Abstract: An apparatus for delivering fluid, or power syringe, comprises a base, a lever, and a syringe. The syringe has a reservoir adapted for holding a quantity of fluid and a plunger disposed within the reservoir and adapted for movement therein. The reservoir features a clip on one end which releasably secures the end of the reservoir to the base and an inwardly facing annular flange on the second end which substantially prevents the plunger from being removed from the reservoir and substantially prevents leakage. The base of the apparatus features an extension beyond the end of the reservoir containing the clip, thereby providing stability to the apparatus during operation. The plunger features a clip on one end which releasably secures the plunger to the lever.

Abstract: A bicycle frame of efficient aerodynamic shaping including a main frame structure and fork assembly that employ an integral tension shell, strut and rib design, and integrated construction and assembly techniques, in which the structural components include a lightweight thin integral tension outer shell and lightweight thin inner integral tension struts and ribs arranged to use primarily their high tensile, and shear, but also lesser compression characteristics in combination to produce a very strong, aerodynamic, lightweight, and flex resistant bicycle.

Abstract: A composition including polyalphaolefins that function as drag reducing agents and a process for the preparation of polyalphaolefins that function as drag reducing agents are disclosed. The process includes contacting alpha olefin monomers with a catalyst system, which includes a catalyst and an activator (co-catalyst) in a reactant mixture. The catalyst is a transition metal catalyst, preferably titanium trichloride, and the co-catalyst may include an alkylaluminoxane, alone or in combination, with a dialkylaluminum halide or a halohydrocarbon. The polymerization of the alpha olefin monomers produces a non-crystalline, ultra-high molecular weight polyalphaolefin having an inherent viscosity of at least 10 dL/g.

Abstract: An improved method and apparatus for sealing a junction between a central and lateral wellbore is provided. In a broad aspect, the method of the present invention includes installing a polymerizable sealing sleeve within a first casing in a central wellbore at a junction between the first casing and a second casing in a lateral wellbore. After the sealing sleeve has been installed and allowed to cure, a milling tool is used to mill a window through a sidewall of the sealing sleeve and flush with the inner diameter of the second casing. The sealing sleeve may be used alone to establish a primary seal, or in combination with cement or other sealing substance, as used heretofore in prior art sealing methods, as a back-up seal. The sealing sleeve of the present invention may be provided with at least one orienting means to enable the second casing to be located and to direct a well tool thereinto.

Abstract: An improved downhole explosive charge carrier is disclosed. The invention uses a unique staggered charge pattern and a mounting configuration which allows the use of a straight, axially-located detonator in order to achieve a greater number of shots per unit length over conventional carriers. The invention also reduces the interference caused by the detonator and the closeness of the shots and thereby increases the performance of the individual charges, allowing smaller charges to be used to achieve the same perforation size.

Abstract: A flood control system, in one aspect involving providing a plurality of substantially rigid containers, at least some of the containers having a top portion, a bottom portion and substantially rigid sidewalls operably connecting the top and bottom portions, the sidewalls being configured to withstand compressive forces between the top portion and the bottom portion; and positioning the plurality of substantially rigid containers at a selected location proximate a body of water, at least some of the substantially rigid containers being positioned at the selected location in a substantially abutting relationship to form a barrier.

Abstract: A rotary drill bit comprises a bit body having a leading surface formed at least in part from solid infiltrated matrix material, a major part of the leading surface being impregnated with abrasive particles of diamond or other superhard material. There are also mounted at the leading surface a plurality of larger cutting elements having cutting edges formed of superhard material which project above the surface, the larger cutting elements being so spaced as to define a substantially continuous cutting profile, so that the cutting elements in combination sweep over the whole of a bottom of a hole being drilled by the bit, during each revolution. The abrasive particles normally carry out the majority of the drilling action in hard formations, but the larger cutting elements serve to cut more rapidly through temporary obstructions which may be encountered in the borehole, such as a shoetrack.

Abstract: A process is provided for producing high purity benzene and high purity paraxylene from a hydrocarbon feed. In one aspect, the process comprises: (a) reforming a hydrocarbon feed using either a monofunctional catalyst or a bifunctional catalyst to provide one or more reformate streams; (b) fractionating the reformate stream to provide a toluene stream, a benzene stream, and a xylene stream; (c) subjecting the toluene stream to disproportionation; (d) purifying the benzene stream by extraction followed by distillation to provide a high purity benzene product; and (e) purifying the xylene stream by simulated moving bed countercurrent adsorption followed by crystallization to provide a high purity paraxylene product.

Abstract: In a broad aspect, the invention is a method and apparatus for the downhole metering and control of fluids injected into a subterranean formation, and includes: a housing sealably connectable to a well tubing; a turbine meter disposed in the housing which provides an indication of flow rate therethrough to a control panel at the surface; and a variable orifice valve means in the housing which alternately permits, prohibits, or throttles fluid flow therethrough. The system has a communication link to the surface, an onboard motor which powers a hydraulic system in the housing that controls the throttling action of the variable orifice valve means, and a system to monitor and report downhole pressure and temperature. The system has the option of reversing the action of the turbine to monitor production from the subterranean formation.

