Abstract: A method according to this invention employs a set of valves, a series of pressure checks, and a physical stop for verifying the closing of a locking system of a cylindrical passageway. The method may also employ an equalization piping. The valves isolate a tapping machine, a pipeline, and the equalization piping from one another so that product cannot flow from one to the other. The valves are then opened as a series of pressure checks are performed. A completion plug is then lowered into the passageway until the plug comes to rest within the passageway and is oriented so that a locking ring of the plug is in a filly expanded position. The expanded position is then confirmed by raising the plug until its upward travel is restricted. The plug is then released and pressure above the plug is reduced to 0 psi gauge.

Abstract: A pegboard-type tool cabinet can be mounted in a garage wall with the cabinet door flush with garage wall and provide three pegboard tool hanging surfaces in the single surface wall area. The cabinet thus maximizes available pegboard space without intrusion into the available garage space.

Abstract: A portable ramp made according to this invention includes a pair of interconnected ramps for use with high-centering wheeled lawn equipment such as commercial walk-behind mowers. The ramps allow the equipment to move between a first lower elevation and a second higher elevation without its front wheels becoming airborne as the equipment traverses the ramps in a forward direction. The ramps are connected to one another by a flexible tether that allows the distance between the ramps to be easily adjusted and provides a means for stowing the ramps over the handles of the equipment Magnets may be included in a bottom portion of the ramp to provide an optional means for stowing the ramps on the equipment.

Abstract: A method and system of providing compressed substantially oxygen-free exhaust gas for industrial purposes including the steps of extracting exhaust gas from a lean burn engine consuming a mixture of natural gas fuel and air, passing the extracted exhaust gas through a cooling step to cause entrained water vapor therein to condense out, separating and disposing of the condensed water, measuring the oxygen content of the exhaust gas, using the measurement to regulate the quantity of natural gas fed into an igniter into which the exhaust gas is also fed so that substantially all of the oxygen in the exhaust gas is consumed by combustion with the natural gas in the igniter to provide at an outlet of the igniter substantially oxygen-free exhaust gas, and compressing the substantially oxygen-free exhaust gas to provide compressed exhaust gas for industrial applications.

Abstract: A multi-channel noise reduction system provides improved noise reduction with direct instrument tracking of all channels. In a two channel noise reduction system, both channels detect and track the input level and dynamic range of the guitar directly with one channel of dynamic noise reduction between the guitar and the input of a guitar amplifier to eliminate the noise of the instrument and another channel of noise reduction connected in the effects loop of the guitar amplifier. Multiple channels of noise reduction can be implemented with separated threshold controls and with low level expansion and dynamic filtering being combined so as to detect and track the input level and dynamic range of the guitar directly. A buffer amplifier can be used to feed the direct guitar signal to the detectors of the noise reduction system and the input of a stereo guitar system.

Abstract: A stapler is stacked on top of a roll-type tape dispenser. The tape dispenser top surface and the stapler base bottom surface have complemental three dimensional contours which cause the tape dispenser and stapler longitudinal axes to be in parallel relationship when the surfaces are in abutment, prevent relative displacement of the tape dispenser and the stapler when they are stacked and permit the stapler to be dismounted from the tape dispenser and rested for separate use on a flat surface in a stable condition.

Abstract: A flow splitter that divides a two-phase (gas-liquid) inlet stream or a one-phase (liquid-liquid) inlet stream into equal and substantially balanced parts for distribution to an equal number of outlets horizontally oriented and connected to the flow splitter. Because of the design of the flow splitter, no control instrumentation or retention time is required during a split. Openings in each face of the flow splitter help to equalize pressure in the split and allow liquid to fill an end chamber that supports impact forces on a wedge-shaped spreader oriented with its leading edge toward an inlet stream.

Abstract: A centrifugal separator for separating immiscible components of a wet gas stream is formed by an upright cylindrical vortex tube having an internal wall surface, a top with a gas outlet opening therein, a bottom providing a liquid outlet opening and a wet gas stream inlet tangential to the internal wall surface, the inlet being spaced below the top. A helical baffle is secured to the vortex tube internal wall surface and extends from below the top but above the inlet to a lower end spaced above the vortex tube bottom. A plurality of spaced apart vertical outlet fins are affixed to and extending radially from the internal wall surface adjacent the vortex tube bottom, each outlet fin having a top end spaced below the helical baffle lower end.

Abstract: A repair device and method for its use includes plugs that pressure isolate an internally damaged pipeline section and an hermetically sealed housing that contains a length of composite material and a means for controllably releasing the composite material. In a preferred embodiment, the composite material is a pre-cured composite plank and the releasing means is a rotatable carriage assembly. The carriage assembly includes pairs of rollers that maintain the composite material in its coiled state and provide for its controlled release onto the interior wall of the pipeline. The carriage assembly also includes a nozzle for injecting an adhesive into a roller. The roller applies the adhesive onto the interior wall surface and then presses the composite material into the adhesive as the carriage assembly rotates and the composite material uncoils. A pneumatic or electric motor may be used to power the carriage assembly.

