Abstract: An improved power tong gear train which includes a ring gear having an open or closed throat. At least three idler gears are positioned such that at least two of the idler gears engage the ring gear through the ring gear's entire range of rotation. The gear train further has at least one stage of reduction gears engaging the idler gears and has a power gear transferring torque to a stage of the reduction gears. Also disclosed is a power tong gear train having a load equalizing gear. The gear train includes a ring gear which has at least one idler gear engaging the ring gear. At least one stage of reduction gears engages the idler gears and a power gear transfers torque to a stage of the reduction gears. A load equalizing mechanism is attached to at least one of the gears.

Abstract: A drain filtering system is disclosed, comprising a filter placed within a basket which is suspended from frame positioned underneath a drain grate atop the inlet to a storm drain. The filter is constructed from materials which filter out heavy metals and hydrocarbons from the water passing through. The filter also has overflow outlets to prevent back-up of storm water during periods or heavy rain. The basket is constructed from a corrosion resistant material, preferably high density polyethylene which can withstand the extreme pressures exerted by waste and water collected within the filter.

Abstract: A digital circuit for determining the result of mathematical operations and functions when supplied with three binary values having a fixed number of binary bits which correspond to: (i) an initial left boundary limit of a first interval, (ii) an initial right boundary limit of a first interval, and (iii) a given working value.

Abstract: A safety syringe is disclosed. The syringe includes a syringe barrel, a plunger, a needle, a needle sleeve, and a pushrod. At one of the pushrod is attached to the needle sleeve while the other end of the pushrod protrudes slightly into the needle end of the syringe barrel. When the injection is administered to the patient, the plunger travels all the way to the needle end of the syringe barrel. The plunger contacts the pushrod which causes the sleeve to cover the needle point automatically as the injection is given.

Abstract: A adjustable bed extender which is attachable to the receiver orifice of a standard receiver hitch is disclosed. The device provides support for loads which extend beyond the bed of a truck or any vehicle having a bed. The device includes a drawbar which fits into the receiver orifice of the hitch already permanently to the vehicle, a support assembly which supports the load, and an adjustable connection between the support assembly and drawbar for adjusting the height of the support assembly for different vehicle models and tailgate configuration.

Abstract: Apparatus and process for removing relatively low levels of components, particularly organic components found in an aqueous stream in one or more stripping zones located in a process unit. An eductor means extending into each stripping zone is used to provide micro-fine gas bubbles which will dissolve the volatile components and carry them from the aqueous stream.

Abstract: A splash bar is provided for use in a water cooling tower, the splash bar comprising an elongated body portion having a tubular central rib and a plurality of wing members, each wing member extending laterally from the central rib, the wing members each having a plurality of apertures therethrough. The surface formed by the wing members is preferably sloped, and the tubular central rib preferably has a triangular cross section.

Abstract: A sports practice cage is disclosed. U-shaped side frames attach to a solid flat cage base, and horizontal poles connect the side frames to form the basic cage frame. Netting is suspended from the cage frame, with one side of the cage left open, so that a five-sided chamber is formed. A platform is connected to the cage base at the open end of the chamber, and a tee may be mounted on the platform. In an alternate embodiment the platform is a golf platform, and a golf tee pad is attached to the golf platform.

Abstract: Production of propylene oxide by hydrolysis of propylene chlorohydrin in an aqueous alkaline reaction medium having a pH above 12 and a temperature of at least about 85.degree. C., is conducted in the presence of a small scale-inhibiting amount of a scale inhibitor added as a water-soluble polymer of acrylic acid having a weight average molecular weight in the range of about 1000 to about 5000, and in the absence of any phosphorus-containing additive component. A significant increase in acrylic polymer performance occurs under these high pH conditions as compared to performance at lower pH. Moreover, experiments have shown that no scale deposits were formed in a hydrolyzer unit operated for 180 days under conditions which normally require removal of deposits after 90 days of operation.

Abstract: A floating media biofilter is provided, comprising a tank having a bottom and a sidewall, the sidewall having a lower portion inwardly sloping toward the bottom. Floating media are present in the tank for forming a media pack when the tank is filled with liquid, and the media are retained by an upper screen positioned in the upper portion of the tank. An inlet line provides nonfiltered liquid to the tank from an aquaculture environment, while an outlet line above the upper screen delivers filtered liquid back to the aquaculture environment. A weir is employed between the upper screen and the outlet line to collect filtered liquid from the media pack. Backwashing is accomplished by a motorized blade system which causes the media to circulate within the tank with substantially no expansion of the media pack. The circulating media loosens filtered matter and sludge entrained therein so that the waste solids can be removed by a sludge line connected to the bottom of the tank.

Abstract: A single-line clamshell bucket is provided comprising an upper sheave housing and an upper sheave assembly connected to the upper sheave housing. The bucket also comprises a lower sheave assembly vertically aligned beneath the upper sheave assembly in a manner such that a cable reeved between the lower sheave assembly and the upper sheave assembly will draw the upper sheave assembly and the lower sheave assembly together when the cable is pulled upward. The bucket further has a plurality of bucket segments and a plurality of arms, each of the arms having an end pivotally connected to the upper sheave housing and another end pivotally connected to one of the bucket segments. A lower block assembly is pivotally linked with the bucket segments in a manner such that vertical movement of the lower block assembly in relation to the upper sheave housing opens and closes the bucket segments.

