Abstract: The method and system disclosed herein decreases the rejection rate in fingerprint capturing and authentication by a pressure actuated fingerprint sensing module. The biometric device for fingerprint recognition of a user comprises a fingerprint sensing module for capturing the fingerprint image of the user at a pre-specified pressure, or a pre-specified pressure range. The fingerprint sensing module comprises a fingerprint capturing module, a pressure sensing module, a sensor memory and a sensor controlling module. The fingerprint capturing module captures the fingerprint when the pressure applied by the finger reaches the pre-specified pressure, or when the applied pressure falls within the pre-specified pressure range. The pressure sensing module measures the pressure applied on the fingerprint capturing module. The sensor memory stores a pre-defined set of pressures or pressure ranges.

Abstract: A process is provided for the biological digestion of animal carcasses. First, the carcass is cut into smaller pieces with equipment that masticates, grinds or comminutes in the presence of water to create a solid-liquid mixture. The next steps include treating the solid-liquid mixture with a special blend or combination of bacteria that have been specifically cultured to digest the carcass; the mixture is subsequently aerated to form a stabilized biomass. The stabilized biomass is aerated in an open basin to further digest and liquefy the carcass, water, bacteria mixture. From the open basin, the primarily liquid waste stream is passed to a clarifying tank where the suspended solids are precipitated as sludge, thus clarifying the liquid. Sludge is removed from the clarifying chamber and the clarified liquid is either discharged or recirculated for further use in this novel process.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for using a dry cleaning machine to clean laundry that reduces environmental impacts by the substitution of ozone for the hazardous solvents traditionally used in the dry cleaning washing process. The apparatus and method for dry cleaning includes the steps of filtering the water whereby any debris present in the water is removed, measuring the dissolved ozone concentration of the water, recirculating the water between the tank and the water purifier until a desired ozone concentration is realized ensuring that the desired dissolved ozone concentration of the water is attained prior to the start of the cleaning process and continuously recirculating the water through the dry cleaning washing machine, the water purifier, and the tank during the cleaning process.

Abstract: The present invention is drawn to a unique method for treating anaerobic bodies of water including, but not limited to, agricultural waste treatment lagoons. The treatment method of the present invention includes the steps of analyzing the characteristics of the wastewater and sludge to be treated in an animal wastewater lagoon, identifying and propagating beneficial aerobic bacteria such that a selective dominance of the beneficial aerobic bacteria may be established in the animal wastewater lagoon, sizing an aeration means according to the quantity of water to be treated, aerating the animal wastewater lagoon and aerobically treating the wastewater in the animal wastewater lagoon further comprises propagated aerobic bacteria selected to aerobically digest organic material, and clarifying the wastewater by injected the aerobically treated wastewater with a polymer.

Abstract: The present invention is a multi-process water treatment system including a manifold, a disinfectant source adapted to supply a substantially continuous flow of disinfectant to the manifold, a plurality of water treatment processes fluidly coupled to the manifold, a plurality of sensor means, each sensor means coupled to a water treatment process, the sensor means adapted to communicate data representative of the concentration of the disinfectant present in each water treatment process, a central controller means adapted to receive data from the plurality of sensor means, a disinfectant discharge conduit, and a three-way diverting valve disposed in fluid communication between each branch of the manifold and each water treatment process, the valve having a first position wherein disinfectant is delivered to the water treatment process and a second position wherein disinfectant is delivered to the disinfectant discharge conduit.

Abstract: The present invention is drawn to a unique apparatus for treating anaerobic bodies of water including, but not limited to, agricultural waste treatment lagoons. The apparatus of the present invention includes an isolated body of water having a volume of wastewater and sludge therein and at least one aeration means in fluid flow communication with the isolated body of water, wherein the isolated body of water further comprises propagated aerobic bacteria selected to aerobically digest the wastewater and sludge and a water clarification means in fluid flow communication with the isolated body of water wherein the clarification means further comprises a polymer feed system to precipitate and promote solids separation of the wastewater and sludge.

