Abstract: A device for forming bow springs in a one-piece centralizer includes a swing arm that is configured to receive the one-piece centralizer. The device and process using the device include mechanically applying, with a press, an external load onto an un-formed bow spring positioned on a form of the swing arm. When the load is applied with the device, the un-formed centralizer is forced downward to allow the bow spring to take the desired form/shape/geometry, length, and height of a formed bow spring.

Abstract: A device for forming bow springs in a one-piece centralizer includes a swing arm that is configured to receive the one-piece centralizer. The device and process using the device include mechanically applying, with a press, an external load onto an un-formed bow spring positioned on a form of the swing arm. When the load is applied with the device, the un-formed centralizer is forced downward to allow the bow spring to take the desired form/shape/geometry, length, and height of a formed bow spring.

Abstract: A handrail assembly for scaffolding comprising a first hand rail component and a second hand rail component, wherein said first hand rail component is slidingly connected to said second hand rail component; a first frame, wherein said first hand rail component is slidingly connected to said first frame; a first wall hook, wherein said first frame is slidingly connected to said first wall hook; a second frame, wherein said second hand rail component is slidingly connected to said second frame; and a second wall hook, wherein said second frame is slidingly connected to said second wall hook.

Abstract: A system and method for operating a building heating system. The system includes a controller that operates the heating system in three modes of operation. The controller controls a valve that regulates the flow of steam to the building water loop. By maintaining a constant steam flow rate during peak demand periods, steam consumption during peak demand periods are reduced while maintaining a comfortable environment within the building.

Abstract: A pump is provided including a cutter plate disposed at a pump inlet including a plurality of holes. Multiple embodiments provide that the pump includes a rotatable cutter blade disposed substantially adjacent to the cutter plate. Embodiments include those wherein the plurality of holes are angled in a direction of rotation of the cutter blade. In some embodiments, the cutter blade has at least one relief hole and at least one cutting edge. Additional embodiments include those wherein a ring extends outward from the pump inlet for channeling material toward the pump inlet in a substantially perpendicular approach with respect to the cutter plate.

Abstract: A pump is provided including a cutter plate disposed at a pump inlet including a plurality of holes. Multiple embodiments provide that the pump includes a rotatable cutter blade disposed substantially adjacent to the cutter plate. Embodiments include those wherein the plurality of holes are angled in a direction of rotation of the cutter blade. In some embodiments, the cutter blade has at least one relief hole and at least one cutting edge. Additional embodiments include those wherein a ring extends outward from the pump inlet for channeling material toward the pump inlet in a substantially perpendicular approach with respect to the cutter plate.

Abstract: A system and method for operating a building heating system. The system includes a controller that operates the heating system in three modes of operation. The controller controls a valve that regulates the flow of steam to the building water loop. By maintaining a constant steam flow rate during peak demand periods, steam consumption during peak demand periods are reduced while maintaining a comfortable environment within the building.

Abstract: A reinforced resilient wiper element, for use in connection with internal pipe wipers, having peripheral wiping edges, a central bore and a rigid area surrounding such central bore. The rigid area surrounding the central bore prevents compression of the resilient wiper element in the vicinity of the central bore, thereby reducing or eliminating structural failure of the wiper element.

Abstract: A kit is provided for making a mounting device for attachment to a dry wall surface to hang an article which does not require the installer to locate or use a sub-structure base such as a wall stud or ceiling joist. The kit comprises a hook having a threaded portion on one end, a plurality of screws, a plurality of self-drilling toggle bolts for installation into the dry wall structure, and a stabilizing device. The stabilizing device has a plurality of holes formed therein. The hook is installed in one of the holes in the stabilizing device. The remaining holes are used in attaching the stabilizing device to the dry wall structure. That attachment is made by inserting the screws through the remaining holes to engage the toggle bolts which are installed in the dry wall structure. Two such mounting devices are especially useful in hanging a bicycle from a dry wall ceiling structure.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for creating a virtual storage volume with a file size independent of a file size limitation of a computer. In one embodiment, a storage area is randomly selected from among a plurality of available storage areas. A determination is made as to whether the selected storage area contains at least a predetermined amount of free space. If so, the predetermined amount of free space is allocated on the selected storage area to create an allocated storage area. A symbolic link to the allocated storage area is written in a directory associated with the virtual storage volume. Data destined for the virtual storage volume is then written in the allocated storage area.