Abstract: In a broad aspect, the invention is an infinitely variable ratio transmission that may include an input shaft connected to a carrier plate. The input shaft is disposed within the bore of a sun gear. At least one planetary gear is rotatably attached to the carrier plate. A ring gear is connected to an output shaft. The at least one planetary gear is disposed between and meshed with the ring gear and the sun gear. A pump having a first and second gear enclosed within a housing is disposed about the input shaft. The second gear is attached to the sun gear. A pump oil pickup passageway connects an inlet port on the pump to a pump oil reservoir. A pump oil return passageway connects an outlet port of the pump to the reservoir. A control valve is provided to regulate fluid flow through the pump. Various clutch arrangements are disclosed to provide a reverse mode.

Abstract: A composition and method of removing hydrocarbons from a contaminated sludge which comprises hydrocarbons, solid particles and water is disclosed. The method comprises the steps of providing a contaminated sludge including hydrocarbons and solid particles such that the hydrocarbons are bound to at least some of the solid particles; applying a treatment fluid to the contaminated sludge, the treatment fluid comprising water, a silicate, a nonionic surfactant, an anionic surfactant, a phosphate builder and a caustic compound; contacting the contaminated sludge with the treatment fluid for a time sufficient to remove the hydrocarbons from at least some of the solid particles; separating the hydrocarbons from the treatment fluid and from the solid particles; recovering the hydrocarbons; and recycling the treatment fluid by applying the treatment fluid to additional contaminated sludge.

Abstract: An apparatus for cooling a quartz halogen lamp is disclosed. Each lamp socket, used for connecting terminals of a quartz halogen lamp to an electrical supply, is mounted to a convector. Heat is conducted away from the terminals to the convector where the heat is then transferred by forced convection to the atmosphere. Alternatively, the convector can be mounted directly to one or more of the terminals. Cooling of the quartz halogen lamp terminals is achieved without passing cooling air directly past the quartz halogen lamp, thereby avoiding problems associated with contamination of the quartz halogen lamp that can lead to premature failure of the quartz halogen lamp.

Abstract: A cooktop has a burner box. A porcelain wall is arranged to be removably fitted to the burner box so as form a burner box housing. The wall has a plurality of holes. Each porcelain bowl receives a corresponding heating element and has a basin which protrudes through a corresponding hole. A bowl shield is provided for each of the porcelains bowls such that each of the bowl shields is formed substantially around a corresponding basin. A plurality of controls control the heating elements. A temperature limit control deactivates at least one of the controls in the event of an over temperature condition.

Abstract: A composition for reducing odors comprising extract derived from the plants belonging to the Zingiberales order of plants is disclosed. The odor reducing composition includes a banana plant extract derived from plants belonging to the Musa genus of plants. A method of forming the odor reducing composition and a method of reducing the odor of a substrate are also disclosed.

Abstract: A traffic monitoring system has a common housing for a Doppler radar transceiver, a video camera, and a digital computer for processing the Doppler signal. The system also includes a video cassette recorder, a high-speed photographic camera, and a laptop computer for downloading control settings and a program from a diskette or memory card to the digital computer. The digital computer performs an initial self-test by injecting a calibration signal in lieu of a Doppler signal into an electronic interface between the radar transceiver and the digital computer. The radar transceiver generates a Doppler signal having two channels, and the phase between the channels indicates whether a vehicle is approaching or receding from the radar transceiver. The two channels are recorded on the left and right audio channels of the video cassette.

Abstract: A bearing system for mounting a rotating shaft includes a bearing assembly and a bearing mounting structure. The bearing assembly has an inner race which contacts the rotating shaft, an outer race, and bearing elements positioned therebetween. The outer race has an exterior surface with an outer dimension. The bearing mounting structure has a region for affixing it to an external structure in which the bearing system is to function. An internal surface of the bearing mounting structure defines a bearing cavity in which the bearing assembly is to be disposed. The internal surface engages the exterior surface of the outer race. The retention force exerted by the internal surface on the outer surface is determined by the design of the inner surface of the bearing mounting structure that defines the bearing cavity. The internal surface has cut-outs, or scallops, extending axially (with respect to the shaft) along the internal surface.

Abstract: A device for controlling a traffic light, where the controlling of the traffic light is dependent upon receipt and recognition of vibrations. The device includes a vibration receiver for detecting vibrations transmitted through the ground, a processor for converting one or more of the vibrations into a control signal and a controller to trigger a traffic light in response to the control signal. The device may also include a vibration generator, e.g., at least one channel or groove in a traffic-bearing surface. The vibration generator preferably facilitates the production of a pattern of vibrations when the tire of a vehicle passes over the vibration generator. Further, the device may include a vibration receiver, capable of detecting a pattern of vibrations and producing a pattern of signals corresponding to said pattern of vibrations.

Abstract: An adjustable belt loop which is easily removable and made of flexible material which enables one to secure the free end of a belt to the main portion of the belt which thereby prevents the sagging or protruding of a garment or accessory belt end. The adjustable belt loop comprises a strip of material, and optionally a display member, and is extended and folded over and onto the free belt end and the main portion of the belt. The first and second ends of the flexible strip overlap and are securably closed by the attachment means. Alternatively, the first end of the flexible strip may be removably attached to the second end of the flexible strip by attachment means without overlap.

Abstract: An emission containment apparatus and method for use in a fluid system having a chamber housing and a shaft.