Abstract: A method and apparatus is disclosed that determines the time delay (202) between the actual flow and the measured flow in a flow meter. The time delay is used to shift the flow measured by the flow meter to correspond to the actual flow measured by a prover or calibration system. In this way an accurate comparison is made between the flow measured by the flow meter and the flow provided by the prover.

Abstract: Meter electronics (20) for a flow meter (5) is provided according to an embodiment of the invention. The meter electronics (20) includes an interface (201) for receiving a vibrational response from the flow meter (5) and a processing system (203) in communication with the interface (201). The vibrational response is a response to a vibration of the flow meter (5) at a substantially resonant frequency. The processing system (203) is configured to receive the vibrational response from the interface (201), determine a frequency (?0) of the vibrational response, determine a response voltage (V) and a drive current (I) of the vibrational response, measure a decay characteristic (?) of the flow meter (5), and determine the stiffness parameter (K) from the frequency (?0), the response voltage (V), the drive current (I), and the decay characteristic (?).

Abstract: An apparatus for introducing gas into a large body of liquid, including a horizontal frame on ballast adjustable floats, a pressurized gas source, a vertical shaft rotatable about its axis, and a plurality of blades submerged in the liquid and extending radially from a hub on the lower end of the shaft. The blades each have an elastomeric membrane around a longitudinal member, where the longitudinal member is hollow with a closed end and in communication with the pressurized gas source through the shaft on the other end, with openings through its lower side, and the elastomeric membrane has perforations which are spaced from the longitudinal member openings. A drive on the platform rotates the shaft via a ring gear around the shaft with a key connection thereto allowing axial movement therethrough, and an inwardly facing surface supported on bearings. A selectively driven and smaller pinion gear directly engages the ring gear.

Abstract: Meter electronics (20) for processing sensor signals for a multi-phase flow material in a flowmeter (5) is provided according to an embodiment of the invention. The meter electronics (20) includes an interface (201) for receiving first and second sensor signals (210 and 211) for the multi-phase flow material and a processing system (203).

Abstract: A mattress encasement made of bug impervious fabric provides a zipper opening for removal of the mattress. A foam pad is stitched at an end of the zipper closure such that when the zipper is located at or near the end, a channel is provided to prevent or obstruct the escapement of bed bugs via the channel and out from a mattress encased by the mattress encasement.

Abstract: A meter electronics and method for detecting a residual material in a flow meter assembly are provided according to the invention. The meter electronics includes a processing system adapted to direct the flow meter to vibrate the flow meter assembly and receive a vibrational response from the flow meter assembly. The meter electronics further includes a storage system configured to store flow meter parameters and data. The meter electronics is further characterized by the processing system being configured to compare the vibrational response to a predetermined residual material threshold to detect the residual material.

Abstract: Meter electronics (20) for determining a void fraction of gas in a flow material flowing through a flow meter (5) is provided according to an embodiment of the invention. The meter electronics (20) includes an interface (201) for receiving a frequency response of the flow material and a processing system (203) in communication with the interface (201). The processing system (203) is configured to receive the frequency response from the interface (201), break out the frequency response into at least a gas frequency component and a fluid frequency component, and determine the void fraction of gas from the frequency response and one or more of the gas frequency component and the fluid frequency component.

Abstract: Meter electronics (20) for determining a mass fraction of flow components in a flow material flowing is provided according to an embodiment of the invention. The meter electronics (20) include an interface (201) for receiving a frequency response of the flow material and a processing system (203). The processing system (203) receives the frequency response from the interface (201) and breaks out the frequency response into at least a gas frequency component and a fluid frequency component. The processing system (203) determines an overall density from the frequency response and determines a gas density from the gas frequency component. The processing system (203) determines the void fraction of gas from the frequency response and one or more of the gas frequency component and the fluid frequency component. The processing system (203) determines the mass fraction from the void fraction of gas multiplied by a ratio of the gas density divided by the overall density.

Abstract: Meter electronics (20) and methods for detecting a flow anomaly in a flow material flowing through a flow meter (5) are provided. The meter electronics (20) includes an interface (201) for receiving a vibrational response of the flow material, with the vibrational response including at least a first sensor signal and a second sensor signal, and a processing system (203) in communication with the interface (201). The processing system (203) is configured to receive the vibrational response from the interface (201), generate a ninety degree phase shift from the first sensor signal and generate at least one flow characteristic using at least the first sensor signal and the ninety degree phase shift, compare the at least one flow characteristic to at least one anomaly profile, detect a shift in the vibrational response if the at least one flow characteristic falls within the anomaly profile, and indicate an anomaly condition as a result of the detecting.

Abstract: Meter electronics (20) for processing sensor signals in a flow meter and for computing mass flow rate, density or volume flow rate includes an interface (201) for receiving a first sensor signal and a second sensor signal and a processing system (203) in communication with the interface (201) and configured to generate a ninety degree phase shift from the first sensor signal with a Hilbert transform and compute a phase difference from the ninety degree phase shift, the first sensor signal and the second sensor signal. A frequency is computed from the first sensor signal and the ninety degree phase shift. A second ninety degree phase shift can be generated from the second sensor signal.

