Abstract: A method for joining clad metal plates having a protective layer (27), e.g. titanium, and a substrate layer (28), e.g. carbon steel, includes firstly removing margins (29) of protective layer along edges of the clad metal plates to be joined. The substrate layers are then welded together to form an exposed substrate weld (31). Covering material (38) of the same type as the protective layer (27) is then located along the exposed substrate weld (31) to a level substantially flush with an outer surface of the protective layer (27). The substrate layer (28) is heated prior to welding the covering material so that the covering material is pre-stressed when cooled. The method may be used to fabricate reaction vessels having seams that do not stand proud of the remainder of the interior surface of the vessel. The low profile seams are less susceptible to erosion than has been the case in the past so that longer-life vessels can be produced.

Abstract: A method for joining clad metal plates having a protective layer (27), e.g. titanium, and a substrate layer (28), e.g. carbon steel, includes firstly removing margins (29) of protective layer along edges of the clad metal plates to be joined. The substrate layers are then welded together to form an exposed substrate weld (31). Covering material (38) of the same type as the protective layer (27) is then located along the exposed substrate weld (31) to a level substantially flush with an outer surface of the protective layer (27). The substrate layer (28) is heated prior to welding the covering material so that the covering material is pre-stressed when cooled. The method may be used to fabricate reaction vessels having seams that do not stand proud of the remainder of the interior surface of the vessel. The low profile seams are less susceptible to erosion than has been the case in the past so that longer-life vessels can be produced.

Abstract: A rotary valve thermal oxidizer including an interfacial seal disposed between rotating and fixed valve portions to prevent the mixing of treated and untreated gas streams. In a preferred embodiment, the valve sealing device includes a flowable sealing material contained within a receptacle, and contacted by a partition nested within the receptacle. Other sealing devices, as well as purge and/or sealing gases, may be employed to prevent leakage, while avoiding the use of machined parts.

Abstract: A method for processing an air stream using a thermal oxidizer, by pre-heating the air stream, without the use of auxiliar heat, and substantially eliminating the condensation of organic or inorganic compounds within the air stream to be treated.

Abstract: A positioning controller having a receiving side for receiving light from a light source is disclosed. The receiving side includes an axis extending perpendicularly therefrom, and a vertical plane and a horizontal plane intersecting at the axis. The positioning controller includes three sensors. The reference sensor is positioned between the other two sensors, and is masked to receive light within a predetermined range of acute angles measured from the axis. One of the other two sensors is a vertical angle sensor that is masked to receive a larger quantity of light from a first side of the horizontal plane and from a second side of the horizontal plane. The third sensor is a horizontal angle sensor that is masked to receive a larger quantity of light from a first side of the vertical plane than from a second side of the vertical plane.

Abstract: The invention discloses an amusement projectile characterized in a first embodiment by a football shape which is thrown by a user and which comprises electronics therein to measure and display the distance traveled by the thrown ball to the point of impact with the ground or to another user. Using an accelerometer in cooperation with a microprocessing board disposed within the ball, the distance traveled is determined by measuring the initial velocity and the time recorded during the flight of the ball based upon changes in the acceleration of the ball, and an inset liquid crystal display screen mounted on the football is used to display the distance as well as time of flight and a nondimensional thrust value. A toggle button is used to alternately display the "flight characteristics," which are distinguished by the position of a decimal in the three digit display.

Abstract: An improved structural support system for a regenerator used with a regenerative thermal oxidizer, including a perforated and corrugated rigid beam resting on a support surface. The perforated beam supports heat exchange materials either directly, or indirectly using a perforated grid. The beam includes a plurality of perforations permitting upward gas flow from the underside of the beam and through the heat exchange materials. The air distribution plenums under the beam are reduced in height from that of conventional systems. The novel structure results in a more reliable and efficient regenerator.

Abstract: A regenerative thermal oxidizer system is useful for treating a waste gas stream that contains volatile organic compounds. Two regenerators each contain heat exchange material that is arranged within the regenerators to recover heat generated by the oxidation of the volatile organic compounds. A first regenerator is in heating service and is used to preheat the waste gas stream before it enters an oxidation chamber where the volatile organic compounds are oxidized. From the oxidation chamber, the waste gas stream enters a second regenerator in cooling service where a portion of the heat generated by the oxidation reactions is recovered. When it is necessary to reverse the flow of waste gas through the regenerative thermal oxidizer, a trap for adsorbing volatile organic compounds is engaged.

Abstract: The present invention is a remote control targeting and control system for use with a standard raster scanned television and an associated gaming unit. The remote control system includes a mobile transceiver and a fixed transceiver which communicates with the gaming system. The system implements a simple communication system which allows the mobile transceiver to ordinarily transmit position data and to periodically transmit button press data. The mobile transceiver includes an electro-optic detector for observing when a scan line crosses a target area. Each time a scan line is detected, the mobile transceiver transmits a pulse to the fixed unit, based upon which the gaming unit translate the pulse into position data based on the time of its detection. The button press data is transmitted synchronously with the raster scanned television in that the fixed transceiver is caused to transmit a single pulse during each vertical retrace of the television.

Abstract: A hand-held controller for an electronic gaming system wherein each of one or more players can control two gaming objects at the same time. A joystick-like thumb operated directional switch, mounted in a housing, is used to select or control the movement of a primary object and an optical detection/pointing system, carried in the same housing, is used to select or control the movement a secondary object.

