Abstract: A forward articulating cleaning and/or removal apparatus. An example apparatus includes a cylindrical housing to extend through an open end of the structure. The example apparatus also includes a distal edge having teeth formed on the housing to cut or loosen debris as the housing is rotated into the structure. The example apparatus also includes at least one coil within the housing to move the cut or loosened debris away from the distal edge toward a proximal end of the housing as the housing is rotated into the structure.

Abstract: A forward articulating cleaning and removal apparatus for cleaning a drainage structure. An example apparatus includes a housing to extend into a structure to be cleared and/or removed, through an open end of the structure to be cleared. The example apparatus also includes a distal edge formed on the housing to cut or loosen debris. At least one coil within the housing moves the cut or loosened debris away from the distal edge formed on the housing to a proximal end of the housing. A debris escape opening is formed in the proximal end of the housing. A stem at the proximal end of the housing is provided for connecting to a rotational power source to drive the housing. The example apparatus includes at least one cutting edge on the distal edge of the housing and/or the at least one coil within the housing.

Abstract: A fish and game device is disclosed. An example fish and game device includes a central tubing portion, an absorbent material provided around at least a portion of the central tubing portion, and a mesh material provided over the absorbent material. The mesh material retains the absorbent material adjacent the central tubing portion. A scent on the absorbent material may be released through the mesh material into a surrounding environment to attract fish or wildlife.

Abstract: A forward articulating cleaning and removal apparatus for cleaning a drainage structure. An example apparatus includes a housing to extend into a structure to be cleared and/or removed, through an open end of the structure to be cleared. The example apparatus also includes a distal edge formed on the housing to cut or loosen debris. At least one coil within the housing moves the cut or loosened debris away from the distal edge formed on the housing to a proximal end of the housing. A debris escape opening is formed in the proximal end of the housing. A stem at the proximal end of the housing is provided for connecting to a rotational power source to drive the housing. The example apparatus includes at least one cutting edge on the distal edge of the housing and/or the at least one coil within the housing.

Abstract: A tool for cleaning a drainage structure comprises a rod having a center longitudinal axis, a barrel housing having a proximal opening and a distal opening, the barrel housing having a center longitudinal axis and coupled coaxially to the rod, the barrel housing having an outside dimension that can be accommodated within the drainage structure, the distal opening of the barrel housing having a sinusoidal tearing contour. The tool further comprises a plurality of cutting implements radially coupled to and between the rod and the barrel housing, the cutting implements having a distal cutting edge and being angularly oriented to facilitate sweeping debris in a selected direction, and the barrel housing and cutting implements operable to rotate about the center longitudinal axis of the rod to dislodge and loosen debris inside the drainage structure.

Abstract: A tool for cleaning a drainage structure comprises a rod having a center longitudinal axis, a barrel housing having a proximal opening and a distal opening, the barrel housing having a center longitudinal axis and coupled coaxially to the rod, the barrel housing having an outside dimension that can be accommodated within the drainage structure, the distal opening of the barrel housing having a sinusoidal tearing contour. The tool further comprises a plurality of cutting implements radially coupled to and between the rod and the barrel housing, the cutting implements having a distal cutting edge and being angularly oriented to facilitate sweeping debris in a selected direction, and the barrel housing and cutting implements operable to rotate about the center longitudinal axis of the rod to dislodge and loosen debris inside the drainage structure.

Abstract: An apparatus for cleaning a culvert includes a rod pushing and pulling machine, a rod string made from a series of extension rods coupled end to end, which rod string is mounted at a proximal end to the rod pushing and pulling machine. A debris removal tool is mounted on a distal end of the rod string. The debris removal tool may comprises a rod having a center longitudinal axis, a proximal end, and a distal end, the rod having a coupling at its proximal end. A bucket is mounted at the distal end of the rod, which bucket has an end opening positioned so that movement of the bucket along the culvert scoops debris into the bucket.

Abstract: A wick assembly for installation under a roadway according to the invention includes a perforated drain pipe, an inner sheet of a wicking fabric disposed on the perforated drain pipe in a manner effective to cover the perforations therein, an outer sheet of a wicking fabric, and a layer of filter aggregates confined between the inner and outer wicking fabric sheets to form a wick drain in combination with the perforated drain pipe. Water passes through the sheets and filter aggregates in order to enter the perforated drain pipe through the perforations therein. The wick drain may be disposed inside an outer pipe with the outer fabric sheet in slidable contact with the inner periphery of the pipe casing. The outer pipe casing serves to protect the wick drain during installation and is later removed once the wick drain is in position.

Abstract: A flow control device for containers of liquid and viscous materials include an air vent by-pass positioned within the container and extending into an enlarged area of the container. The flow control device enables a more smooth and uniform pouring of low viscosity liquids and viscous materials, and reduces or eliminates the intermittent flow associated with prior art containers for these materials. The invention is particularly useful when disposed within a hollow handle. Operation of the by-pass device may be augmented by a closure orifice positioned near the top of the container. Alternatively, the closure orifice may be used by itself for smaller container sizes, but with less flow control effect.

