Abstract: Alfalfa extract is used as a fuel additive to enhance combustion characteristics of carbonaceous fuels. Among the observed beneficial characteristics are reductions in the level of common pollutants emitted during combustion. The alfalfa extract is dissolved in a naphthenic hydrocarbon and then mixed with a carrier solvent to provide the final fuel additive which is added directly to a wide variety of carbonaceous fuels. Polyethoxylated castor oil surfactants and alkyl nitrate cetane boosters are also used in conjunction with the alfalfa extract to provide enhanced combustion characteristics and reductions in pollutant emissions.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for detecting a contaminant in a substrate. An array of anode elements is positioned in proximity to the substrate and is biased at a positive voltage relative to the substrate. The substrate is irradiated with photons having energies below an atomic ionization energy of the substrate, so as to ionize the contaminant to emit electrons. The emitted electrons are collected at one or more of the anode elements, thereby generating a current indicative of the presence of the contaminant in the semiconductor in proximity to the one or more of the anode elements.

Abstract: An x-ray fluorescent analyzer and method for analyzing a sample, including an x-ray beam generator, which generates an x-ray beam incident at a spot on the sample, and creates a plurality of fluorescent x-ray photons. There are a plurality of semiconducting detectors arrayed around the spot so as to capture the fluorescent x-ray photons and in response produce a plurality of electrical pulses suitable for analysis of the sample.

Abstract: Apparatus for X-ray excitation of a sample, including a substantially stationary X-ray source and X-ray optics, including at least one secondary target and a movable element. The movable element has at least a first position wherein X-rays emitted by the source excite the sample directly, and a second position wherein X-rays emitted by the source strike the at least one secondary target, causing the secondary target to emit X-rays that excite the sample, while the X-rays emitted by the source are substantially prevented from exciting the sample.

Abstract: The present invention discloses a connecting device to connect artificial arteries to normal arteries. The object of the invention is the prevention of obstruction of blood flow by hypertrophy of the inner lining of the artery commonly designated as the intima. The connecting device is placing the opening of the artificial artery inside of the natural artery beyond the level of the intima. This arrangement is preventing irritation of the intima of the natural artery by reducing turbulence of the boundary layer of the flowing blood. The connecting device can be manufactured as an integral part of the artificial artery or as a separate part to be connected to an artificial artery. The connecting device consists of a part penetrating the wall of the tapped natural artery and a sleeve to be attached to the outside of the natural artery. The sleeve itself is permanently attached to the connecting device.

Abstract: A spiked athletic shoe includes a shoe upper, and an outsole housing connected to the shoe upper. The outsole housing includes a bottom wall with a plurality of spike-receiving openings. Spaced-apart rear and front spike plates are located within the outsole housing, and reside respectively in a rear heel portion of the shoe and a front portion of the shoe generally in an area of the ball and toes of the foot. The rear and front spike plates include a plurality of spikes attached thereto for movement between a spike-extended position whereby the plurality of spikes extend outwardly from the bottom wall of the outsole housing, and a spike-retracted position whereby the plurality of spikes are retracted within the outsole housing. A slide plate located within the outsole housing operatively engages the rear and front spike plates, and is actuated by a manually actuated lever to move the rear and front spike plates and attached spikes between the spike-retracted position and the spike-extended position.

Abstract: Apparatus for optical analysis of a sample, including an energy source, which generates a pulse of energy that is incident on the sample, causing the sample to emit radiation characteristic of the composition of the sample, and a detector assembly, which receives and analyzes the radiation emitted by the excited sample. An optical assembly conveys the emitted radiation from the sample to the detector assembly, the optical assembly including an optic proximal to the sample, on which optic the radiation is incident along a beam path thereof between the sample and the detector assembly. A moving mechanical element moves in synchronization with the pulse from the energy source so as to substantially prevent matter ejected from the sample responsive to the incident energy from accumulating on the optic.

