Abstract: A berthing facility for use in moving vehicles between a shore facility and a bow/stern-loading RORO ferry, having a substantially rigid floating pontoon comprising several modules joined one to another, a two-tier vehicle ramp running from the shore to the pontoon, an element for pivotally securing the pontoon in the vicinity of the ramp and an element for resiliently restraining the pontoon to permit limited controlled pivotal movement about a preferred orientation. The berthing facility also including, hydraulically dampened fenders and wingwalls for dissipating vessel impact force, an integral turning dolphin, apron assemblies for providing continuity of vehicle pathways between the ramp and a ferry, and an element for raising and lowering the ramp.

Abstract: A filter/plug drain assembly for insertion into a drain so as to prevent the passage of selected contaminants through the drain is disclosed. The filter/plug assembly includes stacked layers of filter, filtering/plugging and plugging material. The filter/plug assembly has alternative internal flowpaths configured to provide different plugging speeds when exposed to ongoing low levels of selected contaminants.

Abstract: In a two-stage wet waste burner, a first-stage combustion chamber has a symmetrical grate arrangement. The grate comprises spaced individual upright air supply tubes with flat horizontal upper surfaces swept by ash-removal plates. The height and width of the air supply tubes are selected to provide an upper surface profile approximating the natural angle of repose of the waste. Twin waste feed distribution augers span the chamber and rotate in mating troughs. The axis of rotation of each auger is sloped so that the discharge end of the auger is higher than the feed inlet end, and the trough sidewalls are inclined downwardly from the inlet end to the discharge end; these attributes promote even discharge of waste across the span of the chamber. Vertical walls of the air supply tubes are provided with air ports for supplying combustion air, the vertical orientation of the apertures and a degree of shielding of the upper surfaces of the air supply tubes inhibit clogging of the air ports.

Abstract: A vehicle-mounted device for hoisting and transporting big game such as deer, and more particularly a device for mounting on an all-terrain vehicle such as a quad, is disclosed. The device includes two or more spaced-apart lift lines for encircling the trunk of a big-game carcass so as to hoist and transport the carcass with the trunk extending substantially horizontally. The lift lines are attached to a common reel rotatably mounted to the vehicle. The device includes a hand crank for rotating the reel so as to spool in the lift lines and a hand-manipulable set screw for locking the reel and lift lines during transportation of the carcass.

Abstract: A sensor concentrating system centralizes communication between multiple parameter sensing devices and an application host. As a peripheral device, the sensor concentrating unit establishes a temporal correspondence between range data acquired from multiple optical range sensors with position data acquired from a shaft encoder. The parameter data are read and sampled according to a user specified criteria such as the time division multiplexing technique. The sampled data is correlated with a data tag generated by the sensor concentrating unit. The correlated data is packeted transmitted from the sensor concentrating unit to a downstream application host for subsequent analysis. The sensor concentrating unit also provides operating parameters for individual parameter sensing devices.

Abstract: A duct interconnecting two channels in a fuel-cell flowfield is disclosed. In use, responsive to a flow velocity differential as between the two channels, reaction product water (in the case of a PEM fuel cell) is drawn from one channel to the other via the duct so as to aid in the removal of reaction product accumulations in one or the other of the channels. Each of the two channels may have an associated flow-velocity-increasing means (such as an in-line venturi) associated with each end of the duct. Depending on the location of the duct within a flowfield, the duct may also help to maintain a desired pressure drop and flow of reactant gas along each channel, which helps propel excess water along the channels, and, when the oxidant is oxygen in air, helps prevent localized oxygen depletion.

Abstract: According to this invention, there is provided a portable antenna comprising a flexible and durable conductive element fitted into an encasement made from a flexible and durable fabric-like material having a first open end wherefrom one end of the conductive element can be accessed.

Abstract: A method for modulating plant growth is provided whereby seedlings that are grown in containers such as blocks are fertilized at lift. Prior to fertilization, the block, which has numerous plug cavities, is restrained. The seedlings, which are grown in plugs formed in plug cavities, are supported and a bore is drilled into the bottom of the plug. The bore extends to the top of the plug to produce a small port, which serves as a port for expulsion of air during the injection operation. The fertilizer is measured in a metering roller and is then pneumatically injected into the bore in the plug. Upon completion of the injection, the bore is closed to reduce the loss of fertilizer from the plug. The various operations may be automated or performed manually.

Abstract: A drill/injector combination is provided to inject plants that are grown in containers such as blocks at lift with plant growth modulators. The drill/injector combination is comprised of a seedlings holder, a block restraint, a cavity tool apparatus, a metering apparatus, an injection apparatus and optionally, a bore closing apparatus. The combination may be manually operated or may be automated.

Abstract: A solid-cage ambient-pressure PEM fuel cell stack having internal manifolds for the fuel gas and configured for accepting oxidant gas and cooling fluid via external manifolds/plena is disclosed. The fuel cell stack is contained in a solid cage comprised of a bottom end plate, a top end plate and four L-shaped struts. Each strut is attached at each end to a corner of the end plates so as to form a rigid rectangular parallelepiped cage, within which the fuel cell stack is contained. A pressure plate is disposed between the fuel cell stack and the top end plate. The pressure plate may be displace downwards, typically by way of an array of jack screws, so as to compress the fuel cell stack between the pressure plate and the bottom end plate. The vertical corners of the fuel cell stack engage the inside corners of the struts to further support the fuel cell stack.

