Abstract: The present invention is for a simple, reliable and inexpensive method to calibrate a defect signal to determine the size of a defect in a pipe. A first reflected signal is received from the test area of the pipe. After attaching a clamp, a second reflected signal is received from the test area of the pipe. If defects are in the test area, by appropriate calculations using the first reflected signal and the second reflected signal, the size of the defect can be determined.

Abstract: An LED light apparatus and methodology that can produce a collinear beam of white or colored light. The apparatus has a housing which incorporates three sets of LED light assemblies each set having a plurality of LED lights arranged in an a x a, a x b or other suitable geometric pattern. Each set contains LED lights of the same color, being either red, blue or green. A dichroic bandpass filter and a dichroic notch filter are also incorporated. The apparatus is attached to a power driver which connects to a microcontroller, being a DMX controller, TC/IP controller, or the like. When the apparatus is turned on, red light from the red LED lights passes through the dichroic bandpass filter. The resulting light then combines with the blue light from the blue LED lights and passes through dichroic notch filter. This next light stream then combines with the green light from the green LED lights to form a collinear beam of white or colored light.

Abstract: A method applicable to lean-burn combustion engines uses excess air from previous engine cycles in a reburning process to provide exhaust gases characteristic of stoichiometric combustion. Stoichiometric combustion products are particularly useful for use by conventional emissions aftertreatment devices to reduce NOx, CO, and unburned hydrocarbons carried in the exhaust stream.

Abstract: An exhaust gas recirculation system for reducing NOx emissions from engines, comprising an exhaust recovery means for passing an exhaust gas stream in molecular contact with a clean air engine intake stream. A molecular diffusion means separates particulate matter in the exhaust stream by molecular diffusion by exposing the two streams to each other and allowing molecular transfer to occur between the two streams, until near gas phase equilibrium is achieved. Little or no particle transfer takes place between the two streams due to their slow diffusion relative to gas phase species so that some of the oxygen present in the intake air stream is replace with with CO2 and H2O molecules from the exhaust.

Abstract: A heavy-duty flame propagation engine has control systems and exhaust aftertreatment systems adapted to provide ultra-low emissions relative to Diesel engines while achieving comparable fuel consumption at reduced emission levels. The control systems include exhaust gas circulation, variable valve actuation, cylinder deactivation, pilot fuel injection, high energy ignition systems and combinations thereof to provide substantially stoichiometric combustion conditions over an entire load range of the engine. In one embodiment, the engine has direct in-cylinder fuel injection, is adapted for lean air-fuel mixture operation, and includes an oxidation catalyst and a lean NOx adsorber.

Abstract: An NMR teaching method and apparatus incorporating pieces representative of chemical fragments. Each piece has the number of sides corresponding to the number of bonds present around the central atom. Bonds to hydrogen are curved while bonding sides are flat. The presence of concavities and convex tabs on the bonding sides bonding of the respective piece to a mating piece that causes splitting of the NMR peak. The shape of concavities on each piece is indicative of the chemical fragment of the respective piece while the shape of the convex tab of the respective piece is indicative of the chemical fragment of the mating piece. When presented with a spectrum, a student user can select the necessary pieces using data from the spectrum. Once selected, the student user can then assemble the pieces to determine the identity of the unknown molecule in the NMR spectrum.

Abstract: A gutter retaining system for affixing a gutter under the eaves of a building. The gutter retaining system incorporates a gutter clip with a gutter and retaining member. The retaining member is placed along the eaves. The gutter clip has an L-portion and a back portion. The back portion includes an upper u-portion with a hanger used to slip the gutter clip over the gutter to secure it to the gutter clip. The gutter clip has a nib end with a locking tip. Nib end fits within retaining member to secure gutter clip and gutter in place along the eaves. L-portion fits between the gutter and building where an additional piece of board is included in the construction. The gutter clip is scored between the back portion and L-portion allowing separation, such as when no additional piece of board is found along the eaves.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for implementing magnetostrictive sensor techniques for the nondestructive evaluation of pipes or tubes. A magnetostrictive sensor generates guided waves in a pipe or tube, which waves travel therethrough in a direction parallel to the longitudinal axis of the pipe or tube. This is achieved by using a magnetized ferromagnetic strip being pressed circumferentially against the pipe or tube. For improved efficiency, the strip may be made from an iron-cobalt alloy. The guided waves are generated in the strip and coupled to the pipe or tube and propagate along the length of said pipe or tube. For detection, the guided waves in the pipe or tube are coupled to the thin ferromagnetic strip and are detected by receiving MsS coils. Reflected guided waves may represent defects in the pipe or tube.

