Abstract: A panel forming method and apparatus used compressed fibrous material such as straw, hay and the like. The fibrous material from bales is debailled by debailler rollers and passed to straw walkers. The straw walkers move the material to crop shredders which deposit the shredded fiber on a conveyor. A leveller roller smooths the mat on the conveyor which mat moves to a picker roller. The picker roller moves the crop into a chute and a compression cavity where the material is severed and compressed by a reciprocating ram. The severed and compressed material has glued paper applied to its upper and lower surfaces and thereafter moves between heated platens for curing the glue. The severed and compressed material now forming a longitudinal panel is pulled by puller rollers and subsequently severed into panels of a desired length.

Abstract: A forage compactor for compressing forage or crop into bales of increased crop density for transportation. A crop feed area feeds crop to a conveyor where it is moved to a scale area for proper bale weight. An indexer severs the crop while moving it from the scale area to the compression chamber. The crop is compressed and moved to a strapping chamber where straps are applied to the compressed crop. The bound bale is manipulated as desired at the product handling area downstream from the strapping chamber. The crop is provided with substantially constant stress during compression and moisture sensors in the strapping chamber sense the moisture content of the severed crop within the bale to be bound. The weight of the crop within the compression area may be reduced to reduce machine overloading. Keyway plungers provide reduced side loading on the main ram used for crop compression.

Abstract: A compost aerator for aerating a compost/liquid mixture. The aerator has a aerator pump located downstream from a liquid inlet. The aerator pump has a plurality of impellers mounted on a rotor which spins within a circular channel though which the liquid flows. The liquid is propelled through the channel by the impellers and, as the area of the channel decreases downstream from the impellers caused by the increase in diameter of the rotor, the velocity of the liquid increases. Air enters the channel upstream from the impellers and is drawn with the liquid through the channel. The diameter of the rotor then decreases significantly thereby causing the area of the liquid carrying channel to increase suddenly downstream of the widest portion of the rotor. Turbulence occurs in this area and bubbles are formed which are released from the outlet of the compost aerator into the compost/liquid mixture to perform aeration for bacterial breakdown.

Abstract: Method and product for increasing the awareness of one's self and for assessment and increasing decisiveness in conflict resolution in order to assist individuals who are conflicted by an intimate relationship. The method utilizes a plurality of individual statements which are each associated with one of four(4) different cells. The cells are positioned from lower to higher self awareness and decisiveness with conflict resolution being enhanced with statements falling within the cells of higher self awareness and decisiveness. Upon reviewing the individual statements and positioning such statements in appropriate locations on a template, the user becomes aware of his degree of decidedness and the quality of his decision and his level of awareness.

Abstract: Self contained and transportable camp heater with a burner within a casing and a fuel tank operably connected to the burner. A stack is removably mounted on the casing and is positioned on a holder with the casing and the fuel tank after removal for transportation purposes. A regulator is operably connected to the fuel tank and, thence, to the burner. The regulator is conveniently a zero pressure regulator.

Abstract: A cattle handling system comprises a plurality of stall dividers positioned side by side and extending generally parallel to each other. Brackets for mounting the stall dividers are connected directly to a concrete slab and allow for connection of the stall dividers to the brackets in a one man operation without the need for embedding vertical members in the slab. The position of the brackets are located on the concrete slab by use of a mounting jig. The brackets may have a vertical adjustment allowing for an increase or decrease in the working height of the stall dividers.

Abstract: Water circulation apparatus for use in a spa or the like utilises a turbine or axial flow pump for pumping the water from a water inlet to the jets or other exhaust openings within the spa and under the water surface. Cooling air from ambient surroundings is used to cool a motor providing power to the pump. The motor and pump are located within a component compartment and exhaust openings exhaust the cooling air passing through the motor where it may be used for heating towels. The component compartment may be sealed thereby to allow heated air to escape only from the exhaust openings.

Abstract: A wellhead safety valve control system for opening and closing subsurface and surface safety valves in a predetermined sequence and certain components used with such control system. Dump valves in both latching and non-latching configurations are utilized within the control system. Embodiments of the dump valve may incorporate a time delay feature to ensure the subsurface safety valve is closed after a desired time period following the closure of the surface safety valve in the event of flowline anomalies. Provision is made for independent closure of the surface safety valve without closure of the subsurface safety valve.

Abstract: Apparatus and method for melting metal in the annulus of an oil or gas well and thereby sealing the annulus to prevent shallow gas leakage and the like. Conveniently, eutectic metal is positioned within the annulus between the production and surface casing of the well and above the well cement. An electrical inductive tool is lowered into position and used to provide the necessary heat to melt the metal. The electrical inductive tool may be removed following the sealing of the annulus. Radioactive tracers may be used with the eutectic metal to confirm the desired location for the melt to occur.

