Abstract: Generally, embodiments described herein take the form of a shrouded band-pass filter that ensures liquid flow past the filter while reducing or minimizing gas contact with the filter. A shroud encircles the band-pass filter and is affixed to a dip tube (to which the band-pass filter is also affixed). The shroud and band-pass filter are contained within tubing within the oil well. As the pump operates, a fluid and gas mixture is drawn into the tube by operation of the pump. Gas may exit the tubing through vents while the fluid flows downward within the tubing. Fluid flows around the shroud and thus past the band-pass filter, before entering a dip tube via a strainer positioned within the shroud and above the filter. The dip tube permits the fluid to flow upward and, ultimately, out of the oil well as the pump operates.

Abstract: The efficiency of roasting black dross can be improved by pre-processing the black dross before roasting. Black dross can be crushed and reconstituted into pellets having internal channels. The internal channels can be filled with additives designed to fully oxidize during a dross roasting process, enabling the internal channels to be open and gas to flow therethrough during a dross roasting process. The crushed black dross can be crushed to pieces below 10 mm and screened for larger pieces prior to pelletizing to ensure consistent pellets. Optionally, an eddy current separator can remove some metallic aluminum from the crushed black dross prior to pelletizing.

Abstract: Salt components of dross can be extracted efficiently through evaporation. During dross treatment, temperatures can be permitted to approach or exceed the boiling point of one or more salt components of the dross, preferably in an oxidizing environment. The temperature can be held sufficiently high such that the salt content can exert an appreciable vapor pressure and can be held for a sufficient time to permit most, all, or substantially all of the salt content to evaporate and be carried away from the kiln in combustion gasses. The evaporated salt can be condensed and collected.

Abstract: A two stage dross treatment capable of being performed in a single reaction vessel is disclosed. Dross, especially white dross, can be contacted with salt flux in a rotary furnace to recover metal from the dross. This first stage can recover metal during the conversion of white dross and salt flux to salt cake. In a second stage, the furnace can be raised to a sufficiently high temperature to evaporate the salt content of the salt cake, allowing the evaporated salt to exit the furnace and be separately condensed and collected. The result of the second stage is collected salt and salt-free oxides. After removing the salt-free oxides, residual heat in the furnace and collected salt can be used for a subsequent dross treatment.

Abstract: An electrically-tunable optical filter has an optical cavity that forms an absorption peak in light that is incident on the filter. The optical cavity includes a layer composed of a material with a high electro-optic coefficient so that the index of refraction of the layer changes in response to a voltage applied by a controller. By adjusting the voltage, the controller can control the index of refraction so that an absorption peak of the filter can be tuned as may be desired without having to alter the physical structure of the filter.

Abstract: A wing with slipstream turbine comprising: a wing or airfoil and at least one turbine, wherein wing or airfoil has at least one partial cylindrical void in a surface and at least one turbine is partially encapsulated within partial cylindrical void. Optionally, wing with slipstream turbine may further comprise at least one slipstream outrigger to help focus the flow of the slipstream more directly on a turbine. Optionally, wing with slipstream turbine may further comprise at least one lateral outrigger to create a low-pressure area which functions to add additional energy transfer to turbine. Optionally, wing with slipstream turbine may further comprise two leading outriggers to help focus the flow of the slipstream more directly on a turbine. Optionally, wing or airfoil may further comprise a leading subcomponent, a left subcomponent, and a right subcomponent to create a super low-pressure area which functions add additional energy transfer to turbine.

Abstract: A wing with slipstream turbine comprising: a wing or airfoil and at least one turbine, wherein wing or airfoil has at least one partial cylindrical void in a surface and at least one turbine is partially encapsulated within partial cylindrical void. Optionally, wing with slipstream turbine may further comprise at least one slipstream outrigger to help focus the flow of the slipstream more directly on a turbine. Optionally, wing with slipstream turbine may further comprise at least one lateral outrigger to create a low-pressure area which functions to add additional energy transfer to turbine. Optionally, wing with slipstream turbine may further comprise two leading outriggers to help focus the flow of the slipstream more directly on a turbine. Optionally, wing or airfoil may further comprise a leading subcomponent, a left subcomponent, and a right subcomponent to create a super low-pressure area which functions add additional energy transfer to turbine.

Abstract: A system and method for intelligent management of an array of fans. The system uses mean-time-between-failure, fan usage and other data in add ventilation, subtract ventilation and recycle array routines to maximize the life of the fans and the array. The system comprises a primary embodiment making use of smart fans in the array, each smart fan including a fan and appropriate control electronics capable of processing commands received from a smart fan array controller. Fan control signals are multiplexed over a local operating network power line using carrier communication protocols, command messages and data values, all to accomplish a goal of the system to maximize fan life. In an alternate embodiment, fan and array control electronics are integrated onto the fan array controller itself and power is provided to conventional fans using a conventional wiring harness.

