Abstract: The present disclosure is directed to a method of converting green particles to form finished particles. The apparatus used for sintering incorporates an elongate hollow tube, an insulative sleeve there about to define an elevated temperature zone, and a microwave generator coupled through a wave guide into a microwave cavity incorporated the tube. The particles are moved through the tube at a controlled rate to assure adequate exposure to the microwave radiation. Another form sintered a solid part in a cavity or mold.

Abstract: A system and method of marking goods for authentication and tracking purposes is described. The system and method include a central control which enables the system. The method and system are accomplished in real time affording manufacturers the ability to eliminate problems associated with counterfeiting and diversion which begin at the manufacturing site. A central control unit enables the system by providing an allotment of goods to a host unit. The host unit directs marking terminals to mark particular goods with specific information encoding symbols. Goods are either marked directly, or are identified by means of affixed fixtures which are marked with encoding symbols either prior to, or subsequent to, affixing to the goods. Following marking, goods of fixtures are scanned to insure proper marking and then packaged for shipment.

Abstract: A technique for assaying samples entails irradiating a sample with a beam of gamma rays of sufficient energy to excite the nuclei of the assay elements into their isomeric states, ceasing the irradiation, detecting the gamma rays resulting from the decay of the isomeric states to the ground state, and analyzing the detected gamma rays to determine the content of assay elements in the sample. In a preferred embodiment, the apparatus is configured such that the irradiated sample is rapidly moved to a shielded environment in which the gamma rays from the isomeric transitions are detected. The system is ideally suited for analyzing large samples of ore for gold, silver, barium and other assay elements, but can be embodied to detect any assay elements susceptible to photon activation analysis in any sample geometry.

Abstract: A food starch seperator comprising a serially connected centrifuge and a membrane seperator further comprising a sintered pipe providing pore flow paths including a pumped source of food plant liquor, outputs for the centrifuge and membrane seperator and a control system to regulate the flow of the food plant liquor.

Abstract: This application discloses a liner pipe reduction system comprising at least one pressurized die and at least one pressure cell. The pressurized dies and pressure cell are interconnected to form a reduction system to reduce the friction of liner pipe as it passes through one or more dies.

Abstract: Genetic elements comprising expression vectors and a gene coding for phosphoenol pyruvate synthase is utilized to enhance diversion of carbon resources into the common aromatic pathway and pathways branching therefrom. The overexpression of phosphoenol pyruvate synthase increases DAHP production to near theoretical yields.

Abstract: A process is set forth in which cancer of the colon is assessed in a patient. The probabilities of developing cancer involves the initial step of extracting a set of sample body fluids from the patient. Fluids can be evaluated to determine certain marker constituents in the body fluids. Fluids which are extracted have some relationship to me development of cancer, precancer or tendency toward cancerous conditions. The body fluid markers are measured and other quantified. The marker data then is evaluated using a nonlinear technique exemplified through the use of a multiple input and multiple output neural network having a variable learning rate and training rate. The neural network is provided with data from other patients for the same or similar markers. Data from other patients who did and did not have cancer is used in the learning of the neural network which thereby processes the data and provides a determination that the patient has a cancerous condition, precancer cells or a tendency towards cancer.

Abstract: This disclosure is directed to a relief valve connected to the output manifold of a triplex mud pump. The valve body includes an inlet mud flow opening, an internal passage with a movable valve element to modulate flow, and a mud outlet opening for connection with the mud line and drill stem. The movable valve element connects to a piston rod. The rod is connected to a dual chamber, hydraulically operated force creating, air cushioned regulator which adjusts the force on the piston rod and thereby adjusts the position of the valve element.

Abstract: A gated pixel device employing conjugated polymer electroluminescent material is disclosed. Pixel devices are triodes or diodes. Conjugated polymer electroluminescent material is spun onto a flexible, transparent substrate thereby reducing fabrication cost when compared to conventional material deposition techniques. A plurality of pixels can be integrally fabricated on a common, flexible, transparent substrate thereby producing a display panel which can be formed or shaped into any desired geometry, and thereby creating applications not possible with conventional, rigid flat panel displays in the prior art. Both monocolor and full color flexible display panels are disclosed.

Abstract: Apparatus and methods for completing deviated and vertical sections of well borehole are disclosed. Drill string in moved into and out of the well borehole in one continuous piece without breaking it into smaller sections. A slotted casing section is attached to the lower end of the drill string and forced to a target production zone by inserting the drill string into the well borehole using a vertical chain drive. Once positioned typically in a production zone, the slotted casing string is disconnected from the drill string and the drill string is removed. Intermediate casing is then positioned in the borehole to extend from the top of the slotted casing string into surface casing, and the intermediate casino string-borehole annulus is cemented.

Abstract: A tension leg platform in deep water over an underwater wellhead system supports an upstanding pig riser. The riser ID is smaller than the shoreline ID delivering produced oil to shore. The shoreline is pigged by a tapered nose pig inserted into the bell nipple at the top, open end to enable pig passage down the riser compressing the pig body. The body is formed of N discs and N foam donut spacers to clean the shoreline ID.

Abstract: This disclosure sets out a multiple battery tester having a tray loaded with a set of batteries. The tray is placed in a receptacle and end located terminals move vertically to clamp a battery. The contacts bear on the battery, establishing a current flow path. This loop connects in charge/discharge system for testing. Test routines can be varied and data is recorded over time.

