Abstract: A steam cap for use in cleaning out a tank, such as a railroad tank car, is described herein. The steam cap of the invention is preferably affixed to a tank outlet, such as a tanker outlet leg. The steam cap includes a body, preferably made of a drain cup and a line cuff, wherein the body is adapted to be secured to the tank. A delivery pipe extends into an interior space defined by the body. The drain cup defines an annular space around the delivery pipe. A condensate drain line communicates with the annular space. The condensate drain line extends outwardly from the drain cup. In use, steam or other material, delivered to the tank through the delivery pipe condenses on the tank walls and collects at a bottom of the tank. The condensate drains out of the tank outlet into the annular space in the drain cup. Condensate is then drained out of the annular region of the interior space through the condensate drain line or through a perforation.

Abstract: An apparatus for determining dynamic mechanical properties of a cement sample. The apparatus includes an isolator located within a cavity defined by a body. The isolator has an attached end that engages the body proximate a narrow end of the cavity. A space between the body and isolator facilitates lateral movement the isolator. A transducer is located in an interior space defined by the isolator. The transducer has an attached end engaging a distal end of the isolator. A space between the isolator and transducer facilitates lateral movement of the transducer distal end. The transducer generates compressional waves and shear waves that travel into the sample. An ultrasonic receiver receives the waves. The waves are separated with filtering. Sample setting time may be determined from propagation time of shear waves through the sample. Compressive strength of the sample is determined by velocity of compressional waves as the sample sets.

Abstract: Vaccines and methods useful to induce an immune response which is protective to reduce the severity or prevent infection by ehrlichial parasites of the species Anaplasma marginale utilizing recombinant MSP1a surface protein antigens alone or in combination with tick cell culture derived A. marginale.

Abstract: A mud flap of the type typically used on motor vehicles is constructed of thermoplastic material that defines a cavity therein. An opening in the front surface of the mud flap communicates with the cavity. A bottom surface of the cavity defines an area that is larger than an area defined by edges of the opening such that the front surface overhangs the bottom surface of the cavity. A mud flap weight is sized such that when the mud flap is located within the cavity, the front surface overhang secures the mud flap within the cavity. The resulting mud flap assembly has a clean, attractive appearance and eliminates potentially dangerous bolt protrusions typically found on other designs.

Abstract: There is provided a system and method for estimating radiation exposure in real time or in near-real time while a dosimeter is being irradiated. In the preferred arrangement, OSL will be used to calculate estimates of the radiation dose rate, preferably by using comparisons between illumination values measured during and after lighting the dosimeter with a laser light of a predetermined frequency. A first preferred embodiment utilizes quasi-equilibrium OSL intensity with periodic stimulation during continuous irradiation. Another preferred embodiment utilizes the amplitude of the transient OSL signal during periodic stimulation. Another preferred embodiment utilizes the difference between the OSL intensity at the end of one stimulation period and the beginning of the next. Finally, another preferred monitors the time constant for the return of the transient OSL signal to equilibrium, following either a change in dose rate or during a periodic optical stimulation.

Abstract: In accordance with the instant invention, there is provided a mattress topper which is designed to be placed atop a mattress and/or box spring combination. In the preferred arrangement, the topper consists of a sandwich of three layers. The outer layers are preferably comprised of open cell foam of a thickness about equal to one inch or so. The inner layer is an impermeable central liner which is preferably made of a material such as plastic. The function of the central liner is to prevent the migration of fluids from one side of the topper to the other. Thus, although the foam upper layer is very absorbent, an inadvertent spill or other deposit of moisture will be blocked in its migration through the topper by the central waterproof member, thereby protecting both the lower member and the mattress below from exposure to the moisture. In a preferred embodiment, the inner layer is comprised of a foam stiffener core encased by an impermeable wrapping.

Abstract: A trolling motor having reverse battery protection such that an inadvertent reversal of the battery leads, as when connecting the trolling motor to a battery, will not cause unwanted operation of the trolling motor or damage to the trolling motor circuitry. The reverse battery protection includes a field effect transistor connected in series between one of the battery leads and the motor. The gate terminal of the transistor is in communication with the other battery lead such that, when the battery leads are properly connected to a battery, the transistor is driven to its conducting state and, when the battery leads are reversed, the transistor is driven to its non-conducting state.

Abstract: A system and method for synchronizing a remote generator to a bus, whether or not power from the bus is available at the generator. The system includes: a first clock at a host site; a host timing processor for determining the time of a synchronizing event; a communication channel for transmitting the time to a remote site; a second clock at a remote site synchronized to the first clock; and a remote timing processor for receiving the time of a synchronizing event, comparing the time of the event to the time of a similar event at the generator, and adjusting the speed of the generator to synchronize the generator to the bus.

