Abstract: A system and method for creating power and pasteurizing water is provided. The system includes a power generation subsystem and a water pasteurization subsystem, which are linked together as follows. The power generation subsystem comprises a turbine power generator. Air (or other suitable working fluid) flows through the turbine power generator to generate power by known methods. The air is heated prior to flowing into the turbine to increase its speed for greater power generation. The water pasteurization subsystem includes one or more heat exchangers, at least one of which is connected to receive the hot airflow exiting the turbine. The heat from the turbine-exiting airflow is utilized for pasteurizing colder wastewater inside the heat exchanger.

Abstract: Arsenic and TOC are removed from drinking water or wastewaters by use of finely-divided metallic iron in the presence of powered elemental sulfur or other sulfur compounds such as manganese sulfide, followed by an oxidation step. A premix may be produced for this process, by adding the iron, sulfur and oxidizing agent to water in a predetermined pH range. The iron and sulfur are mixed for a period of time dependent upon the temperature and pH of the water and the presence of complexing or sequestering minerals and organic acids in the water. An oxidizing agent is added to the mixture and agitating is continued. In a preferred embodiment the oxidizing agent is hydrogen peroxide. Water is decanted from the mixture after a sufficient reaction time, to produce a concentrated premix. This premix can be added to water intended for drinking or to industrial effluents containing toxic materials.

Abstract: A mechanical key and lock cylinder with mechanical bittings include electronic access control feature. A small, low-profile memory cell is embedded in a recess or hole through the key, with one cell terminal grounded to the key and the other having a contact extension. When the key is inserted into the keyway of the cylinder plug, the ground connection is made with the cylinder and the memory cell contact extension engages a contact of a connector unit from the cylinder plug. The key remains of very low profile. In another embodiment the key has its contacts on one or both sides of the key blade rather than at the shoulder of the key head. The memory cell device in or on the key head can include a microprocessor, battery and read/write memory.

Abstract: A snowshoe has a pivoted mounting on its boot harness, for rotation about a pitch axis for a first degree of freedom in movement of the user's boot relative to the snowshoe; and provision for a second degree of freedom of motion along a roll axis, allowing the user's boot to tip from side to side, particularly for uneven or sidehill terrain. In both axes the boot preferably is spring-biased toward a neutral position. At the same time, freedom of movement is restricted and essentially prevented between the boot and snowshoe relative to a third axis, the yaw or vertical axis. Several different structural arrangements are disclosed in several types of snowshoes, for achieving the second degree of freedom.

Abstract: A carpet seaming iron has two heating elements to maintain the iron at desired temperature with a minimum of temperature oscillation. One element remains energized as long as the iron is switched on, while the other is controlled by a thermostat. With proper selection of the power of the first heating element, the iron achieves a very steady, minimally-oscillating temperature by cycling the second element on and off in response to actual iron temperature during use, supplementing the first element as needed. Larger oscillations such as exhibited with single-element thermostat-controlled irons are avoided by the relatively smaller power of the second element, the only element cycled on and off, even when the thermostat is mechanical.

Abstract: A chair and standing device includes a mechanism for allowing movement in an individual's hips and lower back while seated in a chair or standing in one's workstation, by letting the pelvis glide unabated through an apparatus made up of a series of balls, round springs or magnets built into a two pad chair seat cushion. Two pads under the respective ilia of the person preferably move in a forward & rearward glide pitch, roll, yaw and opposing medial glide enhanced by a ¼? to ?? raised platform in the center of the apparatus. The chair allows the pelvis to move in a gliding motion that mimics walking while the person is seated or standing, thus reducing the structurally caused lower back pain and stiffness so commonly associated with long periods of standing or sitting.

Abstract: A retention device for eyeglasses includes a swingable clip lever pivoted essentially on the same pivot with one of the temples of the eyeglasses. A mechanical linkage causes the clip lever to lie closely alongside the temple when the temple is fully closed and when the temple is fully opened, but to swing away from the temple in intermediate positions, thus enabling the clip to be engaged over an edge of clothing or other material to retain the eyeglasses in place when not being worn by a person. Preferably an over-center device is included to firmly retain the temple in the closed position until deliberately opened.

Abstract: Locks and keys are disclosed with electromagnetic as well as mechanical actuation. Several forms of reverse sidebar are described, avoiding binding of the lock release mechanism by premature turning of the key by a user. An embodiment of a system is described wherein the lock units are in radio communication with a control console, for setting access parameters and monitoring accessing events at each of the various locks.

Abstract: A method of fault classification in a plasma process chamber powered by an RF source includes initially running a plurality of different baseline plasma processes on the chamber. For each baseline process, the magnitudes of a plurality of Fourier components of delivered RF power are determined and stored as an impedance fingerprint for that baseline process. In the case of a fault, one or more of the baseline processes is repeated according to a predetermined decision tree to determine the current fingerprints and classify the fault by comparing the current fingerprints with the original fingerprints.

