Abstract: A locking gate device suitable for selectively blocking the flow of fluid and/or articles through a pair of openings defined by two spaced-apart members is provided. The spaced-apart members may be opposing walls or flanges of two adjacent processing chambers or vessels in a pressurized heating system. The locking gate device includes a gate assembly that is movable within a gate-receiving space defined between opposed sealing surfaces of the spaced-apart members. The gate assembly comprises a pair of sealing plates and a drive member shiftable relative to the sealing plates. As the drive member is shifted between a retracted position and an extended position, a pair of bearings disposed between the sealing plates and the drive member forces the sealing plates outwardly to contact the sealing surfaces of the spaced-apart members. This substantially blocks the flow-through openings defined by one or both sealing surfaces and restricts flow therethrough.

Abstract: The method for forming a 3-D metal object by 3-D printing or injection molding comprising providing as a feed material metal particles formed by establishing multiple metal components in a primary billet of a ductile material, working the primary billet through a series of reduction steps to form the components into elongated elements, leaching the ductile material from the elongated elements and reducing the length to short uniform lengths.

Abstract: A medical implantable lead comprising a core formed of a bare conductive wire formed from a biocompatible, corrosion-resistant conductive material, loosely wrapped in a fibrous material formed of shaped flattened ribbon filaments of a valve metal, and surrounded by a biocompatible insulation material.

Abstract: A process of forming porous electrolytic electrode in which alternating layers of a valve metal and a ductile metal are combined to form a billet, and the billet mechanically reduced by exclusion and drawing prior to etching. One or more slots are formed in the billet prior to the mechanical reducing, and filled with the ductile metal.

Abstract: A process for making a valve metal material useful for forming electrolytic devices comprising the steps of: establishing multiple tantalum or niobium components in a billet of a ductile material; working the billet to a series of reduction steps to form said tantalum or niobium components into elongated elements; cutting the resulting elongated elements and leaching the ductile metal from the elements; washing and mixing the cut elements; and forming the cut elements into a sheet. The resulting sheet may be formed into anodes and cathodes and assembled to form a wet electrolytic capacitor.

Abstract: A microwave heating system configured for heating a plurality of articles is provided. One or more of the microwave launchers can be offset slightly, such that the microwave energy introduced into the heating chamber is discharged at a launch tilt angle of at least 2°. Additionally, each launcher can include a microwave-transparent window disposed between the microwave chamber and the one or more launch openings and at least 50 percent of the chamber-side surface of the window can be oriented at an angle of at least 2° from the horizontal.

Abstract: Inorganic polymer compositions and methods for their preparation are described herein. The compositions include the reaction product of a reactive powder, an activator, and optionally a retardant. The reactive powder includes fly ash, calcium sulfoaluminate cement, and less than 10% by weight portland cement. In some examples, the composition is substantially free from alkanolamines. In some examples, the ratio of water to reactive powder is from 0.06:1 to less than 0.2:1. Also described herein are building materials including the compositions.

Abstract: Inorganic polymer compositions and methods for their preparation are described herein. The compositions include the reaction product of a reactive powder, an activator, and optionally a retardant. The reactive powder includes fly ash and a tricalcium aluminate additive. In some examples, the reactive powder comprises less than 5% by weight portland cement. The tricalcium aluminate is present in an amount of 0.5% or greater by weight of the reactive powder. Also described herein are building materials including the compositions.

Abstract: Retardant-free inorganic polymer compositions and methods for their preparation are described herein. The methods include mixing reactants comprising a reactive powder and an activator in the presence of water and forming an inorganic polymer product. In some examples, the method includes continuously feeding the resultant mixture to produce the inorganic polymer product. Also described herein are mixtures and inorganic polymer compositions. Further described are building materials formed according to the methods.

Abstract: A wildfire suppressor made from a composite mixture bonded by a resin. The suppressor may be cylindrically shaped so that it wraps around a wooden utility pole or it may be a flat sheet adapted to be used under shingles or siding on a house or other suitable building. The fire suppressor comprises two layers. The first layer is adapted to reflect heat and is located on the outer portion of the sheet. The second layer is located closer to the object being protected. Above a certain predetermined temperature the second layer undergoes a chemical reaction to help protect the pole, building, or other object being protected.

Abstract: A process and apparatus for removing elements is described herein.

Abstract: A process and apparatus for removing elements is described herein.

Abstract: A process and apparatus for removing elements is described herein.

Abstract: The geotextile exclusion fabric for pest control and deterrence comprises a mixture of metal fibers needle punched to a scrim layer.

Abstract: A process and apparatus for removing elements is described herein.

Abstract: A process and apparatus for removing elements is described herein.

Abstract: A method of producing cementitious mixtures containing fly ash as one of the cementitious components, under air entrainment conditions. The method involves forming a mixture comprising water, cement, fly ash, optionally other cementitious materials, aggregate, conventional chemical admixtures, and an air entrainment agent and agitating the mixture to entrain air therein. Additionally, at least one sacrificial agent is also included in the mixture. The sacrificial agent is a material or mixture of materials that is not required to act as an air entrainment agent but interacts preferentially with components of the fly ash that otherwise neutralize, repress or depress the activity of the air entrainment agent. The invention includes cementitious mixtures and hardened concretes resulting from the method and fly ash treated with sacrificial agent, or air entrainment agent/sacrificial agent combinations, and processes for selecting suitable sacrificial agents.

Abstract: A method of producing cementitious mixtures containing fly ash as one of the cementitious components, under air entrainment conditions. The method involves forming a mixture comprising water, cement, fly ash, optionally other cementitious materials, aggregate, conventional chemical admixtures, and an air entrainment agent and agitating the mixture to entrain air therein. Additionally, at least one sacrificial agent is also included in the mixture. The sacrificial agent is a material or mixture of materials that is not required to act as an air entrainment agent but interacts preferentially with components of the fly ash that otherwise neutralize, repress or depress the activity of the air entrainment agent. The invention includes cementitious mixtures and hardened concretes resulting from the method and fly ash treated with sacrificial agent, or air entrainment agent/sacrificial agent combinations, and processes for selecting suitable sacrificial agents.

Abstract: A method of producing cementitious mixtures containing fly ash as one of the cementitious components, under air entrainment conditions. The method involves forming a mixture comprising water, cement, fly ash, optionally other cementitious materials, aggregate, conventional chemical admixtures, and an air entrainment agent and agitating the mixture to entrain air therein. Additionally, at least one sacrificial agent is also included in the mixture. The sacrificial agent is a material or mixture of materials that is not required to act as an air entrainment agent but interacts preferentially with components of the fly ash that otherwise neutralize, repress or depress the activity of the air entrainment agent. The invention includes cementitious mixtures and hardened concretes resulting from the method and fly ash treated with sacrificial agent, or air entrainment agent/sacrificial agent combinations, and processes for selecting suitable sacrificial agents.

Abstract: The present invention is a fly ash filler or filler blend having a particle size distribution with at least three modes that can be combined with a polymer at higher filler loadings to produce a filled polymer for polymer composites that, in many cases, can produce improved mechanical properties for the polymer composites over polymer composites using conventional fillers. As a result, superior polymer composites (e.g. those used in carpet backing) can be produced at a lower cost than conventional polymer composites. The present invention also includes a method for producing a polymer composite, comprising the steps of combining a polymer with a fly ash filler or a filler blend having a particle size distribution with at least three modes to produce a filled polymer and producing a polymer composite with the resulting filled polymer. The present invention further includes a method of determining what fly ashes can be used as fillers for polymer composites.