Abstract: A ground reinforcing structure includes first and second reinforcement sheets. The first reinforcement sheet has a first plurality of structural support rows and a connector row. The first plurality of structural support rows includes a first support row and a second support row. The connector row includes a first connector and a second connector. The second reinforcement sheet has a second plurality of structural support rows. The second plurality of structural support rows includes an end structural support row that has a first structural support connector and a second structural support connector. The first and second structural support connectors are secured by a first structural rib. The first connector is nested within the first structural support connector and the second connector is nested within the second structural support connector to secure the first reinforcement sheet to the second reinforcement sheet.

Abstract: A wastewater or sludge treatment fixed film cross-flow distribution media corrugated sheet (84, 84?, 84?) and assemblies (118, 118?, 118?) thereof include corrugations (98, 98?, 98?), angled of about 10° to about 80° to the top and the bottom of the sheet and the assemblies. The sheet has a unitarily formed baffle (100, 100?, 100?) along at least a top portion of an exposed side of the sheet (96, 96?, 96?) or assemblies (130, 130?, 130?) exposed to denser wastewater or sludge outside of the assemblies than within the assemblies that is sufficient, when joined with either a like baffle (100, 100?, 100?) on a like sheet (84, 84?, 84?) or optional substantially planar interstitial sheets (132, 132?, 132?) adjacent the corrugated sheets, to substantially block air used in a sparging system from exiting or the denser wastewater or sludge being treated from entering the exposed side (96, 96?, 96?) of the sheet or the exposed side (130, 130?, 130?) of the assemblies.

Abstract: A packing element has components that form snap-lock connections with like packing elements used to form a contact assembly. The packing elements can be readily and easily assembled together using little force by connecting the packing elements with connectors in a snap-lock manner. The packing elements are retained by the snap-lock connectors in the contact assembly such that the packing elements cannot be separated without such force that the material forming at least one of components of the snap-lock connections or the packing element will fail to the extent that a contact assembly made using the packing elements would not be functional.

Abstract: A composite hanger grid for supporting splash bars in a cooling tower uses separate vertical suspension members and horizontal beams by which all of the operational loads imposed on the splash bars are transferred to the horizontal beams, which then transfer the load to the vertical suspension members. Since all of the horizontal beams are independent of each other and separate components from the vertical suspension members, the horizontal beams will be loaded equally throughout the entire hanger grid. Also disclosed are components of the composite hanger grid, splash bars adapted for use with specific embodiments of the composite hanger grid, assemblies of the composite hanger grid with its supported splash bars, a method of assembling a composite hanger grid and a method of assembling an evaporative cooler fill assembly, including hanger grids and splash bars, in a cooling tower.

Abstract: Coil assemblies for use in heat exchange applications are made using polymeric tubes, some with heat exchange and water redistribution media integral with the coil assembly and others with a water distribution subassembly integral with the coil assembly. One coil assembly includes at least two generally linear passes that are connected by return bends formed by folding an array of polymeric tubes. The passes have an array of at least two layers of polymeric tubes that pass through alignment holes in tube spacers only along the passes to maintain the tubes in substantially the same relative positional relationship to each other in the passes and in the return bends. Methods are explained for forming the coil assemblies and components, including the tube spacers and tube sheets to connect the coil assembly to inlet and outlet manifolds for the processing fluid flowing internally through the tubes.

Abstract: Coil assemblies for use in heat exchange applications are made using polymeric tubes, some with heat exchange and water redistribution media integral with the coil assembly and others with a water distribution subassembly integral with the coil assembly. One coil assembly includes at least two generally linear passes that are connected by return bends formed by folding an array of polymeric tubes. The passes have an array of at least two layers of polymeric tubes that pass through alignment holes in tube spacers only along the passes to maintain the tubes in substantially the same relative positional relationship to each other in the passes and in the return bends. Methods are explained for forming the coil assemblies and components, including the tube spacers and tube sheets to connect the coil assembly to inlet and outlet manifolds for the processing fluid flowing internally through the tubes.