Abstract: A camming member for power tongs, comprising a ring-shaped body including a central opening formed therein, the body being .

Abstract: A method of removing noxious odors and preventing erosion within waste water enclosures is provided comprising the step of administering a flow of ozonated air into a vapor space above the level of the waste water in the enclosure, wherein the volume of the ozonated air and the concentration of ozone in the ozonated air are sufficient to prevent the formation of biofilm on the ceiling and walls of the enclosure. The method is intended to produce a blanket of non-turbulent, ozonated air directly above the surface of the waste water so that escaping undesirable chemicals, such as hydrogen sulfide, are caused to fully react with the ozone. The reaction with ozone minimize odors emanating from the enclosure and it deprives the bacteria forming the biofilm of the chemicals needed to sustain them. Residual, unreacted ozone also serves to eliminate the biofilm by directly reacting with the bacteria within the enclosure.

Abstract: A scaffold stacking device of unitary construction is provided, comprising a generally elongated block member having a top side and a bottom side; a plurality of semi-circular recesses formed along the top and bottom sides, wherein each of the recesses is sized to receive a scaffold member; and vertical posts attached to the ends of the block member for mating with vertical bores in other identical stacking devices. Multiple stacking devices are secured to one another by passing a cable through cleats attached to the stacking devices. The resulting configuration allows the scaffold members to be easily and quickly counted, and the scaffold members can be transported to and from construction sites safely and without wear or damage from contact with other scaffold equipment.

Abstract: A compartmentalized carrying bag is provided comprising a containment structure formed from wall members whose interior surfaces form a sealable interior cavity having a fixed maximum volume. The cavity is divided into separate sealable chambers by a dividing member attached to the interior surfaces. Each separate chamber is accessible from outside the containment structure by separate sealable access portals. The dividing member is structured to permit the volume of each separate chamber to vary from approximately the fixed maximum volume to approximately zero, wherein at all times the sum of the volumes of the separate chambers is equal to approximately the fixed maximum volume.

Abstract: A knife having angularly adjustable cutting positions is provided, comprising a blade having a base portion, the base portion having an outer edge including an engagement portion including a positioning mechanism for positioning the blade in multiple angular cutting positions with reference to a handle; a handle including a biased locking member for selectively engaging the positioning mechanism and fixing the blade in each of the angular cutting positions, the handle having a blade end; a spring, positioned in the handle, for biasing the locking member against the positioning mechanism; and wherein the base portion of the blade is pivotally attached to the blade end of the handle at a pivot point located within the blade end.

Abstract: A coupling for connecting sections of conduit is provided, comprising an insertion member, a receiving member, a release collar, a first resilient ring member, and a second resilient ring member. The insertion member includes a plurality of O-rings for sealing against a mating surface of the receiving member, which is sized to receive the insertion member. The insertion member is circumferentially held within the receiving member by a resilient split ring which prevents accidental disconnection. A release collar is slidably and captively disposed between the receiving member and the insertion member, and is used to disengage the split ring from around the insertion member upon disconnection. The invention uses a minimum of parts, and enables a coupling connection to be made by using only one hand.

Abstract: A process is disclosed to increase the anaerobic bioremediation rate in a bioreactor by recirculating to the bioreactor that portion of a pollution stream that has flowed through a passageway containing material on whose surface anaerobic microorganisms can attach or become immobilized at a flow rate that would slough from the surface and return to the stream at least a portion of the microorganisms from the surface. A preferred flow rate would be one which, after the surface of the material has been substantially covered with immobilized microorganisms, sloughs from the surface and returns to the stream a portion of the immobilized microorganisms at a rate of at least 10.sup.5 cfu for each milliliter of the stream flowing through the passageway, more preferably 10.sup.6 -10.sup.8 cfu. Another preferred flow rate would be one in which the total BOD consumed in the passageway per unit of time is maximized. Still another preferred flow rate would be 0.1-12.0 times the volume of the passageway per hour.

Abstract: A seal between a housing and a rotatable shaft is provided, comprising a first ring member generally concentric with a rotatable shaft, the first ring member being attachable to the shaft in a non-rotatable position relative to the shaft, the first ring member further having an annular self-lubricating sealing surface facing away from the first ring member; and wherein the sealing surface is adapted to face a fixed annular surface and to slidably and sealingly engage the fixed annular surface when the first ring member is biased toward the fixed surface. The self-lubricating surface may be provided on a sealing ring which is biased against the fixed surface. The self-lubricating surface, sealing ring and/or first ring member may be constructed of a fluoroplastic material such as glass filled polytetrafluoroethylene. The fixed surface may be provided on a second ring member, enabling the seal to function as a cartridge unit.

Abstract: A method for minimizing the distortion of the isodose contours created by tissue surface irregularities and for targeting the depth of maximum dose at an effective tissue depth during radiation therapy to a treatment field from a source is described. The method comprises the steps of: (i) placing an effective thickness of an anionic polymeric hydrogel into operational contact with the treatment field prior to the therapy; and (ii) administering the therapy in a manner such that the effective thickness of the anionic polymeric hydrogel is between the source and the treatment field, and the anionic polymeric hydrogel is in operational contact with the treatment field while the therapy is being administered. A preferred method is also described for marking the surface area of electron bombardment and radiation treatment portals on individuals prior to diagnostic magnetic resonance imaging.