Abstract: A method and a device for replacing a seal element in an undersea blowout preventer is provided. A complete system includes a control center on the surface, an umbilical from the control center to a remotely operated vehicle (ROV), and a seal element carrier manipulated by the ROV. The carrier includes either retrieving tool or a running tool, which retains a cartridge which is to be inserted into or has been retrieved from a BOP. The cartridge is split along a vertical plane, with each half of the cartridge becoming a temporarily integral part of a pipe ram on either side of the BOP. Alignment ramps on the cartridge mate with complementary surfaces on the respective faces of the pipe rams.

Abstract: Methods and apparatus for the disposal of solid particulate material in subterranean formations penetrated by a borehole are disclosed. The invention includes, but is not limited to, the disposal of oil field waste and therefore provides means and methods for the disposal of virtually any type of waste slurry stream. A slurry is formed at the surface of the earth by mixing the solid waste in particulate form with liquid and preferably a viscosifier thereby forming a slurry. A borehole is drilled into a selected injection formation and the slurry is pumped or flowed "on vacuum" from the surface through the borehole and into the injection formation. Some surface pretreating of the slurry may be required including sizing of the particulate solids, adding weighting material, removing excessive amounts of oil and grease and diluting to reduce the level of radioactivity.

Abstract: An inside strip which is installed at the inside corner of a typical frame construction building having an external veneer. The framing defines a corner post with framing extending behind two walls at right angles. The two walls are covered with an external veneer such as a sheet layer or horizontal or vertical planking. At the inside corner to exclude the intrusion of water which might otherwise cause rotting, an inside strip is installed. It has the shape of a W-fold defining a center edge which is located at a position typically exposed along the inside corner. The elongate strip of W-fold construction includes outer marginal rectangular faces which are caught behind the wall during construction so that the strip is held in position to protect against the entry of water and inclement weather at the inside corner.

Abstract: Apparatus and methods for separating fluids of differing specific gravities are discussed. More specifically, apparatus and methods for separating a high volume flow mixture of air and water into an essentially dry air component and a pure water component are discussed. The separator is high volume and is structured around three physical elements which are defined as an input, a water chamber and an air separator chamber. A composite flow enters the input where most of the heavier water component separates, under the force of gravity, and flows into the water chamber. The remaining fluid, which is air and water in the form of vapor, mist, or droplets, is drawn into the air separator chamber using a vacuum pump, and subsequently flows through a condensate sub chamber which physically is an element of the air separator chamber. Any moisture in this flow is condensed within, and drained from, the condensate chamber such that dry air is discharged from the air separator chamber.

Abstract: A mixture of hydrogen and air is introduced onto the face of the catalytic monolith of a catalytic converter in the exhaust line of a cold internal combustion engine. The hydrogen and the oxygen from the air spontaneously combine exothermically, thereby pre-heating the catalytic converter. Pre-heating the catalytic converter significantly improves the effectiveness of the catalytic converter in eliminating undesirable emissions of the internal combustion engine. The hydrogen is preferably produced on-board the vehicle using the system. The hydrogen source may also be coupled to the internal combustion engine to be burned by the engine during startup in the absence of gasoline to minimize the production of unacceptable emissions while the catalyst is brought up to light-off temperature. The hydrogen and the oxygen are preferably metered to provide a predetermined concentration of oxygen and hydrogen and are preferably mixed in a mixing chamber prior to introduction to the catalyst.

Abstract: A magnet set forth used is in a drain plug. A drain plug is assembled with an attached holder securing an inserted cylindrical magnet. The drain plug is formed of non ferrous material such as brass, aluminum, stainless steel, etc. It is constructed in accordance with industry standards to fit as a replacement device in oil drain pans, and is non ferrous material. It incorporates an extending threaded shaft. The holder is constructed with an axial passage there through having threads at the small end for threading through the drain plug. The passage extends fully through the device, interrupted by a transverse internal registration shoulder at the middle, and defines an extending skirt fitting loosely around an elongate cylindrical rare earth magnet.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a method and a solution for use in downhole drilling to reduce the torque necessary to rotate the drill string. The solution comprises a phosphate and a sulfonate according to the formula (RSO.sub.3).sub.x Me.sup.x, where R is selected from the group consisting of an alkyl group, an aryl group, an alkylaryl group, and mixtures thereof having a molecular weight between about 280 and about 650, x is the number of (RSO.sub.3) groups, and Me.sup.x is a metal ion having a valence x. The phosphate is preferably a phosphate ester, ether phosphate, or soluble phosphate having a molecular weight in the range of about 300 to bout 900. The phosphate is able to operate at temperatures prevailing in drilling mud systems. The solution is pumped down a drill string as a slug in order to coat solids which accumulate in the well and allow them to be removed along with the drilling fluid.

Abstract: A seismic marine streamer (10) including hydrophones (12) housed in elongate flexible tubes (11), a pair of load carrying rope members (25, 26), and a plurality of spacers (15) which substantially fill the internal cross-section of the tube (11), the internal void within the tube being filled by a liquid, the two rope carrying members (25, 26) interconnect end fittings (21, 22) located one at each end of a tube (11) and passing through each spacer (15) on diametrically opposite sides thereof.