Abstract: A vehicle can be designed using modular frame components. There is provided a chain tank module having one or more chain tanks and an adapter module which provides spacing between individual chain tank modules. Wheels are mounted to the chain tank modules. The chain tank modules have wheel cogs to receive drive chains and also receptacles for receiving axles for the wheel hubs. The frame allows the use of steerable or nonsteerable axle assemblies to accommodate a wide variety of steering mechanisms for vehicles. By utilizing the chain tank and adapter modules, frames of different lengths, widths and wheel configurations can be designed and constructed using a small number of standard interchangeable parts. The cab and engine components are mounted onto a skid which in turn is mounted onto the frame. Drive chains are utilized to rotate the wheels. The drive chains extend through the chain tanks which contain a lubricant therein.

Abstract: An exercise apparatus comprising one or more pair of grasping sections and one or more extensible sections to enable the apparatus to be stretched to an extended length from an un-extended length.

Abstract: A drilling machine drills foundation holes known as drilled shafts or bored piles with a drilling tool attached to an end of a kelly. The kelly is rotated with a rotary drive. The rotary drive has a first motor, a final drive gear coupled to the kelly so as to rotate with the kelly and a planetary gear set between the first motor and the final drive gear. A second motor is coupled to the ring gear on the planetary gear set. A clutch can also be connected to the ring gear. The rotary drive allows the drilling tool to be rotated at low drilling speeds and, without stopping rotation or shifting gears, removed from the hole and accelerated to high speeds to discharge spoil. A mid-range is also possible, wherein the drilling tool can process fluids in the hole. Another motor and planetary gear set can be coupled to the final drive gear and to the second motor.

Abstract: Automatic oil removal from an ammonia evaporator/low pressure vessel in a refrigeration system is disclosed. A liquid refrigerant level controller is utilized to drain the oil. The controller works under the principle of fluid thermal conductivity. Oil having lower thermal conductivity as compared to liquid ammonia, activates the probe which in turn opens the valve to drain the oil accumulated in a trap of an evaporator or a low pressure vessel.

Abstract: A connector for a weapons test set circuit has a case with an open end and electrical conductors extending from the open end into and through the case. The connector is designed to connect to a rail and has coupling legs for this purpose. Each coupling leg has a base portion located in the case and an extension portion that extends out of the case and diverges from the other extension portion. The base portions can move toward each other or apart from each other along guides and are biased in the apart position. Buttons extend from the base portions out of the case; an operator depresses the buttons to converge the legs to allow insertion or removal of the connector from the rail. Releasing the buttons causes the legs to move to the apart position.

Abstract: An evaporator for a refrigeration system is disclosed which includes a tube bundle with various kinds of tubes. Depending upon the size of a tube bundle, at least two different kinds of tubes are used along the height of the tube bundle. Highly efficient nucleate boiling characteristics tubes are used in the lower section and prime surface or only inside surface enhanced tubes are used in the top section to minimize the adverse effects of vapor blanketing. Tubes in the mid sections could be the same or different than the tubes in the lower and upper sections.

Abstract: A tidal power generator has a floating vessel hull that is subject to rising and falling water levels so that the hull moves vertically up and down. Linear-to-rotary converters are coupled between the vessel hull and a fixed object. The converters allow the hull to move vertically while constraining the horizontal movement of the hull. The converters convert the vertical movement of the hull into rotary movement, which is then used to drive an electrical generator. A harborage is provided to protect the hull and the converters and to regulate the water level for the vessel hull as well as become a fixed object relative to the vessel from which a change in relative position causes power to be developed. If the hull is subject to tidal variations, vertical movement of the hull can be desynchronized from the tidal variations so as to store energy during slack tides.

Abstract: A rack stores various types of pool floats. One type of rack has a top section with spaced apart parallel bars. The bars are separated from each other by slots. The top section is supported above the ground by legs. Mattress type pool floats are received by the slots, with the headrests being located on top of the top section and the body of the mattress being located below. The rack is also ideally suited for auxiliary racks, which can hold chairs and other types of pool floats. The auxiliary racks have at least two spaced apart support bars, which may be at different heights. The auxiliary rack can be located to one side of the mattress rack. The auxiliary rack can hold one or two chairs or other types of floats. In addition, standoffs are provided at the top of the racks, so that a cover may be positioned over the rack.

Abstract: A method of attaching supplemental hair to natural human hair begins with selecting a plurality of strands of human hair growing from a scalp. A supplemental hair bundle includes a plurality of supplemental hair strands previously glued to one another at a glued portion by thermoplastic glue. The glued portion is fused using a heating element of an applicator. The glued portion of the supplemental hair bundle is then contacted to the selected plurality of strands of human hair. The heating element may be a heated jaw having a heating channel shaped to receive the glued portion of the bundle. A kneading jaw in opposing relationship to the heating jaw may be used to clamp the human hair and the supplemental hair bundle mix the glue into the strands of human hair. Bundles are made by placing supplemental hair strands in a film of fused glue on a rotating cylinder.

