Abstract: A modular light fixture having a construction that enables the same fixture to be used for standard on/off operation under control of a wall-mounted switch in a circuit by itself and/or with other fixtures and to be upgraded in “plug and play” fashion to operate independently of other fixtures in the same circuit and/or for stepped dimming. The modular construction of the fixture also allows for safety and ease of maintenance in that ballasts can be replaced without quickly and conveniently without exposing an electrician or maintenance worker to the internal wires of the fixture. The construction of the fixture also provides temperature management by isolating the temperature-sensitive components of the fixture from high temperatures while placing the lamps of the fixture in an enclosure, or shroud, in which temperature is contained so that the lamps operate efficiently.

Abstract: A computer keyboard optimized for generating multi-color text documents is described. A standard keyboard includes a plurality of selected function keys that are programmed to change the document text color when activated. The function keys are displayed on a computer display screen and each of the selected keys further includes color indicia to indicate the new text color that results from activation of that key and all color changes can be performed at the same normal typing speed.

Abstract: A method and system of teaching music that uses modified representations of the musical score, an interactive visual feedback describing the musical tones played on a musical device, and the marking of piano keys or other control instrumentalities of a musical device. This system helps students to recognize musical notes and piano keys, and to associate each note with the correct piano key. The modification of the musical score includes a vertical presentation of the musical staves, different colors of the staff lines for different staves, pictographs denoting the sol-fa names of the musical notes, and different representations of the musical notes on or between the staff lines. The marking of piano keys includes the application of colorful labels to distinguish the piano keys and associate them with musical notes and staves. A gradual transformation of the music score back to the standard music representation teaches students to read the standard music notation.

Abstract: A seal fitting for use in connecting the lead wire from the sensor on one side of bulkhead or housing to a thermocouple (TC) or resistance temperature detector (RTD) on the other side of the sensor or housing, intended for use in applications in which the sensor is located in oil, and usually oil under pressure, such as in a turbine or compressor. The seal fitting is mounted to a port on the bulkhead/housing and includes means for clamping the lead wire from the TC or RTD sensor in electrical contact with a male conductive pin and means for clamping the lead wire from the TC or RTD in electrical contact with a female conductive pin. Both the male conductive pin and the female conductive pin are enclosed within male and female connectors that are assembled in such a way that the conductive pin passes through a ceramic to metal seal at a ceramic insulator to both seal electrically and prevent wicking of the oil along the wires.

Abstract: A power slip that utilizes modified SDXL slips and regular drilling bowls that fits to the pin drive master bushings of the rotary table and utilizes the depth of the drive pin holes as part of the actuators, thus allowing the power slip to set lower for added clearance and safety during drilling operations. Cables are anchored to a base plate and slip linkages and slip connectors are pivotally mounted to the slips and to the top plate so that, when the lift cylinders are actuated, the slips are moved to the released position. This two-stage linkage and cable design maximizes the movement of the slip assemblies while minimizing vertical movement of the power slip's housing.

Abstract: Apparatus and methods for producing fluids from a well and for controlling the production of fluids from multiple wells, particularly from a remote location. The well is provided with a winch/cable drum having a cable wound thereon with a swabbing tool on the end of the cable. The swabbing tool is initially located in a riser that is mounted to the wellhead and lowered into the well and down through the fluids in the well under control of a programmable logic controller (PLC 95). Upon reaching a pre-determined depth, the PLC 95 stops the rotation of the winch/cable drum and then reverses the direction of rotation to retrieve the swabbing tool, thereby lifting the fluids in the well bore up out of the well. Flowline connections, with appropriate valves, are provided in the riser for routing any gas and oil that is lifted from the well into pipelines and on to storage tanks or separators as the swabbing tool is retrieved.

Abstract: A fish hook formed of plastic having metal or other material embedded into, or applied to, or formed on the point thereof to increase the ability of the hook to penetrate the mouth of a fish. The metal or other material either forms the point of the hook or is a friction-modifying agent which decreases the resistance to penetration of the hook.

Abstract: A fish hook formed of plastic having metal or other material embedded into, or applied to, or formed on the point thereof to increase the ability of the hook to penetrate the mouth of a fish. The metal or other material either forms the point of the hook or is a friction-modifying agent which decreases the resistance to penetration of the hook.

Abstract: Apparatus for recovering vapor during de-pressuring of a vessel, and for those facilities with such a need, for recovering vapor during the liquid filling, or liquid removing, from a vessel. In de-pressuring mode, the vapor and inert gas purging the vessel are processed to recover multiple product vapors with vapor pressures from as low as 0.1 PSIG to about 100 PSIG. Higher values up to 250 PSIG are also processed economically by an optional third-stage, stand-alone system. This system produces overall product recovery rates over 99% and inert gas recovery over 99% at the latter part of the cycle as recycle gas. The system is purged after each use to prevent cross contamination. In the liquid filling mode, displaced vapor and pad gas (inert gas added to maintain pressure in tanks during liquid removing) are processed to recover multiple products and the pad gas.

