Abstract: A combination valve assembly comprises an inner valve nested within an outer valve. The outer valve comprises a housing and a closure, permitting full closure of the valve assembly. The inner valve comprises a housing and a closure, permitting flow control by the inner valve within requiring movement of the outer valve. The housing of the inner valve is keyed to the outer valve closure, so that movement of the outer valve closure rotates the inner valve housing and closure simultaneously.

Abstract: A rotating and telescoping cleaning system improves high pressure water cleaning of the inner surfaces of vessels or tanks. Vessels can be vertically divided with dividing plates with centered through-holes. Synchronized and controlled transverse and rotary movements of water jets result in a controlled spiral or helical cleaning track along the vessel walls. The water jets are directed at a pre-adjusted distance from the vessel wall and the travel speed of the water nozzle jets is exactly controlled allowing the removal of very hard deposits. One pass with the tool carrier with operating water jets along the length axis of the vessel results in a thoroughly cleaned vessel wall. The tool unfolds and folds inside of the vessel powered by the flow of the high pressure cleaning water.

Abstract: A pair of parallel metal lances is driven by a transversal drive into and out of heat exchanger tubes. The lances are supported by a plurality of spaced apart, retractable door supports so that the transversal drive mechanism can approach the tube sheet of the heat exchanger tubes as closely as possible. A pair of rotational drive motors rotates the lances at a user controllable speed. As the lances are moved into the tubes, the interlocked support doors retract one at a time, sequentially. Similarly, as the lances are withdrawn from the tubes, the support doors close one at a time in an interlocked fashion.

Abstract: A system mechanically alters the geometry of the surface of the water by breaking the water surface with a mechanical device. The mechanical device may comprise a plurality of propellers, a plurality of aquafoils in the shape of plows, a wire whip, or other mechanical device to reduce the coefficient of reflectivity of the air-water interface.

Abstract: A PC-based ECG software program that in real time, acquires, analyzes and displays QTV and PQ interval variability (PQV) in each of the independent channels that constitute the 12-lead conventional and/or Frank X, Y, Z lead ECG. The system also analyzes and displays the QTV and PQV from QT and PQ interval signals that are derived from multiple channels and from singular value decomposition such that the effect of noise and other artifacts on the QTV and PQV results are substantially reduced compared to existing single-channel methods. Moreover, this invention also provides certain new parameters of T-wave (and QRS and P-wave) morphology, that in initial studies have improved clinical diagnostic utility and/or reproducibility and reliability compared to known existing parameters of T-wave morphology. Finally, it also provides a method for determining the beat-to-beat variability these T, QRS and P-wave morphologic parameters.

Abstract: A lift-assist system for a man-way cover includes a unitary spring mounted to the axis of rotation for the man-way cover. The spring includes a coil portion on either side of the axle of rotation, with a unitary bridge portion spanning between the coil portions. The bridge portion of the spring presses down on a cantilevered extension of the man-way cover, called a duck bill. A first predetermined spacing is provided between the coil portions and the axle and second predetermined spacing is provided between the ends of the coil portions and the mounting of the axle. These predetermined spacings accommodate the variations in the coil geometry as the man-way cover moves from a fully shut position to a fully open position and vice versa.

Abstract: A system for recovering and recycling otherwise vented or flared volatile and non-volatile reactive organic materials from pipeline and plant operations associated with oil and gas recovery, refining and petrochemical manufacture, processing and transportation includes a means to remove and store volatile hydrocarbons for a portion of a system or pipeline.

Abstract: An ornamental device comprising a primary rigid plate with a space between the primary rigid plate and the surface of an object such as an article of clothing or cap, the space providing a receptacle to releasably hold a secondary rigid ball marker either frictionally or magnetically held, the device further being able to accommodate a secondary ball marker on top.

Abstract: The invention relates to a system and a method of digital communication between synchronized submarine devices, system including means of sending a signal in modulated bit form, at least one sender (100) and at least one receiver (200), characterized in that said at least one sender (100) sends a signal enabling both any data to be transmitted to said at least one receiver (200) and a propagation time between said at least one sender (100) and said at least one receiver (200) to be measured.

Abstract: A self-adjusting contact includes a plurality of conductive fibers, such as wires, arrayed along an axis perpendicular to the major plane of the battery terminal. The contact may include straight or corrugated wires, aligned substantially along the axis. The wires may be arranged in a bundle and held within an electrically conductive holder, which may be cylindrical or bell-shaped, and the wire bundle may be soldered to the bottom of a well formed in the holder.

Abstract: The invention relates to a fiber-optic seismic sensor (200) with a test body (110), characterized in that the test body (110) comprises several separate dishes (113, 114, 115, 116) that are distributed around the direction of the sensitive axis of the sensor and two star-shaped elements (120, 130) placed on either side of the dishes (113, 114, 115, 116) and mechanically linking said dishes (113, 114, 115, 116) together.

Abstract: A system for verifying the integrity of a seal comprises an elastomeric seal on either side of a metal sealing gasket. A pressure test penetration is provided into an axial channel at a position between the metal sealing gasket and the lower of the elastomeric seals.

Abstract: The invention relates to an apparatus for multiplexing Fiber Optic Interferometric Sensors (FOISs), which apparatus comprises means (1) forming the an optical source for providing m*n distinct wavelengths ?11, ?12, . . . , ?1n, ?21, ?22, . . . , ?2n, . . . , ?m1, ?m2, . . . , ?mn, the optical source including means for generating m groups (111, 112, . . . , 11m) of light pulses, each group 11j (1?j?m) being made up of n light pulses Pk(?j1), Pk(?j2), . . . , Pk(?jn) of distinct wavelengths ?j1, ?j2, . . . , ?jn, the n light pulses Pk(?j1), Pk(?j2), . . . , Pk(?jn) being time delayed one from another, Fiber Optic Interferometric Sensors distributed in m groups (51, 52, . . .

Abstract: A visor guard and brace adapted to shape and protect the visor of a baseball cap is provided. The brace is preferably comprises a rigid “U” shaped plate slid over the edge of the visor. The brace releasably attaches and constrains the surface of the visor and forces the visor to conform to one particular, user selectable shape. The brace remains attached to the visor as the cap is worn by the user to permanently guard against grime, dirt, tears, or fraying. The plate itself provides a long lasting improved esthetic appearance with or on the visor of the cap with or without additional ornamentation attached to the brace.

Abstract: A seismic data acquisition system includes a plurality of sensors which are arranged so they can be used to measure translation movements of a medium with three independent spatial components and of the rotation movements around each of the three independent spatial components, thus forming a six-component system.

Abstract: A method for cleaning tubes and heat exchangers provides an oscillating pump/valve mechanism to provide a periodic waveform of shocks to fouled tubes. Preferably, a pair of pneumatic control valves operates an actuator to oscillate a valve within a valve block, and isolation of a fluid within a manifold in the block creates a pumping action from the valve, to create an intense fluid shock wave to clean interior surfaces tubes.

Abstract: A float with a mesh over it floats on the surface of the water in a toilet bowl. The float is preferably toroidal and the mesh is held by the toroid by a distance above the water in the toilet. The toroidal float is preferably circular or tear drop shaped in cross section. The float and mesh arrangement reduces the noise created by a urine stream directed into the water in the toilet bowl.

Abstract: A hydrophone includes a body formed of a flexible, plastic material. The body includes a plurality of channels and each channel may have one or more wells. The wells are adapted to receive an active element which includes mounting hardware. The mounting hardware includes a soft, rubber grommet or other means which suspends the active element, thereby permitting the flexing of the body without introducing that motion to the active element.