Abstract: A composition and method of removing hydrocarbons from a contaminated sludge which comprises hydrocarbons, solid particles and water is disclosed. The method comprises the steps of providing a contaminated sludge including hydrocarbons and solid particles such that the hydrocarbons are bound to at least some of the solid particles; applying a treatment fluid to the contaminated sludge, the treatment fluid comprising water, a silicate, a nonionic surfactant, an anionic surfactant, a phosphate builder and a caustic compound; contacting the contaminated sludge with the treatment fluid for a time sufficient to remove the hydrocarbons from at least some of the solid particles; separating the hydrocarbons from the treatment fluid and from the solid particles; recovering the hydrocarbons; and recycling the treatment fluid by applying the treatment fluid to additional contaminated sludge.

Abstract: An apparatus for cooling a quartz halogen lamp is disclosed. Each lamp socket, used for connecting terminals of a quartz halogen lamp to an electrical supply, is mounted to a convector. Heat is conducted away from the terminals to the convector where the heat is then transferred by forced convection to the atmosphere. Alternatively, the convector can be mounted directly to one or more of the terminals. Cooling of the quartz halogen lamp terminals is achieved without passing cooling air directly past the quartz halogen lamp, thereby avoiding problems associated with contamination of the quartz halogen lamp that can lead to premature failure of the quartz halogen lamp.

Abstract: A downhole fluid separation system comprises a fluid separator having a fluid inlet, a first fluid outlet, and a second fluid outlet, with a sensing device for sensing at least one parameter of a first component of a fluid mixture introduced into the fluid inlet of the fluid separator. The ratio of the first component to a second component of the fluid mixture is adjusted as such fluid mixture is introduced into the fluid inlet of the fluid separator in response to a signal provided by the sensing means. By adjusting the component ratio before the fluid is introduced into the fluid separator in response to a signal from a downhole sensing device, acceptable separation efficiency can be achieved over a broad range of fluid component ratios for a given fluid separator.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for selectively producing fluids from multiple lateral wellbores that extend from a central wellbore. The apparatus comprises a fluid flow assembly with a selectively openable and adjustable flow control valve in communication with a production tubing, located in the central wellbore between packers, and a lateral wellbore, and a selectively openable access door located adjacent the lateral wellbore allowing and preventing service tool entry into the lateral wellbore. The valve and door are individually controlled from the earth's surface.

Abstract: An orthogonal electromagnetic seal for an oven that heats items through the use of microwave energy is set forth. The oven has a cavity in which the items are to be placed, an opening to the cavity, and peripheral surfaces that surround the opening to the cavity. One of the peripheral surfaces is orthogonal to the other peripheral surfaces. The electromagnetic seal includes a choke panel, a plurality of tabs, and a choke ring. The choke panel is aligned with and has generally the same shape as the opening. The plurality of tabs extend from a periphery of the choke panel. A first set of the plurality of tabs is generally parallel to the orthogonal peripheral surface. The remaining tabs are parallel with the other peripheral surfaces. Each of the plurality of tabs is positioned between the associated peripheral surface and the choke ring. A choke cavity adjacent to each peripheral surface is defined by the choke ring, the choke panel, and the adjacent peripheral surface.

Abstract: A cooktop has a burner box. A porcelain wall is arranged to be removably fitted to the burner box so as form a burner box housing. The wall has a plurality of holes. Each porcelain bowl receives a corresponding heating element and has a basin which protrudes through a corresponding hole. A bowl shield is provided for each of the porcelains bowls such that each of the bowl shields is formed substantially around a corresponding basin. A plurality of controls control the heating elements. A temperature limit control deactivates at least one of the controls in the event of an over temperature condition.

Abstract: A composition for reducing odors comprising extract derived from the plants belonging to the Zingiberales order of plants is disclosed. The odor reducing composition includes a banana plant extract derived from plants belonging to the Musa genus of plants. A method of forming the odor reducing composition and a method of reducing the odor of a substrate are also disclosed.

Abstract: An annulus vent valve is provided to vent gas or other production fluids from below a packer set within a well in deep-set applications. The valve may broadly include: a body member having a first end, a second end, an outer surface, a longitudinal bore adjacent the second end, and at least one flow port extending from the longitudinal bore to the outer surface; a closure member mounted within the longitudinal bore to control fluid flow therethrough; a mechanism for biasing the closure member to a normally closed position to prevent fluid flow through the longitudinal bore; a closure member actuator disposed for movement within the longitudinal bore to open and close the closure member; a mechanism for biasing the closure member actuator away from the closure member; a piston connected to the closure member actuator and having a first end and a second end; and a gas chamber disposed within the body member and in communication with the second end of the piston.

