Abstract: Augmented (virtual) reality techniques are described for assisting in determining characteristics of swimming pools and spas. Such pools and spas may, for example, be mapped at least as to their general sizes and shapes. The mapped and other information may be available for display and may be furnished to an automatic swimming pool cleaner (APC) to improve its operational efficiency in cleaning the pool.

Abstract: A method and device is disclosed for measuring one or more physical properties of, and/or induced by, out-gassing products released from and/or trapped within a joint in response to a lightning strike or other electrical current threat. A device for measuring one or more physical properties of, and/or induced by, gases, plasma and/or particles released from a joint in response to an electrical current threat. The joint includes a fastener passing through a structure so that an end of the fastener protrudes from the structure. The device includes a containment member having a base surrounding an opening into a cavity, the containment member being arranged to be mounted over the end of the fastener to enclose the end of the fastener within the cavity and to seal the opening; and one or more sensors arranged to measure physical properties of gases, plasma and/or particles contained by the cavity.

Abstract: A method and device is disclosed for measuring one or more physical properties of, and/or induced by, out-gassing products released from and/or trapped within a joint in response to a lightning strike or other electrical current threat. A device for measuring one or more physical properties of, and/or induced by, gases, plasma and/or particles released from a joint in response to an electrical current threat. The joint includes a fastener passing through a structure so that an end of the fastener protrudes from the structure. The device includes a containment member having a base surrounding an opening into a cavity, the containment member being arranged to be mounted over the end of the fastener to enclose the end of the fastener within the cavity and to seal the opening; and one or more sensors arranged to measure physical properties of gases, plasma and/or particles contained by the cavity.

Abstract: Plastic fences where rails are inserted into holes in hollow posts are effectively stiffened by inserting into the hollow post a stiffening device which grips the rails extending into the post, and which is stabilized against movement so as to prevent angular deflection of the rails with the posts in a plane orthogonal to the longitudinal axis of the post.

Abstract: Plastic fences where rails are inserted into holes in hollow posts are effectively stiffened by inserting into the hollow post a stiffening device which grips the rails extending into the post, and which is stabilized against movement so as to prevent angular deflection of the rails with the posts in a plane orthogonal to the longitudinal axis of the post.

Abstract: The viscoelastic spacer is made of a layer of viscoelastic material and a layer of wear-resistant, low coefficient of friction material which together form a unitary structure for damping vibration. Spacers are placed at the top and bottom of a storage module containing a disk drive. Upon slidable insertion of the storage module into an enclosure, features on the inner surface of the enclosure engage with the spacer in a way which subjects the spacer to both compression and shear forces generated by vibration of the disk drive and of other vibration sources in the environment of the storage module.

Abstract: A method for decreasing the ground-level rot of wooden fence posts involves shrink-wrapping the portion of the fence post located immediately above and below grade-level with a shrink-wrappable coating or a polymeric sleeve, optionally with an appearance and/or durability enhancing collar. The posts so treated are suitable for installation in high quality wooden fencing and other applications where grade-level rot is a suspected problem.

Abstract: A method for obtaining devolatilized coal, utilizing a multi-zone electrostatic precipitator, from the air-borne effluent streams of coal fired boilers includes the steps of directing an effluent stream, generated by the combustion of coal and carrying a plurality of particles including carbon and ash, to an electrostatic precipitator, wherein the plurality of particles include first and second pluralities of particles including a first plurality of particles having a greater carbon to ash weight ratio than the second plurality of particles; de-energizing a first zone of the electrostatic precipitator and collecting a plurality of particles that exit the precipitator from the first zone, the plurality of particles collected at the first zone being substantially composed of the first plurality of particles.

Abstract: A method, and associated apparatus, or applying fluid lubricant to hydrodynamic bearing. Clearance spaces of the bearing which are to be filled with the fluid lubricant are evacuated. The fluid lubricant is then applied to the clearance spaces. Once the fluid lubricant has been applied to the clearance spaces, or concurrent therewith, the clearance spaces are returned to ambient pressure levels. Any pockets of air, or other gas, trapped within the bearing are collapsed as the clearance spaces are returned to the ambient pressure levels. The method is amenable to a high volume, assembly line-like process wherein large numbers of bearings may be filled with the fluid lubricant in a short period of time. A conveyor conveys the bearings into a pool of fluid lubricant in a vacuum tank having a pressure level adjustable between an ambient pressure level and an evacuated pressure level, through the pool of fluid lubricant, beyond the pool, and out of the vacuum tank.

Abstract: A hydrodynamic bearing journaling a shaft includes a rotatable bushing journaling the shaft and thrust plates on the shaft at opposite ends of the bushing. The bushing is encased in a cylindrical sleeve. Lubricant containing clearance spaces are formed between the shaft, bushing, sleeve, and thrust plates. One or more internal helical passages are formed between the bushing and sleeve and open into the axial ends thereof adjacent to the thrust plates. An internal radial chamber between the bushing and sleeve opens into the helical channel through radial ports for providing lubricant between the journal bearing and the shaft and thrust plates.

Abstract: A method, and associated apparatus, of applying fluid lubricant to a hydrodynamic bearing. Clearance spaces of the bearing which are to be filled with the fluid lubricant are evacuated. The fluid lubricant is then applied to the clearance spaces. Once the fluid lubricant has been applied to the clearance spaces, or concurrent therewith, the clearance spaces are returned to ambient pressure levels. Any pockets of air, or other gas, trapped within the bearing are collapsed as the clearance spaces are returned to the ambient pressure levels. The method is amenable to a high volume, assembly line-like process wherein large numbers of bearings may be filled with the fluid lubricant in a short period of time.