Abstract: An apparatus and method is provided for using a rotary drive of a drilling rig to drive both the drill stem and the casing simultaneously, by connecting the drill stem to the casing using a drive head. Subsequently, after drilling a first length of bore, the drive head may be removed and the drill stem driven by the rotary drive independently from the casing, allowing the bore to be extended further without moving the casing. Embodiments may also allow the drive head to be connected to the drill stem at different longitudinal locations, which allows the use of casings of different lengths with the same rotary drive and drill stem.

Abstract: A method for transcribing medical information may include receiving input assigning each of a plurality of user profiles to at least one of a plurality of work pools, receiving a plurality of jobs each including demographic information, a priority indicator, and a digital audio file, assigning each of the jobs to one of the plurality of work pools based on the job's priority indicator and demographic information, distributing each of the assigned jobs to one of the assigned user profiles active within the assigned job's work pool, receiving, for each of the assigned jobs, a transcription of the job's digital audio file, generating, for a selected user profile, quality metrics indicative of an accuracy of transcriptions input, and outputting a visual representation of the quality metrics.

Abstract: A tool for use with a rotatable drill shaft and a source of pressurized fluidized solidifying agent. The tool member has upper and lower extremities. A coupler is coupled to the upper extremity of the tool member and is adapted to be secured to the drill shaft. A plurality of radially extending arms are secured to the tool member intermediate the upper and lower extremities of the tool member. A plurality of forwardly and downwardly extending teeth are secured to each of the radially extending arms and are spaced apart longitudinally of the arms. A plurality of nozzles are carried by the tool member and are spaced circumferentially of the tool member and are coupled to the source of pressurized fluidized solidifying agent.

Abstract: A tool for use with a rotatable drill shaft and a source of pressurized fluidized solidifying agent. The tool member has upper and lower extremities. A coupler is coupled to the upper extremity of the tool member and is adapted to be secured to the drill shaft. A plurality of radially extending arms are secured to the tool member intermediate the upper and lower extremities of the tool member. A plurality of forwardly and downwardly extending teeth are secured to each of the radially extending arms and are spaced apart longitudinally of the arms. A plurality of nozzles are carried by the tool member and are spaced circumferentially of the tool member and are coupled to the source of pressurized fluidized solidifying agent.

Abstract: A barrier vapor control system includes a seal inside an automobile filler pipe for engaging the fuel delivery conduit of a pump nozzle to prevent the escape of hydrocarbon vapors out of the filler pipe into the atmosphere while the fuel tank is being refilled. A vapor recovery conduit downstream of the seal carries the vapors displaced by filling the fuel tank to a cannister that contains a scrubbing agent. A vacuum accumulator and a vacuum pump draw fresh air and the vapors from the fuel tank through the cannister to remove hydrocarbon vapors from the effluent vapors of the fuel tank.

Abstract: A method is described for the confinement and isolation of waste materials, especially those that are toxic or otherwise hazardous such as radioactive wastes. The waste material, either contained or uncontained, is emplaced in a underground or surface excavation and encased with backfill or barrier material formed of molten modified sulfur cement or modified sulfur concrete that then cools into a hard, durable, corrosion resistant mass.

Abstract: An automatic tying machine suitable for use in connection with an automatic broccoli bunching machine is illustrated. The tying machine comprises, in addition to the string carrying needle and knotter bill mechanism of the prior art machines, a placer foot that is separate from the needle, and a string retaining mechanism having two fingers, so that each string end of the loop may be independently held.