Abstract: A new and improved combination smoker and barbecue pit having a housing with an open top, a grill resting on said housing, and a hood. A firebox is placed within said housing and is used for holding fuel which, when burned, creates heat and smoke. During the smoking process, the firebox is positioned below a shield which deflects and directs smoke into a pair of chambers within the housing which in turn channel smoke into elongated collection members evenly spaced below the grill. When smoke fills the collection members, is spills out the open-ended bottom of the collection members and drifts toward the grill in an even distribution. The firebox can also rest on the collection members where it is directly beneath the grill for barbecuing.

Abstract: An ultra fine mineral compound and method of processing native Dead Sea minerals into this ultra fine mineral compound that can be used to manufacture all natural Dead Sea mineral compositions particularly compositions for use in bath and body products is disclosed. Even with the extreme ionic character of the Dead Sea minerals, the Dead Sea mineral compositions prepared remain in suspension creating a viable cosmetic preparation that can maintain adequate shelf life and provide a more pleasant feel for the consumer.

Abstract: A portable electro-hydraulic test bed apparatus with analog control station and methodology for performing hands-on materials and components testing. A portable test bench is provided having a hydraulic pump and a reservoir of hydraulic oil. The pressurized hydraulic fluid flows through a pressure relief valve, filter, and ball valve to a servo control valve. The servo control valve controls the action of the hydraulic ram. Any return hydraulic fluid flows through check valve, filter, and heat exchanger back to the reservoir. The servo control valve with the hydraulic ram may be moved to the location where the test is to occur. Whenever the hydraulic ram is moved to a different location displacement interlock is also required. The hydraulic ram is anchored at one end and the test is performed on the test item with the other end of the ram. A displacement sensor is included to determine how much the test item is being displaced.

Abstract: An apparatus for testing domestic water piping systems and a method for testing such systems from a washing machine box. The apparatus has a body and a set of flexible detachable hoses. The body has a central elongated member. At the top most portion of the central elongated member is an IPS connection. This IPS connection connects to a 100 PSI gauge. At opposing sides of the uppermost portion of the central elongated member are second IPS connections. Connected to these IPS connections is a compression 90° elbow. At the other end of the compression 90° elbow is a third IPS connection. On the left section of the lowermost portion of the central elongated member is a female garden hose fitting. On the right side of the lowermost portion of the central elongated member is a pressure bleed valve (shrader valve) controlled by a control knob at its base. Two flexible detachable hoses are provided each having a female hose connection at one end and a nut at the remaining end.

Abstract: An apparatus for real-time measurement of mass, size and number of solid particles of particulate matter in engine exhaust has a catalytic stripper to remove at least about 90% of a volatile fraction of the particulate matter and pass at least about 95% of a solid fraction of the particulate matter, and a micro-dilution tunnel to cool the test medium after passing through the catalytic stripper and prior to passing through a particle sizer and counter system. A method embodying the present invention includes removing a volatile fraction of the particulate matter carried in a sample test stream and comparing the sample after removal of the volatile fraction with a second sample in which the volatile fraction has not been removed. The difference between the two samples represents liquid phase of the volatile fraction of the tested exhaust gas.

Abstract: The present invention contains a back support belt brace system comprised of a back panel, two side panels, two side wings, and a belt. The side wings are attached anywhere along the back panel and side panels using a hook and loop fastener providing adjustability. The belt is connected to the back panel, side panels, and two side wings with a hook and loop fastener. The belt contains an end with a belt buckle and an end with a plurality of holes, which are interlocked to secure the brace. An adjustable suspension system is attached to the support brace using clips. The suspension system contains adjustable suspenders, shoulder padding, and upper back padding. The back support belt brace system is worn around the waist and the lumbar region of a wearer. The suspension system is worn around the chest and upper back of a wearer, similar to a vest.