Abstract: A method and apparatus are provided for sorting items to a plurality of sort destinations. The items are fed into the apparatus at an input station having a scanning station. The scanning station evaluates one or more characteristics of each item. The items are then loaded onto one of a plurality of independently controlled delivery vehicles. The delivery vehicles are individually driven to sort destinations. Once at the appropriate sort destination, the delivery vehicle ejects the item to the sort destination and returns to receive another item to be delivered. A re-induction conveyor may be provided for receiving select items from the vehicles and conveying the items back to the input station for re-processing. Additionally, a controller is provided to control the movement of the vehicles based on a characteristic each item being delivered by each vehicle.

Abstract: A method and apparatus are provided for sorting items to a plurality of sort destinations. The items are fed into the apparatus at an input station having a scanning station. The scanning station evaluates one or more characteristics of each item. The items are then loaded onto one of a plurality of independently controlled delivery vehicles. The delivery vehicles are individually driven to sort destinations. Once at the appropriate sort destination, the delivery vehicle ejects the item to the sort destination and returns to receive another item to be delivered. A re-induction conveyor may be provided for receiving select items from the vehicles and conveying the items back to the input station for re-processing. Additionally, a controller is provided to control the movement of the vehicles based on a characteristic each item being delivered by each vehicle.

Abstract: Operators manufacture a wellscreen by forming a wire-wrapped screen on a base pipe. Rather than stopping and restarting winding, the desired length of screen is completed along the base pipe, and then the wire screen is segmented into a plurality of screen sections as required for the various zones and details of the implementation. Operators arrange the screen sections relative to one another on the base pipe, which can have different lengths with and without perforations. On the free ends of these separate screen sections, mating split ring components fit around the free ends and the base pipes. Male edges of one split ring component mate to complementary female edges of another to form the end ring around the screen section and base pipe, and longitudinal welds made in seams along the mating edges affix the split ring components together.

Abstract: Operators manufacture a wellscreen by forming a wire-wrapped screen on a base pipe. Rather than stopping and restarting winding, the desired length of screen is completed along the base pipe, and then the wire screen is segmented into a plurality of screen sections as required for the various zones and details of the implementation. Operators arrange the screen sections relative to one another on the base pipe, which can have different lengths with and without perforations. On the free ends of these separate screen sections, mating split ring components fit around the free ends and the base pipes. Male edges of one split ring component mate to complementary female edges of another to form the end ring around the screen section and base pipe, and longitudinal welds made in seams along the mating edges affix the split ring components together.

Abstract: Operators manufacture a wellscreen by forming a wire-wrapped screen on a base pipe. Rather than stopping and restarting winding, the desired length of screen is completed along the base pipe, and then the wire screen is segmented into a plurality of screen sections as required for the various zones and details of the implementation. Operators arrange the screen sections relative to one another on the base pipe, which can have different lengths with and without perforations. On the free ends of these separate screen sections, mating split ring components fit around the free ends and the base pipes. Male edges of one split ring component mate to complementary female edges of another to form the end ring around the screen section and base pipe, and longitudinal welds made in seams along the mating edges affix the split ring components together.

Abstract: Operators manufacture a wellscreen by forming a wire-wrapped screen on a base pipe. Rather than stopping and restarting winding, the desired length of screen is completed along the base pipe, and then the wire screen is segmented into a plurality of screen sections as required for the various zones and details of the implementation. Operators arrange the screen sections relative to one another on the base pipe, which can have different lengths with and without perforations. On the free ends of these separate screen sections, mating split ring components fit around the free ends and the base pipes. Male edges of one split ring component mate to complementary female edges of another to form the end ring around the screen section and base pipe, and longitudinal welds made in seams along the mating edges affix the split ring components together.

