Abstract: A guy wire system for supporting a volleyball or badminton net having a split two-part end section, each part attachable to the ground.

Abstract: A hail producing machine includes at least one diffuser for mixing water and carbon dioxide. At least one heat exchanger is in flow communication with the diffuser for receiving the mixture. A refrigeration unit freezes the mixture to form an ice rod in the heat exchanger. The ice rod is ejected from the heat exchanger and is converted into hail stones by a molding station downstream from the heat exchanger.

Abstract: A hail producing machine includes at least one diffuser for mixing water and carbon dioxide. At least one heat exchanger is in flow communication with the diffuser for receiving the mixture. A refrigeration unit freezes the mixture to form an ice rod in the heat exchanger. The ice rod is ejected from the heat exchanger and is converted into hail stones by a molding station downstream from the heat exchanger.

Abstract: The present invention may be used in methods for treatment of drinking water contaminated with algal metabolites. An inflow of water in a drinking water treatment facility may have multiple types of algal metabolites wherein each algal metabolites has a concentration of less than 20 ?g/l. The water may contain indigenous bacteria that may serve as a bioreactor inoculum. The water may be dosed with a biodegradable electron donor at a concentration of less than 7 mg/l to form water, electron donor solution. The water, electron donor solution may be processed through a fixed-bed bioreactor for an empty bed bioreactor contact time of less than 30 minutes. An effluent of the fixed-bed bioreactor may have an algal metabolite concentration for each algal metabolite of less than 10 ng/l.

Abstract: The present invention may be used in methods for treatment of drinking water contaminated with algal metabolites. An inflow of water in a drinking water treatment facility may have multiple types of algal metabolites wherein each algal metabolites has a concentration of less than 20 ?g/l. The water may be dosed with a biodegradable electron donor at a concentration of less than 7 mg/l to form a water, electron donor solution. The water, electron donor solution may be processed through a fixed-bed bioreactor for an empty bed bioreactor contact time of less than 30 minutes. An effluent of the fixed-bed bioreactor may have an algal metabolite concentration for each algal metabolite of less than 10 ng/l.

Abstract: The present invention may be used for treatment of waste streams using domestic wastewater. A concentrate waste stream containing one or more of perchlorate, nitrate, bromate, selenate and chromate may be combined with a domestic wastewater stream. The concentrate waste stream may have not less than 3000 mg/l of total dissolved solids. The concentrate waste stream and domestic wastewater stream may be combined at a ratio of between 20% volumetric flow rate and 75% volumetric flow rate to produce a blended stream. The blended stream may be processed in a bioreactor.

Abstract: The oxidant waste stream treatment may provide for treatment of oxidant laden waste streams. A screened or clarified wastewater stream may be combined with an oxidant stream to produce a blended stream. The blended stream may be processed in a bioreactor.

Abstract: Compositions having the general formula (Ca.sub.x Mg.sub.1-x)Zr.sub.4 (PO.sub.4).sub.6 where x is between 0.5 and 0.99 are produced by solid state and sol-gel processes. In a preferred embodiment, when x is between 0.5 and 0.8, the MgCZP materials have near-zero coefficients of thermal expansion. The MgCZPs of the present invention also show unusually low thermal conductivities, and are stable at high temperatures. Macrostructures formed from MgCZP are useful in a wide variety of high-temperature applications. In a preferred process, calcium, magnesium, and zirconium nitrate solutions have their pH adjusted to between 7 and 9 either before or after the addition of ammonium dihydrogen phosphate. After dehydration to a gel, and calcination at temperatures in excess of 850.degree. C. for approximately 16 hours, single phase crystalline MgCZP powders with particle sizes ranging from approximately 20 nm to 50 nm result. The MgCZP powders are then sintered at temperatures ranging from 1200.degree. C. to 1350.

Abstract: A powder spray booth for use in the electrostatic coating of articles is disclosed. The spray booth is of a basically symmetrical configuration allowing the spray coating of articles passing therethrough on a conveyor from either side thereof. At each end of the spray booth and positioned at a lower elevation than the spray region is an exhaust blower which may be effectively coupled to a powder cart located therebetween and below the spray region for the automatic recovery of the overspray. The powder carts are portable and when in a cooperative position with respect to the spray booth, include self-cleaning filters and automatic recovery and recirculation of the overspray. A plurality of powder carts may be used to form a sort of magazine to provide very fast color change capability. The spray booth itself may also be mounted on rail-like members so as to readily movable between different positions in a conveyor line or different conveyor lines according to the needs at the particular time.

Abstract: A chain powered conveyor system comprised of standardized modular sections which can be selected and mixed in the proper combination and set in place and bolted together. The modular sections result in a structure which allows easy relocation, along the length of the conveyor path, of the point or points at which a work pallet may be disengaged from the drive chain. The modular construction also allows for ready disassembly, redesign of the path of the conveyor, and reassembly in the configuration of the new path.

Abstract: A computer terminal work station comprising a selected grouping of modular drawer, file and shelf units which are fastened together such as by sheet metal screws. The work station may house a variety of computer related equipment such as printers, cathode ray tube (CRT), a keyboard and other peripheral devices. The various modular elements are provided with a means for insuring accurate stacking. The modular element for supporting the CRT may be of a first height for supporting the CRT at a height comfortable for viewing by a standing computer operator, or of a second height for supporting the CRT at a height comfortable for viewing by a seated computer operator.

Abstract: A machine and process for automatically coating a plurality of objects, each object having a first magnetic end and a second end. At one end of the machine is a feeding area containing a revolving drum having a plurality of parallel rows of magnets affixed thereon. The magnets are arranged in pairs having opposite polarity so that each pair may attract a magnetic end of one of the objects in the bin and can align the magnetic end therebetween. Parallel and adjacent to each row of magnets is a receiving bar which is also affixed to the drum. As the drum revolves, gravity encourages the second ends into the channels in the receiving bars, to be clamped therein by a tension mounted clamp, leaving the magnetic ends now free. Adjacent to the revolving drum containing the clamped objects is a conveyor with a plurality of grippers to receive the exposed magnetic ends of the objects and remove them from the drum.

Abstract: A method for converting conventional paint spray booths to booths for accommodating either liquid or powder spray paints comprising removing the conventional waterfall or cloth filter back and substituting therefore an exhaust system, velocity stacks, and a roll away filter cart having replaceable and interchangeable filter elements for filtering liquid or powder paints. The rollaway filter cart may also have a vibrating sheet for directing recovered powder toward the bottom of the filter cart.

Abstract: A mixing apparatus for use in conjunction with powder spray paint booths whereby reclaimed powder overspray is automatically mixed with virgin powder in the proper proportions and supplied to the spray gun. Provision is made for quick disconnect and easy change of color of powder.