Abstract: The present invention discloses a log sawing system comprising multiple cutting blades. The multiple cutting blades are positioned to cut laterally or perpendicular to the centerline of the log which is to be cut. The logs are transported into cutting position using some type of log positioner. The multiple cutting blades are rotatably mounted on an arm which is pivotally mounted on a shaft in groups, being driven by an electrical or like motor, all of which are mounted onto a platform positioned adjacent to the log to be cut. Hydraulic lifters are used to partially rotate the saw blades into the cutting position adjacent the log. Means utilizing a computer and lasers are provided to develop a log cutting solution to best utilize the logs.

Abstract: The invention is essentially characterized in that in a first step a substrate is provided, which is coated with defined pattern of protrusions of a coating layer of a different material, so that an interface is defined between the substrate and the coating layer. As an example, the patterned coating layer can be applied by first forming an essentially homogeneous coating layer, which is then partially removed by means of photolithographic and etching techniques, leaving nanometer sized protrusions in that layer. As a next step, the surface provided with these structures is modified by selectively removing protrusions by means of a micro-device. Such a micro-device can be formed in a similar way to a scanning probe microscope (SPM) tip. The presence or absence of a protrusion represents a readable data bit information.

Abstract: This circulation device is equipped with a water impeller that is larger than and tightly fitted over the top of the draft tube through which the water from the pond or reservoir is drawn. By placing the impeller above and out of the draft tube it enables to lift water through the draft tube and imparts a centrifugal force on the water above the impeller which aids in moving the water radially outward from the impeller. The water is directed outwardly over a large diffuser plate that is centrally located. The outer edge of the diffuser plate is equipped with a laminar flow diffuser lip which is designed to inhibit the passage of water from the diffuser plate to the open water. This design ensures that most of the energy imparted to the water by the impeller is retained once it leaves the diffuser plate, making the invention operate efficiently.

Abstract: This circulation device is equipped with a water impeller that is larger than and tightly fitted over the top of the draft tube through which the water from the pond or reservoir is drawn. The water drawn up and directed outwardly over a large diffuser plate that is centrally located within the invention. The outer edge of the diffuser plate is equipped with a laminar flow diffuser lip which is specifically designed to inhibit the passage of water from the diffuser plate to the open water as little as possible. Additionally, a means of providing a floating water circulation apparatus with the ability to operate effectively in weather conditions in which a layer of ice is likely to form over the diffusor plat of the apparatus in the nighttime hours is provided.

Abstract: A water-cooled distilling apparatus for purifying or distilling raw water. The apparatus includes a boiler, cooling tray assembly, and collection vessel. In use, raw water is initially poured into the boiler which has a self-regulating screen in it. As the water beings to boil, the screen rises to float above the raw water. The height of the screen above the water automatically adjusts proportionately to the rate of boil to proportionately expose more or less surface area of the screen. A water film forms on the exposed surface area of the screen and clean steam rises therefrom into the cooling tray assembly where it is deflected into a condensing area on each level of the assembly. In each condensing area, heat is transferred from the steam into coolant water in a reservoir, causing the coolant water to evaporate from the reservoir and the steam to condense on the bottom of the surface of the reservoir. Distillate formed by the condensing steam is then collected and transferred to a collection vessel.

Abstract: A filter is provided for coalescing droplets of oil in a stream of gas, comprising an oil coalescing layer of a microfibrous material and a second layer of an oil drainage material located downstream of and in face to face contact with the first layer. The drainage layer is for receiving oil from the coalescing layer and providing a path for oil to flow by gravity from the filter. Oil carry-over is reduced by providing a drainage layer which is a non-woven felt or wadding thermally bonded by bi-component polyester fibers.

Abstract: A command and control device for a coupling-welding machine for metal pipes within which the coupling-welding machine is positioned, the machine being movable within the pipe and being operable to weld the metal pipes together. The command and control device including a control unit associated with the machine, a command unit external to the pipe and an energy source connected to an external power supply by a power line, the control unit being cooperatively interconnected with command unit by the same power line.

