Abstract: A temperature sensor includes a platinum member having a base portion and a plurality of prongs extending from the base portion. The platinum member is positioned within a housing that includes a first platform having a first support surface supporting the base portion, and a second platform having a second support surface spaced apart from the first support surface. The second support surface supports an end portion of at least one prong of the plurality of prongs, and medial portions of the plurality of prongs between the first and second support surfaces are suspended at a distance from an interior surface of the housing. In some cases, the housing further includes one or more support members between the first and second platforms that project from the interior surface of the housing toward the medial portion of one or more prongs to limit an amount of bending of the prongs.

Abstract: Method and composition for sealing a borehole. A chemically bonded phosphate ceramic sealant for sealing, stabilizing, or plugging boreholes is prepared by combining an oxide or hydroxide and a phosphate with water to form slurry. The slurry is introduced into the borehole where the seal, stabilization or plug is desired, and then allowed to set up to form the high strength, minimally porous sealant, which binds strongly to itself and to underground formations, steel and ceramics.

Abstract: A tubular, bifurcated Y-shaped prosthetic graft is provided for use between the artery and the vein of a patient undergoing dialysis treatment. The leg of the Y in the artery and the two arms in the vein insure a through flow of blood into the vein, so scarring in the vein does not prevent blood flow. The ends of the graft are capable of attachment in any manner, such as being sewn to the artery and vein. A sealant may be used to prevent leakage at the attaching points. The graft is made of PTFE or Dacron. The lengths and diameter of each limb of the Y vary depending on the size of the patient and the location of attachment.

Abstract: There has been invented a method for producing geothermal energy using supercritical fluids for creation of the underground reservoir, production of the geothermal energy, and for heat transport. Underground reservoirs are created by pumping a supercritical fluid such as carbon dioxide into a formation to fracture the rock. Once the reservoir is formed, the same supercritical fluid is allowed to heat up and expand, then is pumped out of the reservoir to transfer the heat to a surface power generating plant or other application.

Abstract: Method and composition for sealing a borehole. A chemically bonded phosphate ceramic sealant for sealing, stabilizing, or plugging boreholes is prepared by combining an oxide or hydroxide and a phosphate with water to form slurry. The slurry is introduced into the borehole where the seal, stabilization or plug is desired, and then allowed to set up to form the high strength, minimally porous sealant, which binds strongly to itself and to underground formations, steel and ceramics.

Abstract: There has been invented a chemically bonded phosphate corrosion protection material and process for application of the corrosion protection material for corrosion prevention. A slurry of iron oxide and phosphoric acid is used to contact a warm surface of iron, steel or other metal to be treated. In the presence of ferrous ions from the iron, steel or other metal, the slurry reacts to form iron phosphates which form grains chemically bonded onto the surface of the steel.

Abstract: Canister, sealing method and composition for sealing a borehole. The canister includes a container with slurry inside the container, one or more slurry exits at one end of the container, a pump at the other end of the container, and a piston inside that pushes the slurry though the slurry exit(s), out of the container, and into a borehole. An inflatable packer outside the container provides stabilization in the borehole. A borehole sealing material is made by combining an oxide or hydroxide and a phosphate with water to form a slurry which then sets to form a high strength, minimally porous material which binds well to itself, underground formations, steel and ceramics.

Abstract: There has been invented a chemically bonded phosphate corrosion protection material and process for application of the corrosion protection material for corrosion prevention. A slurry of iron oxide and phosphoric acid is used to contact a warm surface of iron, steel or other metal to be treated. In the presence of ferrous ions from the iron, steel or other metal, the slurry reacts to form iron phosphates which form grains chemically bonded onto the surface of the steel.

Abstract: A method of extracting thermal energy, in a cyclic manner, from geologic strata which may be termed hot dry rock. A reservoir comprised of hot fractured rock is established and water or other liquid is passed through the reservoir. The water is heated by the hot rock, recovered from the reservoir, cooled by extraction of heat by means of heat exchange apparatus on the surface, and then re-injected into the reservoir to be heated again. Water is added to the reservoir by means of an injection well and recovered from the reservoir by means of a production well. Water is continuously provided to the reservoir and continuously withdrawn from the reservoir at two different flow rates, a base rate and a peak rate.

Abstract: An apparatus for powering a unipolar motor may include a solid oxide fuel cell having a plurality of sub-modules, a unipolar generator having a plurality of armature turns, and a plurality of jumpers. Each of the sub-modules may produce fuel cell electric power at the fuel cell terminals. Each of the armature turns may produce generator electric power at the generator terminals. The jumpers may interconnect the fuel cell terminals with the generator terminals in order to provide a configurable voltage-current profile for the unipolar motor. The fuel cell may have a fuel cell housing and the generator may have a generator housing. The fuel cell terminals may be located outside of the fuel cell housing and the generator terminals may be located outside of the generator housing. Each of the sub-modules and each of the armature turns may produce a voltage. The jumpers may interconnect the fuel cell terminals in series with the generator terminals in order to sum the voltages for the unipolar motor.