Abstract: A regenerative thermal oxidation system is useful for treating a waste gas stream that contains volatile organic compounds. The volatile organic compounds are oxidized in an oxidation chamber. The heat and oxygen necessary to support the oxidation reactions is provided by a hot oxidation gas stream produced by the combustion of wood waste with excess air in a combustion chamber. The heat generated by the oxidation and combustion reactions is recovered in a plurality of regenerators. Any particulates in the hot oxidation gas stream are removed by a particulate removal system such as a cyclone separator or a high temperature filter. Preferably at least two regenerators containing heat exchange material are used to recover the heat from the oxidation reactions. The first regenerator is in heating service for heating the waste gas stream before it enters the oxidation chamber.

Abstract: The present invention is a remote control targeting and control system for use with a standard raster scanned television and an associated gaming unit. The remote control system includes a mobile transceiver and a fixed transceiver which communicates with the gaming system. The system implements a simple communication system which allows the mobile transceiver to ordinarily transmit position data and to periodically transmit button press data. The mobile transceiver includes an electro-optic detector for observing when a scan line crosses a target area. Each time a scan line is detected, the mobile transceiver transmits a pulse to the fixed unit, based upon which the gaming unit translate the pulse into position data based on the time of its detection. The button press data is transmitted synchronously with the raster scanned television in that the fixed transceiver is caused to transmit a single pulse during each vertical retrace of the television.

Abstract: A damper system for three bed thermal regenerative oxidizers is disclosed, which employs two blades pivotally mounted in a body having two chambers separated by a septum. The first chamber receives an inlet gas through a first aperture and has a second aperture providing a flow path to a first regenerator bed. The second chamber incorporates a third aperture communicating with a second regenerator and a fourth aperture communicating with a third regenerator. The septum intermediate the first and second chambers incorporates a fifth aperture for communication between the chambers. Positioning of the first damper blade to seal the fifth aperture allows flow from the inlet to the first regenerator bed. Repositioning of the first blade to a second position covering the second aperture allows flow from the inlet through the aperture in the septum into the second chamber and through the third aperture to the second regenerative bed.

Abstract: A game assembly utilizing sound identification as a method of determining the length of a player's move, wherein the player forfeits his turn if he fails to recognize the sound. A first player uses a keyboard to identify a randomly-generated sound, while a second player attempts to anticipate the random sound to be generated by moving panels over certain keys of the keyboard Additionally, the game assembly keyboard includes a processor which randomly appends the generated sound with a bonus sound, the player receiving an additional turn upon successful identification of the generated sound during such a bonus condition.

Abstract: Smokeless burnout of regenerative thermal oxidizer systems is accomplished by isolating the incineration system from the process flow and drawing fresh air into the heating regenerator at approximately one-fourth of the normal process flow. A purge/burnout fan is employed to induce flow through an idle regenerator drawing high temperature gas from the retention chamber through the idle regenerator. Gas is directed from the purge/burnout fan back into the retention chamber to oxidize contaminants which has been volatilized from the media in the third regenerator. The reduced flow rate of the system and maintaining flow through the regenerator being burned out while continuing to cycle the remaining regenerators as heating and cooling regenerators builds the temperature in the burnout regenerator until volatilization of all contaminants is achieved.

Abstract: The present invention is a regenerative gas incineration apparatus having three heat regenerators containing refractory heat exchange material. Gas is cycled through the regenerators first in one direction, then in another. The regenerators are each connected to combustion chamber having an air-fuel system and at least one burner. A system of valved ductwork is utilized to direct gas to be processed into and upwardly through a heating first regenerator into the combustion chamber, downwardly through a cooling second regenerator and exhausting the processed gas to the atmosphere. The temporarily idle third regenerator is purged of partially treated gas remaining from a previous cycle and this gas is directed to the combustion chamber. The flow of the gas through the system is periodically changed enabling the heat recovered by cooling regenerator in the previous cycle to be used to heat incoming gas in the next.

Abstract: In a microprocessor based interactive audio game for two users to play against one another, or for one user to play against the computer, the game having the ability to store and retrieve sets of statistical data corresponding to the performance of actual players, keys for the users to affect the state of the game, and an audio output for communicating the state of the game or the results of a game play to the users, the audio output for a particular game state or game play result being variable in order to maintain user interest. A plurality of visual indicators are arranged in a grid that represents the flight of a thrown ball through a vertical cross section of the strike zone. Visual indicators are sequentially flashed a predetermined number of times and in a predetermined pattern for a particular variety of pitch.

Abstract: A remote control transmitter/receiver system wherein an absolute direction command may be issued by the transmitter and acted upon by the receiver. The transmitter and receiver both include a common reference direction so that an absolute direction command (i.e., relative to the common reference direction) may be issued and acted upon. In a preferred embodiment, the transmitter operates in accordance with an internal compass signal so that an absolute direction command relative to magnetic North can be generated by the transmitter. The receiver also functions in accordance with an internal compass signal so that an absolute direction command transmitted to the receiver can be effected. The transmitter and receiver may be microprocessor controlled, and the internal compass signal may be generated with an electronic flux gate compass. The invention may be used in place of the conventional remote control systems that are used with hand-held transmitters and hobby vehicles.