Abstract: The accessory apparatus is used in conjunction with the vehicle for backfilling a trench. The accessory has a frame with first and second ends. Wheels are rotatably mounted to the first and second ends of the frame, with the wheels being structured and arranged to bear on ground beneath the frame. An auger is rotatably mounted to the ends of the frame. The auger has a shaft with flighting extending outward therefrom. The shaft is horizontal when the apparatus is in use. The auger has a height that is relative to the ground. A motor is coupled to one end of the frame, the motor causing the auger to rotate. A mounting bracket is pivotally coupled to the frame. The mounting bracket is structured and arranged to mount to the vehicle. As the frame pivots with respect to the mounting bracket, the height of the auger is raised or lowered relative to the ground. The mounting bracket can be pivotally coupled by a single set of pins, wherein a screw jack is used to pivot the frame relative to the mounting bracket.

Abstract: A printer is provided with a small scanner located upstream along a paper path from a printing device such as a print head. A form is loaded into the printer and is advanced incrementally along the paper path. A segment of the form is scanned by the scanner. The scanned segment is displayed on a user interface. A user may provide information in selected blank spaces of the displayed segment with a keyboard. The user may then command the printer to print, wherein the information is printed in the selected blank spaces of the segment by the print head. The next segment of the form is scanned and displayed to the user.

Abstract: An underground marker and methodology for locating the same is discussed. The marker has a tuned circuit and an energy storage device. The marker also has a transponder that is coupled to the tuned circuit. When the tuned circuit receives electromagnetic energy at its tuned frequency, the tuned circuit resonates and provides power to the energy storage device, which in turn powers a transponder. The transponder has a memory containing a coded signal. The transponder transmits this coded signal using the tuned circuit. The transponder alters the impedance of the tuned circuit in accordance with the coded pattern. In this manner, an addressable underground marker can be used to locate particular types of buried structures. Nonaddressable markers can be used to locate addressable markers by providing a reference point for searches.

Abstract: The marker has a housing, an inner member and a tuned circuit. The housing has a spherical cavity therein. The inner member is located inside of the housing cavity and is rotatable therein. The tuned circuit has an inductance in the form of a coil as well as a capacitance. The tuned circuit is tuned to a particular frequency. A weight is coupled with the inner member and is eccentrically located within the spherical cavity. The eccentrically located weight seeks the lowest portion of the housing cavity. Thus, when the marker is manipulated so as to disorient the tuned circuit, the weight will rotate the inner member back to its stable position so as to properly orient the tuned circuit coil.

Abstract: A method of measuring characteristics of a geologic formation, using the time, energy and spatial spectra of gamma rays induced by an accelerator, which allows (i) the measurement of the photoelectric absorption (Pe) factor of the formation using a gamma-ray spectrum detected from gamma rays induced in the formation, (ii) the calculation of a neutron porosity of the formation using the gamma-ray spectrum, and (iii) the determination of a bulk density of the formation using the spectroscopic measurements. The Pe factor may be inferred by directly mapping the spectroscopic measurements. The porosity may be calculated by relating the gamma-ray spectrum to a hydrogen content of the formation. The density may be determined by computing a gamma diffusion length of the formation based on the gamma-ray spectrum. In addition to these measurements, the resistivity of the formation and its spontaneous potential may also be measured using an electromagnetic induction system.

Abstract: A borehole tool for logging resistivity of geologic formations, having at least two inner transmitters surrounded by at least two outer receivers. Each transmitter is sequentially excited, and measurements are taken at each of the receivers. The phase differences between these received signals are determined, once for each transmitter, and the two values are averaged to estimate the resistivity value of the surrounding formations. More than two receivers can be used. An azimuthal receiver array is also used to identify boundary transitions.

Abstract: In a user interface presenting one or more objects to a user, a method and system are provided for allowing the user to enter data into fields in a non-sequential manner, in order to expedite the entry of the data. The specific fields which are to be accessed and their order are predetermined by the user and stored on the data processing system. When the ordered entry is invoked, the user presses the tab key on the keyboard to move the cursor to the next field in the order. The present invention processes the tab key entry and determines if the object containing the next field is located on the user interface. If not, then the object is automatically invoked so as to expose the next field to the user. Data can then be entered into this next field. If the object that needs to be invoked is dependent on a parent object, then the present invention determines if the parent object is on the user interface, and if not invokes the parent object. The dependent object is invoked through the parent object.