Abstract: The invention relates in general to clock recovery in a communications network, and in particular to clock recovery in a packet based communications network. Methods and apparatus are disclosed for determining a client timing signal 64, 70 for at least one client device 18, 20, 22, 54, 56, 92, 94, 96 at a master device 24, 58, 98. The client timing signal is compared 126 with a reference timing signal 76 of the master device. A timing difference value 36 is then determined 128 between the client timing signal and the reference timing signal. At least one packet indicative of the timing difference value is transmitted 130 from the master device 24, 58, 98 for receipt by the at least one client device for adjusting the client timing signal at the at least one client device.

Abstract: An SDH network has a network management system to monitor the functionality of SDH network elements in the SDH network. The SDH network is arranged to transport Ethernet information in SDH format across the SDH network, and is at least partially situated at a host site. An Ethernet network is situated at a user site. An SDH network element converts the SDH format Ethernet information into Ethernet format information for transportation between the host and user sites via a link. An Ethernet network element receives the Ethernet format information. The SDH network element can request the status of the Ethernet network element when the SDH network element is required to update the SDH network management system with status information on the functionality of the SDH network element and the Ethernet network element.

Abstract: A concentrated stable emulsifiable formulation includes A) an amide, B) a water-soluble non-ionic emulsifier, C) a water-insoluble anionic emulsifier, and D) a water-insoluble biocidal azole, wherein the concentrated stable emulsifiable formulation is a solution containing the water-insoluble biocidal azole in an amount greater than 20% by weight of the formulation. An aqueous wood treatment composition which can be made for example from the concentrated stable emulsifiable formulation includes emulsified droplets containing at least one water-insoluble biocidal azole s and an amide such as N,N-dialkyloctanamide, N,N-dialkyldecanamide, N-alkyloctanamide, N-alkyldecanamide, octanamide, decanamide, or mixture thereof, where the alkyl groups independently comprise between one and three carbon atoms.

Abstract: A chlorothalonil slurry product having greater than 90% by weight of the chlorothalonil present in discrete particles having a diameter less than 1 micron, more preferably less than 0.3 microns, is useful at reduced application rates, compared to prior art chlorothalonil formulations, to control a variety of diseases such as sapstain on wood, neck rot on onions, late blight on potatos, and downey mildew on fruits and vegetables.

Abstract: A communication system comprising an SDH network and an Ethernet network, wherein the SDH network has a network management system to monitor the functionality of SDH network elements in the SDH network. The SDH network is arranged to transport Ethernet information in SDH format across the SDH network, and is at least partially situated at a host site. The Ethernet network is situated at a user site. The SDH network having SDH network elements is arranged to convert the SDH format Ethernet information into Ethernet format information for transportation between the host and user sites via a link, and the Ethernet network has an Ethernet network element to receive the Ethernet format information. The SDH network element can request the status of the Ethernet network element when the SDH network element is required to update the SDH network management system with status information on the functionality of the SDH network element and the Ethernet network element.

Abstract: A method of milling substantially insoluble solid organic biocides to form a micron or sub-micron product having a narrow particle size distribution is presented. The milling involves wet milling of the organic biocide with high density milling media having a diameter between 0.1 mm and 0.8 mm, preferably between 0.2 mm and 0.7 mm, and a density equal to or greater than 3.8 g/cc, preferably greater than 5.5 g/cc, in a ball mill using between about 40% and 80% loading of the mill volume with milling media, and having the organic biocide suspended in an aqueous milling liquid which comprises one or more surface active agents. The milling speed is preferably high, for example from about 1000 rpm to about 4000 rpm.

Abstract: Addition of base improves the homogeneity of aqueous copper amine complex preservatives injected into wood. The base includes at least a portion of alkali metal hydroxides, alkali metal carbonates, alkali metal phosphates, alkali metal borates, and/or alkali metal pyrophosphates, the corrosivity of the composition to steel and galvanized steel is reduced, and the leach rate of the copper from the wood is also reduced.