Abstract: A command and control device (1) for a coupling-welding machine (2) for metal pipes (3, 4) within which said machine is positioned, said machine (2) being movable within the pipe by drive means (5) and provided with welding means (6) for joining different pieces (3, 4) of said pipe together, the operation of said welding means (6) and drive means (5) being controlled by control means (12) associated with the machine (2) and connected to commanding means (9) external to the pipe. The operation of the machine (2) is controlled by a single microprocessor unit associated with the control means (12).

Abstract: A device for internally butt-welding pipes, of the type comprising a support and guide frame (2) for an annular welding member (3), rotatable coaxially to the pipes (1) to be welded and carrying a plurality of welding units (4) each comprising support means (13, 14; 40, 41; 40A, 41A; 45, 46) for a spool (8, 8A, 8B) on which welding wire (7) is wound, and means (26) for automatically feeding said wire. The support means (13, 14; 40 41; 40A; 41A; 45, 46) are removably connected to walls (10A, B) of a support frame (10) for the welding units (4) so as to enable said means to be replaced and spools of different type to be used.

Abstract: A sensing apparatus having a body member with a portion engageable with a work object having a medium to be sensed; and a system for registering at predetermined criterion, relative to the body member, during engagement of the portion of the body member with the work object, as an index of the medium. A method for manufacturing a resultant work piece having at least one projection thereon, the method including the steps of cutting a first work material to form the projection on a portion of the first work material, mounting the projection on a second work material and removing the remainder of the first work material from the projection to form the resultant work piece.

Abstract: A device for internally butt-welding pipes (1), of the type comprising a support and guide frame (2) for an annular welding member rotatable coaxially to the pipes to be welded, and carrying a plurality of welding heads (4), the device comprising at least one sensor (15) connected to a unit for controlling the movement of said member and arranged to sense the presence of said heads at predetermined points. The sensor (15) comprises a first part (5) arranged to emit a signal and a second part (6) arranged to modify said signal, said two parts being provided respectively in seats (7) provided in said support and guide frame (2) and in said annular welding member (3) or vice versa, said two parts being arranged in such a manner as to remain permanently separated from each other.

Abstract: A system for electronic distribution of postage includes at least one secure central computer for generating postal indicia in response to postage requests submitted by end user computers, and at least one postal authority computer system for processing the postal indicia on mail pieces. A key aspect of the system is that all secure processing required for generating postal indicia is performed at secure central computers, not at end user computers, thereby removing the need for specialized secure computational equipment at end user sites. A secure central computer includes a database of information concerning user accounts of users authorized to request postal indicia from the secure central computer. A request validation procedure authenticates received postage requests with respect to the user account information in the database.

Abstract: A shoe cleaning device using liquid sprays and including a housing with a base portion and two side portions. The side portions are spaced from each other and extend upwardly from the base portion to form a U-shaped opening through the housing. In the preferred embodiment, rollers support the user's shoe as it is moved through the housing. Crisscrossing, upwardly directed sprays then strike and clean the shoe bottom while downwardly directed side sprays clean the shoe sides. Any portions of the upwardly directed, crisscrossing sprays not striking the user's shoe are captured in the opposing side portions and directed into the base portion. In this manner, the bottoms and sides of the user's shoes can be effectively cleaned without getting the user's leg or the tops of the shoes wet.