Abstract: A therapeutic composition comprising: arnica, rosemary oil and emu oil.

Abstract: A support for an awning (10) comprises a plurality of inner members (28), each being pivotally connected to adjacent ones of the inner members (28). Support members (16), the are strengthened by braces (36) extend outwardly from the inner members (28). An awning material, such as shade cloth or canvas, is supported by the support members (16). The support is fixed to a wall (12) or a pole. The support can move between a retracted position in which the support members (16) lie adjacent to each other and an extend position in which distal ends of the support members are spaced from each other. The awning is compact when in the retracted position and aesthetically pleasing.

Abstract: A low profile, abdominal aortic aneurysm exclusion device with iliac vessel extensions. A sectional, bifurcated stent forms part of an endoluminal prosthesis to eliminate or reduce the risk of rupture of aortic aneurysms. An apparatus and a method for introducing the bifurcated stent in sections into the vasculature and assembling the sections in situ to form a “scaffold” for introduction of material to re-endothelialize and/or occlude the aneurysm cavity. After trans-stent embolization of the aneurysm cavity with thrombogenic material, laminar flow stimulates endothelialization of the stent lumen. Subsequent organization and fibrosis of the persistent thrombus reinforces the wire-mesh or etched metal tubular scaffold comprising the stent and serves to stabilize and shrink the aneurysm. A single stent deployed with the same method may be used in non-bifurcated vessels.

Abstract: A multi-axis correction washer for use with a spinal stabilizer for internal spinal fixation. The body of the washer is provided in cylindrical and wedge-shaped cylindrical configurations with a passage through the center axis of the longitudinal axis of the cylinder and/or offset from the center axis of the cylindrical washer and a shoulder or other structure for rotatably engaging an aperture in a spinal implant. The spinal implant can be a plate and screw-type, ladder-type, or monorail-type spinal fixation system. The washer is provided with a concave surface and a bearing surface, the former being adapted to engage the hemispherically-shaped head of the pedicle screw and the nut threaded onto the pedicle screw bearing against the latter.

Abstract: A drumming unit that utilizes a computer controlled drum filling and drum handling system. Drum handling and filling is fully automated, the drums being introduced onto the apparatus on an inlet conveyor, loaded from the inlet conveyor onto a frame at which a plurality of work stations are provided for removing the bung from the drum, filling the drum, and replacing the bung in the drum, and then unloading the drum from the frame onto an outlet conveyor. A hose from the chemical plant, warehouse, or other facility is utilized for filling operations that stays in the facility, thereby preventing reactive chemical and quality concerns. A vapor tight wall is provided to isolate the operator from the filling operations, thereby eliminating the need for a slicker suit, respirator, or other safety equipment. The drumming unit is preferably mounted to a base which is sized to fit onto the bed of a truck or trailer so that the unit can be moved from one location to another for drumming operations.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for aligning a housing such as a flywheel housing with a crankshaft or other rotating member. The apparatus includes a main shaft and a mount by which the main shaft is mounted to the center axis of a member rotating in a housing. A sleeve is received upon and rotates relative to the main shaft and is provided with a mount for a dial indicator. The dial indicator is positioned so that any misalignment between the rotating member and the housing is output by the dial indicator as the sleeve is rotated relative to the housing. Depending upon the output of the dial indicator, the position of the housing is changed relative to the rotating member to align the center axis of the rotating member with the center axis of the housing.

Abstract: An apparatus for reducing abrasive wear within a housing that includes a body having at least one protrusion selectively positioned and extending outwardly from the outer surface thereof, the body being placed concentrically within the housing and rubbing against the inside surface thereof as the body is moved within the housing. The body is provided with a plurality of slides residing in a like number of grooves formed on the outside surface thereof, each of the slides having a groove formed in at least one side surface thereof The slides are affixed to the body by deforming the material comprising the body into the groove formed in the slide by striking the surface of the material comprising the body adjacent the groove in which the slide resides with enough force to deform the material comprising the body into the groove formed in the side surface of the slide. The apparatus is particularly effective for use with the sucker rod of a pump jack for a subterranean petroleum well.

Abstract: The present invention relates to luminaries or floodlights and more particularly to reflectors for such floodlights. The present invention is embodied in a reflector that has the one or more of the following features: a combination of two or more different types of reflecting sheet; spectral sheet in a band in a central portion of the reflector; concentrating or concave peened reflecting sheet in a band in a central portion of the reflector; three different parabolic curves forming the reflector all having a common focal line; a visor.

Abstract: An apparatus for emulating, testing, interrogating, debugging, and programming an integrated circuit is provided. The apparatus has a boundary scan adapter in association with a host computer for accepting a control signal from the host computer, and for generating an intermediate signal for acceptance by the integrated circuit which intermediate signal is compliant with the specifications of the integrated circuit. Also, the apparatus has an interface associated with the integrated circuit for accepting the intermediate signal from the boundary scan adapter. The control signal from the host computer has a magnitude greater than the magnitude of the intermediate signal which intermediate signal is specific to and compliant with the operation of the integrated circuit.