Abstract: A method is disclosed for identifying the source of a transported chemical shipment. The method employs either a chemical element or an organic compound with one or more atoms that are non-radioactive isotopes generally not found in nature. A small quantity of the isotopic compound is introduced into the storage vessel containing the chemical to be transported prior to shipment of the chemical. Upon arrival at its destination point, a sample of the chemical shipment is analyzed. Matching the isotopic compound found in the chemical with the isotopic compound introduced into the storage vessel prior to shipment is indicative that the shipped chemical is identical to the chemical received. Non-radioactive materials may further be employed for detecting the source of a newly introduced contaminant in a water supply. The chemical substance may be a non-radioactive isotope of the chemical shipment being transported.

Abstract: There is a disclosed method and apparatus for trapping bullets in an indoor range having a first end and a second end by use of a bullet trap. The bullet trap is formed from an upper plate and a lower plate and a liquid-filled trough. The bullet trap is positioned near the second end of the indoor range. The upper plate and said lower plate converge together toward the second end of the indoor range to form a horizontally positioned slot between an upper end of the lower plate and a portion of the upper plate. The upper plate preferably curves downwardly between the slot and the second end of the range and ends in a generally vertically downward orientation pointed toward the liquid filled trough. Bullets fired into the bullet trap from the first end of the range pass through the slot and are trapped in the liquid filled trough. The method keeps airborne lead concentrations at low levels.

Abstract: A technique is disclosed for providing a building with good wind resistance by the use of a reinforcing structure. Specific reinforcing structure is also disclosed. The technique involves affixing a tethering device over a portion of the roof frame and securing the ends of the tethering device to the building foundation.

Abstract: Two dimensional artwork, such as photographs, posters, sports cards, comics cards and the like can be converted into three dimensional articles of artwork by mounting foreground figures provided from copies of the two-dimensional artwork onto the underlying two dimensional artwork.

Abstract: A hydrocarbon stream is washed with caustic solution to reactively remove hydrogen sulfide and produce a spent caustic solution containing sulfide reaction products. The spent caustic solution is stripped with concentrated carbon dioxide to reactively remove the sulfides and produce an overhead hydrogen sulfide stream and a bicarbonate-containing bottoms stream. The hydrogen sulfide stream can be converted to elemental sulfur in a Claus unit or to sulfuric acid in a sulfuric acid plant. The bicarbonate solution can be washed with liquid hydrocarbon to remove mercaptans and phenols in further preparation for disposal.

Abstract: A display device for objects having protruding wires is disclosed. The device includes a panel formed from self sealing foam, preferably a polyethylene foam. Preferably, the panel is retained in position by a frame such as a picture frame. In a preferred embodiment, the front side of the panel is painted. The display device is especially well suited for storing and displaying pierced earrings in addition to other items. The earring post can be inserted into the foam panel without removal of the backer.

Abstract: A design for a ball valve seat uses elastomer and a hard material such as graphite or plastic to seal both high and low pressures. The seat is ring shaped. The seal is positioned on one end. In one embodiment, a rubber O-ring is installed in an outer groove, a plastic ring is installed in the inner groove. In another embodiment, the rubber is chemically heat bonded on the outside diameter of the plastic ring. The combination insert is installed in a single groove. Under low pressure, the rubber ring is compressed by a backing spring and urged against the ball to complete the seal. At higher pressures, the rubber ring is compressed more until the plastic ring contacts the ball. By the time the pressure reaches the initial plastic sealing pressure (below 1000 psig by design) the pressure between rubber ring and plastic ring will be the initial plastic sealing pressure. The low pressure zone will remain low pressure even when the upstream pressure is further increased.

Abstract: Disclosed is a method for reducing the temperature of the air passing over the condenser surface of an air conditioner unit, thereby reducing the power requirements of the unit. The method is carried out by applying water to the condenser surface to achieve coverage of substantially the entire outside surface and the entire inside surface of the condenser with water while the unit is operating. The amount of water applied should be sufficient to wet substantially the entire inside and outside surface of the condenser. The water can be applied from a tubing having a plurality of passages opening through its sidewall at generally linearly spaced apart positions. An adjustable valve means can be positioned near the inlet end of the tubing to regulate water flow through the tubing. An electrically actuated on-off valve can be operatively connected to the tubing between the adjustable valve and the passages so that water will flow only when the compressor is operating.