Abstract: A process for protecting a surface from non-desired contamination and for facilitating removal of said contamination from said surface, characterized by the steps: a) preparing a solution of polysaccharides containing at least two components, wherein one component is constituted by a first polysaccharide which, when precipitated from a solution by evaporation of the solvent thereof, directly forms a film and wherein the second component is constituted by a second polysaccharide which, when precipitated from a solution by evaporation of the solvent thereof, forms a film via at least partial gel formation, or by interaction with said first polysaccharide, said films being redissolvable or swellable: b) applying the solution from step a) onto said surface before subjected to contamination: c) allowing the applied solution to dry so as to form a solid film on said surface via at least partial gel formation: d) treating the film-coated surface with a liquid capable of redissolving film or provided swelling thereof

Abstract: A cylinder head has a head portion for attachment to an engine cylinder of an internal combustion engine, and a combustion chamber dome is adjustably received in a central aperture of the head portion. External circumscribed threads on the combustion chamber dome engage corresponding threads in the central aperture of the head portion so that the combustion chamber dome may be adjustably moved into a preselected adjusted position within the central aperture by rotation of the combustion chamber dome with respect to the head portion.A method of adjustably establishing a combustion chamber in a cylinder of 1 an internal combustion engine is also disclosed.

Abstract: A modular telecommunications terminal block system includes one or more terminal blocks (10) which may be repeatedly installed and removed from a mounting rail (24). Each terminal block (10) employs a housing (12) having a telephone exchange wire carrier and a service wire carrier within the housing. An exchange to be connected to the terminal block (10) is inserted through an opening (36) in the housing and into the exchange wire carrier (20) which is movable between an open position and a closed position. By manually pressing the exchange wire (20) in the closed position, or by installating the terminal block (10) onto the mounting rail (24), the exchange wire is terminated to an exchange wire contact element (170) within the terminal block (10). A service wire is separately terminated within the terminal block and engages a service wire contact element (66, 68).

Abstract: A fiber optic splice closure assembly has a generally elongate casing having two generally parallel side walls, first and second end walls and a generally planar base, the side walls and end walls extending substantially perpendicular to the base. The optical fiber splice tray may include a combination of one or more: lateral pivot assemblies; longitudinal hinge assemblies; alignment bosses; buffer tube receiving channels having a buffer tube retainer; insert retention socket and insert; splice block; tier bracket hinge assembly and interlocking assembly to assist in aligning and securing a plurality of such splice trays together and to secure buffer tubes within the splice tray and assist in optical fiber dressing within the splice tray.

Abstract: The fiber optic cable adapter spool is formed to be retained within an end plate assembly of a wire cable splice closure assembly. The adapter spool provides a cable entrance port capable of supporting an optical fiber cable in conventional telecommunication applications. The fiber optic cable is wrapped with a high coefficient of friction, adhesively-backed tape and a layer of mastic sealant before placed in the cable entrance port. The cable entrance port has two sets of annular gripping teeth and a plurality of annular sealing ribs located between the sets of annular gripping teeth. Once the cable has been placed into a cable entrance port, the adapter spool is contracted to cause the two sets of annular gripping teeth to exert radial pressure into either end of the wrapped portion of the cable.

Abstract: A fiber optic splice closure assembly has two end plate assemblies, and a closure base and a closure cover attached to the end plate assemblies. An adapter is secured within a cable entrance port in the end plate assembly to alter the end plate opening to accommodate a fiber optic cable. The adapter restrains the cable sheath against axial forces and provides a seal between the optical fiber cable, the adapter and the end plate assembly. A bracket assembly is provided to anchor the optical fiber cable strength member to the end plate assembly. The closure provides a mounting bar secured to said end plate assemblies proximate the closure base and a mounting platform secured to the mounting bar.

Abstract: A fiber optic splice closure assembly has two end plate assemblies, and a closure base and a closure cover attached to the end plate assemblies. An adapter is secured within a cable entrance port in the end plate assembly to alter the end plate opening to accommodate a fiber optic cable. The adapter restrains the cable sheath against axial forces and provides a seal between the optical fiber cable, the adapter and the end plate assembly. A bracket assembly is provided to anchor the optical fiber cable strength member to the end plate assembly. The closure provides a mounting bar secured to said end plate assemblies proximate the closure base and a mounting platform secured to the mounting bar.