Abstract: A method and apparatus for remediating waster water holding areas and the like includes a closed, foraminous dewatering membrane that is positioned adjacent to the wastewater holding area. Sludge and adjacent water on the bottom of the wastewater holding area are pumped in the form of a sludge slurry into the interior of the dewatering membrane. The water is removed from the sludge slurry by allowing gravitational forces to flow water through the dewatering membrane. The dewatering membrane is then opened, and the dewatered sludge is removed for depositing at an appropriate site.

Abstract: An integrated battery tray and reservoir assembly 10 is provided which is adapted to be operatively installed within the engine compartment of a conventional vehicle. Assembly 10 includes a battery tray portion 12 having a back wall 14 which includes a generally rectangular cavity 16; a vacuum reservoir plate 18 which is sealingly attached to back wall 14 and which cooperates with back wall 14 and cavity 16 to form a sealed vacuum reservoir 20; a valve housing portion 22 which fluidly communicates with reservoir 20; a solenoid valve assembly 24; and a check valve assembly 26. A vacuum hub locks pulse supply line 30 is coupled to valve 24 and selectively receives vacuum pulses from valve 24. Assembly 10 further includes an engine vacuum line 32 and an HVAC vacuum line 28 which are fluidly coupled to vacuum reservoir 20 and which respectively provide and receive vacuum pressure to/from reservoir 20.

Abstract: An investment optimizing system and method. Once an investor or investment advisor determines the appropriate asset allocation and that there are both taxable accounts and tax-deferred investment accounts, the invention will optimize/maximize the investor's ending after-tax asset accumulation, which is the objective of all investors. This is accomplished by allocating the chosen investment vehicles between the taxable and tax-deferred accounts in an optimum way. The invention runs on a computer system and searches for an allocation which results in a maximal return. Intelligent heuristics measure increased performance based on different asset allocations.

Abstract: A valve (60) for use in a brake system (10) through which a source (32) of fluid charges an accumulator (24) to a desired fluid pressure level and through which fluid pressure present in a conduit (52) is communicated to a reservoir (33) in the absence of the flow of fluid from the source. The valve (60) has a housing (62) with a bore (64) therein with an entrance port (66) connected to the source of fluid (32), an exit port (68) connected by a flexible conduit (52) to the accumulator (24) and exhaust port (70) connected to the reservoir (33). A sleeve (72) which is located in bore (64) has an internal bore (74) with a first diameter (82) for retaining a first ball (90), a second diameter (80) for retaining a linkage member (94) and a third diameter (86) for retaining a second ball (92). A first spring (93) urges the first ball (90) toward a first seat (84′) formed between the first (82) and second (80) diameters.

Abstract: A turbocharger includes a main shaft carrying a turbine wheel and an impeller. The shaft is supported in a housing by means of a floating bearing and a ball bearing which is particularly effective in resisting axial loads tending to move the shaft toward the impeller. A preload spring positioned between the stationary race of the ball bearing and a thrust plate fixed to the housing provides a force urging said ball bearing against a shoulder on the main shaft against thrust forces tending to move the shaft toward the turbine wheel.

Abstract: A gasoline dispenser, and cable assembly utilized therein, in which the cable assembly is formed by a plurality of conductors, a sheath of insulative material extending around each conductor, and a sleeve extending over a portion of the jacket. The sleeve is crimped over the jacket to compress the jacket and sheaths to reduce the passage of vapor through the cable assembly. The cable assembly is connected between two components in the dispenser to prevent the flow of gasoline vapor from one component to the other.

Abstract: A dispensing system and method utilizing a break-away antenna in a radio frequency customer identification system for service stations to reliably and accurately identify and charge customers for their purchases. The antenna is formed by a bracket adapted to be affixed to the object, a rod pivotally mounted to the bracket, and a spring normally urging the rod to a first position, the rod being pivotal to a second position in response to a force applied to the rod in a direction towards the second position.

Abstract: A strainer formed by a body member defining an inlet passage for receiving the fluid and an outlet passage for discharging the fluid. A chamber is connected to the outlet passage and an internal passage connects the inlet passage to the chamber. A separator is disposed in the chamber for separating particles from the fluid as the fluid passes through the chamber. The fluid is thus routed into the inlet passage, and through the inlet passage to the chamber where the particles are separated. The fluid is then passed to the discharge passage for discharging the fluid to a conduit.

Abstract: Cable structures comprising at least three thermoplastic polymer filaments are prepared in a single extrusion process and exhibit performance characteristics comparable to cabled yarn constructions. The cables can be used in fabrics such as those used in paper manufacture.

