Abstract: A slag control shape is releasably mounted on a mounted member carried on a molten vessel or an adjacent base. The mounted member includes an L-shaped bracket carrying a movable member to release the slag control shape and an actuator for selectively releasing the slag control shape. The mounting member further includes a sleeve secured to the vessel or adjacent base. A rotating shaft is connectable to both the L-shaped bracket and sleeve to provide rotatable movement in selective positions, of the L-shaped bracket relative to the sleeve.

Abstract: A plurality of buses of an electrical power system are grouped into agents, family lines of agents and families of agents based on the reactive reserves depleted when the buses are loaded. Contingencies are applied and the reactive reserves are monitored to determine an exhaustion factor for one or more family lines in one or more families. A boundary case solution exists for each outage that has no solution when the outage is removed in small steps and an additional step has no solution and is used to assess where, why, and how the contingency causes voltage instability, voltage collapse and local blackout. Based on this information, the voltage rescheduling, active rescheduling, unit commitment and load shedding is determined that can be used as preventive, corrective or emergency controls in system design and planning, operation planning, reactive and voltage management, real time control, and Special Protection System Control.

Abstract: A process can include the step of forming a removable support having a complementary contour to a machined surface of a block of material to be processed in order to support the machined surface from an opposite planar surface formed on the removable support during machining of the opposite side of the block of material. The process can include the steps of processing a block of material on a machine to form one surface; inserting a support having a complementary contour to support the one surface and an opposite planar surface; rotating the block of material onto the opposite planar surface of the support to machine the opposite side of the block of material; releasing the support along a parting line defined by the complementary contour; and reusing the support for the next block of material having the same contour configuration.

Abstract: An implantable device composed of a biocompatible material having an enhanced surface topography that has an implanted calcium ion concentration and method of making the same.

Abstract: Road and marine steering means in an amphibious vehicle are linked so that the ratio between them is variable. In a first embodiment, an arm connects a lever to a steering rack. A cable operates the marine steering means. The lever pivots about a pin, which may be moved along a slot by the motor and gearbox driving screw shaft. At pin position A, full road steering travel x is achieved with minimal marine steering travel. At pin position B, road and marine steering have equal travel x?; and at position C, full marine steering travel z is achieved with minimal road steering travel y. In a further embodiment, a lever arm fixed to steering rack casing has a cam profile constraining pin. Full marine steering travel z of the cable is achieved over rack travel y. The steering wheel controls both road and marine steering.

Abstract: A support structure for hanging plants. The support structure includes a plurality of frames having a plurality of clamping sites formed thereon and a plurality of mounting members formed thereon. A plurality of rods are supported by the frames for suspending the hanging plants therefrom, wherein at least two frames support each rod. A plurality of clamping members are connectable to a respective clamping site for securing the rods to the frames. The frames are supported by a base portion, wherein a plurality of elongate support members extend between the base portion and the frames to hold the frames above the base portion.

Abstract: A process is provided for the production of phenol from chlorobenzene. The process comprises a chemical reaction in which chlorobenzene is reacted with an alcohol in the vapor phase to form phenol and the corresponding alkyl chloride. A catalyst is used to promote the reaction. Among the alcohols used are methyl alcohol and ethyl alcohol.

Abstract: An auto-laundry conveyor of three-tier design using upper, lower and intermediate track rails with a narrow slot between them. Dollies are provided in an endless loop conveyor chain and each dolly comprises a combination of a center link, a pair of reversely similar tire engaging rollers, a pair of reversely similar track engaging rollers outboard of the tire engaging rollers and a pair of reversely similar stabilizing rollers outboard of the track engaging rollers. The stabilizing rollers are effectively larger in diameter; i.e., higher than the track engaging rollers so as to prevent rolling contact between the stabilizing rollers and the track surface and to receive the tread surface of an off-center tire and keep the tread surface from interfering with rolling movement of the track engaging rollers. The conveyor is manufactured in 10-foot lengths except for the entry and exit sections which are of lengths X and Y wherein X plus Y equals 10 feet.

Abstract: An apparatus and methodology for abating fungi in a building supported on a ground surface and having an upper enclosed living space and a lower enclosed space beneath the upper enclosed space and proximate or beneath the ground.

