Abstract: An automated coupon monitor for detecting the electrical parameters associated with a pipe, a coupon and a reference electrode utilized with a cathodic protection system. A voltage detector circuit has its output applied to a pair of sample and hold circuits, one for recording E.sub.OFF and the other for recording E.sub.ON. Series connected between the coupon and the pipe is a zero resistance current detector circuit and an interrupter switch for measuring the pipe-coupon current and periodically interrupting that current to permit measurement, sampling and storing of E.sub.OFF. The sample and hold circuits and the interrupter switch are controlled by a microprocessor controller. The circuit provides DC level outputs which can be easily read by a digital multimeter or stored in a data logger for subsequent reading or transmission to another location.

Abstract: Method of filling a silencer with a sound insulating material includes inserting a nozzle into a silencer and feeding sound insulating material, preferably continuous texturized glass, or basalt, or mineral fiber, through the nozzle into the silencer. The nozzle reciprocates linearly and retracts from the silencer while the fibers are being fed into the silencer. The silencer may be rotated while the sound insulating material is fed into the silencer. The nozzle is reciprocated into and out of the silencer and the silencer rotated clockwise or counter-clockwise to control the density and distribution of fill.

Abstract: A dual band slot antenna for cellular telephone and GPS frequency bands. The antenna is a slot antenna formed in a conductive layer laminated to a layer of a windshield or other transparency. The slot is formed along two adjoining arcs of a circle extending oppositely from a feedpoint, with a portion of the conductive layer interposed between the ends of the slots. The two slot legs have different lengths so the slot is tuned to exhibit at least two resonant peaks, such as one at the cellular telephone frequency band and the other at the GPS frequency band. The slot is fed by strip line transmission lines or capacitive coupling, using additional conductive film patches spaced by one or more layers of the window, with the window layer forming a dielectric.

Abstract: Endogenous and exogenous proteins, and fragments thereof, are chemically modified outside the body of an animal so that when injected into the animal they produce more antibodies against the unmodified protein than would injection of the unmodified protein or fragment alone. The chemical modification may be accomplished by attaching the proteins or fragments to carriers such as, for example, bacterial toxoids. The chemical modification can also be accomplished by polymerization of protein fragments. Proteins which can be modified include Follicle Stimulating Hormone and Human Chorionic Gonadotropin. The modified polypeptide may be administered to animals for the purpose of contraception, abortion or treatment of hormone-related disease states and disease disorders, treatment of hormone-associated carcinomas, and to boost the animals' resistance to exogenous proteins, for example viral proteins.

Abstract: A cable cutting tool with high hardness insert blades inserted between pivotably mounted levers. The levers are pivotably mounted to hand-grippable handles. The levers have jaws with a gap formed between inner facing surfaces thereof. The gap provides space for insertion of the insert blades.

Abstract: Method and apparatus for measuring the surface tension of a liquid inside a vessel (2), reactor, or inside a section of flow-through process pipe that is pressurized above normal ambient pressure, up to but not limited, to 100 psig (7000 kPa), includes a pair of tubes (2,3) having a small and large orifice in a modular probe assembly that allows the probes to be positioned at selected and variable distances below the surface of the liquid. A high pressure source (4) provides an inert nitrogen or process gas through a pressure regulator (5) to the input of two or three mechanical or electronic mass flow controllers (6,7,8), powered by an external power supply (9), which control the bubble rate at each orifice through manual adjustments, or electronic set points determined by a computer software program, independent of the pressure in the vessel, reactor, or flow-through process pipe.

Abstract: A wick trimmer includes a gauge for assisting a user in trimming a candle wick to an appropriate length. The wick trimmer is adapted to be of a shape and size to allow a user to trim the wick within a votive holder, hurricane lamp, or the like without removing the candle. The gauge may be fixedly, rotatably, or slidably attached to the cutter and extends transversely of the blade of the cutter.

Abstract: A soilless growth medium includes a core material and a repeating source of soluble silicon. Sufficient soluble silicon should be present in the medium such that plants grown in the soilless growth medium show at least a 100% increase in the concentration of silicon mineral in the plant than those grown in the core material alone. The concentration of silicon mineral in the soilless growth medium should be equal to at least that found in native soil.

Abstract: An electrical connector is encapsulated with a uniform thickness of a transparent insulating material, preferably a clear PVC. The transparent insulating covering permits visual inspection of wires inserted into the connector before tightening the set screws to insure proper installation of the wire. Clarity of the insulating material over the entire connector is achieved by using the injection molding process, which also results in a uniform thickness of the insulating material over the body of the connector as well as cylindrical extensions for the wire and set screw openings.

