Abstract: The present application provides passive energy storage systems and related methods. The systems include hot and cold sections. The hot section includes a thermally insulated hot compartment including thermal energy storage material. The hot section is configured to heat the thermal energy storage material via at least a first electrical power source and to selectively heat a first material. The cold section includes a thermally insulated cold compartment with at least one ice storage container. The cold section is configured to form ice within the at least one ice storage container via a cooling cycle and to selectively treat a second material. The systems and methods are configured to selectively heat cooling material of the cooling cycle to drive the cycle, at least in part, and form the ice via the first electrical power source exterior to the hot compartment and/or by the heat of the hot section.

Abstract: A microwave ground or road surface heating system that eliminates the need for preparation of the surface to be heated while preventing leakage of microwave radiation. The highly portable microwave heating system prevents leakage of microwave radiation via a microwave horn and sealing shroud configuration that seals the unit to the surface being heated.

Abstract: A microwave system for the treatment of asphalt surfaces that prevents the leakage of microwave radiation during use. The highly portable microwave treatment system prevents leakage of microwave radiation via a microwave horn and sealing shroud configuration that seals the unit to the asphalt surface being treated.

Abstract: A method for establishing or restoring electrical continuity between metal pipe sections in pipeline rehabilitation according to embodiments of the present invention includes, from an inside of a pipe having first and second pipe sections, removing a layer of the first pipe section at a first location, removing a layer of the second pipe section at a second location, electrically connecting a spanner at the first location and the second location, deploying a tubular liner along the inside of the pipe, injecting grout between the tubular liner and the inside of the pipe, and distributing the grout between the tubular liner and the inside of the pipe, wherein a first radial distance from the inside of the pipe to the innermost extent of the spanner is less than or equal to a second radial distance from the inside of the pipe to the tubular liner.

Abstract: A system for the distribution of live broadcast television content includes an encoding apparatus receiving a live broadcast television feed. The encoding apparatus includes a circuit matching network, a digital signal processor, a metadata generator, an MPEG multiplexer, an IP encapsulator, and an IP router. A centralized management facility or network operations center (NOC) is connected to the encoding apparatus. The management facility includes a diagnostics management system (DMS), automatic signal correction circuitry and software, an advertising database, a client database, and an authentication server. A decoding apparatus at a service client side receives the signal and decodes the same for feed supply to the client. The decoding apparatus includes one or more Ethernet ports, a metadata generator, MPEG demultiplexer, audio/video circuits, and a circuit matching network.

Abstract: A cover assembly for a lift station is disclosed. The cover assembly includes a cover in which an access opening, a cable passageway and a vent are defined. The cable passageway has one end that connects to the access opening and another end that opens to an exterior of the lift station. The cable passageway and the access opening are covered by hatches that can be opened to fully uncover the cable passageway and a portion of the access opening adjacent the cable passageway. This facilitates installation and maintenance of cables running between external equipment and internal equipment. The hatch covering the cable passageway is substantially solid to prevent venting of flammable gases. An interior of the cable passageway has an additional barrier to these gases. The vent is spaced apart from the cable passageway to further separate the cable passageway and external equipment from flammable gases.

Abstract: A modular well for a wastewater lift station includes multiple well sections. Each of the well sections has at least one mating feature allowing it to be joined to at least one other well section and to form a liquid tight seal. The well is formed by vertically mating the well sections together. One of the well sections has an inlet opening, and the same or a different well section has at least one outlet opening.

Abstract: A modular well for a wastewater lift station includes multiple well sections. Each of the well sections has at least one mating feature allowing it to be joined to at least one other well section and to form a liquid tight seal. The well is formed by vertically mating the well sections together. One of the well sections has an inlet opening, and the same or a different well section has at least one outlet opening.

Abstract: A modular well for a wastewater lift station includes multiple well sections. Each of the well sections has at least one mating feature allowing it to be joined to at least one other well section and to form a liquid tight seal. The well is formed by vertically mating the well sections together. One of the well sections has an inlet opening, and the same or a different well section has at least one outlet opening.

Abstract: According to one aspect the invention a shelving system is provided comprising first and second vertically extending support structures, and a first set of shelving assemblies. The first and second vertically extending support structures are horizontally spaced from one another and the shelving assemblies are mounted above one another between the support structures. Each shelving assembly has at least one major surface and is locatable respectively in a first orientation, and a second orientation. In the first orientation the major surface remains substantially horizontal. In the second orientation the major surface is substantially vertical.

