Abstract: A process for upgrading hydrocarbonaceous oil containing heteroatom-containing compounds where the hydrocarbonaceous oil is contacted with a solvent system that is a mixture of a major portion of a polar solvent having a dipole moment greater than about 1 debye and a minor portion of water to selectively separate the constituents of the carbonaceous oil into a heteroatom-depleted raffinate fraction and heteroatom-enriched extract fraction. The polar solvent and the water-in-solvent system are formulated at a ratio where the water is an antisolvent in an amount to inhibit solubility of heteroatom-containing compounds and the polar solvent in the raffinate, and to inhibit solubility of non-heteroatom-containing compounds in the extract. The ratio of the hydrocarbonaceous oil to the solvent system is such that a coefficient of separation is at least 50%.

Abstract: A process for upgrading hydrocarbonaceous oil containing heteroatom-containing compounds where the hydrocarbonaceous oil is contacted with a solvent system that is a mixture of a major portion of a polar solvent having a dipole moment greater than about 1 debye and a minor portion of water to selectively separate the constituents of the carbonaceous oil into a heteroatom-depleted raffinate fraction and heteroatom-enriched extract fraction. The polar solvent and the water-in-solvent system are formulated at a ratio where the water is an antisolvent in an amount to inhibit solubility of heteroatom-containing compounds and the polar solvent in the raffinate, and to inhibit solubility of non-heteroatom-containing compounds in the extract. The ratio of the hydrocarbonaceous oil to the solvent system is such that a coefficient of separation is at least 50%.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for welding thermoplastic materials with a stir welding system using a rotating element pin or element with a geometry to induce frictional energy from the rotating element. A floating constraining surface that has a motion independent of the rotation the pin (preferably stationary) is used to constrain ejection of material from the zone where the weld is being formed. Molten material is retained in the weld region, avoiding weakness and voids at the weld joint. Optionally a system for introducing thermal energy into the weld zone in addition to the frictional energy is used. The system for introducing the thermal energy may be in association with the constraining shoe and/or the rotating tool, or a system independent of these.

Abstract: A metallic interconnect for use in planar solid oxide fuel cell (SOFC) stacks with metal gauzes disposed in border pieces at the cathodes and anodes providing the electrical conduction between the cell and an interconnect foil and also providing structure for directing gas across the cell surface.

Abstract: A ceramic composite containing alkali-metal-beta- or beta″-alumina and an oxygen-ion conductor is fabricated by converting alpha-alumina to alkali-metal-beta- or beta″-alumina. A ceramic composite with continuous phases of alpha-alumina and the oxygen-ion conducting ceramic, such as zirconia, is exposed to a vapor containing an alkali-metal oxide, such as an oxide of sodium or potassium. Alkali metal ions diffuse through alkali-metal-beta- or beta″-alumina converted from &agr;-alumina and oxygen ions diffuse through the oxygen-ion conducting ceramic to a reaction front where alpha-alumina is converted to alkali-metal-beta- or beta″-alumina. A stabilizer for alkali-metal-beta″-alumina is preferably introduced into the &agr;-alumina/oxygen-ion conductor composite or introduced into the vapor used to convert the alpha-alumina to an alkali-metal-beta″-alumina.

Abstract: A system for recovering potable water from the water vapor in ambient air at a wide range of temperature and humidity conditions. The system is especially adapt at operating efficiently at low temperatures and/or low humidities. The system is able to operate efficiently at low temperatures and/or low humidities by employing a mechanism for enhancing the buildup of frozen water on the surfaces used to condense the water vapor from ambient air.

Abstract: A modular spa with an integrated manifold that has telescoping structure that permits easy insertion and length adjustment for installation between water inlet and outlet lines.

Abstract: A ceramic composite containing alkali-metal-&bgr;- or &bgr;″-alumina and an oxygen-ion conductor is fabricated by converting &agr;-alumina to alkali-metal-&bgr;- or &bgr;″-alumina. A ceramic composite with continuous phases of &agr;-alumina and the oxygen-ion conducting ceramic, such as zirconia, is exposed to a vapor containing an alkali-metal oxide, such as an oxide of sodium or potassium. Alkali metal ions diffuse through alkali-metal-&bgr;- or &bgr;″-alumina converted from &agr;-alumina and oxygen ions diffuse through the oxygen-ion conducting ceramic to a reaction front where &agr;-alumina is converted to alkali-metal-&bgr;- or &bgr;″-alumina. A stabilizer for alkali-metal-&bgr;″-alumina is preferably introduced into the &agr;-alumina/oxygen-ion conductor composite or introduced into the vapor used to convert the &agr;-alumina to an alkali-metal-&bgr;″-alumina.

Abstract: Apparatus for tightening chains that are installed on a tire, as well as methods for using such apparatus is disclosed. The chain-tightening apparatus provides a mechanism for uniformly tightening the chains, as well as maintaining a constant uniform tension on the chains when the tire moves. The apparatus attaches to the chains quickly and easily, making the method of tightening such chains simple. The apparatus is quickly and easily removed and is easily and compactly stored.