Abstract: A braking apparatus for a fishing reel. The braking apparatus includes a braking assembly. A contacting structure surrounds the braking assembly. A plurality of braking elements are slidably located within the braking assembly. The braking elements slidably move from a retracted position to an extended position. In the extended position, the braking elements make braking contact with the contacting structure. Each braking element has a protuberance that extends into an indentation on a selector. The selector is adapted to restrict selected braking elements from contacting the contacting structure. By rotating the selector, protuberances on selected braking elements are radially aligned with an outer wall segment of an indentation that is a desired distance from the selector axis and brake assembly axis. Therefore, selected braking elements are restricted from full radial movement, thereby controlling braking by selectively permitting greater or fewer braking elements from contacting the contacting structure.

Abstract: A DC motor having a motor housing and a motor controller housed within the motor housing. In a preferred embodiment the heat producing components of the motor controller are in thermal communication with the housing such that the majority of the heat produced by such components will be readily conducted to the environment in which the motor is operating. When incorporated into a trolling motor, the motor housing of the present invention will be submerged so that controller produced heat will be dissipated into the water in which the trolling motor is operated.

Abstract: According to a preferred embodiment, there is provided an electronic patient monitor for use in reducing the risk of decubitus ulcers. The monitor utilizes a separate sensor which senses the position of the patient in the bed or chair for purposes of determining when the patient moves. Additionally, the monitor broadcasts masking noise through its own, or through a remote, speaker, thereby enabling the patient to rest more comfortably in a noisy institutional environment. If the patient does not move on his or her own accord within a predetermined turn interval, the masking sound broadcast will be terminated which will gently encourage the patient to move. An alarm may additionally be sounded to notify the caregiver that the patient needs to be manually turned to reduce the risk of decubitus ulcers.

Abstract: The present invention provides a transpiration cooled rocket motor which operates at low combustion pressures, inherently provides stabilized combustion, and operates over a desired range of L-star. In a preferred embodiment the inventive transpiration cooled rocket motor includes: a housing; a porous injector sleeve; a propellant injector; and a nozzle. Preferably the injector sleeve lines the inside walls of the housing such that the inside volume of the sleeve forms the chamber for the motor. Liquid fuel passes inwardly through the pores of the injector sleeve and is injected from the sleeve into the chamber, thus cooling the walls of the rocket motor.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to enhancing the odor control of a manufactured composite cat litter granule by including as a component thereof and entrapped therein an effective odor controlling amount of small size silica gel particles. The manufactured granule preferably includes a clay component but may rather include any number of absorbent filler materials such as paper mill sludge, recycled paper, corn cob renderings, rice or peanut hulls, or other organic plant materials, so long as the materials can be agglomerated into a cat litter granules and entrap small size silica gel particles.

Abstract: There is provided herein a method of defining and storing remixing of existing musical and video works. As a first step, various segments of a digital song or video work are identified, preferably in terms of their starting and ending times. Given the defined loops or video clips, the user next forms a remix of the selected song/video work using those components. The final product, i.e., the resulting remix, can then be completely specified in terms of the loop/clip definitions together with the time at which each of the defined loops/clips appears in the final mix. The remix can thus be compactly stored as a computer file.

Abstract: A ruminant direct fed microbial composition of matter comprising an acidosis inhibiting effective amount of Propionibacterium P-63 is provided. Also disclosed is a process for reducing acidosis in ruminants or scours in swine by administration of the bacterium to the ruminant or swine. The microbial composition may be administered by itself, or combined with animal feed and/or lactic acid producing cultures.

Abstract: A process for the stimulation of production of extracellular dermal matrix proteins in human tissue through the simultaneous delivery of ultrasound and electrical energy thereto. In another aspect, a wound is purposefully created in the dermal layer of the skin to stimulate natural healing processes to be followed by delivery of ultrasound and electrical energy to further advance the production of extracellular dermal proteins.

Abstract: A method for in-season macro and micronutrient application based on predicted yield potential and a nutrient response index. The inventive method includes the steps of: determining a nutrient response index for a field; determining the normalized difference vegetation index (NDVI) of an area to fertilize; determining a predicted crop yield for the area; determining an attainable crop yield for the area; determining the nutrient requirement for the area as the difference between the nutrient removal at the attainable yield minus the nutrient removal at the predicted yield, adjusted by the efficiency of nutrient uptake in the particular crop. In one preferred embodiment, processing requirements at the time of application of the nutrient are eased by generating a lookup table of nutrient requirement relative to measured NDVI prior to application of the nutrient.

Abstract: A building automation system having: a plurality of wireless remote devices, each wireless remote device including a wireless transceiver for transmitting and receiving digital information and an interface for energy management which can read a sensor, such as a temperature sensor, a flow sensor, an electronically readable gas or electric meter, or provide an output, such as a relay driver; and a controller having a wireless transceiver for digital communication with the wireless remote devices and a computer interface. Each wireless remote device includes an identifier to identify the type of interface present in the remote device and a serial number to allow the controller to communicate exclusively with any individual remote device. The controller interface allows the controller to communicate with a computer, and ultimately with a server to allow monitoring and control of the system from virtually anywhere in the world.

Abstract: A transducer and electrical cable combination for use, preferably, in a trolling motor. The electrical cable includes an outer shield connected to the chassis ground of the trolling motor; an inner shield connected to the signal ground of the transducer; and a pair of signal carrying conductors comprising a twisted pair.