Abstract: An apparatus for the efficient dissolution of fluids, both gas to liquid and liquid to liquid. A flow splitter divides the influent to an upper and lower stream. The lower stream is injected with a gas and the gas-enriched lower stream is subsequently discharged proximate to the bottom of a contactor in tangential fashion. The upper stream is discharged in similar tangential fashion proximate to the top of the contactor producing a vortex flow pattern. The countercurrent flow of the gas-enriched lower stream and upper stream ensures a high degree of dissolution of the gas in the liquid. Alternatively, two liquids of differing densities may be dissolved together with the present invention.

Abstract: A treatment apparatus and method that greatly increases the efficiency and flexibility in using ozone in the laundry process by permitting an operator to set the level of dissolved ozone concentration delivered to the washing machines, depending upon the amount and type of soil on the laundry. Furthermore, the present invention ensures that there is enough dissolved ozone available in the wash water to meet the demand of the washing apparatus. Lastly, the present invention monitors and maintains the desired amount of dissolved ozone to be delivered to the washers.

Abstract: A treatment apparatus and method that greatly increases the efficiency and flexibility in using ozone in the laundry process by permitting an operator to set the level of dissolved ozone concentration delivered to the washing machines, depending upon the amount and type of soil on the laundry. Furthermore, the present invention ensures that there is enough dissolved ozone available in the wash water to meet the demand of the washing apparatus. Lastly, the present invention monitors and maintains the desired amount of dissolved ozone to be delivered to the washers.

Abstract: The present invention is drawn to a unique apparatus and method for treating and reusing the wastewater discharged from agricultural animal farms. The apparatus and method of the present invention may be readily-sized and configured depending upon the amount and constituent(s) of the wastewater to be treated. In a first embodiment, the apparatus and method of the present invention is designed to be a zero discharge system in which no wastewater will be discharged or land applied. In use, the apparatus and method of the first embodiment may actually require addition of make-up water during periods of low rainfall to make up water losses due to evaporation and drift. It is contemplated that the only byproduct of the apparatus and method of the first embodiment may be a beneficial sludge if a sufficient number of installations are operated.

Abstract: The present invention is drawn to a unique apparatus and method for treating anaerobic bodies of water including, but not limited to, agricultural waste treatment lagoons. The apparatus and treatment method of the present invention will consist of several phases once the parameters of the wastewater have been ascertained. First, specially selected bacteria are cultivated based upon the wastewater parameters. This specialized bacteria is then utilized in bio-augmentation of the wastewater lagoon. Specifically, bacteria will be isolated and propagated specific for the wastewater which will create a selective dominance within the lagoon and enhance digestion of the waste. The wastewater lagoon is equipped with an aeration means and mixing means such that the wastewater undergoes aerobic digestion utilizing the specially selected bacteria. The solids separation or clarification phase preferably occurs in the existing animal wastewater treatment lagoon.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for using a dry cleaning machine to clean laundry that reduces environmental impacts by the substitution of ozone for the hazardous solvents traditionally used in the dry cleaning washing process. The apparatus and method for dry cleaning includes the steps of filtering the water whereby any debris present in the water is removed, measuring the dissolved ozone concentration of the water, recirculating the water between the tank and the water purifier until a desired ozone concentration is realized ensuring that the desired dissolved ozone concentration of the water is attained prior to the start of the cleaning process and continuously recirculating the water through the dry cleaning washing machine, the water purifier, and the tank during the cleaning process.

Abstract: A process is provided for the biological digestion of animal carcasses. First, the carcass is cut into smaller pieces with equipment that masticates, grinds or comminutes in the presence of water to create a solid-liquid mixture. The next steps include treating the solid-liquid mixture with a special blend or combination of bacteria that have been specifically cultured to digest the carcass; the mixture is subsequently aerated to form a stabilized biomass. The stabilized biomass is aerated in an open basin to further digest and liquefy the carcass, water, bacteria mixture. From the open basin, the primarily liquid waste stream is passed to a clarifying tank where the suspended solids are precipitated as sludge, thus clarifying the liquid. Sludge is removed from the clarifying chamber and the clarified liquid is either discharged or recirculated for further use in this novel process.

