Abstract: An improved oil and gas well servicing apparatus for blending and delivering a slurry of fracturing fluid and particulate matter at constant flow rate and pressure to a downhole pump is disclosed. Multiple blending tubs are mounted on a trailer or skid and are manifolded together in a slurry discharge manifold. The slurry discharge manifold combines the slurry discharged by the blending tubs and incorporates pipe sections of equal length to connect the blending tubs to the manifold. It is believed that the slurry discharge manifold and equal length piping provide balanced pressure drop between the individual blending tubs and creates a constant outlet pressure from the slurry discharge manifold. A fluid intake manifold may also be included to distribute fracturing fluid to the blending tubs. Hose connectors on each of the manifolds are provided on both sides of the apparatus for convenient operation from either side.

Abstract: Medicinal compositions for the topical treatment of skin diseases or conditions which contain a combination of a zinc compound and tin compound in an inert carrier, liquid or solid. Optionally, the composition can include a small amount of a selenium compound as a part of the active ingredient combination.

Abstract: A telephone call screening device having an improved telephone call filtering mechanism which prevents unwanted disturbances and allows the user to designate which callers may ring the user's telephone system. The present invention also monitors a connected power source and telephone line and notifies a user if power is lost, the line is severed, or a telephone set has been left off hook. The present invention comprises a router for routing the incoming calls to one or more connected telephone sets based on codes entered by callers; a recorder; and a processor for receiving and processing the codes entered by the callers and controllably connecting the routing and recording functions and telephone sets. In the preferred embodiment, the recorder may record and play messages to incoming callers as well as record messages from the callers. A caller identification function may be included to display caller identification to the user.

Abstract: A secondary air supply system, for an internal combustion engine having a closed crankcase includes a diaphragm air pump. The pumping chamber has one way valves such that ambient air may enter the pumping chamber only through the inlet port and exit the pumping chamber only through the outlet port to supply secondary air to the exhaust system. The actuating chamber of the diaphragm air pump is in airflow communication with the engine crankcase. The diaphragm air pump has a biasing means, either integral to the diaphragm or by a spring which acts on the diaphragm. The biasing means is calibrated to minimize the intensity differential between the positive and negative crankcase pressure pulses.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for constructing a shelter from ice or snow. A slip form allows snow or ice to be formed in situ into building blocks that form the shelter. The slip form comprises two vertical side pieces and incorporates an end cap that holds the side pieces together and allows the slip form to separate upon impact rather than fracture. A telescoping pole is attached at one end to one of the side pieces of the slip form, and at the other end to a spike that is driven into the ground to provide a reference point for the construction of the shelter. The telescoping pole incorporates two or more sections. The first section comprises a series of predetermined apertures that receive a tab or pin integrated into the second section of the telescoping pole. The outer diameter of the second section is smaller than the inner diameter of the first section, thus allowing the pole to retract by placing the second section into the first section.

Abstract: An improved oil and gas well servicing apparatus for blending and delivering a slurry of fracturing fluid and particulate matter at constant flow rate and pressure to a downhole pump is disclosed. Multiple blending tubs are mounted on a trailer or skid and are manifolded together in a slurry discharge manifold. The slurry discharge manifold combines the slurry discharged by the blending tubs and incorporates pipe sections of equal length to connect the blending tubs to the manifold. It is believed that the slurry discharge manifold and equal length piping provide balanced pressure drop between the individual blending tubs and creates a constant outlet pressure from the slurry discharge manifold. A fluid intake manifold may also be included to distribute fracturing fluid to the blending tubs. Hose connectors on each of the manifolds are provided on both sides of the apparatus for convenient operation from either side.

Abstract: A corner bracket for holding and securing objects to the surface of a construction form for embedding the object in a settable material, such as concrete, and exposing the face surface of the object in the finished construction, while forming a corner. The corner bracket comprises a plurality of perimeter members corresponding to the outer edge configuration of the object. Removable tabs are incorporated into perimeter members, and may be easily removed. Upon removal of the tabs, the perimeter members may fold around axial points to configure the bracket to fit around a corner. Flanged surfaces, extending inwardly from the perimeter members support the perimeter edges of the objects. Reinforcing crossmembers located subjacent to the fixed axial points on the perimeter members contain channels around which the crossmember and perimeter member may be folded.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for containing and protecting oblong and odd-sized objects with plastic sheeting that may form a cylindrical enclosure by pressure sealing extruded plastic profile fasteners located at opposing edges of the plastic sheet.The open ends of the cylindrical enclosure may closed by folding the sheeting at the ends and sealing it with duct tape, or the ends may be left open, thus allowing several sections of sheeting to be placed adjacent to each other to enclose an object that exceeds the width of the sheeting. The fasteners may be tinted with different colors to provide color coded pressure closable seals that provide information about the article or material enclosed. By using different color combinations, the color of pressure seal may indicate whether the plastic sheeting is protecting non-hazardous material or containing hazardous material, or indicate the type of contained hazardous material.

Abstract: The invention consists of improvements of reflector antennas with self-supported feeds. The feed consists of a waveguide tube, a dielectric joint and a sub-reflector. The tube is attached to the center of the rotationally symmetric reflector and extends to the focal region of it. The sub-reflector is located in front of the tube, and the surface of this sub-reflector is provided with rotationally symmetric grooves also called corrugations.

Abstract: The tension in a filament is measured by deflecting the filament between two outer contact elements by a centrally-located deflecting contact element. A computer receives signals related to the displacement of the contact members, the force on the deflecting contact member and a plurality of relative displacement intervals of the contact elements. The computer determines a plurality of incremental force values related to the force on the deflecting contact element at each of the displacement intervals and calculates the tension in the filament based on the selected incremental force values.

