Abstract: A method of protecting surfaces from corrosion calls for providing a coating material containing polyisocyanates with unreacted, active NCO groups; and applying the coating material to a rust covered surface, whereby the free NCO groups in the coating material react with the moisture in the rust to dehydrate the rust and produce a strong coating which keeps out water and oxygen which corrode surfaces. The active NCO content is about 3% to about 20% NCO groups. Also disclosed is a composition for coating an iron surface, the composition comprising polyisocyanates whose NCO content is between 5% and 30%; and aluminum flakes at about 5% to about 50% by weight.

Abstract: A state machine is used to remove residual electric charge from a sense line and to sample the voltage of the sense line at multiple pre-determined times to determine the presence of a terminating capacitor and its value. Various values of capacitors identify discrete conditions. These discrete conditions may identify different types of plug-in cards or models of plug-in cards within a group type.

Abstract: An array of water jets that does not utilize hoses between the water supply inlet and each individual jet and provides a multiple-jet experience for in-ground spa users. The array of jets include a water-containing structure having at least a front and back panel that define an interior cavity into which water flows and becomes pressurized. The front panel has a plurality of water outlets disposed thereon while, preferably, the back panel has a water or a water and air inlets. Accordingly, water (and air) flow hoselessly from the inlet(s) to the plurality of water outlets such that a water-jet effect is achieved.

Abstract: A supervisory safety-control system is implemented by dividing a mine's territory into zones of free operation (“permission zones”) wherein a vehicle is allowed to move according to predetermined permission parameters but unhindered by other system constraints. Traffic of autonomous vehicles in each permission zone is controlled by the supervisory system in conjunction with and in addition to conventional safety constraints associated with the guidance system that effects the vehicle's tracking of predetermined trajectories. Permission zones are assigned and activated using criteria that ensure the vehicle will remain entirely within active zones so long as the vehicle acts within such predetermined permission parameters. Each permission zone is also associated with a maximum velocity profile that overrides guidance-system safety controls, if necessary, and ensures stoppage of the vehicle at the end of the permission zone.

Abstract: A railroad traffic control system that links each locomotive to a control center for communicating data and control signals. Using on-board computers, GPS and two-way communication hardware, rolling stock continuously communicate position, vital sign data, and other information for recording in a data base and for integration in a comprehensive computerized control system. The data base includes train schedules for real time display on train monitors. The current position of each train is compared to its planned schedule online to provide immediate information to the dispatcher to determine whether a corrective action is necessary. When a train's deviation from its planned schedule exceeds a predetermined parameter, the system automatically calculates alternative schedules for all trains in the system according to preselected operational constraints as necessary to minimize the effect of the deviation.

Abstract: A hydraulic system servicing apparatus includes an old fluid holding vessel and a new fluid supply vessel with a selector valve which draws fluid from the holding vessel during flushing operations and draws fluid from the supply vessel during fluid replacement and bleeding operations. A pump moves the fluid through the selector valve and supplies it to a flow reversing valve which has a master cylinder line and a plurality of bleeder valve lines for connection to the hydraulic system. A shutoff valve is provided in each bleeder valve lines for directing fluid through the different branches of the hydraulic system. To flush the system, the flow reversing valve is cycled to circulate the fluid from the old fluid holding vessel in opposite directions and return it to the old fluid holding vessel. To replace the fluid and bleed the system, the fluid selector valve directs new fluid through the flow reversing valve into the system.

Abstract: A solar distilling apparatus employs anthracite coal as a heat-absorbing medium. Greenhouse roof elements rest over a gutter that is isolated from the water-holding container to prevent deposit formation and algae growth from reaching the gutter. Bacterial growth is inhibited by ventilation and the use of titanium-laden magnetite mixed with the anthracite particles. The gutter is also isolated from the exterior of the unit, which prevents contamination from outside sources. The exterior side of the roof elements resting on the gutter are fitted with a metal skirt that provides a heat sink preventing the re-evaporation of condensation flowing toward the gutter.

Abstract: An improved equestrian saddle creates an angle of separation between the stirrup and the body of the horse to aid the insertion of the rider's foot. A fender conforms to the shape of an attached molded plate. As a result, the stirrup strap is twisted, turning the associated stirrup away from the horse. The molded plate is intended to be shaped by a user, maintain its shape during normal use conditions, and be re-shaped by the user at will. Alternatively, the plate could be molded into a permanent shape and attached to the fender. In yet another embodiment, the plate could be shaped by the user and then made rigid by the user. The plate is preferably inserted into a pocket in the fender structure.

Abstract: An elastomeric cell is used as the disposable part of an apparatus for isoelectric focusing in free solution (without gels) in the 0.5 to 5 ml volume range. An inlet port is used for priming the cell and end-connectors for coupling with electrodes. A grid of parallel rods compresses the cell against a cold plate, thereby causing swelling of the skin of the cell between pairs of rods and forming contiguous fluid bubble-compartments for IEF separation. Before collection of separated fractions, the gap between the rods and the plate is further reduced so as to create distinct fluid compartments which now contain discrete products of separation. The separated fractions are collected by syringe-like devices by puncturing the elastomer skin. The plate, rods and deformable cell are capable of rotation or gentle rocking motion around the cell's main axis to avoid gravitational convection during the focusing process.

Abstract: In an Internet Based Distributed Control System, communication between one or more Clients and one or more controllers is managed by an Internet Hub. A small, inexpensive Web Server reduces the hardware and software resources required to remotely manage controllers through the Internet. One or more Internet Hubs maintain control of the human-machine interface of the system's controllers, increasing security and reducing system cost. Controllers only accept data packets from authorized Internet Hubs and send regular status update information to those Hubs. If alarms are generated, the system is capable of generating and transmitting human readable messages or alarms via e-mail, fax, SMS, or telephone. Controllers are grouped into Local Control Systems in either Peer-to-Peer networks or Master-Slave configurations.

