Abstract: Tools for the maintenance of complex plants or systems are provided. A master equipment list of components included in a complex plant are organized according to systems. Those components that are critical to the function of the associated system are identified. A template modeling aspects of each critical component is prepared. Information included in applied templates can be reused in association with common or similar components. Particular information included in applied templates may include information related to critical parts within the component, and information regarding maintenance requirements and procedures associated with the component or parts included in the component.

Abstract: It is possible to linearly arrange cells and indicate particular data in the order of colors of respective sells. A code system uses an optical symbol decoding method capable of reading the color arrangement if the arrangement continuity and the linear shape are maintained. The data expression method may be other than “the order of colors.” For example, it is possible to employ a method for allocating a numeric value to each of the colors by one-to-one correspondence (R=0, B=1, etc.), a method for allocating data by a color transition (“CM”=“MY”=“YC”=0, “CY”=“YM”=“MC”=1, etc.), a method for allocating data for a combination of colors, and the like.

Abstract: Tools for the maintenance of complex plants or systems are provided. A master equipment list of components included in a complex plant are organized according to systems. Those components that are critical to the function of the associated system are identified. A template modeling aspects of each critical component is prepared. Information included in applied templates can be reused in association with common or similar components. Particular information included in applied templates may include information related to critical parts within the component, and information regarding maintenance requirements and procedures associated with the component or parts included in the component.

Abstract: It is possible to provide a code using an optical symbol which can be read with a high accuracy even under an environment of a low printing accuracy including printing on an article which can be easily deformed. Cells are arranged in a linear shape and particular data is indicated by a state of element in each of the cells (whether the element is colored). Especially a particular color is fixed to each of the elements and it is possible to use the two states whether the color is attached or note. This state can express the data. Accordingly, it is possible to realize a code system capable of ready data if the element sequence continuity and the form (topology) as the linear state are maintained.

Abstract: An absorbent animal bedding material includes nonfluted multilayer paperboard. The paperboard material is highly absorbent, resistant to compaction, resists clumping after being subjected to animal waste, is inexpensive and increases feed animal conversion rate.

Abstract: Tools for the maintenance of complex plants or systems are provided. A master equipment list of components included in a complex plant are organized according to systems. Those components that are critical to the function of the associated system are identified. A template modeling aspects of each critical component is prepared. Information included in applied templates can be reused in association with common or similar components. Particular information included in applied templates may include information related to critical parts within the component, and information regarding maintenance requirements and procedures associated with the component or parts included in the component.

Abstract: An orthopedic device set, including: a plurality of intervertebral spacer elements, each spacer element having a different axial thickness from each other element, the axial thicknesses being selected to increase by an increment from one element to another; and an instrument for holding ones of the intervertebral spacer elements, the instrument comprising a shaft having a distal end, a selectively grasping subassembly for alternatively rigidly holding each spacer element at the distal end so that the spacer element cannot move relative to the instrument, and releasing the spacer element.

Abstract: An artificial disc having a pair of opposing plates for seating against opposing vertebral bone surfaces, separated by a wave washer having a circumferential extent surrounding a central bore. Various wave washer embodiments disclosed include circumferential extents that are ring-shaped, spiral-shaped, straight, bowed, grooved, wavy, thinning, thickening, and slotted. Various central bores disclosed include simple bores and bores that form a curvate socket. Various plate embodiments disclosed include plates having, on inwardly facing surfaces, a flat surface, a circular recess, or a ball-shaped protuberance that is mateable with the curvate socket. The wave washers are disposable between the plates, through various disclosed couplings, so that the plates compress, rotate and angulate freely relative to one another, enabling the artificial disc to mimic a healthy natural intervertebral disc.

Abstract: An orthopedic device set, including: a plurality of intervertebral spacers elements, each spacer element having a cylindrical shape and an annular groove formed therein, each spacer element further having a different axial thickness from each other spacer; and an instrument for holding each of the intervertebral spacer elements during the insertion and removal thereof into and out from between adjacent vertebral bones; the instrument comprising a shaft having a distal end, a spacer element holding structure formed at the distal end, which spacer element holding structure can hold the spacer at the annular groove thereof.

Abstract: The memory management system (20) includes a transform generator (22) capable of generating an address (28) and a confirmer (30) from a key. A controller (24) is connected to the transform generator (22) and sends the key to the transform generator (22) and receives the address (28) and the confirmer (30). A store (26) is connected to the controller (24) and has a plurality of addresses (28), each of the plurality of addresses (28) has a confirmer location (30), a forward pointer location (34), a primary flag (36), an allocated flag (38) and an association location (32).

