Abstract: Arcuate, lightweight composite panels, which are transportable on flatbed trucks, are interconnected onsite for forming a temporary fluid tank. A shaped groove along one end of the panel and a shaped tongue along an opposing end of the panel permit a panel to be lifted vertically above and offset another of the panels and then slid axially together, with the tongue of one panel engaged in the groove of the adjacent panel. If the ground on which the tank is to be assembled is uneven, the panels can be misaligned vertically along the interconnected tongue and groove to accommodate the unevenness of the ground. Where the tank does not engage the ground about the entire bottom edge, a liner can be placed inside the tank and connected to the tank using a hook and loop fastening system.

Abstract: A system for covering liquids stored within an open-topped liquid storage tank having a peripheral wall has a cover for extending across at least a portion of stored liquids, and two or more guide assemblies spaced about the peripheral wall for securing the cover to the peripheral wall and for permitting the cover to freely travel substantially vertically up and down within the interior space. Each assembly has a vertical guide, a clamping member, and an upper and a lower delimiting stop. The cover can be operatively secured to the assembly by a restraining tether.

Abstract: A multi-layer rig mat system and a method for implementing the rig mat system is provided. The rig mat system has a rig mat formed by interconnecting a plurality of panels in an edge-to-edge arrangement and one or more barrier layers placed between the rig mat and the terrain. The barrier layer prevents contamination of the terrain below the rig mat by water and other undesirable fluids seeping through gaps or discontinuities in the rig mat. The barrier layer also prevents heat transmission from the rig mat to the terrain below the rig mat.

Abstract: A multi-layer rig mat system and a method for implementing the rig mat system is provided. The rig mat system has a rig mat formed by interconnecting a plurality of panels in an edge-to-edge arrangement and one or more barrier layers placed between the rig mat and the terrain. The barrier layer prevents contamination of the terrain below the rig mat by water and other undesirable fluids seeping through gaps or discontinuities in the rig mat. The barrier layer also prevents heat transmission from the rig mat to the terrain below the rig mat.

Abstract: A wireless switching apparatus is provided for three-way switching at least one energy load with an AC power source. The apparatus comprises a relay controlled by a controller. The controller is also connected to both a toggle and a wireless transceiver. A remote wireless transceiver unit is in communication with the wireless transceiver. The controller operates the relay for making and breaking electrical continuity between the energy load and an AC power source in response to a change in the state of either toggle or wireless signals received from the remote wireless transmitting unit. Control of the energy load using a combined system comprising an energy monitoring device operatively coupled to the apparatus is also provided. Methods are provided for retrofitting conventional receptacles and switches with the wireless switching apparatus.

Abstract: A docking station is provided, which functions to enable landline telephones connected to the docking station to send and receive “walkie-talkie” or “push-to-talk” (PTT)-type messages via a mobile telephone docked in the docking station. A processor of the docking station is programmed to recognize that when a predefined key of a landline telephone is used, the call is a PTT-type call. The predefined key functions in a manner similar a PTT button on a conventional PTT-type mobile telephone. However, unlike for conventional PTT-type calls, the user need not keep the predefined key pressed when speaking.

Abstract: A docking station, which connects a cellular telephone with one or more landline telephones, includes a connection switch configured to detect a condition of at least one landline of a premises and to establish a connection with a landline based on a detected condition, an interface configured to connect with any of a plurality of types of cellular telephones, and a processor configured to control a plurality of functions of the docking station and to communicate with each of the plurality of types of cellular telephones. An electrical characteristic of a cable or a wireless module connected to the cellular-telephone interface is used by the processor to identify a type of a cellular telephone connected to the docking station. The processor is programmed to enable a landline telephone connected to the docking station to send or to receive calls via the cellular telephone connected to the docking station, based on an identified type of the cellular telephone connected to the docking station.

Abstract: A telephone controller, which is connectable with two or more landline telephones, is provided. When a user of a landline telephone connected to the apparatus initiates an intercom function or a paging function, a processor of the apparatus causes a signal to be sent to the landline telephones. The signal causes the landline telephones to ring. When an off-hook condition occurs at one of the landline telephones, the processor causes the ringing to stop.