Abstract: A hemispheric moving focus power plant (10) has a hemispheric solar reflector (12) for reflecting solar energy. A receiver (14) for receiving reflected solar energy and producing power therefrom is movably connected to the hemispheric solar reflector (12). The receiver (14) includes a frame with a top (24), to which a plurality of photovoltaic cells are connected, and a support (26). Further, a power conditioner (16) is connected to the receiver (14) for receiving power from the receiver (14) and conditioning the power for use.

Abstract: A write driver apparatus (10) is adapted for producing a first data output signal and a second data output signal used in driving data onto a bit line pair (16, 18) associated with an electronic computer memory. The first and second data output signals represent desired data and are produced in response to a data signal, refill signal, and a data propagation clock signal. The data propagation signal is derived from system clock signals. A precharge circuit (12) associated with the write driver (10) operates in response to a precharge clock signal to precharge the bit lines (16, 18) prior to each read or write operation. The precharge clock signal is related to the data propagation signal to ensure that the bit lines (16, 18) are fully precharged prior to a read operation. A keeper circuit (14) associated with the bit lines (16, 18) also helps maintain a desired charge state on the bit lines during a read operation from memory cells (20) connected to the bit lines.

Abstract: A saddle tree (10) for use in building a western equestrian saddle includes two laterally spaced, elongated bars (12) adapted to extend along either side of the horse's spine when the saddle tree (10) is in a riding position on the horse. A swell (14) is connected between the laterally spaced bars (12) at a forward end of the bars (12). A stirrup slot (20) is positioned in a center portion (18) of each bar for accepting the stirrup leathers for the saddle. Each stirrup slot (20) has a front edge (40) positioned at least two and one-eighth inches behind the back surface (28) of the swell (14). A center seat section or ground seat (18) positioned between the laterally spaced bars (12) includes a lowest point along its centerline positioned at least four inches behind the back surface (28) of the swell (14) and no more than eight inches behind the back surface (28) of the swell (14).

Abstract: A clean connection and sampling apparatus (10) and method for creating a controlled environment for the transfer of chemicals has an isolation means for providing an isolated area (14) capable of being cleaned. A first connection means (16) for connection to a supply of chemicals to be transferred is provided and a second connection means (18) for transferring the chemicals from the isolation means to a receiver for said chemicals is also provided. A sampling means is located within the isolation means for sampling the chemical prior to transfer to the receiver. A pass-through means (22) is provided for receiving a sample from within the isolation means and isolating the sample from the isolation means prior to transfer of the sample outside of the isolation means for analysis.

Abstract: An apparatus (10) for monitoring and registering a bingo game includes an arrangement for entering and storing a game card identifier (32) associated with each game card (30) issued in a game sequence. The apparatus (10) also includes storage (16) for storing the card pattern of each card issued in the game sequence, along with all of the symbols drawn by a game operator during the game sequence. A winning pattern comparing arrangement is connected to the card pattern and drawn symbol storage (16) and operates to compare the potential winning symbol patterns of each card issued in the game sequence with each drawn symbol immediately after the symbol is drawn. The comparison is to determine each match between the drawn symbol and a card symbol and discover the winning card in the game sequence. The apparatus (10) further includes a display for displaying the card identifier of the winning card or cards to the game operator and players.

Abstract: A multi-product sampling mechanism (10) having a clean valve (36), a sample cabinet (40) connected to the clean valve (36), and a utility cabinet (12) connected to the clean valve (36) and the sample cabinet (40) for controlling and cleaning the operation of the clean valve (36) and the sample cabinet (40). In a preferred embodiment, the sample cabinet (40) includes connection blanks (80) for the connection of additional sample cabinets (40) so that, if desired, more than one particular type of product or chemical can be received exclusively at a designated sample cabinet (40). Additionally, in a preferred embodiment, the clean valve (36) is connected a spacer connection (32) for connecting the clean valve (36) to a bulk-storage tank at the receiving facility. The spacer connection (32) is also connected to the utility cabinet (12).

Abstract: A spindle bayonet fish hook apparatus and method includes lure engaging body (12) with two ends (14) and (16). End (14) is larger in circumference than end (16 and lure engaging body (12) is symmetrical along a longitudinal axis (18). Lure engaging body (12) includes a connection (20) for connecting to fish equipment, such as a fish hook (24) and the like. Artificial plastic worm (22) is attached to lure engaging body (12) by pressing the head (32) of artificial plastic worm (22) over end (16) and up to end (14) in one embodiment. Because of the spindle shape of lure engaging body (12), concentric adhesion forces result from the radially stretching and expansion of the artificial plastic worm (22) by the insertion of lure engaging body (12) within it. As a result, artificial plastic worm (22) increasingly resists removal from lure engaging body (12) in response to retrieval of casts and the like.

