Abstract: An in-line inspection tool is disclosed for inspecting the wall of a pipeline while traveling therethrough. The in-line inspection tool may include a transmitter, a signal generator, one or more receivers, and a decoder. The signal generator may generate a pseudorandom signal, generate an inspection signal, and drive the transmitter with a convolution of the pseudorandom signal and the inspection signal. The transmitter may transmit the convoluted signal to the wall of the pipeline. One or more receivers may receive from the wall of the pipeline a received signal comprising at least one of the convoluted signal and a reflection of the convoluted signal. The decoder may identify the inspection signal within the received signal by cross correlating the received signal and the pseudorandom signal.

Abstract: A therapeutic compression garment is disclosed. The compression garment may include a first band wrapping around a first portion of a limb. The first band may deliver to the first portion a first level of therapeutic compression. The compression garment may further include a second band connected to the first band and positioned adjacent thereto. The second band may wrap around a second portion of the limb. The width of the second band may be greater than the width of the first band. Accordingly, when the first and second bands are applied with equal tension, the level of therapeutic compression provided by the second band may be less than the level of therapeutic compression provided by the first band.

Abstract: A compression stocking for compressing a limb is disclosed. The stocking may include a proximal tube, a distal tube, and an transition line or zone. The proximal tube may have a distal end and a proximal end and be configured to compress a proximal portion of a limb. The distal tube may have a distal end and a proximal end and be configured to compress a distal portion of the limb. The transition line or zone may provide a location where the distal end of the proximal tube connects to the proximal end of the distal tube. The transition line or zone may correspond to an abrupt change in magnitude between compression provided by the proximal tube and compression provided by the distal tube.

Abstract: A system and method are disclosed for protecting bearings operating in dirty environments. The system may include a reservoir of lubricant, a bearing, and a regulator. The bearing may border on both the dirty environment and the reservoir. Accordingly, the bearing may be exposed to the solid particles carried by the fluid within the environment, as well as the lubricant of the reservoir. The regulator may ensure that the pressure within the reservoir is greater than the pressure of the dirty environment. Due to the higher pressure within the reservoir, the bearing may be preferentially filled with lubricant rather than dirty fluid from the environment.

Abstract: An exercise apparatus is disclosed. The exercise apparatus may include a frame and a rail suspended from the frame. The rail may have a length extending horizontally. The exercise apparatus may further include two carriages, each configured to roll along the rail independent of one another. A handle may be connected to each carriage. A user may grasp the handles, one with each hand, and execute an exercise such as a chin-up, pull-up, bicep curl, lat pulldown, or the like.

Abstract: A multi-position tailgate retaining and counterbalancing apparatus and method is disclosed. The apparatus maintains the look and functionality of a conventional tailgate for a pickup truck. The apparatus and methods may include a counterbalance reducing the effort required to lift or lower the tailgate. The apparatus and methods may allow the counterbalanced tailgate to be lowered to, and automatically stop at the standard open position like a conventional tailgate. Moreover, by pulling and releasing the tailgate release latch handle, the tailgate may be lowered further to a fully open position. Upon reaching this lower, fully open position, the tailgate may automatically stop. The apparatus and methods may also provide a counterbalanced tailgate that secures at multiple predetermined positions between the closed and fully open positions, each such position retaining the tailgate's full load carrying capacity.

Abstract: A method for using a downdraft gasifier comprising a housing and a refractory stack contained within the housing. The refractory stack may comprise various sections. Apertures in the sections may be aligned to form multiple columnar cavities. Each columnar cavity may comprise an individual oxidation zone. The method of use may include the steps of placing a feedstock into an upper portion of the refractory stack, measuring the temperature of each columnar cavity, and adjusting the flow of oxygen to a particular columnar cavity to maintain the temperature of the particular columnar cavity within a particular range.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for adjusting the location of suspension for a tailgate is disclosed. The method may include selecting a vehicle comprising first and second sides, a tailgate, and at least one tailgate support. The tailgate may be connected to pivot with respect to the first and second sides through a range of motion. The at least one tailgate support may have a base and an array pivotably connected to the base. The base may engage the tailgate. The array may engage the first side and comprise first and second engagement mechanisms. The method may further include disengaging the first engagement mechanism from the first side, pivoting the array with respect to the base, and effecting an engagement between the second engagement mechanism and the first side. By switching from the first engagement mechanism to the second engagement mechanism, the location of suspension for the tailgate may be adjusted.