Abstract: This invention is in reference to ammunition feeding devices for guns, specifically magazines. The belt feed mechanism consists of a container, which stores the ammunition and defines the path which the ammunition band moves the ammunition. The ammunition is pulled by the ammunition band which is pulled onto one spool. The spool is driven by the power of a wound up spring. Two or more mechanisms can be coupled together, to form a system. The spring motor can be loaded externally through rotating an axle which is attached to a direction limiting mechanism while loading spring motor. The spring motor is discharged controllably utilizing a free gear friction brake by pushing an axle. The spring motor is disengaged from the belt with a push button. Dummy cartridges are used to forward ammunition when the belt itself does not deliver all cartridges by itself.

Abstract: An absorber fluid return circuit is provided for a volatile liquid vapor recovery system. The vapor recovery system includes at least one adsorbent bed for capturing volatile liquid vapor, a vacuum pump for regenerating the adsorbent bed, an absorber tower for condensing volatile liquid vapor and an absorber fluid source. The absorber fluid return circuit includes an absorber fluid return pump having an inlet and outlet and a first conduit for directing absorber fluid from the absorber tower to the inlet of the return pump. A second conduit directs absorber fluid from the outlet of the return pump to the absorber fluid source. A variable speed motor drives the return pump. The variable speed motor is controlled by a controller operatively connected to a sensor for sensing the level of absorber fluid in the absorber tower, a variable speed AC drive for varying the speed of the drive motor.

Abstract: A method is provided for efficiently controlling the operation of a vapor recovery system including a first reaction vessel and first bed of adsorbent, a second reaction vessel and second bed of adsorbent and a vacuum pump for selectively regenerating those beds of adsorbent. The method includes the step of adsorbing vapor from an air-volatile liquid vapor mixture on the first bed of adsorbent in the first reaction vessel, measuring a total amount of the vapor adsorbed by the first bed of adsorbent, comparing the total amount of vapor adsorbed on the first bed of adsorbent to a first predetermined value which is a percentage of the first bed adsorbance capacity and regenerating the first bed of adsorbent and adsorbing the vapor from the air-volatile liquid vapor mixture on the second bed of adsorbent in the second reaction vessel upon reaching the first predetermined value.

Abstract: Beta-carotene, chlorophyll and jojoba oil are used together as a fuel additive to enhance combustion characteristics of carbonaceous fuels. Among the observed beneficial characteristics are reductions in the level of common pollutants emitted during combustion. Ethoxylated castor oil is also used in conjunction with the beta-carotene, chlorophyll and jojoba oil to provide enhanced combustion characteristics and reductions in pollutant emissions.

Abstract: A process and apparatus are provided for recovering volatile liquid vapors from an air-volatile liquid vapor mixture. The process includes: (1) cooling the mixture to condense volatile liquid vapors and moisture; (2) collecting the condensed volatile liquid vapors and moisture; (3) circulating the cooled and dehumidified mixture through a bed of adsorbent; and (4) desorbing and recovering the volatile liquids from the bed. The apparatus includes a refrigeration unit, a cooler for cooling the mixture, two reaction vessels each including a bed of adsorbent, a pump, an absorber tower and a valve and conduit system for circulating the mixture through the various components of the apparatus. Heat may be recovered from the refrigerant and used to heat the bed during desorption.

Abstract: In making a toothbrush of the type having a shaft-like handle (3), a neck section (4) joining the handle and a headpiece (5) for toothbrush bristles (6), the body is made of a first plastic material through an injection molding step. In order to provide the body with two or more portions (20, 21, 22) made of a second material, the toothbrush body is provided with recess sections (17, 18, 19). The second material is supplied through a plurality of channels (29, 30, 31, 32) into injection nozzle means (33, 34, 35) to provide injection of the section material in a single step, multi-point injection process into the recesses on the body to form the portions (20, 21, 22), the recesses (17, 18, 19) and the portions (20, 21, 22) thus being physically isolated from each otehr by the first material.

