Abstract: A vertebral cage is provided for use in preserving the space between adjacent vertebral during the process of spinal fusion. In particular, this cage has an open modified oval peripheral shape with a continuous fluid anterior wall having angled screw passages accessible through co-planar openings to allow the construct to be stabilized between adjacent vertebral bodies through their endwalls. In addition, the cage has a back to front wedge taper with pull-out resistant ratchet surfaces. Further, in a second aspect of the invention, the screw passages have a unique locking mechanism provided by oversized internal threads in combination with a second locking thread on the head of the associated bone screws that allows for axial translation of the screws within the screw passages. This in turn permits play in the angulation of the screw relative to the anchoring bone in order to optimize the screw placement in the bone.

Abstract: This invention relates to a method for completing and producing hydrocarbons from a well through the use of extreme overbalanced pressure during perforation of the casing string, followed by an underbalanced surge to produce the hydrocarbons through the tubing string.

Abstract: A cold trap vapor control system for use in vapor control systems having a heat removal channel and a heat removal surface area arranged so that during operation a narrow or contoured path is formed for vapors therebetween such that condensation takes place in the path and condensate is thereby drained away from the trap, or utilized to improve vapor containment.

Abstract: An engine powered by radiant thermal energy wherein elongated thermally expandable members are tensioned radially out from a centrally located floating bearing to which the converging ends of the tension members are secured. The floating bearing encloses an eccentric section of a crankshaft with axis parallel to rays from the energy source and perpendicular to the plane of the tension members. The crankshaft has mounted thereto means for shading at any one time some but not all of said tension members from the energy source. The arrangement is such that when the engine is first exposed to the energy source with crankshaft axis pointing at the source expansion of the unshaded tension members results in an imbalance of the forces on the floating bearing and hence the crankshaft, causing the crankshaft and shade mounted thereto to begin to rotate.

Abstract: Treatment equipment for mixtures comprising solid and liquid is controlled by determining a value comprising the cumulative mass throughput of solid and an inverse term comprising total treatment time, and monitoring said value substantially continuously until it substantially reaches a maximum.

Abstract: In the control of the treatment of a mixture (eg slurry, tailings or sludge) comprising solid (eg fine coal, shale, or clay) and liquid (eg water) signals are derived which are indicative of the total liquid in the mixture fed for treatment and of the cumulative discharged filtrate, the signals being processed to give an indication of the amount of liquid retained in the mixture as the treatment progresses, at least a part of the treatment being controlled in response to the derived signal comparison.

Abstract: An absorber for increasing the concentration of oxygen in a solution has a pressure chamber therein which receives oxygen under pressure as well as a liquid to be oxygenated within an upper portion thereof. A shaft on which a turbine blade agitator is mounted is located in the upper portion of the chamber. The shaft is driven rotationally by a motor through a rotary seal in the pressure chamber cover. A baffle plate is mounted within the pressure chamber to define a lower portion therebeneath, which is in communication with the upper portion, but isolated from the agitation in the upper portion. The oxygen-liquid solution which drains into the lower portion is subsaturated and relatively quiescent, so that large oxygen bubbles therein disengage and rise into the upper portion, and entrained small bubbles therein dissolve in the subsaturated oxygen-liquid solution.

Abstract: An activated sludge sewage treatment process which includes a mixed liquor tank and a pressure vessel much smaller in size than said mixed liquor tank. At least a portion of the influent to said tank is directed to the pressure vessel where oxygen is dissolved therein under superatmospheric pressures. The pressure is then released and said portion of the influent gently transferred into said mixed liquor tank so that substantially all of the dissolved oxygen remains in solution until said influent portion is mixed with the sewage in the mixed liquor tank to thereby raise the dissolved oxygen concentration in the tank.