Abstract: There is disclosed a brush comprising a handle and at least one brush insert having a bend which is useful for cleaning the rolling contacts in a computer mouse. The inserts have radially protruding bristles and are bent to facilitate cleaning the rollers. Preferably, the handle has a hooked brush extending from one end and a bent brush extending from the other end.

Abstract: A method for preventing bedsores is disclosed which includes rocking the patient slowly at a rocking cycle period in the range of 1 to 120 minutes. Preferably, the entire bed is rocked using a hydraulic system characterized by synchronous motion of the master cylinders and the slave cylinders at the desired rocking cycle period. A pump is disclosed characterized by 4 master cylinders for conducting the rocking. The system constitutes an attachment for a bed such as hospital bed.

Abstract: A holder comprises an upper section with a generally longitudinal slot forming a passage through a tubular wall member, a lower section with an open first end and an opposite second end, a connecting means for attaching the upper section with the lower section, and an end closure at the bottom of the lower section is disclosed. In a preferred embodiment, the lower section has a tubular wall member with a generally frustoconical inner surface.An apparatus comprises a container placed in the holder. In a preferred embodiment, the container may be placed on the connecting means of the holder. In another preferred embodiment, the container may rest on the frustoconical inner surface of the tubular wall member of the lower section of the holder. In yet another preferred embodiment, the container may be positioned on the end closure of the lower section.

Abstract: A process and plant are disclosed for the manufacture of particulate or liquid elastomeric polymers suitable for the manufacture of a wide variety of commercial elastomers, substantially in the absence of water for purifying and particulating the elastomer.

Abstract: An apparatus for protecting the side of a vehicle comprises a sheet of impact absorbing material such as foam which is bonded to a sheet of magnetic material, such as magnetic material embedded in a thin flexible polymer matrix. The apparatus is encased in a cover and is cross stitched to form a series of panels which are separated by fold lines.

Abstract: The mispositioning of reflectors in a velocity analysis enhanced common-offset time migrated image is corrected by carrying out inverse migration on the time image, followed by zero-offset depth migration.

Abstract: A method and apparatus whereby recovery from heavy oil and bitumen reservoirs may be increased over that achieved in the later stages of cyclic steam stimulation (CSS) operations. Two sets of perforations perforate a steam chamber in a reservoir surrounding a well. The two sets of perforations are isolated hydraulically from each other within the casing by a thermal packer. Steam is then injected down the casing annulus into the upper set of perforations. After a period of steam injection, steam injection is halted and hydrocarbons are produced from the lower set of perforations through one of two strings of tubing extending through the thermal packer. The second string of tubing serves to vent the well during production. This process may be repeated over the life of the well, alternately injecting steam and producing hydrocarbons.

Abstract: A downhole seismic source for producing seismic waves in the 0.2-5 KHz frequency with a bandwidth of between 5 and 50 Hz is formed from a magnetostrictive bar with undamped end weights.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for moving heavy machinery in a confined space, particularly suited for installing or removing engine oil pumps from production equipment. The apparatus is formed from a bracket to be attached to the equipment to be moved; this bracket is pivotally attached to a first arm, which controls pivoting of the bracket face and pivotally attached to a second arm, which furnishes support. The arms are connected to each other such that the first arm and the second arm may pivot in parallel planes. The apparatus includes a frame for attaching the second arm to a support. Where the frame has the shape of an upside down "L" the support may overlie the workpiece.

Abstract: A sleeve for a seismic air gun exhaust chamber is disclosed. The sleeve prevents water from accumulating in the air gun exhaust chamber when the air gun is vertically positioned and provides a convenient method for regulating the volume of the air gun exhaust chamber, and thus the frequency of acoustic energy emitted by the gun. The sleeve is characterized by a false bottom which is connected to the main chamber by an orifice and passages.

Abstract: Cohesive solids are fluidized in a chamber having a movable perforated wall through which the fluidizing gas flows by reciprocating the movable wall.

Abstract: The amount of finely divided particulate solids added to a stream of fluid to form a mixture of the particulate solids and the fluid is determined by a method comprising (a) determining the temperature and quantity of fluid in a stream of fluid; (b) determining the temperature of the particulate solids; (c) determining the temperature of the mixture; and (d) calculating the amount of the particulate solids in the mixture. The method can also be used to control the amount of finely divided particulate solids added to the stream of a fluid. The fluid is at a different temperature than the finely divided solids.