Abstract: An improved aerosol dispensing apparatus includes an aerosol container, a discharge piece movably mounted to the aerosol container, a flow control valve mounted within the discharge piece, a battery, and an electronically controlled metering valve electronically connected to the battery and in fluid communication with the flow control valve. The flow control valve is movable between an open position wherein a volume of an aerosol formulation is directed from the aerosol container through the flow control valve to the metering valve, and a closed position, wherein the metering valve is configured to precisely control a flow of the aerosol formulation outward of the discharge piece. A solenoid is electronically connected to the battery and is movable between an actuated position wherein the solenoid urges the flow control valve into the open position, and an un-actuated position wherein the flow control valve remains in the closed position.

Abstract: An apparatus travels within a 3-dimensional space collecting data that may be used to expose defects in structures and objects beneath the ground surface. In a preferred embodiment, the apparatus includes an unmanned aerial vehicle controlled by a user. The apparatus carries LIDAR and ground penetrating radar and correlates data received from both to facilitate displaying a map with data superimposed on it representing locations of defects in structures and buried objects.

Abstract: An elongated, plate-like structure on which bicycle accessories can be mounted, that is held in place at one end of a bicycle's rear wheel axle or, alternately, ids axial skewer. The latter, like the rear wheel axle, includes bolt threads for threadedly engaging a nut at said end. Supported on either the bike's right or left side, the structure, which extends both perpendicularly to and rearwardly from the rear wheel's rotational axis, defines multiple through openings. Among them is a round aperture sized to slideably receive the rear wheel axle or, alternately, just a part of the skewer-engageable nut at the same time the nut's annular shoulder abuts the structure's outer face. Distal from the round aperture, the structure's generally flat inner face defines a small protuberance which, in use, restrains, from sideways slippage, a bicycle tow leash clamped onto an opening-free portion of the structure's midsection.

Abstract: Metadata can be provided to multiple processing units of a database system by using local storages respectively provided for the processing units, such that a local storage is accessible only to its respective processing unit. As a result, processing units can access metadata when needed (e.g., when needed to process a database request at runtime) without having to access a source external to the database system. In addition, metadata (e.g., an XML object, XML schema, XSLT stylesheets, XQuery modules) can be provided using a database request or command, for example, by using a register statement.

Abstract: An elongated, plate-like structure on which bicycle accessories can be mounted, that is held in place at one end of a bicycle's rear axle or, alternately, its axial skewer. The latter, like the rear axle, includes bolt threads for threadedly engaging a nut at said end. Supported on either the bike's right or left side, the structure, which extends both perpendicularly to and rearwardly from the rear wheel's rotational axis, defines multiple through openings. Among them is a round aperture sized to slideably receive the rear axle or, alternately, just a part of the skewer-engageable nut at the same time the nut's annular shoulder abuts the structure's outer face. Distal from the round aperture, the structure's generally flat inner face defines a small protuberance which, in use, restrains, from sideways slippage, a bicycle tow leash or like accessory clamped onto an opening-free portion of the structure's midsection.

Abstract: Metadata can be provided to multiple processing units of a database system by using local storages respectively provided for the processing units, such that a local storage is accessible only to its respective processing unit. As a result, processing units can access metadata when needed (e.g., when needed to process a database request at runtime) without having to access a source external to the database system. In addition, metadata (e.g., an XML object, XML schema, XSLT stylesheets, XQuery modules) can be provided using a database request or command, for example, by using a register statement.

Abstract: A rifle apparatus and method wherein the rifle includes a replaceable, threaded, adjustable barrel assembly which is configured for quickly changing the barrel length of the rifle, converting the rifle for using a different caliber of ammunition, and/or accurately determining and quickly setting the headspace in the firing chamber of the weapon for firing the new ammunition. Further, the rifle apparatus preferably also includes a replaceable lower receiver with a well opening and a corresponding magazine retention and release assembly for receiving a magazine clip for the caliber of ammunition fired by the replaceable barrel.

Abstract: A clamp assembly mountable on a short span of structural tubing which can have any one of a broad spectrum of transverse cross-sectional shapes, sizes and vertical orientations, as found in bicycle frames and the like. Augmenting the assembly's inner and outer clamp members, so that one can use them to maintain a tight grip on the short span, is an assortment of inserts. Each insert, when deployed between the outer member's elongated flat face and the inner clamp member's midsection where it bounds a long, relatively narrow concavity, is designed to keep the clamp members from slipping sideways with respect to the compression force applied through them to the short span. Included is a two-headed insert, deployed one head at a time, as dictated by how much the short span fills said concavity and whether it extends, beyond it, perpendicularly to the elongated flat face.

Abstract: A ground penetrating radar antenna array is consistently maintained at a spacing of less than or equal to about 4 inches above the target surface. As a result, the antenna array may be moved up to 75 mph while maintaining accuracy of data collection. The apparatus includes a wooden support from which non-elastic straps are suspended. The straps are attached to a housing containing the ground penetrating radar antenna array and receiver. The housing is supported from below by a pair of skis that have wear plates attached to their undersides with the wear plates engaging the target surface. The wear plates maintain the distal ends of the antennas within the antenna array at a spacing from the target surface of less than or equal to 4 inches, preferably 3.75±0.25 inches. The method of operation is also disclosed.

