Abstract: A method for control of horticulture diseases and decontamination of plant tissue which includes applying a solution of hydrogen peroxide to plant tissue, said hydrogen peroxide being a solution having a concentration of between 0.05 to 3.00%. In some cases the hydrogen peroxide solution has a concentration of between 0.05 and 1.5%. Some forms of the invention may utilize a hydrogen peroxide solution that further includes an acid selected from the group consisting of acetic acid and phosphoric acid. Various structures are used for applying the hydrogen peroxide solution such as hydraulic spraying, misting, fogging, or injecting the hydrogen peroxide into a commercial cooling system. In other cases the hydrogen peroxide solution is injected into a recirculating subirrigation nutrient system solution to control microbial growth in the irrigation water. In some cases the hydrogen peroxide solution is applied to the plant tissue at a variety of stages in the plant production cycle.

Abstract: A syngas cooler apparatus includes an elongated generally cylindrical pressure vessel having an axial extremity that is a top end during normal operation of the cooler and an axial extremity that is a bottom end during normal operation of the cooler. A laterally extending support member extends within the pressure vessel proximate to the top end and front, back, and two side walls define at least one flow channel in the pressure vessel. The pressure vessel has an inlet and an outlet communicating with the flow channel. A pendant heat exchanger surface comprising a plurality of loops is disposed in the flow channel. Each of the loops is formed from tubing and the major portion of the entire axial extent of the tubing are rectilinear axial sections that are disposed with the axes thereof substantially in a vertical plan during normal operation. The pendant is disposed in the flow channel intermediate the inlet and the outlet and is supported solely from the laterally extending support member.

Abstract: Apparatus for venting odors from the toilet bowl by using a fan installed on one side of the toilet bowl. The odors are discharged under the toilet in the drain pipe through an appropriate extension ring designed to allow transit of discharged air. Easy installation of the mechanism requires only unbolting the toilet from the floor, placing the extension ring, base extension board and a new wax ring on the drainage flange, rebolting the toilet in place and making the connection to the fan.

Abstract: A computerized method employing isosceles triangles for generating boundary surface points includes providing an electronic computer system having instructions and data for performing steps, and then performing those steps by executing the instructions and data in the computer system. Each isosceles triangle employed in the method has two congruent legs and an incongruent base. The steps include detecting a closed edge, determining a base figure having a perimeter, generating after the determining step a first group of isosceles triangles having vertices coincident with the closed edge and having bases formed by and equal to the perimeter, determining a location vector formed by a unitized cross product of first line segments which connect the vertices of the first group of triangles.

Abstract: An ash control valve apparatus for use in a system that includes a fluidized-bed system which includes a housing, a seat in the housing for passage of particulate material, a plug dimensioned and configured for mating engagement with the seat, and apparatus for moving the plug from a first position wherein the plug is disposed in seated engagement with the seat to a second position wherein the plug is disposed in spaced relationship to the seat. The apparatus for moving the plug includes apparatus for mounting the plug that includes an elongated tube to which the plug is fixed. The apparatus for mounting includes a plurality of axially extending ribs disposed on the circumference of the elongated tube and a plurality of channels disposed in a bore in the plug.

Abstract: A conduit for use in a geothermal heating and cooling system which includes an elongated tubular member having first and second ends, the member having an outer surface. A longitudinally extending divider wall is disposed within the tubular member. The divider wall divides the interior of the tubular member into first and second fluid flow passageways extending longitudinally within the tubular member. The apparatus further includes a cup shaped member disposed on the second end of the elongated tubular member. The cup shaped member directs all fluid flow in the first fluid flow passageway from the first end to the second end into the second end of the second fluid flow passageway. Other forms of the invention have first and second elongated tubular members that have first and second ends and each of the tubular members has an outer surface.