Abstract: A spiked athletic shoe includes a shoe upper, and an outsole housing connected to the shoe upper. The outsole housing includes a bottom wall with a plurality of spike-receiving openings. Spaced-apart rear and front spike plates are located within the outsole housing, and reside respectively in a rear heel portion of the shoe and a front portion of the shoe generally in an area of the ball and toes of the foot. The rear and front spike plates include a plurality of spikes attached thereto for movement between a spike-extended position whereby the plurality of spikes extend outwardly from the bottom wall of the outsole housing, and a spike-retracted position whereby the plurality of spikes are retracted within the outsole housing. A slide plate located within the outsole housing operatively engages the rear and front spike plates, and is actuated by a manually actuated lever to move the rear and front spike plates and attached spikes between the spike-retracted position and the spike-extended position.

Abstract: An apparatus is provided for recovering volatile liquid vapor from an air-volatile liquid vapor mixture. The apparatus includes first and second reaction vessels. Each of these reaction vessel includes a bed of adsorbent having an affinity for the volatile liquid vapor. The apparatus also includes a pump and an absorber for regenerating either bed of adsorbent. Further, the apparatus includes a polisher including a polisher bed of adsorbent having an affinity for the volatile liquid vapor. This polisher bed adsorbs volatile liquid vapor and substantially clean air is exhausted when initially regenerating one of the two beds of adsorbent in the first and second reaction vessels. Still further, the apparatus also includes a cooperating valve and conduit system for interconnecting the other components. Further, the invention relates to a related process for recovering volatile liquid vapor and a method of reducing backpressure in a volatile liquid vapor recovery system or unit.

Abstract: A process and apparatus are provided for recovering volatile vapors from an air-volatile mixture. The process includes cooling the mixture to condense volatile liquid vapors and moisture, collecting the condensed volatile liquid vapors and moisture, circulating the cooled and dehumidified mixture through a bed of adsorbent, and desorbing and recovering the volatile liquids from the bed. The apparatus includes a refrigeration unit (24), a cooler (20) for cooling the mixture, two reaction vessels (36, 36') each including a bed of adsorbent (38, 38'), a pump (50), an absorber tower (72) and a valve and conduit system for circulating the mixture through the various components of the apparatus. Heat may be recovered from the refrigerant and used to heat the bed during desorption.

Abstract: A vapor recovery apparatus is provided with an automatic flow control system. The apparatus includes first and second reaction vessels. Each reaction vessel holds a bed of adsorbent for adsorbing volatile liquid vapor and producing relatively volatile liquid vapor-free air. A vacuum pump is provided for regenerating the beds of adsorbent. A cooler and/or absorber tower is provided to recover volatile liquid vapor generated during bed regeneration. Conduits are provided for the passage of air-volatile liquid vapor mixture between the various components of the apparatus. A series of valves direct the flow of the air-volatile liquid vapor mixture through the conduits. The automatic flow control system includes a vacuum transmitter for monitoring air pressure within the apparatus at a selected point and a controller responsive to the sensed pressure for controlling the operation of the valves.

Abstract: A system is provided for recovering volatile-liquid vapor from an air-volatile liquid vapor mixture. The system includes a reaction vessel having a bed of adsorbent for adsorbing volatile liquid vapor and producing relatively volatile liquid vapor-free air. The system further includes a liquid seal vacuum pump for regenerating the adsorbent, a first conduit for circulating the air-volatile liquid vapor mixture through the system and a second conduit for circulating seal liquid to the vacuum pump. A cyclonic separator separates the seal liquid from the air-volatile liquid vapor mixture produced during bed regeneration. A mechanism is also provided for removing the volatile liquid vapor from the air-volatile liquid vapor mixture separated from the seal liquid. A method of recovering volatile liquid vapor from an air-volatile liquid vapor mixture is also disclosed.

Abstract: A roof cladding system includes flexible, waterproof, plastics material sheet and feature strips each comprising a base strip and an interchangeable cap. Caps having different profiles may be used to provide different ornamentation. The base strip is flexible to the sheet and has upturned elongate lips acting as latches for downwardly projecting in-turned flanges of the cap.