Abstract: Provided herein are shaped charges for focusing a fluid mass and related methods of using the shaped charges for disruption of an explosive target with a spherical projectile. The shaped charge comprises a plastic shell having a special geometric shape configured to support a shape-conforming explosive. A cylindrical plastic body has an interior volume for containing a fluid and the plastic shell. The plastic body closed distal end has a geometric shape that is substantially matched to the shape of the plastic shell. Metal spherical projectiles having an outer layer of metal selected to have an effective density matched to the fluid provide advantageous target disruption capabilities.

Abstract: The disclosed inventive concept provides a trailer hitch arrangement for use with a drawbar that is adaptable to universally use a high strength conventional hitch pin. Particularly, a reducing pin sleeve is fitted into the hitch pin hole of the drawbar. The inner diameter of the reducing pin sleeve is less than the hitch pin hole conventionally formed in the drawbar while the inner diameter of the reducing pin sleeve is the same as that of the receiver. When the drawbar is fitted into the receiver, the reducing pin sleeve is captured therein, thus preventing side-to-side movement relative to the drawbar. The disclosed inventive concept allows vehicle owners having a standard 3? receiver trailer hitch which conventionally includes a ?? hitch pin hole to safely and effectively handle above 20,000 lbs. trailer rating by insertion of the hitch pin sleeve into the ¾? hitch pin hole provided in the drawbar.

Abstract: A process for cleaning and beneficiating biomass is described which may allow removal of entrained salts and light volatiles from biomass materials. The process may also minimize energy use through capturing steam and flue gases for re-use. The process may generally comprise the following steps: prewashing and/or preheating a biomass, pressurizing the biomass in a steam explosion vessel, rapidly depressurizing the steam explosion vessel, releasing the steam from the steam explosion vessel entrained with fine lignin-enriched particles into a cyclone-type gas expansion vessel, routing the steam from the gas expansion vessel to the input hopper, subjecting the biomass to a second washing step, mechanically removing a portion of the water from the biomass, and evaporatively heating the biomass.

Abstract: A process for cleaning and beneficiating biomass is described which may allow removal of entrained salts and light volatiles from biomass materials. The process may also minimize energy use through capturing steam and flue gases for re-use. The process may generally comprise the following steps: prewashing and/or preheating a biomass, pressurizing the biomass in a steam explosion vessel, rapidly depressurizing the steam explosion vessel, releasing the steam from the steam explosion vessel entrained with fine lignin-enriched particles into a cyclone-type gas expansion vessel, routing the steam from the gas expansion vessel to the input hopper, subjecting the biomass to a second washing step, mechanically removing a portion of the water from the biomass. After the biomass has been steam-exploded, it may be washed and used as an engineered soil.

Abstract: The disclosed inventive concept provides a robust tow hook mounting structure for use with vehicles having curved frames in which the tow hook remains fixed to the vehicle during a front end impact event. The structure includes weld nuts aligned in a vehicle longitudinal direction. A frame reinforcement to which the tow hook is attached is welded to the front tip of the curved frame. Mounting bolts are aligned in the longitudinal direction of the vehicle to secure the tow hook and the tow hook reinforcement to the frame weld nuts. The shear capacity of the mounting bolts is higher than the towing capacity and the crash load during an impact event. The structure generates high bending moments that trigger favorable bending deformations in the kick down area of the frame in which the structure functions as a backup arrangement in an impact event and reduces high crash pulses.

Abstract: The disclosed inventive concept provides a robust tow hook mounting structure for use with vehicles having curved frames in which the tow hook remains fixed to the vehicle during a front end impact event. The structure includes weld nuts aligned in a vehicle longitudinal direction. A frame reinforcement to which the tow hook is attached is welded to the front tip of the curved frame. Mounting bolts are aligned in the longitudinal direction of the vehicle to secure the tow hook and the tow hook reinforcement to the frame weld nuts. The shear capacity of the mounting bolts is higher than the towing capacity and the crash load during an impact event. The structure generates high bending moments that trigger favorable bending deformations in the kick down area of the frame in which the structure functions as a backup arrangement in an impact event and reduces high crash pulses.

Abstract: The disclosed inventive concept provides a trailer hitch arrangement for use with a drawbar that is adaptable to universally use a high strength conventional hitch pin. Particularly, a reducing pin sleeve is fitted into the hitch pin hole of the drawbar. The inner diameter of the reducing pin sleeve is less than the hitch pin hole conventionally formed in the drawbar while the inner diameter of the reducing pin sleeve is the same as that of the receiver. When the drawbar is fitted into the receiver, the reducing pin sleeve is captured therein, thus preventing side-to-side movement relative to the drawbar. The disclosed inventive concept allows vehicle owners having a standard 3? receiver trailer hitch which conventionally includes a ?? hitch pin hole to safely and effectively handle above 20,000 lbs. trailer rating by insertion of the hitch pin sleeve into the ¾? hitch pin hole provided in the drawbar.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for filtering fuel in a motor vehicle includes a cyclonic fuel filter, the cyclonic filter including a housing having a body forming a cyclone chamber defined by walls of the body. The body includes an inlet to receive fuel and an outlet to transport fuel away from the cyclonic fuel filter after it has been processed. The cyclonic fuel filter further includes a receptacle to receive particulates filtered from the fuel. Fuel introduced into the inlet, travels along the inner wall in a cyclical circular pattern, subjecting it to centrifugal forces as it rotates. The centrifugal forces cause heavier particulates to travel outward against the walls of the cyclonic fuel filter, and the force of gravity causes those particulates to move down the wall to be received within the receptacle at the bottom of the cyclonic filter. Filtered fuel exits through an outlet at the top of the body of the cyclonic filter.