Abstract: A child saver safety screen apparatus for use with an associated window casing. The apparatus includes a first generally rectangular frame having a first side, a second side, a third side and a fourth side and a second generally rectangular frame having a first side, a second side, a third side and a fourth side. The apparatus also includes a plurality of fiber strands and a generally rectangular conventional window screen. The apparatus also includes apparatus for interlocking the second frame to the first frame. The apparatus also includes apparatus for mounting the plurality of fiber strands in substantially parallel relationship in the second frame and apparatus for connecting the conventional window screen to the second frame. The apparatus for interlocking the second frame to the first frame may include a first channel that connects to the inside edges of said first, second, and third sides of the first frame.

Abstract: A device for aiding a technician to locate a vein for inserting a hyperdermic needle therein in which, in one embodiment, the technician dons a headpiece supporting an infrared light source illuminating an appropriate area of the flesh so that a view is generated showing the location of a subcutaneous vein. The headpiece also supports an infrared sensitive video camera and monitor screen in front of one eye and an opaque shield over the other eye. The lines of sight of the one eye viewing the screen is coincident with the line of sight of the camera and both lines of sight are directed toward the vein of the patient. The tip of the needle is moved into the line of sight then moved along the line of sight to the vein. In another embodiment, two cameras and screens are provided for viewing by both eyes and each camera and monitor can be positioned with line of sight coincident with the line of sight of the respective eye.

Abstract: A tool for sawing plaster board being a hood spring loaded hingably attached to the motor of a circular saw such that the blade is completely enclosed in the hood when the saw is not in contact with the surface being cut. An adjustment screw is provided for adjusting the depth of cut. The hood is also equipped with a door with a spout attachable to a source of vacuum for withdrawing kerf.

Abstract: In a mass spectroscopy method, a primary beam of energetic particles is irradiated onto a target surface containing a sample in which the sample is a collection of analyte molecules contained in a matrix forming compound. When it is required to eject positive analyte ions the matrix forming compound can be a proton donor. When it is required to eject a negative analyte ion, the matrix forming compound can be a proton acceptor.

Abstract: A fluidized bed system which includes a housing and a floor comprising a plurality of generally parallel tubes joined by fins intermediate adjacent tubes. A plurality of nozzle assemblies extend generally vertically in mutually parallel relationship from the floor. Each of the nozzle assemblies includes a generally cylindrical body having a centerline disposed in generally perpendicular relationship to the floor and each of the bodies includes a plurality of heads extending generally radially therefrom at an axial extremity thereof remote from the floor. In some embodiments of the invention each of the heads are uniformly spaced around the circumferential extent of each of the bodies and each of the heads is generally cylindrical and has a centerline. Each of the centerlines of the heads may be disposed at an angle with respect to a horizontal plane and the angle may be approximately twenty degrees.

Abstract: An apparatus for destroying bacterial pathogens including at least one pair of electrodes secured in a housing configured to constrain flow of water through the region between the electrodes. In one construction, the electrodes are supported in a tube with sides of each member of an electrode pair conforming to the inner surface of the tube and electrode surfaces form a slotted space through which the water passes. The electrodes and space between the electrodes are also subject to a magnetic field which reduces rate of deposition of calacerous deposits on the electrode surfaces thereby extending the period of time between required cleaning of the electrodes. The electrodes can be simple slabs or screens or both. The electrodes are preferably tin, titanium, brass, iron or stainless steel.

Abstract: Apparatus for decontamination of a liquid which includes an outer envelope, apparatus for directing a liquid into the outer envelope, and apparatus for directing a liquid out of the envelope. The apparatus for directing the liquid out of the envelope includes an axial section of perforate duct and apparatus for absorbing contaminants disposed around the axial section of perforate duct, the apparatus for absorbing and the axial section of perforate duct are disposed within the outer envelope. In some forms of the invention the apparatus for absorbing contaminants is a particulate material which may be disposed within a sleeve shaped member. The apparatus for absorbing may include a central perforate tube disposed in generally concentric relationship to the sleeve shaped member and the central perforate tube may be in fluid communication with the exterior of the outer envelope. In many embodiments the outer envelope is substantially fluid impervious and may be an elongated body.

