. Areas missed during handwashing retain the fluorescent additive and are clearly visible due to fluorescence. The method is useful in evaluating one's handwashing technique and has applicability anywhere cleanliness is required such as in hospitals, clinics, restaurants, etc., and may be used as an instructional aid in teaching young children proper hygiene techniques.

Abstract: A two-layer coating for the outer surface of a glass display screen of a video display device such as a cathode ray tube (CRT) includes an inner antistatic layer and an outer antireflective layer. The outer antireflective layer contains silica and has a refractive index in the range of 1.4-1.5. The inner layer contains carbon black powder particles which provide high electrical conductivity to dissipate electrostatic charge on the glass display screen. The inner layer further includes a surface activation agent, such as glycol, for dispersing the carbon black particles in the antistatic solution. To increase the refractive index of the inner layer to a value greater than its typical value, which is in the range of 1.5-2.0, for the purpose of reducing light reflection from the glass display screen while maintaining high conductivity, ZrO2, ZnO, ZnS or TiO2, or a combination thereof, is added to the inner antistatic layer to provide a stable solution with optically and electrically desirable characteristics.

Abstract: The control of emissions from fossil-fired boilers wherein an injection of substances above the primary combustion zone employs multi-layer feedforward artificial neural networks for modeling static nonlinear relationships between the distribution of injected substances into the upper region of the furnace and the emissions exiting the furnace. Multivariable nonlinear constrained optimization algorithms use the mathematical expressions from the artificial neural networks to provide the optimal substance distribution that minimizes emission levels for a given total substance injection rate.

Abstract: A method of decontaminating a radioactively contaminated oxide on a surface. The radioactively contaminated oxide is contacted with a diphosphonic acid solution for a time sufficient to dissolve the oxide and subsequently produce a precipitate containing most of the radioactive values. Thereafter, the diphosphonic solution is separated from the precipitate. HEDPA is the preferred diphosphonic acid and oxidizing and reducing agents are used to initiate precipitation. SFS is the preferred reducing agent.

Abstract: A concrete curing and texturing machine includes a truss frame supporting a reservoir of curing fluid and drive members positioned at the ends of the truss frame for powering the machine longitudinally along a roadway being surfaced. A texturing carriage is mounted to the truss frame and arranged to longitudinally move back and forth along the truss frame. A truss member is mounted rearwardly of the truss frame and includes a sprayboom carriage unit which moves longitudinally move back and forth along the truss member. The sprayboom carriage unit supports a sprayboom having a plurality of nozzles operatively connected to the liquid reservoir.

Abstract: An agricultural planter having left and right hinged wing sections includes seed storage tanks carried by the planter frame and feeding individual row units, mounted fore and aft of the main toolbar, by flexible conduits. The tanks are mounted to permit the wings to flex independently to follow ground contour while extending the tanks from a wing section onto the center frame section.

Abstract: A generally planar structural insulated panel for use in the wall of a building structure includes an inner core of insulating material such as plastic foam. Disposed on and attached to opposed surfaces of the insulating core are outer facings in the form of thick sheets of paper impregnated with plastic such as urethane, polystyrene or polyisocyanurate. The plastic impregnated paper (PIP) sheets are 0.14″ to 0.70″ thick and extend several inches beyond the edges of the panel's insulating core. The PIP sheets provide the panel with high tensile strength and the peripheral edges of the PIP sheets are adapted to receive coupling pins such as nails, screws or staples for mounting the panel to 2× dimensional lumber members in the building structure. The high tensile strength of the PIP sheets also provides secure mounting of the panel to the adjacent structural members.

Abstract: A multi-beam color index cathode ray tube (CRT) includes vertically spaced, horizontal phosphor stripes on the inner surface of its display screen. The parallel phosphor bands are arranged in groups of three, with each phosphor stripe in a group providing a respective one of the three primary colors of red, green and blue. An electron gun directs three electron beams onto the display screen, with the three electron beams deflected over the display screen in unison in a raster pattern. The three electron beams are focused in the form of three spots on the display screen, with each spot coincident with a respective horizontal phosphor stripe of a given color. The intensity of each electron beam is independently modulated as it sweeps across the width of the display screen by a respective color video signal in accordance with the displayed image.

Abstract: A process for producing potassium nitrate and other metal nitrates from the chlorides, sulfates, oxides of these metals. The process uses nitrogen dioxide as a true fluidizing medium in shallow beds of the aforementioned solids at moderately elevated temperatures in a continuous counter current process to convert the metal chlorides, sulfates, and oxides, into metal nitrates and effluent gas and water vapor. The process may be carried out in a series of true fluidized beds arranged in a vertical configuration so that the solids flow downward due to the fluidized process and the nitrogen dioxide gas flows counter currently in an upward direction producing pure metal nitrates at the bottom and nitrosyl chloride gas and/or water vapor at the top.