Abstract: A hydrothermal process (10) is integrated into a wastewater treatment facility (12) to fully oxidize an undigested wastewater sludge produced by the treatment facility. A thickened and conditioned feed mixture comprising sludge from the treatment facility is first pressurized to a critical pressure and then heated to a reaction initiating temperature below the critical temperature. An oxidant is injected into the feed mixture at the reaction initiating temperature to initiate an oxidation reaction in low light-off temperature constituents of the feed mixture to produce a partially reacted mixture and raise the temperature of the partially reacted mixture to at least the critical temperature for water in a supercritical water oxidation reactor (52). Heat from the supercritical water oxidation reaction is used to heat the feed mixture and also, to condition the sludge from the wastewater treatment plant preferably by thickening and heating the sludge.

Abstract: A method for heating foodstuffs, particularly mixtures made up of small pieces of meat, comprises pressurizing the uncooked mixture to force the mixture through a flow resistance device (22) at a heating velocity. Sufficient force is applied to the uncooked mixture to produce frictional resistance heating in the uncooked mixture as the mixture travels through the flow resistance device (22). The frictional resistance heats the uncooked mixture from an initial temperature to a final temperature which may be above a cooking temperature. This final temperature converts the uncooked mixture to a desired processed mixture. The invention may also include forming the processed mixture into a desired shape and cooling the processed mixture to a setting temperature. A variable resistance device (40) may be included in the flow resistance device (22) and used to control the level of heating in the foodstuffs.

Abstract: An irrigation conduit (10) includes a plurality of emitters (11) spaced apart along its length. A conveyance channel (12) is connected to each emitter (11) and is long enough so that a distal end (14) of the conveyance channel (12) may be positioned at or just above the soil surface with the conduit (10) buried below the soil surface. Each emitter (11) or each conveyance channel (12) includes associated with it a flow control arrangement (30) to control the rate of flow through the conveyance channel (12) when water is applied to the conduit (10) at a desired pressure and flow rate. The flow rate through each conveyance channel (12) exceeds the local hydraulic loading rate of the soil adjacent to the conveyance channel (12). The rate in excess of the local hydraulic loading rate causes localized flooding and allows the water to spread out substantially across the soil surface prior to moving downwardly into the soil.

Abstract: An apparatus for placing a toll telephone call using a lowest cost long distance carrier includes a telephone input for operatively connecting to a telephone or other dialing equipment at a user's location, and a line output for operatively connecting to a public telephone network. The apparatus further includes an arrangement for capturing preferably each number dialed through the user's telephone dialing equipment. Rate storage within the apparatus stores long distance rate information for a plurality of carriers and clock produces a time input representing the time of day and day of week. The apparatus further includes a rate comparison arrangement connected to the rate storage, clock, and input number capture mechanism for determining from the stored long distance rate information the identity of the long distance carrier having the lowest long distance rate for the telephone call represented by the captured telephone number.

Abstract: A pH increasing gas is placed under an operating pressure and in contact with the surface of a meat product to be treated. Keeping the pressurized pH increasing gas in contact with the meat product for an operating period increases the pH of the meat product at its surface. The increased pH reduces bacterial activity and helps maintain the quality of the meat product during storage. The method may also include placing a pH lowering gas at a neutralizing pressure in contact with the surface of the meat product and holding the pH lowering gas in contact with the meat product at the neutralizing pressure for a neutralizing period sufficient to bring the pH of the meat product back to a normal level. The method may further include the step of removing the treatment gas and any reaction materials either after releasing the pH increasing gas or after treating with the pH lowering gas if that step is employed.

Abstract: A system and a method are both described for transferring data throughout computer systems, computer networks, data transmission facilities, and the like from an originating location to destination devices (50) at various physical locations. An electronic package data structure (10) is also described that includes document references (14), destination references (16), and package attributes (18, 28, 40). The document references (14) may be document names and locations or actual document contents. Destination references (16) identify printers, e-mail addresses, facsimile machines, electronic pagers and the like. A graphical user interface or GUI (140) serves to allow a user (52) to select documents, destinations, and additional package attributes that create the electronic package data structure (10). Once the components and attributes are assembled, the GUI is used to send the package (10) to a delivery service (12).