Abstract: A condom configurable by a user to cover either an entire penis, just the glans penis, or the glans penis and a part of the penis' shaft. When used during fellatio, the condom preferably covers just the glans penis and thereby enables a maximum of tactile sensation. To achieve a reduced length state, the condom includes a circumferentially-extending weakened area that facilitates the separation and removal of an elongated body part of the condom from a hemispherically-shaped cap part of the condom. The cap part includes a multi-layered band of adhesive that enables its securement to the penis. An expandable backing strip may be employed to cover the band of adhesive prior to the condom's use.

Abstract: A method of training a natural language call routing system using an unsupervised trainer is provided. The unsupervised trainer is adapted to tune performance of the call routing system on the basis of feedback and new topic information.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a handling device. The device has an elongated flexible body, a receiving loop, and first and second fastening apparatuses. The elongated flexible body has a first end, a second end, a first terminal end, a top surface, and a bottom surface. The receiving loop is formed at the first end by having the first terminal end securely interconnected to a predetermined position on the elongated flexible body to form an interconnection section on one of the surfaces. The first fastener apparatus is securely attached to the elongated flexible body on one of the surfaces and near the first end. The second fastener apparatus is securely attached to the elongated flexible body on the surface opposite the first fastener apparatus and near the second end, and releasably attaches to the first fastener.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a handling device. The device has an elongated flexible body, a receiving loop, and first and second fastening apparatuses. The elongated flexible body has a first end, a second end, a first terminal end, a top surface, and a bottom surface. The receiving loop is formed at the first end by having the first terminal end securely interconnected to a predetermined position on the elongated flexible body to form an interconnection section on one of the surfaces. The first fastener apparatus is securely attached to the elongated flexible body on one of the surfaces and near the first end. The second fastener apparatus is securely attached to the elongated flexible body on the surface opposite the first fastener apparatus and near the second end, and releasably attaches to the first fastener.

Abstract: Cellular material formed from a plurality of component strips each comprising alternate ridge portions and groove portions interconnected by step portions, the step portions comprising a first riser, a second riser, and a furrowed step surface. The furrowed step surface has at least one indentation formed therein, preferably two oppositely-directed semicircular indentations. The resulting interconnected array of substantially identical cell units defines a sheet of cellular material exhibiting highly synclastic behavior. In an alternate embodiment, the step portion is replaced by a slope portion having at least one semicircular indentation formed therein. A method of fabrication of the novel cellular material is also provided.

Abstract: A valve includes a plunger which is movable by actuating means such as a solenoid coil, air pressure or other means to move a valve member toward and away from a valve seat. The fluid flow area of the valve is sealed from the actuating means by the diaphragm, O-rings or other forms of sealing structure. In order to insure against leakage past the diaphragm or seal and especially against leakage into the actuating means, the construction includes another diaphragm or seal spaced from the first seal providing a seal space between the first and second diaphragms or seals. In the event of leakage past the first sealing means, flow of the liquid into the space between the first and second sealing means causes an outward flow of the fluid through a detecting passage which thereby provides means which disclose the leakage past the first sealing means so that the first sealing means can be immediately replaced before any damage to the actuating means or to the system itself.

Abstract: A valve includes a plunger which is movable by actuating means such as a solenoid coil, air pressure or other means to move a valve member toward and away from a valve seat. The fluid flow area of the valve is sealed from the actuating means by the diaphragm, O-rings or other forms of sealing structure. In order to insure against leakage past the diaphragm or seal and especially against leakage into the actuating means, the construction includes another diaphragm or seal spaced from the first seal providing a seal space between the first and second diaphragms or seals. In the event of leakage past the first sealing means, flow of the liquid into the space between the first and second sealing means causes an outward flow of the fluid through a detecting passage which thereby provides means which disclose the leakage past the first sealing means so that the first sealing means can be immediately replaced before any damage to the actuating means or to the system itself.

Abstract: A valve includes a plunger which is movable by actuating means such as a solenoid coil, air pressure or other means to move a valve member toward and away from a valve seat. The fluid flow area of the valve is sealed from the actuating means by the diaphragm, O-rings or other forms of sealing structure. In order to insure against leakage past the diaphragm or seal and especially against leakage into the actuating means, the construction includes another diaphragm or seal spaced from the first seal providing a seal space between the first and second diaphragms or seals. In the event of leakage past the first sealing means, flow of the liquid into the space between the first and second sealing means causes an outward flow of the fluid through a detecting passage which thereby provides means which disclose the leakage past the first sealing means so that the first sealing means can be immediately replaced before any damage to the actuating means or to the system itself.