Abstract: A soil sampling device for collecting samples of soil provides a single use unit with an integrally molded plunger. The soil sampling device includes a cylindrical body having a first chamber and a second chamber, with each chamber comprising a cylindrical wall having a longitudinal axis and an end wall. Optionally, the sampling device may include additional chambers depending on the application. An open end of each chamber defines a mouth which is adapted for inserting into soil. A piston may be positioned within each chamber, and the end walls include a projecting member extending outwardly therefrom which defines a plunger. The end wall includes a reduced cross-section around the projecting member and is adapted to break when a force is applied to the projecting member to thereby permit the plunger enter into the body and thereby push the piston along the longitudinal axis to expel a sample of soil collected in the body.

Abstract: A reel assembly comprised of a core having threaded ends and end flanges attached to the threaded ends. The flanges are adapted to be attached to or removed from the threaded ends of the core for retaining the material rolled onto the core. A locking web is provided on the flanges and a locking tab is provided on the core to hold the flanges securely to the core when the reel is to be used. The locking mechanism comprises a locking tab having an inclined edge disposed to extend out from each end of the core and a mating web including an inclined edge disposed on the flanges. When the flanges are fully threaded onto the core, the inclined edge of the web engages the inclined edge of the tab to prevent inadvertent unthreading.

Abstract: A knockdown reel comprised of a core having threaded ends and end flanges attached to the threaded ends. The flanges are adapted to be attached to or removed from the threaded ends of the core for retaining the material rolled onto the core. A snap locking mechanism is provided on the flanges and on the core to hold the flanges securely to the core when the reel is to be used.

Abstract: A cooling panel for use in drawing off excess heat from and protecting the side walls and roof of a furnace such as an electric arc furnace, the cooling panel being preferably made entirely out of oxygen-free pure copper. The cooling panel is a wall having a series of strips welded on one side, the strips having recesses on the side adjacent the wall to form channels between the strips and wall for circulating a cooling fluid therethrough. The cooling panel is also provided with inlet and outlet manifolds for supplying and removing the cooling fluid to the passages of the cooling panel. The strips and the manifolds are preferably made using an extruding process and assembled using a tungsten inert gas welding process.

Abstract: A bore hole scanner includes a light projecting device for projecting a light beam toward a bore hole wall surface. A conical mirror is arranged coaxially with respect to a sonde for condensing light reflected from the bore hole wall surface. An image forming device is arranged in front of the conical mirror. A photoelectric transducing device converts a light signal into an electric signal. Optical fibers introduce an image, which is formed on concentric circles by the image forming device to the photoelectric transducing device. A data processing device scans and extracts signals from the photoelectric transducing device and generates and processes image data indicative of the bore hole wall surface. A sonde position detecting device detects the orientation and position of the sonde. Rotating portions are dispensed with by using the conical mirror and optical fibers, and a linear CCD array can be used as the photoelectric transducing device.

Abstract: An optical head (12) is rotated while a sonde (11) is moved up or down within a bore hole (22), and a beam of light from a light source (22) is projected toward the wall of the bore hole (22) via a lens (21), slit (22), half-mirror (19), mirror (15) and lens (14). Light reflected from the bore hole wall is extracted from the half-mirror (19) via a slit (17) and a photoelectric transducer (18) so that the bore hole wall may be continuously observed. By separating the reflected light into spectral components and processing them, color tone logging and other observations can be performed. The orientation of the sonde (11) is sensed by an azimuth finder (23) and rotation gauge (24), and the inclination of the sonde (11) is sensed by a dipmeter (25). Displacement of the sonde accompanying each unit length of up-or-down movement of the sonde (11) is calculated and the displacements are integrated to obtain the position being observed by the sonde.

Abstract: A central core unit for ventilating and providing utility connections to peripheral workspaces disposed adjacent at least one electrical terminal, includes a cabinet having walls for enclosing the electrical terminal, a workspace fan mounted in a side wall of the cabinet, the workspace fan being operable to draw air from the workspace into a plenum defined by the walls of the cabinet, an air filter mounted in one of the walls of the cabinet, the air filter cleaning air drawn in by the fan and discharging the air back into the workspace and at least one electrical outlet mounted in one of the walls of the cabinet, the outlet providing connection to the electrical terminal through the cabinet.

Abstract: Each welding cable terminal component, such as a semi-cylindrical terminal half, near its rearward end is provided with a semi-cylindrical recess in which the cable conductors are received and held in position by a clip in the form of an endless band having a partially cylindrical external portion snugly fitting a corresponding external semi-cylindrical groove in the terminal component. A chordal inner portion of the clip is pressed forcibly into compressing engagement with the ends of the cable conductors within the recess, whereupon molten solder is flowed into the recess under the clip between the hair-like wires of the strands of the cable conductors, thereby forcibly holding the cable conductors firmly in the recess while the solder permeates the entire cable conductor ends within the recess. The terminal components of which there are at least two, are then assembled with an insulating strip between them and clamped together, as by bolts.