Abstract: A device and system for purifying a fluid is provided. The system includes a tank having an interior space and a media container disposed within the interior space. A valve is provided that cooperates with an element within the interior, the valve being movable between an open and a closed position. The valve being biased to the open position when the element is not positioned within the interior space, wherein the interior space is fluidly coupled to the atmosphere in the open position. The valve further being configured to move to a closed position when the element is positioned within the interior space.

Abstract: A DC power plant generating DC power from a variety of engines including a Stirling cycle engine. The DC power plant includes a relatively small start-up power source that is discontinued after the engine is running. A method for producing DC power for a load including starting up an engine using power supplied by a relatively small power supply supplemented by a capacitor bank, providing output from the engine to a generator, producing alternating current (AC) power by the generator, converting the AC power to direct current (DC) power, disabling output of the DC power during a first set of pre-selected conditions, limiting a rate of change of current of the DC power during a second set of pre-selected conditions, reducing conducted and radiated emissions of the DC power, disconnecting the DC power from the load under a third set of pre-selected conditions, and providing the DC power to the load.

Abstract: A device and system for purifying a fluid is provided. The system includes a tank having an interior space and a media container disposed within the interior space. A valve is provided that cooperates with an element within the interior, the valve being movable between an open and a closed position. The valve being biased to the open position when the element is not positioned within the interior space, wherein the interior space is fluidly coupled to the atmosphere in the open position. The valve further being configured to move to a closed position when the element is positioned within the interior space.

Abstract: A mobile, location-aware, self-powered alarm system is disclosed. The alarm system is powered by a combination of a battery and a solar panel and provides communication between a remote module and law enforcement and a data center. The alarm system is adapted to trigger an alarm to notify the remote module, which can include a central operator, of a theft or attempted theft according to desired parameters so that the local law enforcement can be notified.

Abstract: The invention is directed to pressure lines for use with equipment associated with drilling and production risers, and in particular, pressure lines having breechblock connections with the equipment and with choke and kill lines for use in connection with different sized blowout preventer stacks (“BOP stacks”). The pressure line systems and choke and kill line systems of the invention include a breechblock connection for quick and easy removal and installation of the pressure lines to riser equipment and the choke and kill lines to BOP stacks. Additionally, the choke and kill lines of the invention may include a coupling system having a BOP connector, or plate assembly, for permitting one set of choke and kill lines to be used on various sized BOP stacks. The plate assembly is in fluid communication with a first choke or kill line connector.

Abstract: The invention is directed to pressure lines for use with equipment associated with drilling and production risers, and in particular, pressure lines having breechblock connections with the equipment and with choke and kill lines for use in connection with different sized blowout preventer stacks (“BOP stacks”). The pressure line systems and choke and kill line systems of the invention include a breechblock connection for quick and easy removal and installation of the pressure lines to riser equipment and the choke and kill lines to BOP stacks. Additionally, the choke and kill lines of the invention may include a coupling system having a BOP connector, or plate assembly, for permitting one set of choke and kill lines to be used on various sized BOP stacks. The plate assembly is in fluid communication with a first choke or kill line connector.

Abstract: An improved photopolymer coversheet film including no microindentations or micropitting is disclosed. One embodiment of the process for forming the improved the photopolymer coversheet film includes a modified casting (casting and coating) method. This embodiment exhibits no microindentations or micropitting in its smooth surface. Another embodiment of the process for producing the improved photopolymer coversheet film includes the use of a reheat embossing step to achieve no surface microindentations greater than 0.5 microns in depth.

Abstract: A high volume reservoir is adapted to hold up to 1000 or more paintballs. A harness or pack is provided to allow the reservoir to be unobtrusively carried by the operator of a paintball marker. A conduit is adapted to extend between the reservoir and paintball marker to continuously or selectively feed paintballs into the marker. A valve assembly mounted on the end of the conduit allows an operator to simultaneously load and fire the paintball marker.

