Abstract: A vibratory conveyor capable of fluidizing particulate material is capable of separate control of direction, velocity and fluidization of material. The material is placed on a conveyor and vibrated by separate vertical and horizontal components of vibration. The frequency of both components is synchronized over an operating range. Various independent changes in amplitudes can affect the degree of fluidization and flow direction for any particular frequency. For any combination of amplitudes, changes in frequency affect fluidization and velocity. The present invention is adaptable for a range of applications that include drying wood wafers, hog fuel or other organic particulate, warming wood chips, scrubbing flue gas, filtering acting as a reactor and as a gas processor.

Abstract: A method of forming a wood-veneered product. The method includes (1) providing a veneer having a main portion formed of wood and an edge portion joined to the main portion, the edge portion being formed of a material different from the wood of the main portion, (2) providing a core having an edge portion and a surface for receiving the veneer, (3) affixing the veneer to the surface of the core, so that the edge portion of the veneer is adjacent the edge portion of the core, and (4) shaping the veneer and core, so that the edge portion of the veneer is removed, to form the wood-veneered product. The method reduces waste, because it reduces the amount of wood required for the main portion of the veneer. The core and veneer may include various materials of various sizes. The core and veneer may be formed and joined in various ways. The invention also provides a wood-veneered product constructed in accordance with limitations (1)-(3).

Abstract: An enhanced vision system and method for use with vision systems with an imager sensitive to infrared radiation of less than 2-microns in wavelength, to produce a first image signal. Another imager sensitive to infrared radiation at least 3-microns in wavelength may be used to produce a second image signal. Preferably, the first image signal represents sensed electric light sources, and the second image signal represents sensed background such as terrain, runways, structures, and obstacles. A signal processor combines an image signal representing locally maximum values of the first image signal with the second image signal to create a displayed image.

Abstract: A computer-based electrocardiointerpretation system and method wherein subject-specific ECG data is interpreted in accordance with a set of interpretation rules to identify the presence(s), and certain characteristics, of various selected heart conditions. Detected conditions are presented for viewing as markers on a generally representational pictorial view of the heart. Interpretation is performed using some or all of the following kinds of information: hypertrophy information; general population reference physiological/anatomical data; and subject-specific physiological/anatomical and medical-history data.

Abstract: A stud detector for detecting studs behind the surface of a wall, the stud detector having a measuring member with first and second ends and a preselected length that corresponds to a conventionally used stud configuration. A sensor is connected to the second end of the measuring member, the sensor including a magnet for detecting the presence of a stud behind a surface of a wall by detecting the presence of a metal object. The measuring member is adapted to permit identification of a surface portion of a wall behind which a stud might be located by measuring a preselected distance from a reference point.

Abstract: A method of controllably adding at least one contaminant to a surface of a silicon wafer. The method includes providing a solution containing a known concentration of one or more contaminants and having a known pH. The solution is applied to a surface of a silicon wafer and allowed to remain there for a predetermined period of time so that the one or more contaminants adsorb to the wafer surface. The solution is then removed while leaving the adsorbed one or more contaminants on the surface.

Abstract: A fuel processing system is disclosed. The system includes a steam reformer adapted to produce hydrogen from a feedstock consisting of water and at least one of an alcohol and a hydrocarbon feedstock. The hydrogen is produced by reacting the feedstock in the present of a reforming catalyst. The product stream is passed through a hydrogen-selective membrane module, at which the permeate stream is polished to remove trade carbon monoxide and carbon dioxide, and the byproduct stream is combusted to heat the reformer.

Abstract: Skeg structure for a snow-traveling device, such as a snowboard, a ski, and the like including structure appropriate for anchoring to such a device, a deployable, movable skeg blade, and mounting structure which is associated with that blade that promotes adjustable, travel-limited, yieldable, spring-biased motion of the blade relative to an associated snow-traveling device, and specifically, relative to the underside, snow-contacting surface in that device.

Abstract: A hand held tool for the uniform compressing, forming and simultaneous cleaning of a previously applied bead of caulking or other similar fluent material from a constructed joint. The tool includes an elongated handle and triangular head with working edges, the working edges being essentially an arrow-like shaped pieced or rubber-like material fixed to and extending slightly beyond the acute isosceles triangular shaped head portion of the tool at the extremity opposite an elongated handle, the acute angle of the working edges at the extremity is slightly rounded. The head and the handle contain a continuous longitudinal cavity provided for the collection of excess material gathered during the operation of the tool and in the preferred embodiment the head and handle are essentially molded as one unit in resilient plastic material with the handle expanding in a fan-like shape the outer angles of the head.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for connecting an object to a device. The apparatus and method employ a device having a receptacle and a collet having jaws receivable in the receptacle such that the receptacle bears upon the jaws to close the jaws to grip an object disposed therein when the jaws are received in the receptacle.

Abstract: The brake cable positioning assembly in accordance with the present invention contains a mounting element for connecting the handlebar clamp with the fork shaft. The mounting element has a lug inserted into the slit extending between the inner periphery of the bore for clamping the fork shaft and the edge of the handlebar clamp. The mounting element further has a hollow sleeve to receive the brake cable fitting. With the assembly disclosed, the brake cable can travel to the inner swivel connector through the slit without penetrating the shank of the handlebar.

Abstract: A snowboard pole system that includes a collapsible pole and a body-mountable receiver therefor. The pole includes a user-grippable region and a snow-engaging region and selectively extends between a collapsed position and an extended position. The receiver is secured about a portion of the user's body, such as a non-articulating portion of a user's limb, and includes a pair of spaced-apart retainers, each adapted to selectively receive and retain the collapsed pole.

Abstract: A log processing apparatus is disclosed for processing a log with tapered sides, the log processing apparatus including a frame assembly, and infeed guide assembly including upstream and downstream pairs of guides configured to grip and center the tapered log along a travel path. The log processing apparatus may also include a saw assembly positioned adjacent the guides and configured to cut the tapered log in a cutting plane perpendicular to the travel path.

Abstract: A joint support is attachable to a limb of an animal to limit movement of an associated limb joint substantially about a single axis. The joint support includes a radial element having a longitudinal axis and a transverse element having a longitudinal axis. The transverse element is pivotally connected to the radial element about an axis of rotation. The longitudinal axis of the radial element substantially intersects with the axis of rotation, and radial rotation of the radial element is restricted about the axis of rotation. The longitudinal axis of the transverse element is partially fixed relative to the radial element so that the same is substantially coplanar with the longitudinal axis of the radial element and substantially offset from the axis of rotation.