Abstract: A method for implementing a barrier to fluid passage in which the barrier is embedded within, instead of atop, porous material. This retains the durability of the surface of the porous material. In one embodiment, a thin set mortar is applied to a concrete slab. A pleated metal foil is pressed into the wet mortar and a bond is established. The mortar is allowed to set and a top, or finish, section of concrete is then poured over the foil and finished conventionally. Provisions are made for sealing expansion joints in concrete slab floors and at the juncture of floor and wall. The foil may be provided in multiple layers to provide a mechanical bond via the mortar oozing through perforations or along pleats in each of the top and bottoms layers, while providing a solid layer through which a fluid will not pass, at least in one direction.

Abstract: A method of coating a reinforcing material, such as a metal, increases the adhesion between the material and a matrix, such as a cement-based mortar or concrete, in which the material is embedded. In one embodiment, a glass frit mixed with a refractory material, such as dry portland cement, is bonded, typically by heat, to the surface of the material. The reaction of the refractory component when the metal is embedded in fresh mortar or concrete prevents the formation of soft precipitates at the interface of the matrix and its reinforcement. One embodiment involves mixing portland cement Type I-II with a glass frit as a coating, coating a steel reinforcing rod and firing the coating to bond to the metal. The frit-refractory coating produces a strong bond between the metal reinforcement and its concrete or mortar matrix and may eliminate or significantly reduce the potential for corrosion of the reinforcement.

Abstract: A method providing a self-dispensing additive for buffering a projectile trapping medium and passivating spent projectiles trapped therein. The additive is a buffering compound formed as blocks of low-density foamed-concrete that self-dispenses the additive when contacted by the fired projectiles. The blocks contain dry components that may include one or more of low-solubility phosphate compounds, low-solubility aluminum compounds, iron compounds, sulfate compounds, and calcium carbonate mixed with a cementing material, water, and an aqueous-based foam in substantially stoichiometric amounts. The aqueous-based foam is added in a quantity sufficient to adjust the density of the block to neutral buoyancy in the projectile-trapping medium. The additive chemically stabilizes the medium while also passivating projectiles, in particular heavy-metal projectiles, trapped in the medium.

Abstract: A barrier to fluid passage is embedded within, instead of atop, porous material to retain the durability of the surface of the porous material. In one embodiment, a thin set mortar is applied to a concrete slab. A pleated metal foil is pressed into the wet mortar and a bond is established. The mortar is allowed to set and a top, or finish, section of concrete is then poured over the foil and finished conventionally. Provisions are made for sealing expansion joints in concrete slab floors and at the juncture of floor and wall. The foil may be provided in multiple layers to provide a mechanical bond via mortar oozing through perforations or along pleats in each of the top and bottoms layers, while providing a solid layer through which a fluid will not pass, at least in one direction.

Abstract: Method and apparatus are provided for pumping operations that may be used to form perforations in the casing of a well, clean perforations and drill drain holes through perforations. A plunger is placed in a reference perforation and the pumping operations may be performed through a nozzle at a known location with respect to the reference perforation. The nozzle may be attached to a flexible hose to drill a drain hole or may be inserted in a body on the bottom of a tubing string. Addition apparatus and method are provided to insure that the plunger or plungers are maintained in a reference perforation or perforations when pumping operations are carried out through tubing.

Abstract: Embodiments of the present invention may be used to form a continuous covered area, such as a sidewalk or patio, by vertically interlocking tessellated components. One embodiment, termed PORTAPAVE™, achieves this interlocking via an array of uniquely configured two-sectioned pavers. Each paver has a first section of a first shape and a second section of a second shape impressed upon the first section and bonded together. In one embodiment, first sections of pavers in an installed bottom layer form a cavity between them having the same shape as the second section of a paver that is inverted onto the pavers of the bottom layer, thus providing a top layer. Each inverted paver in this top layer is fitted to interlock in that cavity formed between the un-inverted pavers in the bottom layer. Also provided is a method of making the components, e.g., pavers, and a method of installing them.

Abstract: An Electro-Osmotic Pulse (EOP) system is used to dewater structure, both natural and manmade. Preferably, the system employs durable, dimensionally stable anodes affixed to structure in a configuration designed to maximize electrical contact with the structure and minimize electrode gas generation. The anodes and cathodes are attached to a DC power supply that provides a voltage potential between them. DC power is cycled until the structure has been sufficiently treated. Select embodiments employ perforated metal pipes as cathodes for the purpose of transport and drainage of fluids. In select embodiments of the present invention, the cathodes are connected to variable resistors designed to reduce opportunity for corrosion of buried metal objects in the vicinity of the EOP system. Select embodiments employ a pre-specified pulse train of DC voltage pulses to migrate water from under a crawl space while moving available cations in the soil. Select embodiments also protect large structures such as concrete dams.

Abstract: A backstop for decelerating and trapping projectiles generally includes a support structure having an inclined surface and a projectile trapping medium disposed on the inclined surface. The projectile trapping medium may be either a resilient granular ballistic medium or a combination of a ballistic medium with a hydrated super absorbent polymer (SAP) gel. Preferably, the support structure is made of a shock absorbing, foamed, fiber-reinforced concrete, such as SACON®. In embodiments, the support structure also includes an enclosure. Additives may also be mixed into the projectile trapping medium to control alkalinity and prevent leaching of heavy metals.

Abstract: An additive for buffering a projectile trapping medium and spent projectiles trapped therein is a buffering compound formed as a low density foamed concrete block that will self-dispense via fragmentation or pulverization when subjected to incoming fire. The block combines at least one dry component selected from the group consisting of low solubility phosphate compounds, low solubility aluminum compounds, iron compounds, sulfate compounds, and calcium carbonate with a cementing material, water, and an aqueous based foam in substantially stoichiometric amounts. The aqueous based foam is added in a quantity sufficient to adjust the density of the resulting block to be non-buoyant without sinking in the projectile trapping medium. The additive may be employed in a projectile trapping medium to chemically stabilize the medium and environmentally stabilize projectiles trapped therein.

Abstract: A vending machine having an anti-pilferage door mechanism with a delivery door interconnected through linkage to an anti-pilferage door and a rear door which come together to close off the opening for the product storage area to the product dispensing chamber when the delivery door is opened by a customer thus preventing any opening which would allow a pilferage device such as a wire to be inserted through the delivery door opening up into the product storage area. The linkage which connects the delivery door to the anti-pilferage door and rear door is on one side of the dispensing chamber and a spring biasing mechanism is mounted on an opposite side of the chamber and assists in biasing the delivery door closed while providing a force reduction exerted by the spring as the door is opened.