Abstract: A method of continuously manufacturing a cured membrane includes continuously compounding and mixing a vulcanizable rubber composition in a mixing extruder while continuously removing gasses from the vulcanizable rubber composition during mixing with a vacuum. The vulcanizable rubber composition may be continuously extruded to form an extrudate, which may be continuously calendered to form a green membrane. The green membrane may be continuously cured, such as by a hot air conveyor curing system, to form a cured membrane.

Abstract: A process for producing a polyurethane or polyisocyanurate construction board, the process comprising: (i) providing an A-side reactant stream that includes an isocyanate-containing compound; (ii) providing a B-side reactant stream that includes a polyol, where the B-side reactant stream includes a blowing agent that includes a pentane and a blowing agent additive that has a Hansen Solubility Parameter (8t) that is greater than 17 MPa°?5; and (iii) mixing the A-side reactant stream with the B-side reactant stream to produce a reaction mixture.

Abstract: A method for producing an asphaltic sheet having expandable graphite dispersed in one or more asphaltic components thereof, the method comprising: (i) preparing a masterbatch by combining asphalt binder and polymeric modifier at a first temperature; (ii) cooling the masterbatch to a second temperature, where the second temperature is lower than the first temperature; (iii) adding, after said step of cooling, expandable graphite to the masterbatch to thereby form an asphaltic composition including expandable graphite; and (iv) fabricating a sheet with the asphaltic composition including expandable graphite.

Abstract: A method of continuously manufacturing a cured membrane includes continuously compounding and mixing a vulcanizable rubber composition in a mixing extruder while continuously removing gasses from the vulcanizable rubber composition during mixing with a vacuum. The vulcanizable rubber composition may be continuously extruded to form an extrudate, which may be continuously calendered to form a green membrane. The green membrane may be continuously cured, such as by a hot air conveyor curing system, to form a cured membrane.

Abstract: A vertical axis wind turbine has a blade assembly including set of planar, vertically extending blades and a frame that stabilizes and supports the blades as they rotate. A generator is located at the blade assembly's center of mass. A first bearing supports the blade assembly for rotation about a blade support shaft; a second bearing maintains the generator shaft in vertical alignment with the blade support shaft; and a third bearing supports the weight of the generator rotor and housing as they rotate about the generator shaft.

Abstract: A brake for a wind turbine includes a disc coupled to and rotatable with the blade support hub of the turbine, and a piston and caliper assembly cooperating with the disc to stop or slow rotation of the blades. In one embodiment, the disc encircles and is rotatable about the shaft of the generator of a vertical axis wind turbine, with one piston and caliper assembly located on each side of the disc. The two piston and caliper assemblies are supported by a platform disposed above a vertical shaft that supports the blade support hub. In another embodiment, the piston and caliper assemblies are coupled to a platform at the end of the horizontally extending tail of a horizontal axis wind turbine.

Abstract: A brake for a wind turbine includes a disc coupled to and rotatable with the blade support hub of the turbine, and a piston and caliper assembly cooperating with the disc to stop or slow rotation of the blades. In one embodiment, the disc encircles and is rotatable about the shaft of the generator of a vertical axis wind turbine, with one piston and caliper assembly located on each side of the disc. The two piston and caliper assemblies are supported by a platform disposed above a vertical shaft that supports the blade support hub. In another embodiment, the piston and caliper assemblies are coupled to a platform at the end of the horizontally extending tail of a horizontal axis wind turbine.

Abstract: An apparatus for converting wind energy into electrical energy includes a turbine having a horizontal shaft, a plurality of blades, a blade mount supporting the blade assembly for rotation about the horizontal shaft, and a turbine mount supporting the turbine for rotation about a vertical axis. The blade mount includes a pair of spaced part annular face plates, with a bearing mounted at the opening of each plate. The proximal end of each blade is secured within an airfoil-shaped opening in a mounting block extending between the two face plates. A disc extending from the back of the rear face plate encircles the generator and cooperates with a piston and caliper assembly to function as a brake. The turbine mount includes a connector plate coupled to the turbine, a connector ring connected to the tower, and a pair of bearings mounted above and below the connector ring.

Abstract: A method for producing an asphaltic sheet having expandable graphite dispersed in one or more asphaltic components thereof, the method comprising: (i) preparing a masterbatch by combining asphalt binder and polymeric modifier at a first temperature; (ii) cooling the masterbatch to a second temperature, where the second temperature is lower than the first temperature; (iii) adding, after said step of cooling, expandable graphite to the masterbatch to thereby form an asphaltic composition including expandable graphite; and (iv) fabricating a sheet with the asphaltic composition including expandable graphite.

Abstract: A method for producing an asphaltic sheet having expandable graphite dispersed in one or more asphaltic components thereof, the method comprising preparing a masterbatch by combining asphalt binder and polymeric modifier at a first temperature, cooling the masterbatch to a second temperature, where the second temperature is lower than the first temperature, adding, after said step of cooling, expandable graphite to the masterbatch to thereby form an asphaltic composition including expandable graphite, and fabricating a sheet with the asphaltic composition including expandable graphite.