Abstract: A computer program, and a method and apparatus for creating the computer program. The computer program is stored on a computer readable medium and is executable by a computer system. The computer system can comprise a front-end for interfacing with a user, and a back-end for performing batch functions. The computer program comprises instructions for performing a function, which requires at least one parameter for its operation. The computer program further comprises instructions for reading the parameter from a parameter cache in the computer system. The parameter cache is capable of storing the parameter as an object therein. The computer program also comprises instructions for validating the parameter and aborting the function if the parameter is not valid, and instructions for loading the parameter from the parameter cache and performing the function in accordance with the parameter if the parameter is valid.

Abstract: A reinforced resilient wiper element, for use in connection with internal pipe wipers, having peripheral wiping edges, a central bore and a rigid area surrounding such central bore. The rigid area surrounding the central bore prevents compression of the resilient wiper element in the vicinity of the central bore, thereby reducing or eliminating structural failure of the wiper element.

Abstract: An integrated source code file and a method and apparatus for creating a computer program from the integrated source code file. The integrated source code file is stored on a computer readable medium and the computer program created therefrom is executable by a computer system having a front-end for interfacing with a user, and a back-end for performing batch functions. The computer program comprises instructions for performing a function, which requires at least one parameter for its operation. The computer program further comprises instructions for validating the parameter, the instructions adapted to run on both the front-end and the back-end. The computer program also comprises graphical user interface information for creating a graphical user interface, which can be used to receive the parameter. The computer program still further comprises a documentation section for providing information related to the function, which is adapted for display via the graphical user interface.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for extending the size of a file beyond a file size limitation of a computer. In one embodiment, a storage area is randomly selected from among a plurality of available storage areas. A determination is made as to whether the selected storage area contains at least a predetermined amount of free space. If so, the predetermined amount of free space is allocated on the selected storage area to create an allocated storage area. A symbolic link to the allocated storage area is written in a directory associated with the virtual storage volume. Data destined for the virtual storage volume is then written in the allocated storage area.

Abstract: An apparatus for restructuring data includes a receiving section for receiving a data record having a header and an array, and a compressing section for compressing the header according to a lossless form of compression and for compressing the array according to a lossy form of compression. Also provided is a method for storing the compressed header and the compressed array in a self-defining file. The self-defining file includes a multi-level index, which contains information such as the size and location of compressed headers and compressed arrays contained within the file.

Abstract: A computer program, and a method and apparatus for creating the computer program. The computer program is stored on a computer readable medium and is executable by a computer system. The computer system can comprise a front-end for interfacing with a user, and a back-end for performing batch functions. The computer program comprises instructions for performing a function, which requires at least one parameter for its operation. The computer program further comprises instructions for reading the parameter from a parameter cache in the computer system. The parameter cache is capable of storing the parameter as an object therein. The computer program also comprises instructions for validating the parameter and aborting the function if the parameter is not valid, and instructions for loading the parameter from the parameter cache and performing the function in accordance with the parameter if the parameter is valid.

Abstract: A computer program, and a method and apparatus for creating the computer program. The computer program is stored on a computer readable medium and is executable by a computer system having a front-end for interfacing with a user, and a back-end for performing batch functions. The computer program comprises instructions for performing a function, which requires at least one parameter for its operation. The computer program further comprises instructions for validating the parameter. The computer program also comprises graphical user interface information for creating a graphical user interface, which can be used to receive the parameter. The computer program still further comprises a documentation section for providing information related to the function, which is adapted for display via the graphical user interface.

Abstract: A diacetal of a polyhydric alcohol is provided having at least one carbamoyl substituent bonded to an oxy group of the alcohol. The compound is useful as a nucleating agent in polymer resins and as a gelling agent.