Abstract: An armor unit for protecting coastal, river, lake, and reservoir banks, shorelines, and other structures from the damaging hydrodynamic forces of waves and water currents. The armor unit has a central elongate member having a longitudinal axis and first and second outer elongate members connected with the central elongate member on opposite sides thereof. The first and second outer elongate members have parallel longitudinal axes extending normal to the longitudinal axis of the central elongate member. The elongate members may each have an octagonal cross section decreasing from an intermediate portion toward the opposite ends. When a plurality of units are interlocked to define a protective array, a high degree of wedging is afforded between the octagonal members.

Abstract: The invention pertains to a cementious composition of a strong, light, foamed silicate binder or concrete made from ground, calcium-rich glassy silicates that are the major component of blast-furnace slag. The other materials used to create the material are sodium peroxide and water. The cementious mixture can include a volume modification foaming agent that substitutes a part of the mixture. These agents include sodium hydroxide, potassium hydroxide and hydrogen peroxide.

Abstract: The present invention describes a cylindrical armor unit for use in a revent structure, herein referred to as Vatia Stone. These units are shaped for: i) optimal strength, positional stability and durability; ii) interlocking along all major axes; iii) flexible interlocking capability with each other for abrupt transitions in shorelines; and iv) natural aesthetic qualities. These qualities in combination provide a significant improvement over existing structures. The Vatia Stones are uniformly placed over an erosion controlled shoreline surface and have an optimal interlocking capability between individual units for maximum stabilization. Each unit has an upper and lower surface which can be shaped geometrically to fit the natural surroundings, e.g. look like natural stone as one example.

Abstract: A probe device for in-situ detection of contaminants such as petroleum prcts in a subsurface media such as soil. The device comprises an elongated probe housing which is driven into the media. An ultraviolet lamp located in the housing provides excitation energy which is reflected through a UV transparent window in the housing to the media by at least one reflecting element in the housing. The reflecting element allows longitudinal offset of the lamp from the window providing space for high intensity UV lamps. A radiation receiver receives fluorescent radiation emitted from contaminants in the media transmitted through the window and provides a signal for analysis equipment on the surface. A concentrating reflector between the lamp and the housing and a focusing lens between the lamp and the reflecting element collect and focus excitation energy from the lamp.

Abstract: Acoustic signals and hydraulic pressure variations which influence fish bvior in bodies of water are measured and recorded by apparatus simulating a fish immersed in water, fitted with piezoelectric transducers and connected by wiring to remote amplifying and recording means. Such data are correlated with fish behavior for the purpose of developing methods of diverting fish from such areas of danger as the intake piping of hydroelectric power generating turbines and pumping stations.

Abstract: Disclosed is a device for measuring lateral deformation in an material spmen which includes a generally ring shaped frame member displaced generally perpendicularly to the object being measured. The frame member itself comprises a first and a second generally arc shaped element which abut end to end. At least one spring arm member is fixed at one end on a mounting projection on the first arc shaped element and its movable end abuts a spring receiving projection from the second generally arc shaped element. Strain gauges are fixed to the spring arm member to detect changes in the flexture of the spring arm member resulting from relative movement of the two arc shaped elements which results from lateral deformation of the material specimen. A linear variable differential transformer having a lateral projection is also mounted on one of the arc shaped elements.

Abstract: An outdoor illumination system having a dimmed and bright mode and is a moprocessor-based, dimming photocontrol unit for reducing the energy consumed by single, outdoor high intensity discharge light fixtures by combining a dimming and photocontrol circuit into one unit which plugs directly into the existing photocontrol jack located on most outdoor high intensity discharge fixtures.

Abstract: The invention provides a method and apparatus for determining the precise coordinate of a remote roving on-the-fly signal receiver with respect to a reference signal receiver. The reference signal receiver is usually fixed to the Earth's surface but the instant invention's method allows for movement of the reference signal receiver without performance degradation. The reference receiver and remote roving receiver track four or more satellites so that single difference code and carrier ranges between the receivers can be formed. The method can work with just L1 signal alone, the preferred method uses at least one code range (e.g., C/A code) and two carrier ranges (e.g., L1 and L2) with full wavelength L2--squared implementation addition code ranges if available for use. This method allows for initialization of carrier integer ambiguities whether reference or remote receiver are fixed or moving relative to each other and a robust procedure for determining integer ambiguities.

Abstract: A speed bump for use in connection with a roadway located in a climate wh a snow plow is used to clear a roadway, the bump is made from roadway construction materials extending across each lane of a roadway, the bump having a crown of fixed width running substantially the length of the bump; the right-side of the bump having a conventional profile portion, the left-side having a tapered ramp portion having an incline equalling about ten to thirty degrees, allowing a snow plow to lift smoothly over the bump, a plurality of bumps having the same shape can be aligned to manage multiple-lane, one-way and two-way traffic.

Abstract: An alkali-activated silicate based cement or binder has a cure characteric which is modified by a phosphate additive which retards the set time of the cement or binder. The phosphate allows a longer set time than conventional alkali-activated silicate glass cements.

Abstract: An improved module and assembly for sampling liquids and gases within the ground is characterized by module housings containing sampling cavities having lateral openings to the exterior of the housings. Within each lateral opening a removable insert and piston assembly is provided. The piston is displaceable between open and closed positions within the insert in response to changes in pressure from pressure and vacuum sources. When in the closed position, the piston and insert are flush with the exterior of the housing to prevent contaminants from accumulating at the opening. When the module is inserted to a desired depth in the ground, the piston is displaced to the open position and samples from the soil at the desired depth enter the sampling cavity.

Abstract: A well installation preform for locating and dispensing granular materials nto a bore hole around the screen of a well casing is disclosed. A cylindrical sleeve containing a liner is assembled about the screen end of the well casing. The space between the sleeve and the well casing is filled with an ordered layer of granular material including a filter material adjacent the screen, a sealing material above the filter material and the screen and a quantity of filler material above the sealing material. The lower end of the sleeve is blocked while the preform is lowered into the well. The sleeve is thereafter removed whereby the liner is everted and the granular material is uniformly dispensed about the well casing in the bore hole. The sealing material forms a seal above the filter material for establishing an isolated filtration zone about the screen. A method of constructing the well using the preform and the resulting well structure is also disclosed.