Abstract: A method of milling chlorothalonil to form a sub-micron product having a narrow particle size distribution is presented. The milling involves wet milling of the chlorothalonil with high density milling media having a diameter between 0.1 mm and 0.8 mm, preferably between 0.2 mm and 0.7 mm, and a density equal to or greater than 3.8 g/cc, preferably greater than 5.5 g/cc, in a ball mill using between about 40% and 80% loading of the mill volume with milling media, and having the chlorothalonil suspended in an aqueous milling liquid which comprises one or more surface active agents. The milling speed is preferably high, for example from about 1000 rpm to about 4000 rpm. The milled product can be used in foliar applications at a lower effective dosage than prior art formulations, can be used in improved antifouling paint formulations, and can be used in new applications such as the direct injection of solid chlorothalonil particulates in wood to act as a long lasting wood preservative.

Abstract: A method for preserving wood by injecting into the wood a slurry having: particles of a sparingly soluble copper salt, copper hydroxide, or both, wherein the weight average diameter d50 of the particles in the slurry is between 0.1 microns and 0.7 microns and the d98 of the particles in the slurry is less than about 1 micron; a dispersant; and water. The dispersant is anionic or a mix of anionic and non-ionic. Advantageously, less than 20% by weight of the particles have a diameter less than 20 nanometers. Useful copper salts include basic copper carbonate, tri-basic copper sulfate, copper oxychloride, basic copper nitrate, basic copper borate, copper borate, basic copper phosphate, or copper silicate. The slurry most preferably includes copper hydroxide particles. The slurry further advantageously includes at least one organic biocide, wherein at least a portion of the organic biocide is coated on the particles.

Abstract: The invention relates to a compatibilizing dispersant used in a slurry composition comprising a strongly cationic component and a strongly anionic component. More specifically, the invention relates to stable aqueous slurries comprising suspended particles of sparingly soluble salts, oxide, and/or hydroxides of copper and/or zinc. The slurry further comprises a quaternary amine compound present in a biocidally effective amount when the slurry is used in a manner that provides the sparingly soluble copper and/or zinc containing particles in a biocidally effective amount. The slurry further comprises an effective amount of a dispersant having a large non-ionic component.

Abstract: A wood preservative includes injectable particles comprising one or more sparingly soluble copper salts. The copper-based particles are sufficiently insoluble so as to not be easily removed by leaching but are sufficiently soluble to exhibit toxicity to primary organisms primarily responsible for the decay of the wood. Exemplary particles contain for example copper hydroxide, basic copper carbonate, copper carbonate, basic copper sulfates including particularly tribasic copper sulfate, basic copper nitrates, copper oxychlorides, copper borates, basic copper borates, and mixtures thereof. The particles typically have a size distribution in which at least 50% of particles have a diameter smaller than 0.25 ?m, 0.2 ?m, or 0.15 ?m. At least about 20% and even more than 75% of the weight of the particles may be composed of the substantially crystalline copper salt. Wood or a wood product may be impregnated with copper-based particles of the invention.

Abstract: A method of preserving wood includes injecting into the wood an effective amount of a aqueous wood-injectable biocidal slurry, said a wood-injectable biocidal slurry containing dispersants and sub-micron biocidal particles selected from at least one of the following classes: 1) a plurality of particles containing at least 25% by weight of a solid phase of sparingly soluble salts selected from copper salts, nickel salts, tin salts, and/or zinc salts; 2) a plurality of particles containing at least 25% by weight of a solid phase of sparingly soluble metal hydroxides selected from copper hydroxide, nickel hydroxide, tin hydroxide, and/or zinc hydroxide; 3) a plurality of particles containing at least 25% by weight of a solid phase comprising a substantially-insoluble organic biocide selected from triazoles, chlorothalonil, iodo-propynyl butyl carbamate, copper-8-quinolate, fipronil, imidacloprid, bifenthrin, carbaryl, strobulurins, and indoxacarb; 4) a plurality of particles containing on the outer surface there

Abstract: A clamping mechanism for attaching a clamping base to a surface is disclosed. The preferred clamping base is elongated and has a longitudinal channel for receiving a fastener, preferably a screw. The fastener frictionally holds the clamping base to a surface. The clamping base further includes a hole having a slot for stable mounting of objects under study. The diameter of the hole is variable and is actuated by a clamping screw extending through a cavity in the clamping base.