Abstract: A dispenser (30) for discharging gel (22) used to bond end surfaces of cores of optical fiber, comprising an outer tube (32) provided with a through hole (34) in one end portion thereof and opened at the other end portion thereof, a syringe (10) having at one end portion thereof a nozzle, which is inserted through the through hole (34), and a gel sealing piston head, and a discharge means fixed to the outer tube (32), contacting the piston head (18) and adapted to press the piston head and discharge the gel (22); and an optical fiber connector comprising an adapter (68) having a central through hole extending along the axis thereof, into which fitting members (74, 76) to which optical fibers (62A, 62B) with conductors (64A, 64B) projecting from both sides thereof in a predetermined length are fitted firmly are fitted, a sleeve (70) fitted firmly in the through hole, and a gel-carrying light relaying transmission member (68) sealed in the sleeve.

Abstract: A method for operating a direct injection spark ignition engine in stratified mode and dual mode is presented. The method includes determining a fuel fraction in a fuel vapor canister; determining whether the fuel vapor canister should be purged; performing purge flow from the fuel vapor canister to a cylinder of the engine; and supplying purge flow and injected fuel to a cylinder of the engine during an intake stroke and supplying injected flow during a compression stroke so that the engine operates in the combined homogeneous and stratified charge mode. The method also includes controlling the purge flow and the injected fuel supplied to balance an amount of fuel supplied during the intake stroke and the compression stroke. The step of controlling calculates the amount of fuel to be injected and includes adjusting the amount of fuel supplied based on an amount of purge supplied to the cylinder.

Abstract: Apparatus and method for crushing medication. A crushing member mounted within a housing is rotatable about two axes. Rotation about the first axis allows relative movement between the crushing member and an anvil thereby to allow the medication to be crushed. Rotation of the crushing member about the second axis allows access to the medication and removal of the medication which may be within a receptacle. The receptacle and the crushing member have a complementary frustoconical configuration allowing the receptacle to be positioned on the crushing member with the medication between the crushing member and the receptacle. A second receptacle may be used with a similar configuration, the second receptacle being mounted over the first receptacle with the medication therebetween to prevent contamination and spillage.

Abstract: A side terminal for a direct vent operably connected to the outside wall of a structure within which a fireplace is located. The side terminal is configured such that the exhaust duct carrying combustion gases is located a predetermined distance away from a curved surface. The combustion gases impact the curved surface and are smoothly dissipated along the curved surface to atmosphere thereby reducing backpressure in the exhaust duct and enhancing combustion efficiency.

Abstract: A mouse and forearm support assembly to support the forearm of a user while the user is resting comfortably in an armchair and which allows the use of a mouse operatively connected to a computer while the forearm of the user is supported by the support assembly. The assembly comprises a top member to allow the forearm to be rested comfortably thereon and with space enough at one end for the mouse to be moved throughout its appropriate movement. A support member is adjustably connected to the top member and extends downwardly to contact the armchair and prevent movement of the top member from a generally horizontal position. The top member is secured to an armrest of the armchair by straps and the support member is secured to the top member by bolts which may be loosened to allow movement of the support member or tightened to prevent such movement.

Abstract: A nitrous oxide trap temperature control system for desulfating the trap uses and engine with some cylinders operating with lean combustion and some cylinders operating with rich combustion. The lean and rich combustion gases are combined to form an mixture which is fed to the trap to provide an exothermic reaction. The desired lean and rich air/fuel ratios of the respective lean and rich cylinders are determined based in part on the difference between the trap temperature and a desired trap temperature. The desired lean and rich air/fuel ratios of the respective lean and rich cylinders are also determined from the desired mixture air/fuel ratio entering the trap.

Abstract: Pipe handling apparatus to move tubulars from a horizontal position on a piperack adjacent a well bore to a vertical position over the wall center or mousehole. A bicep arm assembly is pivotally connected to a base plate. A forearm assembly is pivotally attached to the distant end of the bicep arm assembly and a gripper head is pivotally connected to the distant end of the forearm assembly. The bicep arm assembly is mounted to the structure of the drill rig.

Abstract: A control system for a vessel utilizes a first and second power source to supply a first and second electrical load on the vessel. Each of the power sources is connected to its particular load and motorized switches are provided to allow operation of both the loads with a single power source, conveniently a generator, and to allow connection of each individual load to its own power source and to isolate the two loads and two power sources if both power sources are being used simultaneously.

Abstract: Container for holding concentrate. The container is made from a plastic material and has a front wall, two sidewalls and a rearwall. The frontwall is smooth within the container and assists in separating the concentrate from the container when the concentrate is dumped from the container. The rearwalls and the sidewall are stepped about their circumference to enhance the strength carrying capacities of the container. A floor area has a forklift so as to allow lifting and rotation of the container so that the concentrate may be dumped from the container over the smooth inside of the front wall.

Abstract: Actuator (140) for providing intermittent movement to a member (151). The actuator (140) has actuator cushion members (150) which extend with the entry of air and which contract with the egress of air provided through air supply lines (151, 152) connected to the actuator through a valve (172). The member (161) moved by the actuator cushion members (150) is located between the actuator cushion members (150). As one actuator cushion member (150) fills with air, force is applied to the member (161) thereby to provide movement force. Simultaneously, air exits from the opposite actuator cushion member (150) allowing the movement of the member to proceed. A control system (161) provides the cycle and frequency of the air application to the actuator (140).