Abstract: A method and system for storing, delivering and spooling pipelines, such as underwater pipelines used in off-shore well production systems, enables continuous pipeline reeling operations for multi-mile pipelines without the need for welding stops, a spool base of corresponding multi-mile length, a straight line path from storage to ship and/or stern mooring of the reel carrying vessel. Bending radii for the pipeline from welding to reeling are held to a determined minimum within the range of plastic deformation radii of the pipeline and preferably within the range of elastic bending radii of the pipeline.

Abstract: The present invention regards a barrier plug system (3) for sealing off a pipe (1), comprising a plug body, a first and a second end plate surface (11, 31) arranged on opposite sides of the plug body and at least one circumferential sealing means (6) and means (8) for setting the plug system (3). The plug body comprises at least two separate plug body elements (10, 30) movable relative each other and the at least one sealing means (6) is arranged abutting two opposite annular pressing surfaces (12, 32) formed by the plug body, which are moved towards each other during setting of the plug system (3). The pressing surfaces (12, 32) are limited in the movement against each other by stop means and pre-tensioned to move toward each other by at least one tensioning device (7).

Abstract: A method for repairing and reinforcing a pipeline includes covering a defect in a pipeline section with a composite wrap, isolating the wrap from the ambient environment, and applying a compressive force on the wrap so that the pressure on the wrap is substantially equal to the pipeline pressure. Isolating the wrap involves the use of a housing having a cavity that substantially conforms to the shape of the wrapped section. The cavity may contain a pressurized gas or liquid. Because the pressure acting on the surface of the wrap is at least substantially equal to the pressure of the pipeline section, the wrap cures as if the pipeline is at zero pressure. Once the wrap has effectively cured, the compressive force may be relieved and the housing removed. The composite is now under load and is immediately sharing load with the pipeline.

Abstract: A gun barrel stamping tool includes a die ram having a first U-shaped gun barrel fastener, a die container having a second U-shaped gun barrel fastener, and at least one die ram to die container fastener. The die ram and the die container each include opposing longer sidewalls and an elongate aperture located medially within each longer sidewall, the fastener being received by the elongate aperture. The die ram and die container combine to form an interior space for receiving a punch die. A circular aperture located medially within the shorter sidewall of the die container receives a punch die fastener for securing the punch die against the end wall of the die ram. The die container may include an adjustment mechanism for widening the interior space of the die container. The U-shaped gun barrel fasteners are located on opposing ends of the die ram and die container.

Abstract: The present invention is a system and method for subscribers to communicate electronically over the internet while meeting HIPAA confidentiality requirements. It entails establishing a secure virtual private network (VPN) or higher level domain and enrolling subscribers. Communications sent between subscribers via the VPN or domain have confidential information attached. Unsecured notifications can be sent to the receiving subscriber directing them to log on to the VPN or domain to retrieve the secured message.

Abstract: In a process for treating effluent water, a stream of effluent water is fed to a porous ceramic media filled reactor. Organic and inorganic impurities are absorbed and/or oxidized from the effluent water into the media and/or off-gases. The remainder of the effluent water stream is dispensed from the reactor in an outlet stream suitable for direct discharge to the sea or for recycling without incurring the disadvantages of generating a solid sludge. The reactor includes a chamber containing activated media, such as pellets of porous ceramic material. The pellets are stored in a vertical stacks of sub chambers defined by horizontal perforated trays and/or in a horizontal chains of sub chambers defined by vertical perforated baffles.

Abstract: The invention regards a device for movement within a pipeline which device comprises at least one centralizing means (20) comprising at least two centralizing elements (21) arranged around the circumference of a body (8) of the device. The centralizing elements (21) are arranged to move from a retracted position to an extended position in contact with an inner wall (2) of a pipeline (1) to centralize the device.

Abstract: A circular saw alignment system and method, the system having a first longitudinal member securable to a saw arbor and a second member perpendicular to the first member. The first member having one or more locating devices. The locating devices can be bubble indicators or dial indicators located at the first or second end of the second member.

Abstract: A panel having particular utility in a chair or other apparatus for receiving an occupant in a seated position includes an envelope of resilient material having at least one small opening for receiving a substantially rigid and U-shaped envelope support frame. The envelope support frame is inserted into the envelope through the opening and positioned inside the envelope to tension the resilient material of the envelope in one or more tension zones. A rear support frame bar is then inserted into the opening and connected to the envelope support frame. The small opening may then be sewn closed, knitted, or heat sealed. The width of each tension zone when the envelope is in its relaxed state is different than the width of each immediately adjacent tension zone.

Abstract: An improved signal with adjustable mounting to allow the signal to be oriented to face any direction, without rotating the pressure-containing plug, and with integral seal to protect the outer threads of the mounting nipple.

Abstract: A coupling according to the invention comprises a first part (1) and a second part (2). The first part (1) comprises a housing (5) with a bore (6) and a slide element (7) arranged movable within the bore (6) and the slide element (7) has two ends (10,11), which both end surfaces (10,11) in a disconnected state of the coupling, are exposed to a surrounding fluid around the coupling.