Abstract: A method and an apparatus for new installation or bursting and replacement of underground pipelines, without the necessity of trenches. This method and apparatus allows for the installation without the need for large excavations at the end point of the line and allows for nondestructive termination at an existing vault, structure or manhole without having to rebuild the structure, vault or manhole. The apparatus includes a head assembly that breaks apart fracturable pipe and expands the hole to accommodate the desired size of pipe. Because of the method of applying forces, the expansion of pipe diameter can be very substantial. Because of the head assembly, the head can be disassembled as the pipe and head enter a manhole, vault, structure or limited space and thus no need to excavate the vault or structure or create a large end excavation is necessary, thus saving time and money and avoiding disruption of traffic in street locations.

Abstract: A large poster mounting frame is provided for displaying a poster along the wall of a building structure. The poster mounting frame comprises a pair of vertical side guide rails and a support rail extending between and connecting the two side guide rails. The frame can be mounted directly on the side of the building structure. The rails have a U-shaped cross-section with the open portion facing inwardly to form a continuous channel. A pair of grooved wheels are rotatably mounted on the support rail and hoist lines are directed over the grooved wheels and are connected to an upper poster carrying rail attached to the upper edge of a large poster. The lower edge of the poster includes a lower carrying rail. The hoist lines are used to raise the poster along with the upper and lower carrying rail into sliding contact with the side guide rails of the frame until the poster is securely mounted and displayed within the frame.

Abstract: Fire retarding and smoke inhibiting aqueous composition and a method for a one-step impregnation of aqueous-absorbable--and normally inflammable materials, such as wood, paper and textiles, said composition comprising ammoniumphosphates, phosphoric acid, water soluble metal salts with ability to form water insoluble salts with phosphate ions and/or ammoniumphosphate ions, and other optional additives.The composition comprises in combination:0.5-90% by weight monoammoniumphosphate and/or diammoniumphosphate,0.1-30% water-soluble metal salts with ability to form water insoluble salts with phosphate ions and/or ammoniumphosphate ions,1-20% by weight acid especially phosphoric acid (85%),1-15 % by weight dicyandiamide, andoptionally up to 5% by weight additivesin a total concentration of from 1 to 50% by weight with respect to the total weight of the aqueous solution, whereby phosphoric acid and dicyandiamide are present in the form of the reaction product guanylureaphosphate.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for internally damping vibration and impulse within a crankshaft utilizes the mass of high density inserts and an energy absorbing medium. By placing the inserts into bores in the counter balance weights and surrounding the inserts with the energy absorbing medium, the inserts are allowed to "float" within the counter balance weight, achieving a pendulum damping effect as the inertial mass of the insert responds to vibration propagating along the crankshaft in both directions. In one embodiment the energy absorbing medium is solid but flexible material; in another embodiment the energy absorbing medium is viscous fluid. Because counter balance weights are located at different points along the crankshaft, the present invention damps vibration closer to the sources of the vibration than conventional dampers, thus reducing the propagation of vibration throughout the length of the crankshaft.

Abstract: The present invention provides a reflector antenna which has dual polarization with low cross polarization within the main lobe and side lobes of the radiation pattern. The antenna includes a dish-shaped main reflector with a center located, self-supporting tubular feed element and a sub-reflector mounted on the free end of the tube and located at the focal area of the main reflector. The tube and sub-reflector are separated by a space which can be open or filled with a dielectric material. The diameter of the sub-reflector is greater than the tube. The surface of the sub-reflector facing the main reflector includes one or more concentric circular corrugations which can be filled with a dielectric material.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for wireless control of audio and video recording device operations via selections from an Electronic Programming Guide (EPG) is disclosed. A digital satellite receiving system receives and processes a digital data stream containing television programming information, EPG information, and a list of video cassette recorders (VCRs) and corresponding infrared (IR) codes used to control the listed models of VCRs contained in the list. The VCR list, corresponding IR codes, and EPG information are stored in memory. A user may select a specific model VCR from the list displayed on a viewing screen and the corresponding codes are stored in a memory. The received EPG information may also be displayed on a viewing screen. The user may select for recording an event listing in the EPG, and this selection is also stored in nonvolatile memory. EPG information is repeatedly transmitted in the digital data stream.

Abstract: An arrangement is provided for combining the video and audio signals from a satellite antenna with other auxiliary input signals producing a frequency stacked band arrangement for transmission by a single cable to a satellite receiver or TV monitor located within a home or structure. Multiple TV input signals from the satellite antenna are processed and separated into intermediate frequency bands which are then combined in a diplexer with one or more auxiliary input frequency bands. The output of the diplexer is connected directly to the signal output terminal at the antenna. All components for performing this combining process are included within the sealed housing of the LNB provided at the satellite antenna. Improved band isolation and reduced noise and interference are produced by the novel arrangement.

Abstract: An adjustable brace for a wall constructed from concrete masonry units or brick or precast. The brace has a inner member with a first section, a second section, and a center section connecting the first and second sections and having a connection for attaching the inner member to the wall. The brace also has a outer member, having a first section, a second section, and a center section connecting the first and second sections of the outer member and a connection for attaching the outer member to the inner member. The center section of said inner member and the center section of the outer member are connected to the wall such that the inner member and the outer member may rotate independent of each other about the connection. When the outer member is attached to the inner member, the first and second sections of the outer member are also placed directly against the wall.