Abstract: A heat exchange jacket for attachment to an external surface of a pump motor having a bottom surface with a shape conforming to a curvature of the housing of the pump motor, a top surface joined to the bottom surface so as to define a heat exchange chamber therebetween, a fluid inlet connected to the top surface and communicating with the chamber, and a fluid outlet communicating with the chamber. The surface of the heat exchange jacket are formed of a polymeric material. The fluid outlet is positioned below the fluid inlet. The bottom surface has a curved shape with the top surface extending in concentric relationship therewith. The fluid inlet is positioned above the top surface and is located between a forward end and a rearward end of the top surface. The fluid outlet includes a first fluid outlet located on one side adjacent to the bottom of the heat exchange jacket and a second fluid outlet positioned on an opposite side of the heat exchange jacket adjacent to a bottom of the jacket.

Abstract: The present invention provides a collection tank for use under the floor slab of a building or slab on grade for collecting ground water from the surrounding soil and from weeping tiles. The collection tank comprises a collection tank having an upper tank portion and a lower tank portion, a plurality of perforations in the upper tank portion of the containment tank portion for receiving ground water, a plurality of cut-out ports in the outer wall of the upper tank portion of the collection tank each for receiving an end of a respective weeping tile line, an overflow port for communicating excess water to an overflow line, and a pump for pumping water in the collection tank to a location external of the collection tank. The collection tank also includes one or more collection tank extensions which can be added to the top of the collection tank to ensure that the weeping tile lines, when connected, are positioned at the proper angle to ensure efficient water flow into the collection tank.

Abstract: Liquid impervious, biodegradable films are disclosed. In particular, the films comprise a blend of an interpenetrated network of destructurized starch with ethylene/acrylic acid copolymers or ethylene/vinyl alcohol copolymers, and an aliphatic polyester such as polycaprolactone. Diapers, sanitary napkins, pantiliners, and the like, containing backsheets prepared from the foregoing materials are also disclosed.

Abstract: Liquid impervious, biodegradable films are disclosed. In particular, the films comprise a blend of an interpenetrated network of destucturized starch with ethylene/acrylic acid copolymers or ethylene/vinyl alcohol copolymers, and an aliphatic polyester such as polycaprolactone. Diapers, sanitary napkins, pantiliners, and the like, containing backsheets prepared from the foregoing materials are also disclosed.

Abstract: A process for the manufacture of thermoplastic sheet having elliptical perforations including a rotatable molding element having a series of hexagonal-shaped depressions having centered therein elliptical holes, the elliptical holes having a major axis and a minor axis, the major axis being oriented parallel to the direction in which the molding element is rotated, a means for applying a fluid pressure differential to a surface of the thermoplastic sheet to force the sheet against the molding element to effect rupturing of the sheet and the formation of elliptical holes in the sheet.

Abstract: An improved mixing device for viscous liquids includes an elongated body with an opening extending axially through the entire length of the body. An elongated diffuser is located in the opening with pathways therein for forming a circuitous path for mixing viscous liquid flowing under pressure through the opening. There are stops associated with both ends of the diffuser for holding it in place in the opening when liquid is flowing through the diffuser. At least one of the stops is removable and includes female threads which cooperate with male threads on the outer surface of the body so that when the stop is removed the diffuser can be axially removed from the opening through at least one end thereof, an end of the diffuser being accessible through the other end of the opening and shaped so that an axial force can be applied to remove the diffuser, if necessary.

Abstract: A process and apparatus for the manufacture of thermoplastic sheet having elliptical perforations, the process including placing a thermoplastic sheet into contact with a continuously rotating molding element having a series of elliptical holes therein in which the major axis of the elliptical holes is oriented parallel to the direction in which the molding element is rotating, subjecting a surface of the thermoplastic sheet to the action of a fluid pressure differential to cause the material to flow into the elliptical holes of the molding element while maintaining the pressure differential to effect rupturing of the thermoplastic sheet and the formation of elliptical holes in the sheet, and continuously removing the molded portions of the thermoplastic sheet from the molding element.

Abstract: A method for embossing thermoplastic material and the thermoplastic material produced thereby. A transverse section of a continuous length of preformed thermoplastic film is heated by a nondirect contact heat source to raise the temperature of the film above its softening point. The film is then fed immediately between adjacent, counter-rotating embossing rollers, thereby embossing a raised pattern onto the film. The rollers are cooled to fix the embossed pattern on the film. The embossed film has good moduli, low surface gloss or light reflectance, deep embossed pattern, high tensile strength and high impact strength.