Abstract: A high strength low density multi-purpose panel. The preferred panel is made of a plurality of sections, organized into rows and columns, and each preferably including two voids. The voids are preferably triangular in cross-section and may be rounded at their apex and corners. Solid strips of material, extending between opposite corners and between the faces of each section, intersect at the center of each face, resulting in an X-shaped cross in each section. Each section is rotated ninety degrees with respect to each adjacent section. Each section shares sides with four adjacent sections and corners with four cater-corned sections. The common sides create perpendicular sets of parallel braces running the panel's length and width. The shared corners align and join the X-shaped cross braces with the X-shaped cross braces of their cater-cornered neighbors, creating diagonal braces that run across the entire panel.

Abstract: A drilling unit containing a combined pilot bit and reamer. The drilling unit includes a housing containing a mud motor and a pilot bit extending from its distal end. A reamer is mounted to the housing. The mud motor turns the pilot bit while the reamer is turned either by the mud motor or as the drill string is rotated from the surface. The well bore is drilled and reamed in one pass. By positioning the reamer between the pilot bit and the mud motor, the mud motor must only pass through the larger reamer bore rather than the smaller pilot hole. This will allow larger mud motors to be used than would otherwise be possible. In one embodiment, the pilot bit is offset relative to the center of the end of the drill housing, providing increased tangential speed at the point of impact between the pilot bit and formation.

Abstract: A method of enlarging a ring. A ring to be enlarged is severed, preferably with an end mill, and then expanded. The end mill will preferably cut a circular section from the ring, so that the ends of the now severed ring are concave. A plurality of preformed bars are also provided. The bars will have curved ends that match the curvature of the ring ends. The curvature of the bars and the ring will also match. The width of the various bars, between the ends, will be selected to correspond to desired increases in the ring circumference. A cross-sectional slice will be cut from a bar of the appropriate width and inserted into the severed ring. The ring and the cross-section will then be joined together, preferably with an induction welder, which can be used to quickly heat only a limited portion of the ring and insert.

Abstract: An improved method and apparatus for providing backup community power. The improved system is able to deliver power to a community in the event of power failure of the lines feeding it by way of a large scale generator being integrated with the existing power lines in a community and being selectively switched between power sources to maintain electrical power to a community.

Abstract: A vertically stabilized shelf bracket assembly having at least two support strips on which a plurality of shelf brackets are mounted. A cover is provided that aesthetically enhances the shelf bracket assembly and stabilizes it at the same time. In one embodiment, the cover includes a cap and a hanging casing. In one embodiment, apertures are provided in the shelf brackets to support a rod. In another embodiment an adjustable mounting slot is provided in the support strips to facilitate their parallel installation.

Abstract: A compression gauge for measuring the compression applied to a test bolt. The compression gauge includes a passive hydraulic cylinder and a piston slidably disposed within the cylinder. The piston and the cylinder define an hydraulic chamber. A threaded test bolt passes through the piston and cylinder to engage a female receiver on the opposite side of the compression gauge. Tightening the test bolt will cause the bolt to compress the piston and cylinder which will pressurize the hydraulic chamber. A pressure gauge measures the pressure achieved in the hydraulic chamber. This pressure can be easily converted to compressive force. When a hydraulic wrench is used to tighten the test bolt, the wrench can be set to apply the same amount of torque to a workpiece bolt and thus apply the desired amount of compression to the workpiece bolt.

Abstract: A drilling fluid or mud additive having several components, including leonardite (humic acid); potassium acetate; partially hydrolyzed polyacrylamide (PHPA); polyanionic cellulose polymer (PAC); sulfonated asphalt; sulfoalkylated tannin; polystyrene maleic anhydride copolymer; micronized cellulose fiber; and calcium carbonate. These components are preferably premixed in a dry formulation as a powder or as pellets, and shipped to the site in bags or bulk tanks. This offers substantial advantages over the prior art in that the drilling mud of the present invention may be formed simply by adding the dry mix to a predetermined amount of water, and is thus much easier to make than the prior art wet mix drilling fluids, which typically require precise ratios of several different powders and liquids to be mixed together. Hydration buffers help keep the powder or pellets dry and flowable.