Abstract: A combustor assembly lift system comprises a lift arm comprising a first portion connected to a second portion, and a combustor assembly engagement frame connected to the lift arm, wherein the combustor assembly engagement frame is configured to temporarily secure to at least a portion of a combustor assembly.

Abstract: A rifle apparatus and method wherein the rifle includes a replaceable, threaded, adjustable barrel assembly which is configured for quickly changing the barrel length of the rifle, converting the rifle for using a different caliber of ammunition, and/or accurately determining and quickly setting the headspace in the firing chamber of the weapon for firing the new ammunition. Further, the rifle apparatus preferably also includes a replaceable lower receiver with a well opening and a corresponding magazine retention and release assembly for receiving a magazine clip for the caliber of ammunition fired by the replaceable barrel.

Abstract: A shoreline protection system comprising a first barrier assembly, which comprises a first pile extending into a bottom of a body of water, a second pile extending into the bottom of the body of water, wherein the first pile and the second pile are spaced apart and essentially parallel relative to each other, and a first screen having an upper edge, a lower edge, and a plurality of apertures extending therethrough, wherein the first screen extends between the first pile and the second pile, wherein the lower edge of the first screen is spaced from the bottom of the body of water.

Abstract: A ground penetrating radar antenna array is consistently maintained at a spacing of less than or equal to about 4 inches above the target surface. As a result, the antenna array may be moved up to 75 mph while maintaining accuracy of data collection. The apparatus includes a wooden support from which non-elastic straps are suspended. The straps are attached to a housing containing the ground penetrating radar antenna array and receiver. The housing is supported from below by a pair of skis that have wear plates attached to their undersides with the wear plates engaging the target surface. The wear plates maintain the distal ends of the antennas within the antenna array at a spacing from the target surface of less than or equal to 4 inches, preferably 3.75±0.25 inches. The method of operation is also disclosed.

Abstract: On leash, dogs enjoy being tethered together, provided they can detect directional changes in their partner's movements. The dog coupler includes a semi-rigid hollow tube, each distal end of which is pressure fitted with a clip fastenable to a dog's collar or harness. Fabricated of resilient plastic tubing, about 18 inches long, the tube, when relaxed, forms a shallow arch. Arched more deeply by compression or, alternately, straightened out, the tube acts like a weak spring but exhibits substantially stronger spring tension when stretched. Because of the tube's three distinct spring constants, two dogs, individually tethered at the tube's distal ends, can communicate, via tube, their relative positions as they move toward or apart from each other. Working to prevent negative feedback, each dog is trained to space itself properly instead of bumping into or pulling away from its partner, thus enabling the two dogs to walk or run well tethered together.

Abstract: On leash, dogs enjoy being tethered together as partners, provided they can detect directional changes in their partner(s)' movements. The dog coupler includes a pair of clip assemblies and a semi-rigid hollow tube, each distal end of which is pressure fitted with a clip fastenable to a dog's collar or harness. Fabricated of plastic tubing, about 18 inches long but stiff enough it remains tangle free when held by one end horizontally, the tube, in its resting state, forms a shallow arch. Partially folded by compression or, alternately, straightened out, the tube acts like a weak spring but exhibits substantially stronger spring tension when stretched. Because of this spring-like action, two dogs, individually connected to the coupler, get negative feedback when they move toward or apart from each other. Absent such feedback, they are rewarded for correctly positioning themselves, encouraging them to walk or run well tethered together.

Abstract: An integrated fixed film activated sludge sequencing batch reactor is provided where both suspended biomass and biomass supported on biofilm carriers are utilized to biologically treat wastewater received by the sequencing batch reactor. The sequencing batch reactor includes two hydraulically connected tanks with suspended biomass being contained in at least one tank and biomass supported on biofilm carriers in the other tank.

Abstract: Apparatus, systems, and methods may operate to receive a request to move at least a portion of a database table stored on a tangible medium from a current partition to a history partition, wherein the database table is partitioned into physical partitions according to a selected mapping update frequency. In response to receiving the request, activities may include modifying a logical partitioning of the database table by updating a mapping of the physical partitions to logical partitions. Other apparatus, systems, and methods are disclosed.

Abstract: Apparatus, systems, and methods may operate to receive requests to execute a plurality of compression and/or decompression mechanisms on one or more database objects; to execute each of the compression and/or decompression mechanisms, on a sampled basis, on the database objects; to determine comparative performance characteristics associated with each of the compression and/or decompression mechanisms; and to record at least some of the performance characteristics and/or derivative characteristics derived from the performance characteristics in a performance summary table. The table may be published to a storage medium or a display screen. Other apparatus, systems, and methods are disclosed.

Abstract: A shoreline protection system comprising a first barrier assembly, which comprises a first pile extending into a bottom of a body of water, a second pile extending into the bottom of the body of water, wherein the first pile and the second pile are spaced apart and essentially parallel relative to each other, and a first screen having an upper edge, a lower edge, and a plurality of apertures extending therethrough, wherein the first screen extends between the first pile and the second pile, wherein the lower edge of the first screen is spaced from the bottom of the body of water.

Abstract: Metadata can be provided to multiple processing units of a database system by using local storages respectively provided for the processing units, such that a local storage is accessible only to its respective processing unit. As a result, processing units can access metadata when needed (e.g., when needed to process a database request at runtime) without having to access a source external to the database system. In addition, metadata (e.g., an XML object, XML schema, XSLT stylesheets, XQuery modules) can be provided using a database request or command, for example, by using a register statement.