Abstract: The present invention is drawn to a unique apparatus and method for treating and reusing the wastewater discharged from agricultural animal farms. The apparatus and method of the present invention may be readily sized and configured depending upon the amount and constituent(s) of the wastewater to be treated. In a first embodiment, the apparatus and method of the present invention is designed to be a zero discharge system in which no wastewater will be discharged or spray irrigated. In use, the apparatus and method of the first embodiment may actually require addition of make-up water during periods of low rainfall to make-up water losses due to evaporation and drift. It is contemplated that the only byproduct of the apparatus and method of the first embodiment may be a beneficial sludge if a sufficient number of installations are operated.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for treating and reusing the wastewater discharged from agricultural animal farms. The apparatus and method of the present invention is designed to be a zero discharge system in which no wastewater will be discharged or spray irrigated. The wastewater effluent is first passed through a mechanical screen were bulk solids are separated and partially de-watered. The screened effluent is then directed to a primary plastic-lined earthen lagoon where it undergoes aerobic digestion utilizing specially selected bacteria. After treatment in the primary lagoon, the wastewater effluent is used to wash the floors of the hog houses or undergoes a purification phase including solids separation/denitrification, filtration and sterilization. The solids separation/denitrification phase (clarification) preferably takes place in an anoxic environment in preferably above-ground tanks where suspended solids removal will occur as well as denitrification for nitrate reduction.

Abstract: A detachable coupling member (30) at the cable entry end (16) of an electrical connector (10) provides easily removable attachment of the individual wires (54) of a cable assembly to the electrical connector (40). The detachable coupling member (30) permits the conventional solder connection of a wire (54) to an electrically conductive element (32) of the connector (10) to be made at a position spaced from portions (12) of the connector assembly (10) that may be damaged by heat generated in the course of making the solder connection, and provides selective attachment or separation of the wire (54) and connector (10). In use, the wires (54) are joined to the coupling members (30) which are to be plugged into sockets (27) at the rear of contacts (22) and held in place by use of threaded sleeves (42) to permit easy removal of faulty or incorrectly attached wires.

Abstract: An electrical connector (10) has a body (12) and seal member (14) in which the body (12) has embedded electrical conductors (18) that extend outwardly from the cable entry end (16) of the body (12). The body (12) also includes integrally formed sheaths (28) that surround a portion (20) of each of the outwardly extending electrical conductors (18). The seal member (14) has internal passageways (38) that are adapted to provide a waterproof seal around each of the sheaths (28) and around the insulation jacket of each wire lead (24) attached to one of the electrical conductors (18). Either one of the body (12) or seal member (14) may be formed of rigid material and the other one formed of a compressible material, or alternatively, both may be formed of compressible material.

Abstract: A rigid nonmetallic shell provides a reaction surface for seal members disposed in a groove in a metal housing. The rigid shell, and at least a portion of the metal housing, are overmolded with a plastic or elastomeric material that is self-bonding with the rigid shell to provide a molecular bond between the overmolded cover and the rigid shell. The present invention effectively addresses the problem of providing a leakproof seal between a metal housing and an overmolded plastic or elastomeric structure surrounding the metal housing.

Abstract: An electrical connector has a body and seal member in which the body has embedded electrical conductors that extend outwardly from the cable entry end of the body. The body also includes integrally formed sheaths that surround a portion of each of the outwardly extending electrical conductors. The seal member has internal passageways that are adapted to provide a waterproof seal around each of the sheaths and around the insulation jacket of each wire lead attached to one of the electrical conductors. The electrical connector effectively and economically solves the problem of providing a field repairable waterproof seal at the cable entry end of a connector by sealing the sheath surrounding the conductor and the jacket surrounding the wire lead on each side of the electrical connection between the conductor and lead.

Abstract: An electrical connector having pin members that are partially encapsulated within, and socket members that are completely encapsulated within, electrically nonconductive sheaths that are respectively integrally formed with male and female body members. The male and female body members are joined together by an electrically nonconductive coupling member having a plurality of internally disposed passageways that seal around each of the sheaths. The male and female body members and the coupling member are separately disassemblable and the coupling member is replaceable without the use of special tools or equipment.