Abstract: A vehicle trip recording apparatus collects trip data for manipulation by a separate computer. The computer software contains all the required controls and data manipulation programs for the trip recording device. The trip recording device contains only the hardware to collect and save distance pulses, current time and date, to talk with the computer, and a two button command interface. Of the two button command interface, one of the buttons selects between automatic or manual mode. The second button is a push type and performs the start/stop trip function when the first button is in the manual position. When the first button is in the automatic position, the second button preforms the start/stop calibrate function. Once the trip data has been downloaded into the computer, the trip data can be formatted, printed and saved with the separate computer.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for applying protective material (48, 58) having a stand (12) and at least one support arm (14) moveably connected to the stand (12). At least a pair of counter-rotatable shafts (16 and 18) are connected with the support arm (14) and endless moveable belts (20) for moving objects (54) so that an upper and lower surface (38 and 40) are formed by the belts (20) and each surface moves together at the same time, in the same direction. The protective material insertion apparatus (32) includes pivotal moveable upper support tray (42) and stationary lower support platform (44). After moveable upper support tray (42) is open and sheet-like protective material (48) is inserted with an end (50) protruding therefrom, the moveable upper support tray (42) is closed. Once closed, end (50) is wrapped on top of moveable upper support tray (42).

Abstract: A battery charging apparatus (12) includes a voltage regulator arrangement (14), a charging transistor (16), a switching transistor (18), and preferably an operational status indicating arrangement (20). The voltage regulator arrangement (14) receives an input voltage signal from a voltage source (22) and produces a regulated voltage output to be applied to a battery (10) to be charged. The charging transistor (16) is connected with its collector-emitter current path completing a charging circuit from the voltage regulator arrangement (14) through the battery (10) to be charged and is forward biased in normal operation by a signal derived from the regulated voltage output. A switching transistor (18) has its collector-emitter current path connected in parallel with the battery (10) and collector-emitter current path of the charging transistor (16) to complete a bypass circuit around the battery.

Abstract: An irrigation spray head includes a plurality of orifices each for directing irrigation water in a substantially continuous stream to an impact location within an area around the spray head to be irrigated. Each orifice has associated with it a mechanism for adjusting the flow area and thereby adjusting the flow rate through the orifice and the distance between the spray head and the impact location associated with the respective orifice. Each substantially continuous discrete stream emitted through one of the orifices is at a flow rate higher than the local hydraulic loading rate associated with the soil in the respective impact location. Thus, each stream of water from the spray head produces localized runoff and a wide wetting pattern around each impact location. The flow rate for each stream is chosen so that the wetting pattern associated with each impact location combines with the other wetting patterns to substantially cover the entire area to be irrigated.

Abstract: Bones (10) with meat attached thereto are suspended in a substantially fluid medium (14). The fluid medium or matrix (14) includes meat, fat and other soft material (16) which behaves similarly to a fluid when a pressure is applied thereto. The substantially fluid medium (14) also includes a substantially compressible material (18) such as a gas included in voids within the matrix. Once the bones (10) are properly suspended, the entire matrix of material (14) is compressed from an initial pressure to a detachment pressure which may be in a range of 5 pounds per square inch over atmospheric to 1000 pounds per square inch over atmospheric. The meat attached to the bones (10) within the matrix (14) tends to migrate away from the bone and eventually detach from the bone. However, since of all of the bones (10) remain suspended in a substantially fluid medium, pressure is applied evenly across the entire surface of the bones without breaking the bones and contaminating the meat with bone fragments.

Abstract: A modular water quality measurement apparatus and method includes a sealed or unsealed housing with a universal sensor interface cap (12) and mechanical and electrical sensor connections (14) for receiving removably attachable sensors (16 or 16'). Each of the mechanical and electrical sensor connections (14) are individually electrically connected to a programmable motherboard (20) within the housing. Sensor daughterboards (22) are removably attached to the motherboard (20) corresponding to individual sensors (16 or 16') connected to the universal sensor interface cap (12). Further, removably attachable input/output daughterboards (24) are electrically connected to the motherboard (20) for accommodating various serial interface types and software is provided for collecting information from the sensors (16 or 16') and transmitting the information through the input/output daughterboards (24) for manipulation by a user.