Abstract: A brush configured to move repeatedly over a vacuum filter. The brush will remove dust particles to prevent them from clogging the filter. In the preferred embodiment, the brush is mounted on a revolving shaft. As the shaft turns it moves the bristles of the brush over the surface of the filter, whereby dust particles may be dislodged. In one embodiment, the shaft is attached to the vacuum motor and is turned directly by the motor. In this embodiment a speed reducer may be employed to slow the rate of rotation of the brush. In another embodiment, a turbine is attached to the shaft. The turbine is placed in the path of the air stream moving through the vacuum. The air passing through the turbine cause it and the shaft to rotate, thereby reducing the load on the motor.

Abstract: The invention is a method and apparatus for quicker, easier and more injury-free catfish skinning utilizing a wedging device to limit movement.

Abstract: The addition of one or more stimulants to a petroleum well in order to enhance the production of the well. If the well is suffering from asphaltene or paraffin build up, the well may be heated either chemically or with steam prior to introduction of the stimulant. Additionally, a solvent may be added to dissolve the asphaltenes and paraffins. The stimulants are allowed to soak into the formation and then the well is returned to production. The stimulants increase the ability of oil to flow through the formation and decrease the ability of water to flow through the formation by coating the water wet portions of the formation with oil soluble chemicals. The stimulants also decrease the viscosity of the oil in formation.

Abstract: A portable air conditioner utilizing low-power draw components, simple and efficient construction, and implementing simple ice water as the medium for heat exchange.

Abstract: A valve cover having a valve cover body, preferably of two sections. These sections are placed on either side of a valve. When joined, the sections enclose the valve, but form line apertures around the lines leading to and from the valve. Once the sections are in place, a cap is placed over the sections. The cap is sized to fit the sections tightly and will prevent the sections from separating. The cap may be provided with a tongue in groove mechanism to prevent accidental removal of the cap and to help secure the cap to the valve cover body. The cap and the valve cover body are also preferably provided with locking apertures. When these locking apertures are aligned, the cap may be secured to the valve cover body with a lock. With the valve cover locked in place around a valve, access to the valve is denied.

Abstract: An improved aircraft passenger boarding bridge is constructed wherein the bridge cabin has at least one side wall in which is installed a baggage chute assembly pivotally attached at its lower end to the bridge cabin wall to permit the assembly to be pivoted outward from the bridge cabin and toward the ground.

Abstract: Disclosed herein is a method for treating odors in wastewater treatment bodies. The pH of the body is preferably established above about 6 and most preferably above about 7, usually by adding a base to the body. The oxidation reduction potential of the body is established at about ?300 mV or higher and more preferably about ?200 mV or higher, usually by adding an oxidizing agent such as oxygen or nitrates. After these conditions are established, sulfur oxidizing bacteria are added to the body. These preferably include Paracoccus denitrificans (formerly called Thiosphaera pantotropha) ATTC number 35,512. The sulfur oxidizing bacterial population should be established at levels of at least about 1×104 cfu/mL and more preferably at levels of 1×105 to 1×106 cfu/mL or higher. The increased ORP and pH levels make sulfate reduction thermodynamically unfavorable. Additionally, the presence of an alternative electron acceptor such as oxygen or nitrate allows the sulfur oxidizing bacteria to oxidize organic acids.

Abstract: A tack spraying device mountable on an engine driven vehicle having a storage tank for maintaining tack stored in the container under pressure during operation, a first line connecting the exhaust pipe of the vehicle engine to the storage tank in a manner to permit transfer of the engine exhaust to the interior of the storage tank and to serve as a source of the pressure within the container, and a second line connecting the storage tank to a spray nozzle in a manner to transfer the tack in the storage tank to the spray nozzle.