Abstract: A tool for cleaning a drainage structure comprises a rod having a center longitudinal axis, a barrel housing having a proximal opening and a distal opening, the barrel housing having a center longitudinal axis and coupled coaxially to the rod, the barrel housing having an outside dimension that can be accommodated within the drainage structure, the distal opening of the barrel housing having a sinusoidal tearing contour. The tool further comprises a plurality of cutting implements radially coupled to and between the rod and the barrel housing, the cutting implements having a distal cutting edge and being angularly oriented to facilitate sweeping debris in a selected direction, and the barrel housing and cutting implements operable to rotate about the center longitudinal axis of the rod to dislodge and loosen debris inside the drainage structure.

Abstract: A tool for cleaning a culvert comprises a rod having a center longitudinal axis, a housing having a center longitudinal axis and coupled coaxially to the rod, the housing having an interior chamber, the housing has an outside dimension that can be accommodated within the culvert, and at least one paddle operable to rotate about the center longitudinal axis of the rod inside the interior chamber of the housing, the at least one paddle operable to dislodge and loosen debris inside the culvert.

Abstract: A tool for cleaning a culvert comprises a rod having a center longitudinal axis, a housing having a center longitudinal axis and coupled coaxially to the rod, the housing having an interior chamber, the housing has an outside dimension that can be accommodated within the culvert, and at least one paddle operable to rotate about the center longitudinal axis of the rod inside the interior chamber of the housing, the at least one paddle operable to dislodge and loosen debris inside the culvert.

Abstract: A roadway wick comprises a perforated drain pipe, and a wicking assembly encasing the perforated drain pipe. The roadway wick is operable to absorb accumulated water under the roadway and conduct and drain the water from under the roadway.

Abstract: A tool for cleaning a culvert comprises a rod having a center longitudinal axis, a housing having a center longitudinal axis and coupled coaxially to the rod, the housing having an interior chamber, the housing has an outside dimension that can be accommodated within the culvert, and at least one paddle operable to rotate about the center longitudinal axis of the rod inside the interior chamber of the housing, the at least one paddle operable to dislodge and loosen debris inside the culvert.

Abstract: An apparatus for use in optical communication systems to multiplex/demultiplex an optical signal consisting of an optical channel(s) of distinct wavelength(s) having a select channel spacing within a select wavelength range. The apparatus includes a plurality of optical waveguides aligned generally along the same optical axis with each having a propagating end. At least two of the optical waveguides each propagate a distinct multiplexed optical signal comprising a plurality of channels, with the multiplexed optical waveguides being arranged in a multiplexed linear array. The others of the optical waveguides are single channel waveguides arranged in a two dimensional array with linear rows perpendicular to the multiplex linear array and with each linear row corresponding to a multiplex optical waveguide.

Abstract: An apparatus for use in optical communication systems to multiplex/demultiplex an optical signal consisting of an optical channel(s) of distinct wavelength(s) having a select channel spacing within a select wavelength range. The apparatus includes a plurality of optical waveguides aligned generally along the same optical axis with each having a propagating end. At least two of the optical waveguides each propagate a distinct multiplexed optical signal comprising a plurality of channels, with the multiplexed optical waveguides being arranged in a multiplexed linear array. The others of the optical waveguides are single channel waveguides arranged in a two dimensional array with linear rows perpendicular to the multiplex linear array and with each linear row corresponding to a multiplex optical waveguide.

Abstract: A fiber pigtail template assembly includes first and second silicon wafers each having a planar surface with a plurality of corresponding grooves therein extending from a leading edge toward a trailing edge. The plurality of corresponding grooves, with the planar surfaces in abutment and the corresponding grooves aligned define a plurality of fiber channels. The first and second silicon wafers further cooperatively define a receptacle between the fiber channels and the trailing edges of the first and second silicon wafers with the planar surfaces of the silicon wafers in abutment with the grooves aligned. A minor diameter leading portion of an optical fiber is received in each fiber channel and the receptacle is sized to receive major diameter trailing portions of each fiber without causing a bending radius of the fiber sufficient to materially degrade wavelength propagation.

Abstract: A bulk optic (de)multiplexer for fiber optic communications systems includes a diffraction grating having a diffraction surface, a waveguide array including a plurality of waveguides having an input/output end for emitting and receiving optical signals, and a focusing optic in optical communication between the diffraction grating and the waveguide array along an optical axis. The focusing optic focuses beams from the diffraction surface of the grating for optical coupling with the input/output ends of the waveguides. The (de)multiplexer further includes a frame. A fixed mount is provided between the focusing optic and the frame. A first adjustable mount is provided between the waveguide array and the frame and a second adjustable mount is provided between the diffraction grating and the frame. Preferably, the optical axis corresponds to a Z axis of orthogonal X, Y, Z axes and the waveguides of the waveguide array are aligned with the input/output ends along an input/output axis.