Abstract: A method for estimating pore fluid pressures in subterranean formations is disclosed for use in evaluating potential problems that might be encountered in drilling wells. It is a mathematical method based on the assumption that the second derivatives of an interval velocity vs. depth relationship, whether obtained by seismic means or from well sonic information, are equal to the second derivatives of the effective vertical stress relationships in the formations described by the interval velocity relationship. The assumption, and thus the method, is thought to be entirely general except in the presence of formations heavily saturated with natural gas.

Abstract: A slip base support system for tubular posts. The post supporting a highway sign or other highway roadside device is held in a casting that has a triangular, multi-directional base plate. The base plate mates with a similar shaped ground plate, and the two plates are held together with bolts oriented in notches in the apexes of each triangle. Upon impact by a vehicle, the post and support casting break away from the ground plate by ejecting one or more of the bolts laterally from the notches. The post is held within the casting after impact by an internal locking pin, which is retained within the post by grommets, thus minimizing the projectile missiles after impact. To facilitate breakaway, two sheets of galvanized steel having a low coefficient of friction are positioned between the base plate and ground plate. After impact, nearly all parts of the system, including the post, casting, ground plate and bolts, are able to be re-used.

Abstract: A refractory anchor and method of use. The anchor is made by combining two similar sections that are clinched together to form an elongated X-shape. The bilateral symmetrical shape affords maximum anchorage of the refractory, and through-flow of the refractory is afforded by voids through the anchor. The anchor has feet that attach to the surface to be protected, thus allowing refractory to migrate under the anchor. The similar sections can also be used alone as anchors where placement area is limited or irregular. In an alternative embodiment, the anchors have only center feet, to allow them to be stud welded. The anchors are useful in both repair work as well as new refractory applications.

Abstract: A dental articulator system including a device and method of forming dental casts with a posterior clip. The clip has a line of holes that receive male bulbs from a dental articulator. The dental articulator has adjustable ball and socket joints, which are secured in place with a hand tightenable screw. The device does not require any glue; thus the dental articulator is easily adjusted and reusable.

Abstract: A chlorinator for aerobic waste treatment systems that is in functional attachment with a waste stream and that includes a plurality of chlorine tablets therein. The chlorinator includes a cylinder portion that has a plurality of openings therethrough providing fluid communication between the waste stream and the plurality of chlorine tablets so that the waste stream comes into contact with all surfaces of at least one of the chlorine tablets. The chlorinator includes a cylinder portion adapted to hold the chlorine tablets therein, the cylinder portion having a plurality of openings providing fluid communication between the waste stream and chlorine tablets and a cylinder floor. The cylinder floor includes a floor aperture. In one embodiment there is a support disk hinged and oriented over the floor aperture so as to cover the floor aperture and a device to sense the presence of chlorine tablets within the cylinder portion.

Abstract: A method for loading structured packing into a tower, such as a vacuum tower in a petrochemical plant. The system uses a removable slide positioned in a manway opening, wherein the structured packing is slid down to a bottom stage in the receiving area. The packing is then unloaded and stacked onto a distribution tray. As the packing reaches a pre-determined height, the bottom stage is repositioned on top of the structured packing. To accommodate the new angle and distance between the bottom stage and manway, a section of the slide is removed. While the slide is in use, its upper receiving area partially blocks the manway opening. To afford workers to capability to exit through the manway, the upper receiving area swings upward and away from the manway, and is stowed inside the tower.

Abstract: This invention is a guard for preventing the vandalism of the keypad of a telephone. If the telephone is a pay telephone, the invention further prevents, thus preventing entry into the telephone money box from the upper housing area. The telephone guard, composed of an upper housing guard and a keypad guard, is secured by high strength visible fasteners to the upper housing of a pay telephone. The upper housing guard and keypad guard are mated tightly to prevent vandals from prying off the keypad guard. The thickness of the keypad guard is greater than the throw length of the push buttons of the keypad. Thus, the force of a blow to the keypad will be absorbed by the front of the guard rather than the push buttons.

Abstract: A raw sewage treatment system for treating grease trap raw sewage waste. The raw sewage is transferred via closed piping into an emulsifier/grinder pump into a first heating chamber where the fats in the waste melt. Here the heavier solids are allowed to settle out, and are removed by a conveyor. The waste then travels to a second heating chamber, where pathogens are killed at a higher temperature than found in the first heating chamber. The waste is de-emulsified in the second heating chamber, and the fats are pumped off the top. The remaining liquid passes through a shaker screen and a two-phase centrifuge to remove additional solids. The liquid then is treated in a biological reactor to reduce the volatile organics. The water is then discharged either to the environment or into a wastewater sewer.