Abstract: Cable structures comprising at least three thermoplastic polymer filaments are prepared in a single extrusion process and exhibit performance characteristics comparable to cabled yarn constructions. The cables can be used in fabrics such as those used in paper manufacture.

Abstract: A spiral fabric comprising a plurality of coils having loops meshed together to form channels at points of overlap between adjacent loops, locking pins positioned in the channels to join adjacent coils to form a mesh, and the improvement wherein a cable structure of at least two thermoplastic filaments is used as at least one component of the fabric.

Abstract: A monofilament which exhibits improved hydrolytic stability properties as compared to conventional polyester monofilaments is formed from the extrusion of a blend of PPS and at least one polymer selected from the group consisting of PET, a high temperature polyester resin and polyphenylene oxide and possibly, a hydrolytic stabilizing agent. The monofilament is produced without the inclusion of compatibilizers or fillers, even though PPS is known to be incompatible with PET and high temperature polyester resins in most applications. A fabric may be produced having increased resistance to hydrolytic degradation and includes a plurality of woven monofilaments, comprising a blend of PPS with at least one other polymer selected from the group consisting of PET, a high temperature polyester resin and polyphenylene oxide and, a hydrolytic stabilizing agent. Such fabrics have utility as fabrics for the dryer sections of paper machines. Methods for the production of such monofilaments are also provided.

Abstract: A monofilament which exhibits improved hydrolytic stability properties as compared to conventional polyester monofilaments is formed from the extrusion of a blend of PPS and at least one polymer selected from the group consisting of PET, a high temperature polyester resin and polyphenylene oxide and possibly, a hydrolytic stabilizing agent. The monofilament is produced without the inclusion of compatibilizers or fillers, even though PPS is known to be incompatible with PET and high temperature polyester resins in most applications. A fabric may be produced having increased resistance to hydrolytic degradation and includes a plurality of woven monofilaments, comprising a blend of PPS with at least one other polymer selected from the group consisting of PET, a high temperature polyester resin and polyphenylene oxide and, a hydrolytic stabilizing agent. Such fabrics have utility as fabrics for the dryer sections of paper machines. Methods for the production of such monofilaments are also provided.

Abstract: To provide for both top and bottom heating of baked goods in a portable table-top baking oven, a bottom part (2, 2') is closed off by a removable cover (3, 3') which is essentially dome-shaped, and made of unglazed heat-resistant stoneware. The space beneath this cover defines a baking space. The cover is formed with introduction openings 4, 4', preferably three or four, uniformly positioned about the lower circumference and open at the bottom. The cover is seated on the bottom part which, in one embodiment, retains fuel-supplied heaters, for example three, positioned circumferentially around the outer circumference of the bottom part, heat being distributed through an apertured heat distribution plate 7 beneath a carrier plate (10) for the goods to be baked, and around the outside through a gap (16) between the carrier plate and the dome-shaped cover and into the baking space of the dome-shaped cover; in another embodiment (FIGS.

Abstract: A lubrication system for a turbocharger utilized on an internal combustion engine is disclosed characterized by use of a fluidic motor/pump assembly driven by oil pressure derived from the existing oil pump of the internal combustion engine to simultaneously provide pressurized oil supply and vacuum oil drain from the turbocharger.

Abstract: A jack-up type of offshore oil-drilling platform is adapted for rocket launching, wherein the rocket is assembled on a mobile launch pad in a protected on-shore facility then loaded onto the floating jack-up barge for transport to a launch site miles offshore. The barge is jacked up to create a stable, sea-bottom supported structure; a particular feature is the used of a movable cantilever structure on which the rocket and its supporting pad are loaded while in the on-shore facility, then this structure is moved to a central location on the barge, the barge is floated, and the floating barge is towed to the launch site. At the launch site the structure is moved back to a cantilevered position for launch. In this manner the exhaust gasses from the rocket motors can be directed harmlessly into the sea.

Abstract: A thermal print head assembly for use in high speed printers of the dot matrix type wherein the thermal print element is forced against the printing paper and platen by means of bias springs. The thermal print head comprises a dot-generating thermal wafer which is rigidly mounted in a member supported by a frame and spring biased against the platen. The thermal print head as described may also include a biasing heater element and a plurality of thermal print heads combined together to form a thermal line printer.

Abstract: A method of forming patterned polycrystalline silicon having a rounded profile on a substrate comprises providing a defined source of one type conductivity modifiers adjacent the substrate where the silicon is to be formed, depositing a film of polycrystalline silicon over the defined source, diffusing the conductivity modifiers from the defined source into regions of the film adjacent thereto, and then contacting the entire surface of the film with a solvent in which the film is soluble but in which the regions doped with the one type conductivity modifiers are substantially insoluble, thereby removing regions of the film that are substantially void of the one type conductivity modifiers.