Abstract: A printer includes a printhead assembly, a spit zone, and a controller. The printhead assembly includes nozzles to eject ink drops. The spit zone is to store maintenance ink. The controller is to move the printhead assembly over the spit zone while ink is ejected from the nozzles during spits.

Abstract: A printer includes a printhead assembly, a spit zone, and a controller. The printhead assembly includes nozzles to eject ink drops. The spit zone is to store maintenance ink. The controller is to move the printhead assembly over the spit zone while ink is ejected from the nozzles during spits.

Abstract: A shower dryer system includes a dryer tower with nozzles for directing heated air into a shower enclosure interior. A programmed controller controls the rate of air flow and the temperature of air flow to and through the air nozzles.

Abstract: A barbeque grill attachment assembly adapted and structured to secure a barbeque grill to the rear of a vehicle so that the grill may be used without detachment from the vehicle is disclosed. The grill assembly permits the barbeque grill to swing in a horizontal arc from its operational position farthest from the rear of the vehicle to a stowed position adjacent the rear of the vehicle.

Abstract: A system and method for transmitting advanced television signals such as digital television signals. The system and method controls the frequency of the RF signal by compensating for errors in the signal received from a transport system. The system and method also reduces the complexity of the transmission system by inserting a pilot frequency signal after the television signal has been filtered and shaped.

Abstract: A system and method for controlling the frequency of a signal being transmitted wherein the frequency of the signal received at the transmitter site is error corrected before being broadcast. The error in the frequency may be developed and applied to the intermediate frequency upconversion and/or the channel upconversion to reduce or eliminate the effects of the error. In the system and method, a pilot frequency signal can be added to the signal to be broadcast after the signal to be broadcast has been shaped and filtered.

Abstract: An exciter for advanced television signals such as a digital television signal. The exciter corrects for instabilities in the television signal provided to it so as to produce a signal with tightly controlled frequency and reduced co-channel interference. The exciter inserts a pilot frequency into the digital television signal after the signal has been shaped, thereby reducing the difficulties of shaping. Also disclosed is a rate converter for use in an exciter so that a digital signal can be received at a first frequency and can be output at a second frequency in a manner in which the output of a signal is assured even in the absence of an input signal.

Abstract: A steam shield for controlling the flow of steam and condensate in the vicinity of a steam head. The steam shield has a generally flat portion with a hole of appropriate size and shape to accommodate a steam head, an inner lip portion formed around the flat portion, and an outer lip portion formed around the inner lip portion. The inner lip portion incorporates a reservoir for retaining condensate. The outer lip portion incorporates a surface with a drip barrier rail for directing the flow of condensate away from the wall upon which the steam shield is disposed.

Abstract: An apparatus for retrieving objects from well bores includes an uppermost segment having an internally threaded opening extending upwardly from a bottom end of the uppermost segment to a first location above the bottom end. One or more additional segments are provided. Each of the additional segments have top and bottom ends and are removably attachable, at a top end of each additional segment, to a bottom end of one of an upper one of the additional segments and the uppermost segment. Each of the additional segments have a tapered, internally threaded opening extending between the top end and the bottom end of the additional segments. A top end of the uppermost segment is secured to a bottom end of a rotatable down-hole drill rod and is lowered down around and rotated relative to an object to be retrieved such that threads on the tapered, internally threaded opening engage with the object. A method for using the apparatus and a method for making a retrieving tool are also disclosed.

Abstract: A method of, and apparatus for, treating a well using a tool string is disclosed. The method includes the steps of supplying a predetermined amount of treatment fluid to the well; pumping fluid from the well and holding the fluid in the tool string; and releasing the treatment fluid from the tool string into the well. In a preferred embodiment, the method includes repeating the pumping and releasing steps until the well is adequately treated.

Abstract: A well clean-out tool includes a cylindrical member in which a helical conveyor screw is arranged for vertical sliding movement relative to the cylindrical member. The tool is lowered into a well bore until the shoe contacts debris within the bore. At that time, the screw is caused to descend relative to the cylindrical member, whereupon a lower end of the screw projects slightly below a lower end of the cylindrical member, and a rotary coupling between the screw and the cylindrical member is released, and a spring is caused to store energy. Thereafter, the screw is rotated relative to the cylindrical member, while the spring presses the cylindrical member against the debris in order to resist rotation of the cylindrical member. The screw projects only slightly downwardly beyond the lower end of the cylindrical member, e.g., less than one inch, in order to convey debris upwardly within the cylindrical member.

Abstract: A well clean-out tool includes a cylindrical member in which a helical conveyor screw is arranged for vertical sliding movement relative to the cylindrical member. The tool is lowered into a well bore until the shoe contacts debris within the bore. At that time, the screw is caused to descend relative to the cylindrical member, whereupon a lower end of the screw projects slightly below a lower end of the cylindrical member, and a rotary coupling between the screw and the cylindrical member is released, and a spring is caused to store energy. Thereafter, the screw is rotated relative to the cylindrical member, while the spring presses the cylindrical member against the debris in order to resist rotation of the cylindrical member. The screw projects only slightly downwardly beyond the lower end of the cylindrical member, e.g., less than one inch, in order to convey debris upwardly within the cylindrical member.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a well clean out tool comprising an elongated body having first and second ends and being adapted to be received within a well borehole. The elongated body is comprised of a plurality of subs including a first sub at a lower portion of the body having a one way valve for permitting only upward flow of fluid. A second sub is arranged above the first sub for receiving and retaining fluid and debris passing through the first sub while a third sub is arranged above the second sub. The third sub includes a second valve for permitting flow only upwardly through the third sub. A fourth or pumping sub is arranged above the third sub with the fourth sub including an outlet for returning fluid to the borehole. The pump sub includes an elongated hollow piston reciprocatingly driven within a casing of the fourth sub.