Abstract: Roof ridge vent system adapted for housing a plurality of fans in a central airflow channel positioned directly over the opening in a ridge portion of a roof for ventilating a plurality of vent chutes or attic space comprising: a hood member engaged with outer edge portions of vent members having air-passageway holes defined therein and inner edge portions preferably being hinged respectively to inner edge portions of base members so as to be adapted for installation on variously-pitched roofs, each base member also having outer edge portions defining a wall adapted for blocking wind from being blown into the vent and for causing airflow over the top of the vent to encourage airflow through the vent system. Vent member sections may be installed end-to-end to define an elongated airflow channel adapted for ventilating with or without assistance from the fans.

Abstract: Roof ridge vent system adapted for housing a plurality of fans in a central airflow channel positioned directly over the opening in a ridge portion of a roof for ventilating a plurality of vent chutes or attic space comprising: a hood member engaged with outer edge portions of vent members having air-passageway holes defined therein and inner edge portions preferably being hinged respectively to inner edge portions of base members so as to be adapted for installation on variously-pitched roofs, each base member also having outer edge portions defining a wall adapted for blocking wind from being blown into the vent and for causing airflow over the top of the vent to encourage airflow through the vent system. Vent member sections may be installed end-to-end to define an elongated airflow channel adapted for ventilating with or without assistance from the fans.

Abstract: The current invention relates to a flexible toothbrush with a rigid handle support that is also compact in size and shape and can be safely used by prison inmates. In order to allow for adequate handle length and still allow for the required radial, axial, and rotational direction flexibility, there needs to be in place on or more structural units within the elongated body and handle portions of the toothbrush that also provide enough support and rigidity in the longitudinal direction so that the user can accomplish the task with the same feel and ability accomplished with conventional toothbrushes that possess rigid thermoplastic or thermoset handles. For the purposes of the present application, a truss is a structure comprising one or more triangular sections provides the necessary support along the longitudinal length of the handle while still allowing enough flexibility that the toothbrush cannot be used as a weapon.

Abstract: The cable caddie is an apparatus for organizing, storing and porting cables and is made from a durable flexible fiber strap piece between 3 and 6 feet long forming the base layer, a terminal or handle coupled to at least one end of the strap, and at least one Velcro strip piece with one end of the strip piece coupled on to the flexible strap base layer and the distal end having the mating Velcro fiber forming a loop when mated when the distal end is folded upon the coupled end. Wrapped or wound cable are held in the Velcro strip loop formed when the strip is folded over the wrapped cable loops and onto the mating Velcro side securing the cable loop to the base layer. Several such Velcro strips for easy looping about and securing the cables to the base strap carrier, can provide organization and allow easy porting of many cables, as the base strap can be rolled up and carried by the handles attached.

Abstract: A method and apparatus are provided for sensing the mass flow rate of a fluid flowing through a pipe. A light beam containing plural individual wavelengths is projected from one side of the pipe across the width of the pipe so as to pass through the fluid under test. Fiber optic couplers located at least two positions on the opposite side of the pipe are used to detect the light beam. A determination is then made of the relative strengths of the light beam for each wavelength at the at least two positions and based at least in part on these relative strengths, the mass flow rate of the fluid is determined.

Abstract: Devices for maintaining the mouth of a bag in an open condition. The device may comprise a housing with a cavity and at least one opening, and at least one support band which is at least partially positioned in the cavity, wherein a first end of the at least one support band is located in the cavity and at least a portion of the at least one support band extends exterior of the housing, and the at least one support band has at least two positions relative to the housing, a retracted condition in which a majority of the at least one support band is positioned in the cavity and an extended condition in which less than a majority of the at least one support band is located exterior to the cavity.

Abstract: A cast composite material is prepared by furnishing an aluminum-based matrix alloy and forming a mixture of free-flowing boron carbide particles and the aluminum-based matrix alloy in molten form which is stirred to wet the matrix alloy to the boron carbide particles and to distribute the particles throughout the volume of the melt. The molten mixture is then cast. The fluidity of the molten mixture is maintained by (a) maintaining the magnesium content of the matrix metal below about 0.2% by weight, or (b) starting with a matrix metal containing less than 0.2% by weight magnesium and adding further magnesium to the mixture a short time before casting, or (c) having at least 0.2% by weight titanium present in the mixture.

Abstract: A self-guided apparatus for repelling birds through various means of deterrence. The device comprises a chassis, a floatation assembly, a propulsion system, and a guidance and control system. The device may operate in either of at least two modes: passive and active. In the passive mode, the device traverses a predefined area, scaring birds away. In the active mode, the device surveys a designated area and, upon detection of birds, propels itself towards the birds and drives them away.

Abstract: An apparatus for throttling a vehicle equipped with an exterior throttle lever actuated near a handlebar, said throttling via actuation caused by rotation of said apparatus around the longitudinal axis of the handlebar rather than by direct personal actuation of the throttle lever, said rotational throttling apparatus including a finger-like projection extending from a rotatable sleeve near the throttle lever.