Abstract: A liquid dispenser is provided for dispensing fluid condiment materials, such as ketchup, mustard and mayonnaise as well as other liquids such as medicated salves, lotions and ointments. The dispenser includes a tubular body with a spherical plunger element connected to a spreader paddle member disposed within a tubular body. Upon external manipulation of the tubular body, the spherical plunger and spreader paddle arrangement is urged toward a dispenser nozzle for release of condiment filling contained therein. The sanitary spreader paddle simultaneously protrudes from within the tubular body as condiment filling is being evacuated. As a result, the user may evacuate the entire volume of condiment filling within the dispenser as well as spread the deposited condiment filling on a food article to be eaten. In a medical application of the invention, the dispenser includes an integral applicator swab which is connected to the spreader paddle and resides within the plunger.

Abstract: A food condiment dispenser is provided for dispensing fluid condiment materials, such as ketchup, mustard and mayonnaise. The dispenser includes a tubular body with a spherical plunger element connected to a spreader paddle member disposed within a tubular body. Upon external manipulation of the tubular body, the spherical plunger and spreader paddle arrangement is urged toward a dispenser nozzle for release of condiment filling contained therein. The sanitary spreader paddle simultaneously protrudes from within the tubular body as condiment filling is being evacuated. As a result, the user may evacuate the entire volume of condiment filling within the dispenser as well as spread the deposited condiment filling on a food article to be eaten.

Abstract: A process for making a laminated wood product includes sawing or sanding opposite faces of offcut wood strips, to prepare these faces for glueing with the strips in quartersawn orientation. The strips are also prepared by sanding or planing substantially parallel to the top and/or bottom surfaces of the strips. The strips are glued end-to-end and side-by-side to form a laminated plank having the strips in quartersawn orientation. The plank is finished to form a laminated quartersawn strip product which may be used for flooring, paneling, millwork or other purposes.

Abstract: A submersible electric propulsion motor includes a sealed cylindrical stator housing defining a central flow passage and a cylindrical rotor core disposed within the stator housing passage such that the stator housing encompasses the rotor core. The rotor core defines a center flow opening which communicates with inlet and outlet ends of the stator housing passage. The motor also includes a propulsion propeller having a plurality of radial blades and a central cylindrical hub. The propeller is disposed within and across the rotor core opening with its periphery being rigidly connected to the rotor core. A support structure has end portions disposed at and rigidly attached to the stator housing inlet and outlet ends, and an axial portion which extends axially through the stator housing passage and rotor core opening and is rigidly attached to the radial portions.

Abstract: A fault recovery method for a distributed processing system where a message called a heartbeat is broadcast among the processors once during each major processing cycle. The heartbeat message indicates the physical and logical identity of the transmitting processor with respect to the system arrangement as well as the processor's present operational state. By monitoring the heartbeats from other processors, spare processors can autonomously take over the functions of failed processors without being required to consult or obtain the approval of an executive processor. The new physical location of a replaced processor will be automatically recorded by the other processors. The method has application to duplex standby and resource pool configurations as well as sparing arrangements.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for removing crushing rolls from a crushing apparatus is disclosed in which arms means mounted on a movable frame supporting movable crushing rolls which move with the movable frame are utilized to remove stationary crushing rolls mounted on a stationary supporting frame to a position at which the stationary rolls may be lifted from the crushing apparatus. With the stationary and movable frames adjacent to each other, the arm means are placed in supporting engagement with the stationary crushing rolls mounted on the stationary frame. The crushing rolls mounted on the stationary frame are then released from its support so that the stationary crushing rolls are supported by the arm means. The movable frame is then moved away from the stationary frame to move the stationary crushing rolls supported by the arm means to a position at which the stationary crushing rolls may be lifted from the arm means.

Abstract: A sign opening, closing and locking device for use on a conventional rectangular, box-like sign having one or more advertising panels hingably attached to the frame. The device comprises gear racks and pinion, a raceway for containing the racks, linkage from the racks to the front panel, and a crank for rotating the pinion. In operation the crank is mated with a shaft to rotate the pinion. Rotation of the crank and the engaged pinion cause linear movement of the racks and the attached linkage resulting in an initial disengagement of the linkage from a stationary lock pin. Further rotation results in an outward movement of the front panel as it is rotated on its hinges. Opposite rotation of the pinion results in closure and locking of the sign.