Abstract: A bipolar electrosurgical instrument for vessel sealing comprises first and second members connected by a pivot. A pair of jaws have opposable seal surfaces that are designed to grasp vascular tissue and conduct bipolar electrosurgical current therethrough. Electrodes on the jaws, including the seal surfaces, are removable and disposable. The jaws of the instrument have mechanical interfaces designed to accept replacement electrodes. The instrument further comprises interlocking ratchets designed to hold a constant closure force between the seal surfaces. Wires extend from the electrodes along one of the members and are connectable to an electrosurgical generator.

Abstract: A uniquely designed torque wrench having a torque body, the torque body attached to a drive head, with the head having an opening through its center, for fitting over a nut, such as a multi-sided jam nut positioned on a compresor shaft. The drive head further provides a portion which can be disengaged and opened, to define a gate which can allow the jam nut to be positioned within the opening, and the gate portion resecured, to define the head secured around the jam nut. There is further provided a hydraulic cylinder secured between the wrench body and the head so that under hydraulic pressure, the head is rotated which in turn imparts sufficient rotation to the jam nut under sufficient pressure to torque up the nut to the desired foot pounds required. Another embodiment includes an adaptor insertable into the opening of the torque wrench for accommodating a certain jam nut configuration, so that the tool can be used on the varied types of jam nut designs.

Abstract: A removable electrode assembly for use in combination with a forceps having opposing end effectors and a handle for effecting movement of the end effectors relative to one another. The electrode assembly includes a housing which is removably engageable with the forceps and a pair of electrodes which are attachable to a distal end of the housing. The electrodes are removably engageable with the end effectors of the forceps such that the electrodes reside in opposing relation relative to one another. The electrode assembly also includes a cover plate which is removably attachable to the housing and at least one stop member for controlling the distance the electrodes move relative to one another.

Abstract: A bipolar electrosurgical instrument has opposable seal surfaces on its jaws for grasping and sealing vessels and vascular tissue. Inner and outer instrument members allow arcuate motion of the seal surfaces. An open lockbox provides a pivot with lateral support to maintain alignment of the lateral surfaces. Ratchets on the instrument members hold a constant closure force on the tissue during the seal process. A shank portion on each member is tuned to provide an appropriate spring force to hold the seal surfaces together. During surgery, the instrument can be used to grasp and clamp vascular tissue and apply bipolar electrosurgical current through the clamped tissue. In one embodiment, the seal surfaces are partially insulated to prevent a short circuit when the instrument jaws are closed together. In another embodiment, the seal surfaces are removably mounted on the jaws.

Abstract: A bipolar electrosurgical instrument for vessel sealing comprises first and second members connected by a pivot. A pair of jaws have opposable seal surfaces that are designed to grasp vascular tissue and conduct bipolar electrosurgical current therethrough. Electrodes on the jaws, including the seal surfaces, are removable and disposable. The jaws of the instrument have mechanical interfaces designed to accept replacement electrodes. The instrument further comprises interlocking ratchets designed to hold a constant closure force between the seal surfaces. Wires extend from the electrodes along one of the members and are connectable to electrosurgical generator.

Abstract: A high pressure hot water cleaning system which includes a source of water flowing to a pressure valve to allow the system to come online, providing a tank for receiving the water, the tank having an inner portion, and an outer jacket portion, a water heater, a pump for pressurizing the water, and a pressure wand for flowing the hot, pressurized water for cleaning. The system further provides a means to allow the water to cool when the wand is disengaged. This means includes a flow line from the pump to the inner tank portion of the water tank, where the hot water is cooled by the ambient water in the tank jacket portion, and returning the cooler water into the pump during the idle period. Further, there is provided a timer which is activated by a flow switch when the water flow is interrupted, so that after a period of time of idle time, the system is automatically shut down and must be manually reactivated.

Abstract: Methods are provided for determining a solids to liquids ratio in a flowing petroleum stream having an immiscible solids, oil and water flow. Microwave energy in the 10-12 Gigahertz bond is directed through the petroleum stream and attenuated transmitted and reflected microwave energy are detected. The detected microwave energy is compared to an empirically derived map of attenuated amplitude vs. phase for a set of reference petroleum streams having known solid, oil and water contents to derive a solids to liquids ratio for the unknown stream.

Abstract: An apparatus for applying a thin coat of lubricant evenly on a threaded portion of a bolt stud, which includes a chamber for housing a quantity of lubricant to be applied onto the threads of the bolt stud, a first roller for receiving lubricant onto the outer surface of the roller as the roller rotates; a first bristled brush, the ends of the bristles of the brush making sufficient contact with the outer surface of the roller in order to transfer a quantity of the lubricant from the surface of the roller onto the ends of the bristles of the brush as the roller and the brush are rotated; a motor for rotating the roller and the brush; an orifice bored in the wall of the apparatus for inserting the end of the stud of a bolt into, the orifice positioned so as the stud is placed into the orifice, the ends of the bristles of the brush make sufficient contact with the threaded end portion of the stud to transfer grease or lubricant from the ends of the bristles in a thin, even layer onto that portion of the threaded