Abstract: A fluid coupling for connecting a hose to a port includes an internal body slidably supported in an external body bore of an external body. The internal body includes valve bore. A stem, located in the valve bore, includes first and second stem seals, and a stem bore in fluid communication with a hose fitting and an outer surface of the stem between the seals. The stem is movable between valve open and closed positions by moving a valve handle. A rotation limiting member coupled to the stem and slidably coupled to the external body limits the rotation of the stem. A locking sleeve coupled to the external body moves between a secure position and a release position. The locking sleeve interferes with the valve handle position when the locking sleeve is in the release position to prevent opening the valve when not connected to the port.

Abstract: A motorcycle is provided with a protective cage on the side portions of an engine. The cage has two side portions that are separated from one another and are coupled to a common bottom member which extends underneath and/or through the engine. The side portions are coupled to the sides of the motorcycle frame at coupling points. The cage provides a low profile protective barrier between the engine and the ground when the motorcycle is on its side and does not interfere with the rider who wants to perform stunts on the motorcycle. At least one of the coupling points on each side is provided with a projection, which projection has a replaceable cap.

Abstract: Pigskin is processed to provide a bleached, expanded skin used in dog treat or chew products. The raw pigskin is dehaired and then daubed with an alkali mixture of an alkali liquid, alkali enzymes and lime, the mixture having a pH of greater than or equal to 12. The alkali mixture dissolves the colloidal protein. The alkali is removed by alternately rinsing the skin in water and agitating the skin with first ammonium chloride or ammonium sulfate, and then second with ammonium chloride or ammonium sulfate, and pancreatic enzymes. The skin is agitated with sodium carbonate and a degreaser to remove the fat. The skin is then washed with hydrogen peroxide, which bleaches and expands the skin. The skin is then formed into a dog product and dried.

Abstract: A wheel assembly for a material handling cart includes a wheel hub having first and second openings in first and second hub faces, each concentric with and extending along a central axis of the wheel hub. First and second ball bearings are located in the openings. Inner rings of the bearings are wider than the outer rings, and the inner rings contact one another. The outer rings are separated by, and are in contact with, a hub member. First and second bearing sleeves in the first and second openings contact and retain the bearings, and form first and second journal bearings. The sleeves contact journal surfaces on a portion of each inner ring that extends parallel to the central axis from an outer face of each outer ring away from a medial plane of the wheel assembly.

Abstract: The diesel fuel gauge is used for determining the level of diesel fuel in a diesel fuel tank. The gauge is in the form of an elongated member formed of white plastic material with spaced apart marks and numbers formed on one side of a gauge portion with a handle extending from the gauge portion. A dry layer of material soluble in diesel fuel coats the side of the gauge covering the marks and numbers. The material in one embodiment includes asphalt mixed with a liquid thinner and a liquid drying agent. When the gauge is inserted into the diesel fuel in the tank and removed, the material in contact with the diesel fuel may be removed from the member by wiping it off to expose the marks and numbers for use for determining the level of diesel fuel in the tank.

Abstract: A column of solvent containing foaming contaminants is provided. Gas is educted into the solvent in the column so as to generate foam in the column. The gas is educted into the column independently of the input flow of solvent into the solvent using a pumparound arrangement with the solvent. Foam generation continues so as to push the foam up in the column, wherein much of the solvent that is in the foam is allowed to drain back down into the column. The foam passes through concentrators which increase the residency time of the foam in the column to further dry the foam and to create larger bubbles. The drier foam is pushed out of the column and into a container. The foam is broken up into gas and the liquid foaming contaminants. The gas is recirculated for injection into the column even after foaming has stopped. The foaming contaminants are concentrated at the surface level of the solvent in the column. These contaminants are removed from the column.

Abstract: The lid is used to cover a utility box which houses a meter such as a water meter. The lid is compression molded from a plastic material such as medium density polyethylene, and has a planar upper surface and a planar lower surface. In one embodiment, a plurality of generally parallel spaced apart recesses are formed in the lower surface. The recesses are spaced inward of the outer edges of the lid. The area of the lower surface of the lid is greater than the total area of the recesses in the plane of the lower surface. In another embodiment, an opening leading to a cavity is formed in the edge of the lid with a press fit passage for receiving a transponder device.

Abstract: The guide has a barrel segment and a bushing segment. The barrel segment couples to the upper end of the pump barrel. The bushing segment has a bushing stop. The length of the guide is adjustable so as to vary the length of the bushing stop from the barrel. By varying the length of the guide, the travel of the plunger is adjusted to provide for a small compression chamber without the plunger contacting the barrel.

Abstract: A reciprocating downhole pump has a gas separator located at its bottom end. The separator forms a chamber that is expanded and contracted when the pump is reciprocated. Expansion and contraction of the chamber occurs by either the plunger reciprocating in the chamber or a piston coupled to the plunger reciprocating in the chamber. The chamber has an orifice therein so that during reciprocation fluid flows in and out of the orifice. The orifice is sized so as to subject the fluid to a pressure drop, wherein gas in the fluid is separated from the liquid.

Abstract: A lift is coupled to the outer cab of a telescoping bridge. The lift has a carriage that can be moved by a cable and a motor upward or downward and which includes a platform that has sensing means for controlling the motor for stopping downward movement of the carriage when it engages the ground. An electrically operated safety catch is provided to prevent the carriage from falling in the event the cable breaks. A safety system is provided which prevents the bridge from moving if the carriage is not in the up position and its door is not closed.