Abstract: A flower cup having a flared bell-like shape has a flared rim, tapered sides and a substantially flat base. The rim, sides and a portion of the base have a plurality of perforations running from the rim to the base, where the perforations meet a plurality of lines which radiate from the center of the base. The plurality of side perforations can be six and the plurality of base lines six. The side perforations align with the base lines. The plurality of base lines are partly perforated and partly cut, or half of the base lines are fully cut and the other half of the base lines are partly cut and partly perforated. The flower cup can have a stippled finish. A flower-stem protector has a straw sized to accommodate flower stems and having at least one rib on its proximal end, and a collar affixed to the proximal end of the straw.

Abstract: A remote control system for vertically racking circuit breakers into and out of electrical switchgear cells includes a lever mechanism for coupling the drive shaft of a portable drive motor to the driven shaft of a circuit-breaker racking mechanism and a latching solenoid for locking the coupled shafts together. A power-transfer panel is provided in the cell and is connected for transferring control of the drive motor, the latching solenoid and the circuit breaker to a remote control and status indicating device that is located externally of the cell cabinet. An inclinometer is mounted on the circuit breaker for producing an alarm signal and interrupting operation of the circuit-breaker elevating mechanism upon detecting an excessive amount of tilting in the normally level attitude of the circuit breaker.

Abstract: A perfusion-chamber structure includes a chamber plate with an extracellular compartment, a partition plate with an electrode aperture, and a foundation plate with an intracellular compartment. A gap between the chamber plate and the partition plate produces a channel for applying suction that draws extracellular solution from the extracellular compartment and facilitates the movement and positioning of a test cell over the electrode aperture. The positioning procedure for the test cell is accompanied by a slight positive pressure applied to the intracellular solution in the intracellular compartment of the perfusion chamber to cause upward fluid flow through the electrode aperture. When the cell is positioned over the electrode aperture, the positive pressure on the intracellular fluid is reversed to suction and the cell is seated thereby to form the seal.

Abstract: A plasma is produced in a treatment space by diffusing a plasma gas at atmospheric pressure and subjecting it to an electric field created by two metallic electrodes separated by a dielectric material, a vapor precursor is mixed with the plasma, and a substrate material is coated by vapor deposition of the vaporized substance at atmospheric pressure in the plasma field. The use of vaporized silicon-based materials, fluorine-based materials, chlorine-based materials, and organo-metallic complex materials enables the manufacture of coated substrates with improved properties with regard to moisture-barrier, oxygen-barrier, hardness, scratch- and abrasion-resistance, chemical-resistance, low-friction, hydrophobic and/or oleophobic, hydrophilic, biocide and/or antibacterial, and electrostatic-dissipative/conductive characteristics.

Abstract: A stirrup includes an elongated footrest as well as a hanger for suspending the stirrup from a saddle. The footrest and the hanger can pivot elastically relative to one another on an axis parallel to the longitudinal axis of the footrest.

Abstract: A dynamic inertial balancing system (10) uses a shaft (20) mounted to a base (16). A motor (46) or pulley system (42) imparts rotational torque on the shaft. A swing arm (18) is coupled to the shaft and moves through an arc in a horizontal plane in response to the rotational torque. A golf club is mounted to the swing arm. A timer (38) records the time for the swing arm to traverse the arc. The system balances the golf clubs within a set by measuring their moments of inertia. Each golf club is placed on swing arm 18 and the time is measured for the each golf club to complete the swing arc. If torque is constant for all clubs, then by comparing the moments of inertia, i.e. by comparing the time for each club to complete the swing arc, the club set can be balanced.

Abstract: A system and method for generating an indeterminate random digital data string based on a sampling source, which varies in frequency and phase, sampling an entropy source that also varies in frequency and phase, and additionally based on the principles of permutation and substitution. The system includes a random number generation circuit and a data substitution circuit coupled to receive random data output from the random number generation circuit. A data permutation circuit is coupled to receive substituted random data output from the data substitution circuit. A data compression circuit is coupled to receive permuted and substituted random data output from the permutation circuit and output at least a portion of the indeterminate random data string. A plurality of variable frequency clocks, each operating at different clock frequencies, are selectively coupled to various of the circuits within the system.

Abstract: An animal bedding material that includes a layer of substantially dry ground drywall and a layer of a substantially absorbent litter material. The ground drywall layer has a concentration of greater than 10 g/ft2 and includes ground gypsum and ground paper backing. The ground drywall constituent of the bedding material helps control odor, acts as a moisture barrier, and provides a “lift” to the waste saturated litter material, which reduces compaction and extends the useful life of the bedding material.

Abstract: A golf club is comprised of a head including a hollow body having a top wall, a bottom wall, and a front wall arranged for impacting a golf ball. A bore is disposed in the head adjacent a heel end thereof behind the body front wall extending downwardly from the body top wall toward the body bottom wall. A hosel having a generally lengthwise passage is inserted into the bore. The hosel passage is oriented at a predetermined angle relative to a longitudinal axis of the bore, and a tip end of a shaft is received in the hosel passage so that the shaft is disposed at a desired orientation with respect to the head. The hosel is selected from a plurality of hosels with passages disposed at different predetermined angles relative to the bore longitudinal axis. This allows adjustment of the desired orientation of the shaft so that the golf club may be custom fit to a particular golfer.