Abstract: A gravimetric control system for supplying fuel and sorbent to a circulating fluidized bed boiler which includes a loop shaped continuous belt for moving materials in a generally horizontal direction. The apparatus includes first and second belt scales disposed at spaced axial points along the belt and apparatus for continuously moving the belt sequentially past the first belt scale and then past the second belt second belt scale and then dumping all material on the belt.

Abstract: An air nozzle assembly for use in an associated combustion apparatus which includes a secondary air nozzle apparatus. The air nozzle apparatus may be a part of the windbox of an associated furnace. The apparatus includes a housing which has at least a part thereof disposed surrounding a first axis. The part has respective first second third and fourth cross-sectional areas at first, second, third and fourth axially spaced planes that are perpendicular to and axially spaced along the first axis of the part of the housing. The cross sectional area of each of the first second third and fourth cross-sectional areas each different from each other of the cross sectional areas. The apparatus also includes a diffuser member; apparatus for supporting the diffuser; and apparatus for moving the apparatus for supporting along a second axis, the second axis is parallel to the first axis. In some forms of the invention the diffuser member is a rotationally symmetrical object which may be a truncated conical body.

Abstract: A gate valve apparatus which includes a housing having a passageway defined therein for a fluent material, a generally planar gate, and apparatus for supporting the gate within the housing. The apparatus for supporting allows movement of the gate in opposed first and second directions that are generally parallel to the generally planar gate. The apparatus also includes an annular seal carried on the housing around the perimeter of the passageway and apparatus for moving the gate in a direction substantially perpendicular to the generally planar gate. The apparatus for moving includes a first and second shafts, the shafts have a first and second axial portions that is disposed in eccentric relationship to other axial portions of the shaft, a roller is carried on each of these eccentric portions. A roller including a bearing allowing free rotational movement is carried on each of these eccentric axial portions.

Abstract: A regenerative turbine pump apparatus which includes a housing having an inlet and an outlet and a generally circular impeller having a circumference and a geometric axis. The impeller is mounted for rotation within the housing about the geometric axis and has first and second generally circular faces. At least the first generally circular face has a plurality of vanes extending from the circumference generally toward the geometric axis. Each of the vanes has generally planar mutually parallel side walls disposed in oblique relationship to a tangent to the impeller proximate to the intersection of the vane and the circumference. Adjacent vanes about the circumference each being separated by a slot extending from the circumference and extending to a substantially rectilinear line, the substantially rectilinear lines collectively define a plurality of steps around the impeller.

Abstract: A computerized process for defining finite elements in a surface or volume for ultimately predicting a physical characteristic of the surface or volume. For the surface, for example, the process includes a first step of inputting surface boundary point coordinates of a geometric model of the surface to a computer system, the computer system including an image display screen displaying the geometric model. The process further includes preparing the boundary edges of surface by generating piecewise geometrically smooth bezier curves between boundary points and converting the bezier curves to cubic interpolation polynomials and defining evenly spaced points on each cubic interpolation polynomial and decomposing the surface with divider curves, if the surface is not already 3, 4, or 5 sided, into 3, 4, and 5 sided primitives. Thereafter, a determination is made of the largest acceptable element size and the number of elements disposed along each edge of each primitive.

Abstract: A pulverizer for crushing coal for use in a combustion process includes a bowl shaped body, a roller dimensioned and configured for contact with at least a portion of the bowl shaped body, apparatus for causing relative movement between the bowl shaped body and the roller; and apparatus for biasing the roller against the bowl shaped body, the apparatus for biasing including a spring assemblyat includes a first spring and a second spring. The apparatus means for biasing including apparatus allowing initial compression of the first spring before the second spring is compressed. In some forms of the invention the first spring and the second spring are coil springs and the first and second springs are compressed simultaneously after initial compression of the first spring. In other forms of the invention the first and second springs are disposed in coaxial relationship with the second spring overlapping an axial part of the first spring.