Abstract: A process and composition for transforming perfluoroalkanes in the presence of an oxidizing agent and water at temperatures between about 400 to 1,000.degree. C. Aluminum oxide is the primary agent for effecting this transformation. Additions of between 0.1 to 50% by weight of other components such as barium calcium, phosphorus, cerium, chromium, cobalt, iron, lanthanum, magnesium, nickel, silicon, titanium, yttrium or zirconium aid in extending the useful life of the catalyst. A preferred catalyst composition includes aluminum oxide with additions of cobalt and one or more of the elements of cerium, titanium or zirconium.

Abstract: An anti-flash wick support for a candlewick in a candle is disclosed. The support includes a body and a wick holder. The body has a height and thermal resistance which is selected in order to minimize the risk of flashover.

Abstract: Concentric conduits are supplied for the purpose of minimizing heat transfer from within the inner conduit through the outer conduit. The air gap or annulus around the inner conduit is filled with a resin mixture which is mixed with vermiculite and mineral fiber to form a slurry. The slurry is pumped into an open end of the annulus to fill the annulus and enhance the heat insulation characteristics of the concentric conduits.

Abstract: A unitary tray and blade guide frame including longitudinal members extending from rigid, integral attachment with a back tray. An end frame member transversely, rigidly mounts to the longitudinal frame members and the back tray. A blade guide mounts to the back tray, with its upper surface flush with the upper surface of the back tray. A thickness tray slidably mounts in slots formed in the longitudinal frame members. An adjustment mechanism adjusts the position of the thickness tray. A food product workpiece extends downwardly from a reciprocatably displaceable workpiece retaining carriage, and rests on the upper surface of the thickness tray. The carriage advances the workpiece into a blade, which removes a slice from the workpiece. The lower surface of the remaining workpiece slides against the upper surface of the blade guide and the back tray.

Abstract: A refrigeration system having a modulatable compressor and a Rankine cycle refrigeration circuit having at least two evaporators. The flow rate of the compressor is modulated in response to the sensed temperature of the masses being cooled, and the control circuit switches valves to control the refrigerant flow path and modulates the flow rate of the compressor to optimize the efficiency of the refrigeration system.

Abstract: Pieces of meat are tumbled with a marinade in a tumbler that has a smoothly continuous surrounding side wall with no protrusions or baffles or other protrusions contacting the pieces of meat. The tumbler is rotated about the axis of the side wall and gas is pumped from the tumbler during the tumbling to maintain a reduced pressure. The gas may be pumped to maintain a lower reduced pressure for a first time interval and to permit a higher pressure, still below atmospheric pressure, for a second period of time during a rest period. These two pressure levels are alternated during the alternate tumbling and rest periods.

Abstract: Endogenous and exogenous proteins, and fragments thereof, are chemically modified outside the body of an animal so that when injected into the animal they produce more antibodies against the unmodified protein than would injection of the unmodified protein or fragment alone. The chemical modification may be accomplished by attaching the proteins or fragments to carriers such as, for example, bacterial toxoids. The chemical modification can also be accomplished by polymerization of protein fragments. Proteins which can be modified include Follicle Stimulating Hormone and Human Chorionic Gonadotropin. The modified polypeptide may be administered to animals for the purpose of contraception, abortion or treatment of hormone-related disease states and disease disorders, treatment of hormone-associated carcinomas, and to boost the animals' resistance to exogenous proteins, for example viral proteins.

Abstract: A stabilized lime slurry for treatment of biological solids in sewage. The composition preferably includes 30-36% calcium hydroxide, 10-16% potassium hydroxide, 2-4% potassium chloride, 2-4% magnesium hydroxide, all on a dry basis, and the balance in water. This composition raises the pH rapidly for destroying pathogens, is sufficiently concentrated for economically feasible transportation, and reduces the cost, difficulties and dangers of treating sewage with a lime based composition while providing a resulting product from the sewage treatment process which can be spread upon agricultural soil in a manner which improves soil fertility without introducing undesirable or contaminating materials into the soil.

Abstract: A hot pipe from an automobile manifold is shielded from other components in the engine compartment by attaching a two part shield around the pipe and clamping it in place. Each part is formed of two sheets of metallic material sandwiching therebetween a fibrous layer of heat insulating material. The layers of each of the shield parts are formed to a shape to conform to the shape of the hot pipe to be shielded prior to installation.