Abstract: A roofing system includes a construction board positioned over a roof deck and a plurality of fastening plates positioned on a top surface of the construction board. At least one connector extends between two of the plurality of fastening plates and is positioned on the top surface of the construction board. The construction boards may be insulation or cover boards, and in certain embodiments may be polyisocyanurate boards. Fasteners are driven through the fastening plates and the construction boards and into an underlying roof deck to secure the construction boards in place.

Abstract: Disclosed is a multilayered film that includes a core layer that includes one or more polymers, wherein the core has a first side and a second side and is optionally oriented. Further, the multilayered film includes a sealing layer comprising a primer and a sealing coating, wherein the primer has a primer coating weight from 0.05 to 0.5 g/m2 and is located between the first side of the core and a first side of the sealing coating, wherein the sealing coating has a sealing coating weight from 0.5 to 20.0 g/m2, wherein the multilayered film has a seal strength of at least 1 kg/in at 120° C. In various embodiments, the films showed outstanding seal strength, hot tack for both clear and white films over a broad temperature range, seal integrity under the Skye test, low blocking, and other desirable performance metrics.

Abstract: A process is presented to improve the method of playing bingo. The process allows player interaction to determine potential bonus prize amounts. In the preferred embodiment, the gaming method allows a player to experience various game environments during which the player's game performance is tracked through point tracking systems. A player participates in preliminary point games for a set period of time, and performance is tracked through electronic or manual tracking systems. Once a player finishes playing preliminary point games, he or she must have potential prize points verified. A player's potential bonus prize is correlated to verified prize points accumulated. To compete for set prizes and potential monetary bonuses, a player must take part in the primary game. In the preferred embodiment the primary game is Bonus Bingo which is a unique fast-paced paper bingo game.

Abstract: A method for producing an asphaltic sheet having expandable graphite dispersed in one or more asphaltic components thereof, the method comprising preparing a masterbatch by combining asphalt binder and polymeric modifier at a first temperature, cooling the masterbatch to a second temperature, where the second temperature is lower than the first temperature, adding, after said step of cooling, expandable graphite to the masterbatch to thereby form an asphaltic composition including expandable graphite, and fabricating a sheet with the asphaltic composition including expandable graphite.

Abstract: A method of continuously manufacturing a cured membrane includes continuously compounding and mixing a vulcanizable rubber composition in a mixing extruder while continuously removing gasses from the vulcanizable rubber composition during mixing with a vacuum. The vulcanizable rubber composition may be continuously extruded to form an extrudate, which may be continuously calendered to form a green membrane. The green membrane may be continuously cured, such as by a hot air conveyor curing system, to form a cured membrane.

Abstract: A process is presented to improve the method of playing bingo. The process allows player interaction to determine potential bonus prize amounts. In the preferred embodiment, the gaming method allows a player to experience various game environments during which the player's game performance is tracked through point tracking systems. A player participates in preliminary point games for a set period of time, and performance is tracked through electronic or manual tracking systems. Once a player finishes playing preliminary point games, he or she must have potential prize points verified. A player's potential bonus prize is correlated to verified prize points accumulated. To compete for set prizes and potential monetary bonuses, a player must take part in the primary game. In the preferred embodiment the primary game is Bonus Bingo which is a unique fast-paced paper bingo game.

Abstract: Optical Transport Network (OTN) High Order (HO) mapping systems and methods utilize pointer processing to map one HO signal into another similarly sized HO signal. An OTN HO mapping method and circuit include receiving a first HO signal at a first rate, asynchronously mapping the first HO signal into a second HO signal at a second rate, wherein the first rate and the second rate are substantially similar, translating a portion of overhead from the first HO signal to overhead of the second HO signal, utilizing pointers in the overhead of the second HO signal for frame alignment of the first HO signal, and transmitting the second HO signal containing the first HO signal.

Abstract: Optical Transport Network (OTN) High Order (HO) mapping systems and methods utilize pointer processing to map one HO signal into another similarly sized HO signal. An OTN HO mapping method and circuit include receiving a first HO signal at a first rate, asynchronously mapping the first HO signal into a second HO signal at a second rate, wherein the first rate and the second rate are substantially similar, translating a portion of overhead from the first HO signal to overhead of the second HO signal, utilizing pointers in the overhead of the second HO signal for frame alignment of the first HO signal, and transmitting the second HO signal containing the first HO signal.

Abstract: Described is a multi-layered film comprising a core layer comprising polypropylene; a metalizable skin layer such as a treated HDPE or PETG; and a first tie layer comprising a functionalized polypropylene such as an acid-grafted isotactic polypropylene between the core layer and metalizable skin layer; wherein the metalizable skin layer comprises a polymer having a surface energy (ASTM D2578) of at least 30 dynes/cm, a Young's Modulus (ASTM D790) of at least 1500 MPa, and a melting point (ASTM D3418) of at least 130° C.; and wherein the film as measured on the metalizable skin side has a Haze of less than 1000 Haze Units, and a Gloss of greater than 300 Gloss Units.

Abstract: A roofing system includes a construction board positioned over a roof deck and a plurality of fastening plates positioned on a top surface of the construction board. At least one connector extends between two of the plurality of fastening plates and is positioned on the top surface of the construction board. The construction boards may be insulation or cover boards, and in certain embodiments may be polyisocyanurate boards. Fasteners are driven through the fastening plates and the construction boards and into an underlying roof deck to secure the construction boards in place.