Abstract: An oil filter canister removal tool comprising a cup-shaped plastic body long enough to receive the filter therein and of sufficient diameter as to provide radial clearance between the filter canister and the top rim of the body. A snug fit can be provided by integral flutes or bonded in strips of elastomeric material. In operation the tool is slipped over a canister after the canister has been loosened relative to the engine block. The tool is manually rotated until the canister is free of the engine. The tool can be cleaned up and reused after disposal of the oil filter canister. The tool may also be thrown away with the used filter.

Abstract: A wind-driven power source comprises a propeller-driven rotor structure and a stator structure carrying clusters of copper-wire wound ferromagnetic cores as voltage generators. The cores are arranged in pairs spaced apart by hard rubber rollers which engage the inside surface of a load ring forming part of the rotor structure. The overall rotor structure comprises the large diameter load ring, a smaller diameter root ring and a plurality of aerodynamic blades extending radially outwardly from the root ring and secured either by saddle blocks or integral bonding to the load ring. The load ring may be aluminum or plastic. Permanent magnets are arranged around the load ring to interact with the voltage generator structures to produce three-phase electricity.

Abstract: Apparatus and methods to characterize and measure fruit pieces in food products are provided. A sample is spread on a viewing cell and illuminated. The image is captured by a camera and fed to a computer with imaging software. Information useful for quality control purposes and process control is obtained.

Abstract: The invention relates to a molded decorative film that can be foam-backed and that is used in the passenger compartment of motor vehicles. Said decorative film is provided with a break line that is defined by a notched weakening in cross-section in the airbag penetration area. Said weakening in cross-section is formed by an internal notch that is closed at both ends by the material of the decorative film. Preferably, a notch is produced that extends on the side that can be foam-backed to the surface of the film and the notch is then closed on said side by welding.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a collapsible animal faeces collector device (1) having a handle portion (2) and a receptacle support (6), supporting a receptacle (8) with an upwardly facing surface (10) for receiving a faecal deposit (24). The device (1) is of a lightweight construction, the handle (2) and receptacle support (6) have just sufficient strength to bear in cantilevered support an empty receptacle (8) for manipulation into a faeces-receiving position on the ground below an animal's anus, but insufficient strength to bear in cantilevered support a receptacle (8) loaded with faeces. The receptacle (8), when empty, is supported equally around the receptacle support (6) by a rim portion (12). When the device (1) loaded with faeces (24) is suspended, the rim portion (12) moves on the receptacle support (6) to collect together over the contents of the receptacle (8). The handle portion and receptacle support are preferably inflatable.

Abstract: A seating accessory for use in combination with the inside surface of the tailgate of a pickup truck. The accessory includes a generally rectangular sheet sized to be positioned over the lowered tailgate surface and defining two side-by-side upwardly opening concave seating surfaces to accommodate side-by-side seated persons. A backrest is associated with each seating surface and is pivotally moveable between an upright position providing back support for a person sitting on the respective seating surface, and a lowered, stowed position within the concavity of the respective seating surface. The seating access is secured to the tailgate using suitable fasteners coacting with the tailgate.

Abstract: A fluid heater apparatus and method of making same includes a low porosity material, thermally conductive mass. A heat source is disposed in the thermally conductive mass for imparting heat to the mass. Fluid in a flow path through the mass absorbs heat from the mass. The thermally conductive mass is molded, cast or extruded from a material which, with the selected forming process, provides a low porosity mass. The mass may be formed of ceramic, aluminum and poltruded carbon. The mass can be cast from a material which is introduced into the casting mold in a semi-solid temperature state.

Abstract: An apparatus using electrically-stimulated smart material requires a power source to stimulate the material. This power source has three main functions, (1) to apply a known voltage potential across the smart material, (2) to convert from the control voltage to a level suitable for the smart material, and (3) to regulate the voltage based on a control input. The power source is a DC to DC converter with special properties achieved by supplying a variable stimulating voltage or actively discharging the actuator. The circuit also provides a dead band, or hysteresis, between the charge point and discharge point. When this circuit is applied with a proportional, mechanically-leveraged smart material actuator, a general-purpose industrial actuator becomes a cost-effective solution.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a slide fastener suitable for providing a water resistant closure between two edges of material. The fastener comprises first and second stringer tapes, each stringer tape having a multiplicity of coupling elements disposed in a row therealong and a slider captively engaged with the opposed rows of coupling elements of the first and second stringer tapes for reciprocal movement therealong and for bringing the coupling elements into and out of interlocking engagement.