Abstract: A traffic violation processing method is disclosed, which includes the steps of monitoring a vehicle; determining whether the vehicle is in violation of a traffic violation and recording the image of the vehicle on a camera when the vehicle is determined to have violated a traffic violation; providing a digital image of the vehicle; recording and storing deployment data corresponding to the violation, wherein the deployment data includes an identifier associated with the traffic violation; assigning the identifier to the digital traffic image; storing the digital image of the vehicle, together with the identifier, on a storage medium; matching the deployment data with the stored digital image by correlating or matching the identifier associated with the deployment data with the identifier associated with the stored digital image; and generating a traffic document that includes the stored digital image and the deployment data.

Abstract: Apparatus for detecting a characteristic of a product undergoing heating senses a parameter of reflected light from the product and determines a point at which the sensed parameter reaches a certain level to detect the characteristic.

Abstract: A traffic monitoring system has a common housing for a Doppler radar transceiver, a video camera, and a digital computer for processing the Doppler signal. The system also includes a video cassette recorder, a high-speed photographic camera, and a laptop computer for downloading control settings and a program from a diskette or memory card to the digital computer. The digital computer performs an initial self-test by injecting a calibration signal in lieu of a Doppler signal into an electronic interface between the radar transceiver and the digital computer. The radar transceiver generates a Doppler signal having two channels, and the phase between the channels indicates whether a vehicle is approaching or receding from the radar transceiver. The two channels are recorded on the left and right audio channels of the video cassette.

Abstract: A bearing system for mounting a rotating shaft includes a bearing assembly and a bearing mounting structure. The bearing assembly has an inner race which contacts the rotating shaft, an outer race, and bearing elements positioned therebetween. The outer race has an exterior surface with an outer dimension. The bearing mounting structure has a region for affixing it to an external structure in which the bearing system is to function. An internal surface of the bearing mounting structure defines a bearing cavity in which the bearing assembly is to be disposed. The internal surface engages the exterior surface of the outer race. The retention force exerted by the internal surface on the outer surface is determined by the design of the inner surface of the bearing mounting structure that defines the bearing cavity. The internal surface has cut-outs, or scallops, extending axially (with respect to the shaft) along the internal surface.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for selectively producing fluids from multiple lateral wellbores that extend from a central wellbore. The apparatus comprises a fluid flow assembly with a selectively openable and adjustable flow control valve in communication with a production tubing, located in the central wellbore between packers, and a lateral wellbore, and a selectively openable access door located adjacent the lateral wellbore allowing and preventing service tool entry into the lateral wellbore. The valve and door are individually controlled from the earth's surface.

Abstract: A device for controlling a traffic light, where the controlling of the traffic light is dependent upon receipt and recognition of vibrations. The device includes a vibration receiver for detecting vibrations transmitted through the ground, a processor for converting one or more of the vibrations into a control signal and a controller to trigger a traffic light in response to the control signal. The device may also include a vibration generator, e.g., at least one channel or groove in a traffic-bearing surface. The vibration generator preferably facilitates the production of a pattern of vibrations when the tire of a vehicle passes over the vibration generator. Further, the device may include a vibration receiver, capable of detecting a pattern of vibrations and producing a pattern of signals corresponding to said pattern of vibrations.

Abstract: An adjustable belt loop which is easily removable and made of flexible material which enables one to secure the free end of a belt to the main portion of the belt which thereby prevents the sagging or protruding of a garment or accessory belt end. The adjustable belt loop comprises a strip of material, and optionally a display member, and is extended and folded over and onto the free belt end and the main portion of the belt. The first and second ends of the flexible strip overlap and are securably closed by the attachment means. Alternatively, the first end of the flexible strip may be removably attached to the second end of the flexible strip by attachment means without overlap.

Abstract: An emission containment apparatus and method for use in a fluid system having a chamber housing and a shaft.

Abstract: Wet processed friction materials are disclosed wherein the components thereof include blends of a) fibrillated, organic, synthetic polymer, b) organic, synthetic polymer staple and c) organic, synthetic soluble polymer particles.

Abstract: Frequency domain processing is used to determine rapidly whether false signals are present, and to improve the accuracy of speed measurements by rejecting speed measurements that could be inaccurate due to the presence of false signals. A Doppler signal responsive to speed of a moving vehicle is generated by a Doppler radar transceiver. A digital computer transforms the Doppler signal into a frequency domain signal such as an energy spectrum, and the speed of the moving vehicle is computed from the weighted arithmetic mean of the energy spectrum. The mean value, however, is rejected as an indication of speed if the variance of the energy spectrum from the mean exceeds a threshold, or if a differential of the spectrum with respect to frequency exceeds a threshold.

Abstract: An adjustable-width panel assembly for the construction of fences, walls, and other structures incorporating panels, which minimizes the need for separate fasteners to inter-connect successive panel members.