Abstract: A system and method are disclosed for inspecting the wall of a pipeline while traveling therethrough. The system may comprise a portion of pipe comprising a pipe wall forming a cylindrical tube defining a circumferential direction and an axial direction. The system may further include an in-line inspection tool positioned within the portion of pipe. The in-line inspection tool may include a frame extending in the axial direction and at least one magnet connected to the frame and positioned to generate a magnetic field. The magnetic field may be orientated obliquely with respect to the circumferential and axial directions of the pipeline. The inspection tool may include a transmitter connected to the frame to generate an inspection signal within the magnetic field.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for adjusting the location of suspension for a tailgate is disclosed. The method may include selecting a vehicle comprising a first side, a second side, a tailgate, and at least one tailgate support. The tailgate may be connected to pivot with respect to the first and second sides through a range of motion. The at least one tailgate support may have a first end connected to the first side, a second end connected to tailgate, and an adjustor positioned between the first and second ends. The method may further include actuating or manipulating the adjustor to change the length under tension of at least one tailgate support. By changing this length, the location of suspension for the tailgate may be adjusted.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for adjusting the location of suspension for a tailgate is disclosed. The method may include selecting a vehicle comprising a first side, a second side, a tailgate, a tailgate support, and an adjustor. The tailgate may be connected to pivot with respect to the first and second sides through a range of motion. The adjustor may include a base and a traveler configured to move with respect to the base. The base may be positioned on, and fixed with respect to, one of the tailgate and a first side of the vehicle. When the base is positioned on the tailgate, the tailgate support may extend to connect the traveler to the first side of the vehicle. Alternatively, when the base is position on the first side of the vehicle, the tailgate support may extend to connect the traveler to the tailgate. In either configuration, by manipulating the position of the traveler with respect to the base, the location of suspension for the tailgate may be adjusted.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for adjusting the location of suspension for a tailgate is disclosed. The method may include selecting a vehicle comprising a first side, a second side, a tailgate, and at least one tailgate support. The tailgate may be connected to pivot with respect to the first and second sides through a range of motion. The at least one tailgate support may have a first end connected to the first side, a second end connected to tailgate, and an adjustor positioned between the first and second ends. The method may further include actuating the adjustor to change the length under tension of at least one tailgate support. By changing this length, the location of suspension for the tailgate may be adjusted.

Abstract: A method for lowering a tailgate is disclosed. The method may include selecting a vehicle comprising a first side, a second side, a tailgate, and a first tailgate support. The tailgate may be connected to pivot with respect to the first and second sides through a range of motion. The first tailgate support may have a first end connected to the first side and a second end connected to tailgate. The method may further include detaching the first end of the first tailgate support from first side of the vehicle. Once a first extension link is selected, the first end of the first tailgate support may be connected to the first extension link. The first extension link may be connected to the first side. Once installed, the extension link may effectively lengthen the tailgate support, permitting the tailgate to hang lower than ninety degrees from its closed position.

Abstract: An in-line inspection tool comprising sensors and sensor housings is disclosed. Each sensor housing may contain at least one sensor. The tool may further comprise a structure comprising a central axis and a plurality of sensor mounts distributed circumferentially about the central axis. Each sensor mount may support a different sensor housing. The plurality of sensor mounts may support the sensor housings such that the first end of each sensor housing circumferentially overlaps the second end of an adjacent sensor housing. By overlapping, sensor housings may support sensors with substantially uniform spacing around the circumference of the inspection tool in normal operation and still allow sensor housings to move relative to one another to accommodate changes in the dimension of the circumference.

Abstract: A lightweight, ergonomically beneficial, hydrodynamic, and volumetrically efficient hybrid pressure vessel having at least two longitudinally extending, semi-cylindrical sections with flattened rib portions at a common interface between the sections. Additional longitudinally extending sections may be employed to provide additional internal volume. One or more apertures extend through the ribs to provide communication between sections. The pressure vessel comprises a cast metal material, optionally including exterior reinforcing structure for containing internal pressure.

Abstract: A method and apparatus is provided for distilling and processing chemicals. The apparatus is particularly suited for processing and distilling difficult to distill compounds, and is capable of producing diesel fuel and other products from used oil at a quality level similar to that of products produced from virgin crude oil.

Abstract: An apparatus for applying pressure to a body part includes one or more bands of compressible or non-compressible material.

Abstract: A system and method are disclosed for inspecting the wall of a pipeline while traveling therethrough. The system may comprise a portion of pipe comprising a pipe wall forming a cylindrical tube defining a circumferential direction and an axial direction. The system may further include an in-line inspection tool positioned within the portion of pipe. The in-line inspection tool may include a frame extending in the axial direction and at least one magnet connected to the frame and positioned to generate a magnetic field. The magnetic field may be orientated obliquely with respect to the circumferential and axial directions of the pipeline. The inspection tool may include a transmitter connected to the frame to generate an inspection signal within the magnetic field.