Abstract: A polyacrylamide-based AMPS (2-acrylamido-2-methylpropane sulfonic acid) copolymer or terpolymer emulsion system may comprise 5-50% solid AMPS salt by weight of a polymer backbone in an emulsion polymerization, wherein use of solid AMPS salt reduces a total amount of water in the emulsion system. The polymer concentration may be above 35% by weight and the water concentration is below 31% by weight. Solid AMPS salt may be dissolved in acrylamide 50% solution, either with or without monomers, to control the total amount of water in an emulsion that may be formed, particularly to lower the water concentration. Use of solid AMPS salt dissolved in acrylamide 50% solution may introduce the AMPS monomer into an emulsion system without requiring addition of extra water. This may improve performance on the polymer backbone as well as the finished emulsion system.

Abstract: An agitator arrangement for a floor cleaning machine is disclosed including various multi-agitator configurations or one agitator configuration with a plurality of brushes with bristle bundles for rotation of the brushes about an approximate vertical axis with a plurality of stationary downwardly projecting, bristle bundles arranged in at least one row approximately side by side with or without an offset. In particular, agitator assemblies having multiple brushes that rotate in approximately a horizontal and approximately a vertical axis or that rotate at different speeds and torque. Other configurations may include multi-row multiple vertical axis agitators.

Abstract: An agitator arrangement for a floor cleaning machine is disclosed including various multi-agitator configurations or one agitator configuration with a plurality of brushes with bristle bundles for rotation of the brushes about an approximate vertical axis with a plurality of stationary downwardly projecting, bristle bundles arranged in at least one row approximately side by side with or without an offset. In particular, agitator assemblies having multiple brushes that rotate in approximately a horizontal and approximately a vertical axis or that rotate at different speeds and torque. Other configurations may include multi-row multiple vertical axis agitators.

Abstract: A method by which a consumer can directly manage a loan application process over the Internet from the initial request to final closing. The overall process is automatically driven by the progressive collection of consumer data and the completion of tasks provided to the consumer. The tasks are compiled in a task database and the particular tasks for a particular loan application are generated based on the data received from the consumer. Moreover, the method consists of at least two interactive stages, namely a qualifying stage and a processing stage. During each stage, the consumer provides progressively more detailed consumer information. During each stage, the information collected from the consumer is analyzed to determine the sufficiency of the information. Based on the analyzed data, task lists are generated to prompt the consume to provide the requested data thereby completing the task.

Abstract: A compression detection apparatus for determining which one of a pair of phase-opposed cylinders is under compression has a capacitive probe coupled to both ends of the secondary winding of an ignition coil servicing both spark plugs of the pair of cylinders. Phase and magnitude of the voltage signal appearing on the capacitive probe line are processed by a single comparator for determining which on of the pair of cylinders is under compression.