Abstract: The oven includes a housing and a support member located in the housing for supporting food to be cooked. A lower electrical heating element is located below the support member. Two laterally spaced apart upper electrical heating elements are supported above the support member and the food to be cooked. An electrical system is provided for supplying electrical power to the lower electrical heating element and to the two upper electrical heating elements. A control unit is provided for controlling electrical power applied to the lower heating element and to the two upper electrical heating elements to allow electrical power to be applied to each of the two upper electrical heating elements simultaneous or separately. The control unit includes a controller in which is stored a plurality of menus with each menu being assigned given cooking time and power level parameters for controlling electrical power to the upper heating elements for operating these heating elements either separately or together.

Abstract: The chair lift is formed by a hollow outer stationary cylinder secured to the bathtub and an inner cylinder having a closed upper end secured to the bathtub located inside and spaced from the outer cylinder. A hollow movable cylinder having a closed upper end is slidably located between the inner and outer cylinders forming a chamber between the inner and moveable cylinders. A water control system including a pump is provided for injecting water into the chamber for moving the movable cylinder to an upper position and for removing water from the chamber to allow the movable cylinder to move to a lower position. The outer cylinder has a vertical slot formed through its wall. A chair has a connection that extends through the slot and is connected to the movable cylinder for moving the chair to upper and lower positions with the movable cylinder.

Abstract: A process is disclosed for the in situ conversion and recovery of heavy crude oils and natural bitumens from subsurface formations using either a continuous operation with one or more vertical injection boreholes and one or more vertical production boreholes in which multiple, uncased, horizontal boreholes may extend from the vertical boreholes, or a cyclic operation whereby both injection and production occur in the same vertical boreholes in which multiple, uncased, horizontal boreholes may extend from the vertical boreholes. A mixture of reducing gases, oxidizing gases, and steam are fed to downhole combustion devices located in the injection boreholes. Combustion of the reducing gas-oxidizing gas mixture is carried out to produce superheated steam and hot reducing gases for injection into the formation to convert and upgrade the heavy crude or bitumen into lighter hydrocarbons.

Abstract: An air duct installation joins the ends of two air ducts together using a self-seal coupling connector. The coupling connector has a band with first and second edges and inside and outside surfaces. First and second gaskets are provided, with each gasket being wrapped around a respective edge of the band. Each gasket has a first portion that is interposed between the band and the respective air duct. The first portion of each gasket has seals or lips that extend into contact with the respective air duct. In addition, the first portion of each gasket has a bead that serves as a mechanical stop. The air duct is installed by sliding onto the gasket, wherein the end of the air duct contacts the bead. In addition, the first portion of each gasket is inclined between the lips and the bead. This inclination results in an increasing gasket thickness toward the bead, wherein another seal is provided and the joint is snugged.

Abstract: The apparatus has four links pivotally coupled together. First and second links each includes a first portion having an angular portion extending therefrom at an angle of between 120-135 degrees. The first link is pivotally coupled to the angular portion of the second link; the third link is pivotally coupled to the second link at about the juncture of its angular portion and its first portion; and the fourth link is pivotally coupled to the third link and to the first link at about the juncture of its angular portion and its first portion. The first portion of the second link is employed for holding a tool or a utility device thereto. A first linear actuator is pivotally coupled to the pivotal connection between the third and fourth links and a second linear actuator is pivotally coupled to the angular portion of the first link.

Abstract: An onboard system for use in measuring, computing and displaying the weight and center-of-gravity for aircraft, while keeping aircraft movement to a minimum. Pressure sensors are mounted in relation to each of the landing gear struts. An onboard pump and reservoirs are attached to each of the landing gear struts and are activated by a computer/controller, while landing gear strut pressures are monitored in the determination of strut stiction. The computer/controller calculates the stiction of each landing gear strut and compensates for the pressure distortions caused by landing gear strut stiction. Additional features include reducing strut stiction, measuring landing gear strut fluid levels, monitoring landing gear strut health, weight adjustments for external ice and de-icing fluids, weight adjustments for wind, monitoring aircraft landing gear strut movement.