Abstract: An apparatus for coating or breading food products, such as chicken parts, includes a rotating drum with end caps closing the loading and discharge ends of the drum. Apertures are defined in the end caps for the passage of the food product, in which the apertures are situated along the central axis of the drum. A spiral grate inside the drum receives the food product and conveys it toward the discharge end. The spiral grate supports the food product proximate the central axis so that the product is more fully and uniformly coated with the particulate material. The spiral grate is configured with a gap at the discharge end so that a portion of a discharge ramp may be disposed within the gap to receive the prepared food product for discharge.

Abstract: The present invention provides a system and a method for emergency notification that combines the incorporates the RDS/RDBS capability of selected FM radio stations, as well as a specialized addressable receiver with appropriate audio, visual and vibrating signaling capabilities. These elements are combined with a reliable and survivable communications channel to permit activation of the emergency notification signal from a software based tool provided in a command unit. This enables accurate recording of both the status of the emergency units and emergency personnel as well as permits secure notification of the emergency related information to all involved personnel in substantially real-time.

Abstract: A communications service provision support system supports multiple different types of services during a service session. The system when in use comprises a session manager which performs functions generic to each of the multiple different types of services during service sessions. For each of the multiple types of services, the session manager is arranged during a service session to generate event messages indicating at least one discrete change which has just occurred in the session-related status of individual users of the system without any historical data, and to transmit the event messages to an event handler for processing.

Abstract: An apparatus for introducing gas into a large body of liquid, including a horizontal frame on ballast adjustable floats, a pressurized gas source, a vertical shaft rotatable about its axis, and a plurality of blades submerged in the liquid and extending radially from a hub on the lower end of the shaft. The blades each have an elastomeric membrane around a longitudinal member, where the longitudinal member is hollow with a closed end and in communication with the pressurized gas source through the shaft on the other end, with openings through its lower side, and the elastomeric membrane has perforations which are spaced from the longitudinal member openings. A drive on the platform rotates the shaft via a ring gear around the shaft with a key connection thereto allowing axial movement therethrough, and an inwardly facing surface supported on bearings. A selectively driven and smaller pinion gear directly engages the ring gear.

Abstract: A Coriolis mass flowmeter (300) having a low mass drive system comprising a driver coil (D) for vibrating flow tube means (102). The Coriolis mass flowmeter does not use a magnet affixed to the flow tube means. Instead, the flow tube means is coated with or is integral to magnetic material (103) that responds to the magnetic fields generated by the driver coil to vibrate the flow tube means. The flow tube means may comprise one (102) or more (1402C1, 1402C2) flow tubes. The magnetic material may be ferrous material devoid of an internal magnetic field. Alternatively the magnetic material may be steel or stainless steel having internal magnetic fields.

Abstract: This invention relates to a method for combining the multiple steps of hydration, cooking, and pasteurization of a food product into one simplified process. In one embodiment, this invention relates to a method for in-package hydration, cooking and pasteurization of a food product in a single step comprising (a) combining at least one low moisture food component and an aqueous based component in a heat-stable, sealable container wherein an effective amount of the aqueous based component is present to allow proper hydration and cooking; (b) sealing the heat-stable, sealable container; and (c) treating the sealed container at a temperature and time effective to hydrate, cook, and pasteurize the low moisture food product in a single step.

Abstract: A method of manufacturing a Coriolis flowmeter for the measurement of a process material requiring an ultra high level of purity. This is achieved by forming the entire flow path of the Coriolis flow meter from a PFA plastic material that does not transfer ions from the Coriolis flowmeter to the process material flowing through the flowmeter.

Abstract: The disclosed apparatus relates to a stringed practice device comprising: a neck with an upper end and a lower end; a headstock coupled to the lower end of the neck; and where the headstock comprises a plurality of tuning posts. The disclosed method relates to a using a stringed practice device. The method comprises resting a headstock against a thigh of the user; and fingering the strings on a neck of the stringed practice device with one hand of the user.

Abstract: A preferred embodiment of the present invention comprises a system for emergency notification, comprising: one or more radio broadcasting stations operable to transmit signals in at least one of: RDS and RBDS format; and one or more receivers operable to receive signals in at least one of: RDS and RBDS format. Preferably, the radio broadcasting stations are in communication with at least one on-site commander via a back-channel data link, and the receiver is further operable to receive encoded paging information. In various embodiments: (a) the encoded paging information comprises RDS paging activation codes; and (b) the on-site commander is equipped with a computer operable to record status and arrival of fire companies.

Abstract: A method for generating a set of one or more elements of a fingerprint for a document, the document comprising a semantic construct having one or more ordered words, the method comprising the steps of: defining a range of sizes for a fingerprint element; dividing the ordered words of the semantic construct into a set of one or more mutually exclusive fingerprint elements, wherein each of the one or more mutually exclusive fingerprint elements includes a number of adjacent words, the number being within the range of sizes for a fingerprint element; and responsive to a determination that the set of mutually exclusive fingerprint elements excludes a word from the semantic construct, discarding the excluded word.