Abstract: Amusement rides and methods are described. The amusement rides of the present invention include roller coaster vehicles that have a controlled spin or controlled rotation in a direction or dimension independent from the track of the roller coaster. The controlled rotation or spin is provided by using displacement of the track configuration to power a proportional rotation of the vehicle.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for installing blown installation where insulation is entrained in a stream of air and is blown through an electrostatic dissipating hose. The hose contains an electrically conductive and grounded element to dissipate the static charges built up in the entrained insulation passing through the hose and exiting the hose for application into a selected space.

Abstract: Bicycle frame components without laps made by a method comprising; shaping a fluid-removable core in the general form of the component, placing a flexible inflatable bladder around the core, wrapping over the assembly of core and bladder at least one ply of fiber impregnated with a curable resin, forming a cured part by inflating the bladder while the assembly of core, bladder, and impregnated fiber is in a mold to force the plies against the inner surfaces of the mold, such that compaction of the fiber against the mold is predominantly from the bladder inflation and not from the core, and heating to cure the resin to form a cured part, removing the bladder and the fluid-removable core from the interior of the cured part by disintegrating the fluid-removable core with a fluid sufficient to allow removal of the core and the bladder.

Abstract: A pressurizable bladder for the manufacture of a composite shaft manufactured from a flexible elastomeric material and adapted for supporting at least one layer of fiber impregnated with resin has an opening for pressurization of the bladder to compress the impregnated fiber against female tooling while the tooling is heated to cure the resin. The bladder has a wall of variable thickness to permit outer contours of the bladder to conform to inner contours of the female tooling.

Abstract: A method is disclosed for separating phosphate minerals from a mineral mixture, particularly from high-dolomite containing phosphate ores. The method involves conditioning the mineral mixture by contacting in an aqueous in environment with a collector in an amount sufficient for promoting flotation of phosphate minerals. The collector is a hydroxamate compound of the formula; wherein R is generally hydrophobic and chosen such that the collector has solubility or dispersion properties it can be distributed in the mineral mixture, typically an alkyl, aryl, or alkylaryl group having 6 to 18 carbon atoms. M is a cation, typically hydrogen, an alkali metal or an alkaline earth metal.

Abstract: Disclosed are prodrugs as follows: (I) a prodrug of the formula where A is a sulfur or a selenium, and R is a mono- di- or oligo-saccharide; (II) a prodrug of the formula where A is sulfur or selenium, R′ is a sugar, or ═O, and the R″ groups are hydrogen, alkyl, alkoxy, carboxy; (III) a conjugate of an antioxidant vitamin and a thiolamine or selenolamine; (IV) a prodrug of the formula where A is sulfur or selenium, and R′ is a sugar, or an alkyl or aryl group, or ═O, and R‡ is an alkoxy, or an amine group; (V) a prodrug of the formula R is COOH or H, and R′ is a sugar or ═O.

Abstract: A method of safely operating an electrical appliance or equipment in which the appliance or equipment is powered from a source of electrical supply so as to ensure that the said appliance or equipment does not remain energized indefinitely through neglect, omission, oversight or distraction, said method including: timing or disconnecting means for automatically switching off power to said electrical appliance or equipment after a set or selected period of time, and audible and/or visual alerting means to warn of an impending disconnection of power to the said electrical appliance or equipment through the action of the first said timing and disconnecting means as the set or selected period of time is approached and/or reached, and resetting means to re-start the sequence of operation of the said timing, disconnecting and alerting means if said electrical appliance or equipment is required to operate or remain in use for a period of time exceeding the timing and disconnecting means set or selected period, and s

Abstract: A t′-phase zirconia shapes with superior properties are made by forming a zirconia powder containing a rare-earth-oxide dopant into sintered bodies. The sintered bodies are heat treated in an oxygen atmosphere at a temperature high enough to form a cubic phase. The heated body is then cooled rapidly to form a t′-phase. The t′-phase is characterized with a large grain size, is resistant to transformation, low temperature degradation, and has excellent toughness, and creep resistance. Rare earth-oxide dopants include yttria, scandia, erbia, and ceria. For yttria doped materials, the sintered body is doped with between 2.5 and 5 mole percent yttria.

Abstract: An upgradable spa or bathing system where jets are mounted on jet panel that covers a pod. The jet panel and pod enclose the air and water supply systems to the jets, which are configured with a manifold system to easily release the jets and the jet panel for repair or replacement of the jets. A separate upper panel covers the upper portion of the pod and includes an attachment to the spa shell and a headrest. The jet panel is held in place by engagement with structure on the shell and the upper panel and may be replaced without also replacing the head rest or the shell attachment of the top cover.

Abstract: A composite golf-club head is disclosed with at least one complex three-dimensional molded composite part. The part has multiple interleaved plies of reinforcing fiber, and has a wall with an interleave ratio greater than about 30, preferably greater than about 100.