Abstract: A container for integrated circuit wafers provides protection for the wafers from mechanical shock and electrical charges. The wafers are mechanically protected by top and bottom cushions and side cushions. The top and bottom cushions each have foam within a membrane or film enclosure. The enclosure has openings so as to allow gas to pass in and out. The side cushions have resilient projections that protect the edges of the wafers. The side cushions are interposed between flanges of the top and bottom cushions. The individual wafers are separated from each other by leaf separators made of film. The film for the separators and the top and bottom cushions can be the same type. The film has a first layer made of a polymer with dissipative material therein and a second layer made of a polymer without the dissipative material. The first and second layers are coupled together. The insulating layer is placed into contact with a circuit side of the wafer. The dissipative material can be carbon.

Abstract: The downhole pump has a barrel with a reciprocating plunger therein. The barrel has a first one-way valve, while the plunger has a second one-way valve. A barrel chamber is formed between the two one-way valves. The barrel chamber expands when the reciprocal movement between the plunger and the barrel is an upstroke movement and then contracts when the reciprocal movement is a downstroke movement. A bypass channel is provided between the barrel and the plunger so as to provide communication around the plunger and its one-way valve. The bypass channel is open when the reciprocal movement is near an end of the upstroke movement. When open, pressure across the plunger can equalize and gas inside the barrel chamber can vent around the plunger and/or pressure can equalize across the plunger one-way valve so as to prevent gas lock and minimize stress on the sucker rods.

Abstract: An onboard system for use in measuring, computing and displaying the weight and center-of-gravity for aircraft, while keeping aircraft movement to a minimum. Pressure sensors are mounted in relation to each of the landing gear struts. An onboard pump and reservoirs are attached to each of the landing gear struts and are activated by a computer/controller, while landing gear strut pressures are monitored in the determination of strut stiction. The computer/controller calculates the stiction of each landing gear strut and compensates for the pressure distortions caused by landing gear strut stiction. Additional features include reducing strut stiction, measuring landing gear strut fluid levels, monitoring landing gear strut health, weight adjustments for external ice and de-icing fluids, weight adjustments for wind, monitoring aircraft landing gear strut movement.

Abstract: An onboard system for use in measuring, computing and displaying the weight and center-of-gravity for aircraft, while keeping aircraft movement to a minimum. Pressure sensors are mounted in relation to each of the landing gear struts. An onboard pump and reservoirs are attached to each of the landing gear struts and are activated by a computer/controller, while landing gear strut pressures are monitored in the determination of strut stiction. The computer/controller calculates the stiction of each landing gear strut and compensates for the pressure distortions caused by landing gear strut stiction. Additional features include reducing strut stiction, measuring landing gear strut fluid levels, monitoring landing gear strut health, weight adjustments for external ice and de-icing fluids, weight adjustments for wind, monitoring aircraft landing gear strut movement.

Abstract: Washing machines are uiized to recycle plastic and cellulose from disposed diapers. The disposed diapers are loaded into a washing machine and, while being agitated, are washed in water, alkali and soap. During washing, the cellulose becomes separated from the plastic. The cellulose is drained out of the washing machine with the water, leaving the plastic in the washing machine. A pump transfers the cellulose and water to another washing machine for furter cleaning. In addition, other products, such as milk cartons and drink boxes, newspaper, and office waste paper, can be processed.

Abstract: A vertical lift aircraft, such as a helicopter, can land in an area with impaired visibility such as fog. Around the landing area is a plurality of laser beam emitters. The emitters project a pattern of laser beams skyward. The helicopter finds the general area by spot-lights pointing up through the fog, or by navigation. As the helicopter approaches, it sends a radio signal, which is detected on the ground. The spot-lights are switched off and the laser emitters are switched on. The helicopter is positioned within the pattern so that the laser beams reflect off of a portion of the aircraft, such as the rotor blades. This forms a visual cue, which the pilot uses to maintain the position of the helicopter relative to the landing area and descends thereto.