Abstract: A method for analyzing the exhaust emissions of large industrial engines that: produces emission information in real time and permits the generation of test results immediately after an emission test is conducted, is disclosed. The method includes the real time calculation of exhaust volumetric flow rate from fuel gas flowrate and the use of real time intake manifold conditions to determine engine load from an engine load curve. A portable apparatus for performing the method, comprising a programmed computer, data collection buffer, computer readable database and display device is also disclosed.

Abstract: An apparatus for separating solid particles from the suction effluent of, for example, a dental office, preferably driven by a dental office vacuum pump, includes a surge tank for accommodating effluent overfill connected to a sedimentary deposit tank for sedimentation of effluent particles. A bypass conduit is connected to the surge tank inlet which is equipped with a vacuum break valve for allowing air into the system when the suction openings are closed. The sedimentary deposit tank has a series of baffle chambers through which effluent flows in sequence, and in each of which chambers sediment is deposited for later removal. The surge tank preferably has a liquid level sensor and warning device. Modular filters or adsorbants may be installed in the sedimentary deposit tank, or a modular auxiliary filter may be connected downstream of the tank. Chemical injection may be used to improve sedimentation.

Abstract: A process for enhancing precipitation strengthening in steel and for making a high-strength micro-alloy steel, and a steel made from the process. The process includes the step of deforming the steel containing a suitable precipitate strengthening substance, at a temperature at which the microstructure of the steel is essentially stable and at which those precipitation strengthening particles that form are of a desirable particle size for precipitation strengthening. Deforming the steel introduces dislocations in the crystal structure of the steel, which increases the kinetics of precipitation by increasing the number of precipitation nucleation sites and accelerating the rate of diffusion of the precipitate material. The steel may be deformed by bending or rolling the steel. Preferably the process also includes the step of cooling the steel at a rapid rate so as to minimize the formation of precipitate particles of a larger-than-desired size.

Abstract: An everlasting candle comprising a wax body with a recessed hollow in its top for receiving an insulating container, and a smaller holding container with an annular rim set within the insulating container and communicating with the insulating container only by the rim (thereby to provide an insulative airspace between the two containers), the holding container being suitably dimensioned to replaceably receive a tea light votive candle. In use, the replaceable tea light votive candle within the everlasting candle burns with the same flame as a conventional paraffin candle, and will be liquefied and consumed during use. However, since the main wax body of the everlasting candle is separate and insulated from the replaceable tea light votive candle, the wax body of the everlasting candle will not be liquefied or consumed.

Abstract: The invention described relates to a downrigger line clamp mechanism used in downrigger fishing and includes an adjustable clamping force for adjusting the overall release tension of a fishing line. The pre-stressed line clamp mechanism includes a pair of pivotally engaged, elongate arms which, when assembled, are resiliently flexed such that one portion of the arms, the proximal grip portions, are outward bowed, the tips of the proximal grip portions pinching together, thereby biassing another portion of the arms, the jaws, towards a closed clamp position. The line clamp mechanism uses an adjustable compression-force biassing device movably mounted between the tips of the proximal grip portions of the arms. The biassing device may include spacers of different spacing dimensions, each spacer being positionable into an active position between the tips of the proximal grip portions of the arms by moving the biassing device relative to the arms.

Abstract: A passive autofocus sensor for a camera comprising charge-coupled device (“CCD”) elements arranged in a plurality of curved segments to form generally circular or semi-circular sensor spots. Such an autofocus sensor enables the camera to detect contrast in the subject being photographed in a multitude of directions about the axis of the camera's focusing lens, hence improving the camera's ability to automatically focus upon the subject being photographed.

Abstract: An apparatus for separating solid particles from the suction effluent of, for example, a dental office, preferably driven by a dental office vacuum pump, includes a surge tank for accommodating effluent overfill connected to a sedimentary deposit tank for sedimentation of effluent particles. A bypass conduit is connected to the surge tank inlet which is equipped with a vacuum break valve for allowing air into the system when the suction openings are closed. The sedimentary deposit tank has a series of baffle chambers through which effluent flows in sequence, and in each of which chambers sediment is deposited for later removal. The surge tank preferably has a liquid level sensor and warning device. Modular filters or adsorbants may be installed in the sedimentary deposit tank, or a modular auxiliary filter may be connected downstream of the tank. Chemical injection may be used to improve sedimentation.

Abstract: A hinge coupling and a lock for connecting a stationary handrail to a gate arm for a gate. The gate in closed position retains the structural integrity and peripheral profile of the handrail. The hinge coupling consist of a fixed connector and a mobile connector, both pivotally connected to a middle link by pins. The components of the hinge coupling pivot about the pins, enabling the gate arm to pivot through a 180° angle. One hinge connector is inserted and secured into an open end of the stationary handrail. The other connector is inserted and secured into an open end of the gate arm. The lock consists of two mating active and passive components that are fastened to respective terminal ends of the handrail and gate arm. The lock components are provided with a manually releasable latch. All components in the closed position of the gate compactly fit together and are shaped to provide peripheral continuity.

Abstract: Surface defects in rolled steel are remedied by quenching a surface layer of the steel product downstream of the caster and upstream of the reheat furnace by transversely differentiated quenching to match the transverse temperature profile of the steel product. The flow rate of the quench spray is differentially adjustable across the width and optionally the length of the steel product. An array of spray nozzles controlled in transversely or longitudinally arranged groups provides the quench spray.