Abstract: A composite hanger grid for supporting splash bars in a cooling tower uses separate vertical suspension members and horizontal beams by which all of the operational loads imposed on the splash bars are transferred to the horizontal beams, which then transfer the load to the vertical suspension members. Since all of the horizontal beams are independent of each other and separate components from the vertical suspension members, the horizontal beams will be loaded equally throughout the entire hanger grid. Also disclosed are components of the composite hanger grid, splash bars adapted for use with specific embodiments of the composite hanger grid, assemblies of the composite hanger grid with its supported splash bars, a method of assembling a composite hanger grid and a method of assembling an evaporative cooler fill assembly, including hanger grids and splash bars, in a cooling tower.

Abstract: An oil and debris separation hood mounts on the interior surface of a wastewater collection basin to cover the outlet opening and prevent hydrocarbons, debris and other pollutants from being discharged from the collection basin. The hood device includes a rounded body portion formed with a mounting flange extending along the back side of the hood device from a bottom edge and over the top portion. The upper portion of the hood device includes an access port closed by a sealable lid to provide access to the outlet pipe without removing the hood device from the collection basin. The top portion of the mounting flange is formed with a built-in vent opening that allows the pressure within the hood device to be equalized to the ambient air. The hood device can be formed from plastic sheet material through thermoforming techniques, and includes strengthening ribs and a hand grip.

Abstract: A spacer panel is incorporated into building walls to drain accumulated moisture from the wall structure. The spacer panel is formed with spacer members that project on opposing sides of a central planar web member. Each spacer member is formed independently and has a planar portion extending around the spacer member to provide a location for the insertion of apertures to allow moisture to pass from one side of the panel to the other. Each spacer member includes a planar surface that facilitates an application of adhesive for attachment of a barrier member thereto. The spacer members can be oriented in a herringbone pattern alternating on opposing sides of the central web member. The spacer members can be formed as a circular projection extending on one side of the central web with a truncated conical member projecting to the opposing side of the central web from the circular projection.

Abstract: A structured sheet cross flow media is formed with a first corrugated sheet having corrugations defining flutes angled in a first direction, a second corrugated sheet defining flutes angled in a second direction, and an interstitial planar sheet disposed between the first and second corrugated sheets. The interstitial planar sheet traps the flow of fluid or gas, such as air, entering one end of the media block within opposing flutes until the end of the interstitial sheet is reached, whereupon the fluid or gas can disperse between the intersecting flutes of the first and second sheets to provide a controlled dispersal of the fluid or gas. In one embodiment, the interstitial sheet terminates at an intermediate height in the media block to define the width of dispersion of air bubbles entering at a single source point.

Abstract: An adaptable vent baffle mountable to an underside of a roof deck and to a wall plate of a building structure between a pair of roof rafters having a rafter spacing for permitting ventilation between a soffit and an attic space of the building structure. A main body portion has a longitudinal axis and is positioned generally on a main body place. A spacer extends from the main body portion and a tail portion is hingedly mounted to the main body portion. The main body portion and tail portion include first and second side edges and a baffle width is defined between the first and second side edges. At least one line of weakness extends generally parallel to the longitudinal axis for modifying the baffle width to adapt to the rafter spacing.

Abstract: A baffle vent incorporates an integral drift blocker portion that is connected to the main body portion of the baffle vent by a generally planar transition portion to allow the drift blocker portion to move relative to the main body portion. The main body portion is formed with transversely extending stiffening ribs, while the drift blocker portion is formed with longitudinally extending stiffening ribs with the transition portion being devoid of stiffening ribs to maintain flexibility in the transition portion. The baffle vent structure can be formed in large sheets that span several roof rafters with multiple integral drift blocker portions formed to be positioned between the roof rafters. A deck baffle panel is also provided in a configuration similar to the main body portion to be installed beneath attic flooring in manufactured housing to allow an air flow to remove moisture from beneath the attic flooring.

Abstract: A perforating machine for perforating a plurality of perforation lines in a vent baffle sheet comprises a support table having two spaced apart openings, perforating wheels, two backstop wheels, and an endless feed belt having a plurality of protrusions. The perforating wheels and the two backstop wheels are positioned on opposite side of the support table. The perforating wheels engage with the two backstop wheels through the two spaced apart openings. The endless feed belt has an upper portion and a lower portion. The lower portion of the endless feed belt is positioned above the support table. The protrusions on the lower portion of the endless feed belt engage with side stiffeners of the vent baffle sheet to move the sheet through the perforating wheels.