Abstract: A substantially gas tight cover for an open-top structure such as a tank requires very few fasteners and allows for thermal expansion and contraction movement while still maintaining the nearly complete gas seal. Unique metal extrusions are assembled on-site in a modular system that is easily put together. An important component of the system is a gutter extrusion which includes an elongated gutter and flanges with sealing gaskets for engaging the top surface of the concrete tank rim as well as engaging the inner wall of the tank below the top. At intervals along the gutter strip are hold-down clips that interlock with the gutter extrusion and are secured in the concrete of the tank, spaced back from the tank edge. Fasteners in the inside face of the tank preferably are avoided. Main spanning beams for the tank cover are connected to the gutter extrusions in a way so as to allow for thermal expansion and contraction, without losing the gas seal.

Abstract: A system of locker compartments at various locations is controlled by a central system processor. A communication system from the central processor to all locations, and all lockers within a location, enables central control of rewritable locker access codes, reservation of appropriate lockers for delivery of orders, and monitoring of status of all lockers in the system. The assignment of lockers and codes can be web-based, and can be done by a vendor, a delivery company or an online customer.

Abstract: A tactical vest particularly for police has a hidden pocket which extends between panels of fabric to the back of the vest and preferably completely around the vest to the opposite side. A large patch of material with loop fasteners, preferably nearly as tall as the pocket opening, is engagable against two strips of hook fasteners on the inner panel as a module. A gun holster with hook-type fasteners can be placed at any desired location on the module for convenient retrieval by the user. Similarly, the module itself can be located and oriented in any manner desired by the user. This versatility enables the officer to position his gun holster in a personally most convenient and most readily retrievable position.

Abstract: A release-controlled pipe and a related manufacturing method comprise several main steps, which are mixing a formulation, first hot melt extrusion and cooling, grinding into pieces, second hot melt extrusion, molding and cooling. The present invention includes the steps of first mixing elastomer pellets and a binder, then pouring the formulation into a melt extruder for extruding and shaping a rod-like extrudate. Then the rod-like extrudate is ground into pieces and placed into a water-filled container and another dry container. The mixture of dry ground pellets, wet ground pellets including water, and a small amount of lubricant is poured into a melt extruder for extruding, and a release-controlled pipe is shaped via a pipe die head and gathered by a winder after cooling.

Abstract: The invention relates to a beverage can with a press-in closure (2) whereby a lid area is surrounded by a separating line (3) which can be pressed down into a partial area by means of an actuation tab (4) of a grip lug (7) that is fixed to the lid (5) by means of a riveted joint (6), and forming a hole (8) in the interior of the can for pouring out said beverage. According to the invention, the hole (8) can be covered with a perforated external lid (9) which is also attached to the lid (5) by means of a riveted joint (6). When the grip lug (7) is actuated, the actuation tab (4) of the grip bracket (7) gets inserted into the perforated external cover (9) by means of a groove (10). The invention prevents insects such as wasps or the like from penetrating into the beverage can.

Abstract: A paper tissue roll holder eliminates the use of a spindle. Two opposed arms with slidable back frames have support plugs or protrusions extending inwardly from ends of the arms, to engage in the ends of a tissue paper roll. The frames move laterally in opposition to one another in a slide track of a housing. In one preferred embodiment both slidable frames have gear racks which engage with a single rotatable gear positioned in the center of a back plate of the housing. Movement of either of the arms and frames causes opposite movement in unison by the other frame, by virtue of the mechanical linkage provided by the gear. This allows clearance for center loading of a tissue paper roll.

Abstract: A sewage treatment plant, on the liquid side, is operated so as to effect nitrification and denitrification within a single tank and simultaneously to remove water, without the need for separate clarification. An aerobic/anoxic zone is maintained in a single tank, wherein the SymBio process of U.S. Pat. No. 5,906,746 is maintained. This is combined with the advantages of an MBR process, by placing a series of membrane separators within the tank and continuously withdrawing nearly pure water. Supplemental process air provided in the MBR tank is controlled by the SymBio process to maintain simultaneous nitrification and denitrification in a single tank and thus reducing the additional process air requirements.

Abstract: A snowshoe having a tubular frame supporting a flexible deck has a molded tail piece connecting the tail ends of the tubular frame. The tail piece has two dowel members which are angled to form a rear apex, such that the tail ends of the tubular frame extend over the dowel members for secure connection. In addition, the molded tail piece has a connecting bracket extending forwardly, with a wide slot in which the tail of the stretched membrane decking is secured. In this way a rear support and connection point for the decking is provided by the tube end connector, while also providing tension on the tail piece retaining it in place without the need for fasteners.