Abstract: A system of multiple concentric annular support pedestal rings for providing load and counterweight support for a ring supported crane. The pedestal rings are fabricated from uniform sections of steel, which are mated at preferably triangular shaped ends. A top rail is secured on the ring segments to complete the pedestal ring. At least two rings support the crane through rocker beam assembly structures for powered and idler rollers, providing additional strength and stability to the crane through the distribution of weight forces down through a larger support footprint. Additional stability is also provided by substantially increasing the weight of counterweight that can be utilized. Weight distribution from the boom and mast is enhanced with an inventive boom foot carrier, that distributes the weight of the boom and/or mast through multiple concentric rings. Weight distribution from the counterweight is similarly distributed through the inventive counterweight carrier.

Abstract: A chlorinator for aerobic waste treatment systems. The chlorinator includes a cylinder portion that has a plurality of openings through which the waste water flows through to make contact with at least one chlorine table. The cylinder portion of the chlorinator also includes an inner surface that is non-reactive with the chlorine tablets and that enables the chlorine tablets to slide thereon. The waste stream comprises septic wastewater, which originates from toilet systems, and gray wastewater, which originates from somewhere other than toilet systems, such as sinks. The chlorinator selectively treats the septic wastewater by contacting it with the chlorine tablets but does not contact the gray wastewater with the chlorine tablets. In the preferred embodiment, a passageway provides fluid communication between the upstream side of the waste stream and the base portion of the chlorinator without directing any of the gray wastewater through the cylinder portion.

Abstract: An extracting blower that removes liquid and solid contaminants from supply air, and provides high velocity air for cooling equipment, personnel and/or structures. The blower uses air velocity and the centrifugal force of a rotating fan to separate the contaminants into a rear partitioned chamber of the fan housing and out a rear scavenging air exhaust, while blowing clean air out the main air blower.

Abstract: A low volume high-pressure toilet. When the user sits on the toilet seat, a hydraulic piston pressurizes the water tank, which optimally holds 1.7 liters of water. Water is released at high pressure through the toilet interior rim and a lower waterjet, forcing the wastewater down a waste pipe. To minimize velocity pressures losses that would be caused by a p-trap, the waste is released straight down a pipe. Sewer gases are prevented from traveling back up the pipe by a sealing valve that occludes the cross sectional area of the waste cavity in the bottom of the toilet.

Abstract: A motorcycle modification kit, primarily for Harley Davidson frames, having an oversized wide swing arm for pivotal mounting to a motorcycle frame for supporting a rear wheel having a wide series rear tire. The invention uses offset spacers for the transmission pulley and brake rotor such that the tire remains aligned along the center line of the motorcycle.

Abstract: A composite scaffolding plank made from a plurality of wooden boards positioned in side to side parallel abutment. At least one of such boards is a whole natural wooden board, and at least one of such boards is a laminated wooden board. A plurality of spaced pins extend transversely through the wooden boards. A cam on the pins pulls and holds the boards together. In addition, my invention is a method of forming wide wooden planks from two or more narrow wooden boards (as described) by positioning the boards in side to side parallel abutment and embedding a plurality of spaced pins transversely through the boards. Further, a method of increasing the strength of a wooden plank is to cut the plank longitudinally into sections, add at least one laminated wooden board, position the sections in side to side parallel abutment, and subsequently embed a plurality of spaced pins in the sections.

Abstract: A chlorinator for aerobic waste treatment systems that is in functional attachment with a waste stream and that includes a plurality of chlorine tablets therein. The chlorinator includes a cylinder portion that has a plurality of openings therethrough providing fluid communication between the waste stream and the plurality of chlorine tablets so that the waste stream comes into contact with all surfaces of at least one of the chlorine tablets. The cylinder portion of the chlorinator also includes an inner surface which has a coating that is non-reactive with the chlorine tablets and that enables the chlorine tablets to slide thereon. The waste stream comprises septic wastewater, which originates from toilet systems, and grey wastewater, which originates from somewhere other than toilet systems. The chlorinator also includes a device for selectively treating the septic wastewater with the chlorine tablets and not treating the grey wastewater with the chlorine tablets.

Abstract: A ladder rack for motor vehicles including at least two support mechanisms for supporting an item such as a ladder, a pivot for concurrently pivoting each of the support mechanisms between a first position and a second position, and a motion stabilizer mechanism mounted on each of the support mechanisms. In the first position, each of the support mechanisms is disposed above the vehicle. When in the first position, the item is secured on the support mechanisms against movement. In the second position, each of the support mechanisms is securely disposed adjacent to a side of the vehicle thereby enabling easy loading and unloading of the ladder from the rack. The motion stabilizer mechanism stabilizes and guides the motion of the ladder as the rack is moved between the first and second positions. In the preferred embodiment, the support mechanism width is adjustable to accommodate various sized ladders.