Abstract: A baffle vent is formed to span several roof rafters in a panel form with alternating flat ribs and rounded valleys extending along the longitudinal length thereof. The spacing of the flat ribs is four inches on center so that the transverse width of the panel will be engaged properly with roof rafters spaced on a multiple of four inches. The baffle vent includes uniformly spaced transverse ribs that extend from one transverse edge of the panel to the other to stiffen the panel which is formed of vacuum molded polyvinyl chloride film. The baffle panel is placed on top of the roof rafters before the roof sheeting is applied so that the insulation will force the baffle vent against the roof where the flat ribs engage the roof sheeting and the rounded valleys provide a passage for air to flow from the building soffit to the roof vent.

Abstract: A vent baffle assembly provides air ventilation in a cathedral ceiling having rafter beams and roof sheathing. The vent baffle assembly includes a first vent sheet and a second vent sheet. The first vent sheet has first and second ends, first and second longitudinal ribs and a first lateral stiffener extending generally perpendicularly to the ribs. The second vent sheet includes third and fourth ends, third and fourth longitudinal ribs, and a second lateral stiffener extending perpendicularly to the ribs. The first vent sheet is positioned between adjacent rafters with the ribs oriented parallel to the rafters. The second vent sheet overlaps the first vent sheet with respective ribs interengaged to limit lateral movement of the first vent sheet relative to the second vent sheet. The first lateral stiffener engages the second lateral stiffener to limit longitudinal movement of the first vent sheet relative to the second vent sheet.

Abstract: An insulation block is utilized with a corresponding baffle vent having a transverse width that will span several roof rafters, as is provided for use with manufactured housing. The insulation block includes uniformly spaced vertical ribs that extend from one edge of the insulation block to the opposing edge thereof to stiffen the insulation block which is formed of vacuum molded polyvinyl chloride film. After the baffle panel is placed on top of the roof rafters, which is before the roof sheeting is applied, the insulation block is attached to the wall top plate with the top edge of the insulation block placed into engagement with the baffle vent. The top edge of the insulation block is configured to mate with the undulating configuration of the corresponding baffle vent, fitting between transversely extending stiffening ribs on the baffle vent, to prevent insulation from entering the soffit area.

Abstract: A constant velocity serpentine anoxic reactor incorporates a multiple cell vertical serpentine path, as well as a horizontal serpentine path, through the anoxic chamber. A fixed film media is mounted within each cell of the anoxic chamber to provide a structure on which the bacteria can grow to sustain the biological reaction, which convert nitrates into nitrogen gas. The fixed film media can be a cross-flow media and can optionally include a web of textile material integrated within the fixed film media to enhance bacterial growth within the fixed film media or optionally the anoxic vertical serpentine configuration could be applied to an activated sludge operation. A nitrate recycle pump recycles about 75% of the effluent from the aerobic chamber back into the anoxic chamber to provide a nitrate source for the digestion of the BOD within the influent wastewater.

Abstract: A drift eliminator is formed from alternating curved spacers and corrugated spacer members to define tube-like passageways for the flow of air through an evaporative cooling apparatus. The formation of the corrugated blade member with beveled side walls places the back walls of the channels in a different plane than the front walls, with the lower edge of the front walls of the channels being positioned in a common plane along with the lower edge of the blade members. The angled side walls impede the formation of a film of water across the inlet opening into the channel, which requires an increase in horsepower for the fan to push air through the drift eliminator. Mechanical fastening devices molded into the respective members connects the corrugated spacer members and the blade members. A method of forming the corrugated spacer members to provide the angled side walls is also provided.

Abstract: A wheelbarrow for transporting materials includes an undercarriage, a wheel rotatably mounted to the undercarriage, a pan mounted to and supported by the undercarriage and a fastening mechanism having a head. The pan includes a base wall and an upright wall extending upwardly from the base wall. The base wall and upright wall define a carrying space and a carrying surface facing the carrying space. A depression is formed in the pan defining a depression plane that is generally continuous with the carrying surface. The fastening mechanism mounts the pan to the undercarriage such that the head is positioned within the depression between the undercarriage and the depression plane.