Abstract: A firearm locking device increases firearm safety and security. A receiver cartridge shaped and sized with same caliber as firearm is loaded into bullet chamber. A barrel rod is removably engaged to the receiver cartridge and protrudes from the end of firearm barrel. Protruding end serves as fast visual indicator that firearm is unloaded and safe to handle, store, or display. A light pull on protruding end also serves as indicator that firearm is unloaded and safe. A lock and cable serve to lock the barrel rod to firearm's trigger guard to prevent removal of barrel rod from barrel.

Abstract: A firearm locking device increases firearm safety and security. A receiver cartridge shaped and sized with same caliber as firearm is loaded into bullet chamber. A barrel rod is removably engaged to the receiver cartridge and protrudes from the end of firearm barrel. Protruding end serves as fast visual indicator that firearm is unloaded and safe to handle, store, or display. A light pull on protruding end also serves as indicator that firearm is unloaded and safe. A lock and cable serve to lock the barrel rod to firearm's trigger guard to prevent removal of barrel rod from barrel.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for time domain reflectometry sensing of moisture in a test material. The sensor (200) having a generally helical shaped electrode (206) and at least one secondary electrode (208) spaced apart from the generally helical shaped electrode (206) to enable the test material to be present in the space (210) between the helical shaped electrode (206) and the secondary electrode (208). A wave pulse generator (202) is coupled to the generally helical shaped electrode (206) and the secondary electrode (208) that results in a reflection of the generated wave from the wave pulse generator (202). Additionally, a reflected pulse detector (204) is coupled to the generally helical shaped electrode (206) and the secondary electrode (208), in which the reflected wave pulse detector (204) receives a reflected wave pulse from the wave pulse generator (202).

Abstract: A sensor housing (10) for directing the flow of a gas over two sensitive regions (53, 54) of sensing device (52) includes an inner shroud (12) surrounding the sensing device (52). The inner shroud (12) is inserted into an outer shroud (14), such that a plurality of gas channels (44) are formed between the inner shroud (12) and the outer shroud (14). In operation, a gas enters through inlet orifices (28) in the outer shroud (14) and travels through the gas channels (44) to the proximal end (26) of the inner shroud (12). The flow direction of the gas is then reversed and the gas passes through an inner chamber (50) and over sensitive regions (53), (54) located on the surface of the sensing device (52). Vacuum pressure created at an outlet hole (46) located at a distal end (35) of the outer shroud (14) draws the gas out of the inner chamber (50) and return the gas to the exterior of the sensor housing (10).

Abstract: A calorimetric hydrocarbon gas sensor (10) includes an electrochemical oxygen pump (18), a sensing element (12), and a multi-layered substrate (26) separating the sensing element (12) from the electrochemical oxygen pump (18). The multi-layered substrate (26) includes a plurality of overlying insulating layers, in which at least one intermediate layer (60) supports a first primary heater (58), and in which another intermediate layer (52) supports a temperature compensation heaters (50a, 50b). The primary heater (58) functions to maintain the calorimetric hydrocarbon gas sensor (10) at a constant, elevated temperature, while the active compensation heater (50a) functions to maintain substantially equal temperatures as determined by the thermometers (46a, 46b) located on an intermediate layer (48) overlying the compensation heaters (50a, 50b).

Abstract: A system and method measures hydrocarbon conversion efficiency of a catalytic converter (501). Total-combustible sensors (511, 521) are positioned to measure exhaust gas on both sides of the catalytic converter (501). Signals from these sensors (511, 521) have a magnitude comprised of a first portion, dependent on a concentration of the hydrocarbon gas in the gas stream, and a second portion, dependent on a concentration of the other combustible gasses in the gas stream, where a magnitude relationship between the first portion and the second portion is variable when the gas stream transitions into a region on the rich side of stoichiometry. The signals from these sensors (511, 521) are filtered so that a magnitude relationship between a first and second portion of the filtered signals is constant when the gas stream (506) transitions into the region on the rich-side of stoichiometry. Hydrocarbon conversion efficiency (529) is computed dependent on the filtered signals (515, 525).

Abstract: A system and method estimates tailpipe emissions by sensing (703) a catalyzed gas stream (506) and providing a total-combustible gas signal (511) dependent thereon. The total-combustible gas signal (511) has a magnitude comprised of a first portion, dependent on a concentration of the hydrocarbon gas in the catalyzed gas stream (506), and a second portion, dependent on a concentration of the other combustible gasses in the catalyzed gas stream (506). A magnitude relationship between the first portion and the second portion is variable when the catalyzed gas stream (506) transitions into a region on the rich side of stoichiometry. The variability the magnitude relationship of the first and second portions is filtered out so that the magnitude relationship is substantially constant when the catalyzed gas stream (506) transitions into the region on the rich side of stoichiometry.

Abstract: A selective gas sensor (10) for detecting a particular compound, or group of compounds, such as non-methane hydrocarbons, within a high temperature gas stream (12) includes an oxygen generation system (14) positioned over an oxygen diffusion region (15). The oxygen generation system (14) and the oxygen diffusion region (15) provide oxygen through a medial temperature control zone (20) to a sensing element (16). The temperature and flux of hydrocarbon components within the high temperature gas stream (12) are regulated by components within the high temperature control zone (20) and by an external temperature control zone (22) in thermal contact with the sensing element (16).

Abstract: A process for forming a protective layer on a rigid surface, such as a metal or wood surface, to provide protection against abrasion, corrosion, heat and fire. The process comprises first preparing the surface of the article. On metal articles, the surface can be prepared by cleaning the surface and then exposing the surface to concentrated phosphoric acid. On wood, the surface can be prepared by thoroughly cleaning the surface with hot water and detergent only. Preferably, the surface is prepared such that a uniform, continuous layer of liquid can be formed thereon. After the surface is prepared, a 10-16% (v/v) silicate-containing solution is then applied for 20 seconds and allowed to dry completely at 305.degree. F. to form a layer of silicate material over the surface. During the drying process, at least a portion of the sodium silicate is converted into silicon dioxide. An acid is then applied to the surface to form the protective layer on the surface.

Abstract: A process for forming a protective barrier on metallic or wood surfaces to provide protection against abrasion, corrosion, heat, and fire. The process is begun by first forming a fixed surface on the metallic or wood article. On metallic articles, the fixed surface is formed by cleaning the surface and then exposing the surface to concentrated phosphoric acid. On wood, the fixed surface is formed by thoroughly cleaning the surface with hot water and detergent only. After the fixed surface is prepared, it is then exposed to a 10-16% silicate salt for at least one minute and then allowed to dry completely at 305 degrees Fahrenheit to form a first layer of silicate salt over the fixed surface. During the drying process, a portion of the sodium silicate is converted into silicon dioxide. A plurality of sodium silicate layers are then formed over the first layer of sodium silicate.

Abstract: Apparatus for feeding the raw influent water into a center post clarifier including an uptake zone defined around the center post forming an eductor tube having an upper and lower end respectively in communication with an upper and lower portion of the mixing and recirculation chamber. A first set of openings is provided intermediate the center post for directing the flow of raw water upwardly into an intermediate portion of the uptake zone. A second set of openings positioned above the first set of openings is provided for directing the remaining flow of raw water from the center post into an upper portion of the uptake zone. The relative flow rates of raw water through the first and second openings being such as to cause sludge which has accumulated adjacent the lower end of the uptake zone to be lifted therein to and recirculated with the raw water. Means are provided to selectively control the flow rates of raw water through the first and second openings to adjust the sludge recirculation rate.