Abstract: A method for refilling an ink cartridge which contains an elastic bladder within the ink reservoir cavity that is connected to outside pressure. The methodology of the invention teaches how to seal and unseal the bladder and ink regions in sequential steps and how to inject ink into the ink reservoir cavity so it may be re-used and not discarded.

Abstract: This invention is directed to improved aqueous pigment-based ink compositions for use in ink jets and methods of enhancing and/or controlling the optical density and print sharpness of both pigment-based and dye-based inks. The improved ink compositions include a class or organic quaternary ammonium compounds which improve the optical density and print sharpness of the inks. Other improvements include the use of a polyalkylene oxide to impedence match the ink with the drop formation rate to provide drop formation rates as high as 8,000 drops per second. These high drop rates permit higher writing speeds and enhanced printer resolution. Yet another improvement to ink jet ink composition is the addition of urea, urea derivatives and thiol compounds. These compounds prevent the ink jet from accumulating dried ink thus preventing clogging of the ink jet.

Abstract: A method of refilling an ink jet cartridge with ink. The cartridge has a housing which encloses an internal ink reservoir extending between top and bottom ends thereof, an ink fill aperture extending through the housing near its top end, and a means for sealing the ink fill aperture. The cartridge further includes a bladder in the reservoir, an air port affixed to the top of the housing, and a spring means which biases the bladder toward a minimum volume state. According to the method, the cartridge is positioned with its top end above its bottom end, the ink fill aperture is unsealed, and the air port is sealed. The bladder is inflated to establish an internal volume in a predetermined range. Ink is then injected into the reservoir through the ink fill aperture. The ink fill aperture is then sealed, and the air port unsealed.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for refilling an ink cartridge include a device for clearing a hole in the cartridge to facilitate the dispensing of ink thereto. The device comprises a handle to which a bit is rigidly affixed so that torque applied to the handle is transmitted to the bit. The bit is arranged to extend along the handle's longitudinal axis. A kit for refilling an ink cartridge includes the aforementioned hole clearing device and a container containing a charge of ink and having a nozzle. The nozzle is formed so that it can pass through the hole cleared by the hole clearing device. In a preferred embodiment, the container is bellows shaped and compressible so that a user can compress the container and increase the rate at which the fresh ink charge is dispensed to the cartridge.

Abstract: A truck-mounted rock drilling machine for pole holes consists of a pivotable boom mounted on the truck bed and a jack-hammer-like mechanism mounted on the boom. The jack hammer like mechanism is driven from a compressor which is preferably mounted on a separate trailer.

Abstract: A wireway for enclosing electrical conductors includes a longitudinally extending channel-shaped housing having a cover member removably hinged to the top wall of the housing. The cover may be swung between open and closed positions with the hinge constructed to permit removal of the cover to provide access to the interior of the housing. When removed, the cover may be retained on the front edge of the bottom wall of the housing.

Abstract: A fastener for securing a flexible waterproof sheet to a supporting roof structure. The fastener includes an elongated mounting bracket having a base and a body including an upstanding central portion and a pair of wing members extending laterally from opposite sides of the central portion of the body. Each of the wing members include an outer tip spaced above the base which defines a sheet-receiving recess therebetween. The fastener also includes an elongated cap member for attaching a flexible waterproof sheet to the bracket.

Abstract: A communication system for combining telephone service with hands-free talk-back intercom service is disclosed. The telephone service includes a telephone exchange network having an outside trunk, an internal trunk, and a device for switching the telephones within the system between either the outside trunk or the internal trunk in response to appropriate signals from the telephones. The intercom network generally includes a main distribution station associated with various telephones and transducers. Various embodiments of the system, having differing numbers of the above elements, are disclosed.

Abstract: A hands-free talk-back two-way intercommunication system is disclosed. The system includes a plurality of local stations connected to a main distribution station. Also connected to the main distribution station may be a direct station selector. At least one of the local stations includes a telephone and at least one of the other local stations includes a transducer element. The telephone and the transducer element may be connected in communication with each other through the main distribution station which includes a listen/talk channel controlling member, a call monitoring member and a station selecting member. The listen/talk channel controlling member includes apparatus for adjusting the balance between the listen and talk channels. The channel controlling member also includes apparatus for providing a notification signal to any transducer member which is addressed by the telephone.