Abstract: A fluid heating element includes first and second conduits. The first conduit has a first inlet and a first outlet. The first inlet is configured to receive a first portion of the fluid, and the first outlet is configured to discharge the first portion of the fluid. The second conduit has a second inlet and a second outlet. The second inlet is configured to receive a second portion of the fluid, and the second outlet is configured to discharge the second portion of the fluid. The fluid heating element further includes an electrothermal coating associated with the first and second conduits and an electrical lead configured to apply an electric current across the electrothermal coating. The electrothermal coating converts the electric current to heat that is transferred to through the first and second conduits to the fluid.

Abstract: A computer-implemented system and method are provided as an organizational risk and readiness assessment tool (ORA) for assessing organizational health-related risks and readiness for wellness and disease management programming. Survey data is collected for an organization, such as environmental survey data, leadership survey data and health culture survey data. The survey data may include binary survey data and scalar survey data. A scoring engine generates one or more readiness scores for the organization by applying at least one scoring algorithm to the survey data to generate one or more risk and/or readiness scores for the organization. The risk and/or readiness scores may relate to the environment, leadership perceptions, and health culture of the organization. Overall risk and readiness scores may also be generated.

Abstract: A selectable trailer hitch apparatus is attached to a vehicle and includes a vehicle attachment member attached to the vehicle. With a first embodiment, the vehicle attachment member is a single horizontal structure. With additional embodiments, the vehicle attachment member includes a first horizontal hitch assembly support portion, a riser support portion, and a second horizontal hitch assembly support portion. The selectable trailer hitch apparatus permits one of a plurality of trailer hitches to be used at a time for a particular trailer. A base plate is attached to the vehicle attachment member. The base plate extends in a horizontal orientation and includes an axle reception channel. A plurality of trailer hitches are connected to the top side of the hitch-supporting selector plate. An axle is connected to the bottom side of the hitch-supporting selector plate, and the axle is inserted into the axle reception channel.

Abstract: A selectable trailer hitch apparatus is attached to a vehicle and includes a vehicle attachment member attached to the vehicle. With a first embodiment, the vehicle attachment member is a single horizontal structure. With additional embodiments, the vehicle attachment member includes a first horizontal hitch assembly support portion, a riser support portion, and a second horizontal hitch assembly support portion. The selectable trailer hitch apparatus permits one of a plurality of trailer hitches to be used at a time for a particular trailer. A base plate is attached to the vehicle attachment member. The base plate extends in a horizontal orientation and includes an axle reception channel. A plurality of trailer hitches are connected to the top side of the hitch-supporting selector plate. An axle is connected to the bottom side of the hitch-supporting selector plate, and the axle is inserted into the axle reception channel.

Abstract: An ingot pusher furnace of the vertical air flow type includes adjustable side baffles hingedly connected to lower ends of respective vertical side baffles to prevent the "short circuiting" of heated gases around the ends of an ingot to be heated. The adjustable side baffles are movable from a vertical position to an angled position so that its upper ends are in closely spaced proximity with the outer faces on the end portions of the shorter length ingot so as to produce a more uniform and faster heat transfer along the entire length thereof.

Abstract: An ingot pusher furnace includes means for reducing heat loss from the charging and discharging ends of the furnace so as to produce a more efficient and uniform heating of the ingots. The pusher furnace includes support rails which extend between a first opening in the front wall and a second opening in the rear wall and terminates inside of the charging and discharging doors. The charging and discharging doors extend below the support rails in their closed position so as to provide a positive seal.

Abstract: An ingot pusher furnace of the vertical air flow type includes distributing means for preventing short circuiting of a gaseous medium around the ends of ingots to be heated so as to produce a more uniform heat transfer along the entire length of the ingots. The distributing means comprises a pair of air distribution baffles which force the gaseous medium contained in an enclosure to flow towards the center portions of the ingots so as to facilitate uniform heating throughout the ingots. In an alternate embodiment, the distributing means comprises a pair of movable side baffles which is movable to an angled position so that its lower ends are adjacent the ends of the ingots.

Abstract: An ingot pusher furnace of the vertical air flow type includes distributing means for preventing short circuiting of a gaseous medium around the ends of ingots to be heated so as to produce a more uniform heat transfer along the entire length of the ingots. The distributing means comprises a pair of air distribution baffles which force the gaseous medium contained in an enclosure to flow towards the center portions of the ingots so as to facilitate uniform heating throughout the ingots. In an alternate embodiment, the distributing means comprises a pair of movable side baffles which is movable to be angled position so that its lower ends are adjacent the ends of the ingots.

Abstract: An ingot furnace pusher furnace includes a fixed baffle assembly suspended from a furnace top wall. The baffle assembly includes a horizontal top baffle plate and a bottom baffle sheet disposed below the top plate. The bottom baffle sheet consist of a center portion and a pair of first and second upwardly sloping end portions connected to the center portion. The center portion is positioned substantially parallel to an upper suface of a center portion of the ingot. A first deflection baffle is rotatably supported at its one end by a pipe to the baffle assembly adjacent the first sloping end portion. A second deflection baffle is rotatably supported at its one end by a pipe to the baffle assembly adjacent the second sloping end portion. Linkage devices are connected to the other ends of the first and second deflection baffles for moving the same between a horizontal position parallel to the upper surface of the ingot and an acute angle position relative to the horizontal position.

Abstract: An ingot pusher furnace includes a horizontal baffle assembly suspended from a frame member located above a furnace top wall. The baffle assembly includes of a center portion and a pair of first and second upwardly sloping end portions connected to the center portion. The center portion is positioned substantially parallel to an upper surface of a center portion of the ingot. A first upper horizontal baffle is connected by a first gusset to the first sloping end portion. The first upper baffle is positioned substantially parallel to and above a first end portion of the ingot. A second upper horizontal baffle is connected by a second gusset to the second sloping end portion. The second upper baffle is positioned substantially parallel to and above a second end portion of the ingot.

Abstract: An improved ingot pusher furnace having a base carrying a plurality of laterally slidable shoes with upper surfaces smoothly tapering into said base. A pair of side walls is connected to said base with a top wall connected to said side walls to define a heating enclosure. A pair of end walls are connected to the base, side walls and top walls, each of the end walls having a vestibule, including a pair of double doors therein. A baffle assembly is movably connected to the top wall to be held in spaced proximity from an ingot to be heated.