Abstract: A lightweight cementitious composition containing from 22 to 90 volume percent of a cement composition and from 10 to 78 volume percent of particles having an average particle diameter of from 0.2 mm to 8 mm, a bulk density of from 0.03 g/cc to 0.64 g/cc, an aspect ratio of from 1 to 3, where after the lightweight cementitious composition is set it has a compressive strength of at least 1700 psi as tested according to ASTM C39. The cementitious composition can be used to make concrete masonry units, construction panels, road beds and other articles and can be included as a layer on wall panels and floor panels and can be used in insulated concrete forms. Aspects of the lightweight cementitious composition can be used to make lightweight structural units.

Abstract: A boilerless steamer apparatus is provided having a steamer cavity formed of a steam generating space and a cooking space, wherein the steam generating space is separated from the cooking space by a removable steam lid. The present boilerless steamer apparatus can provide between 7 to 10 lbs./hour (per pan) of steam. Various methods to easily clean the boilerless steamer apparatus are provided.

Abstract: A ski attachment kit for a kick scooter having a scooter steering assembly that includes a front fork configured for attaching a front wheel, a scooter body that includes a stand-on area and a rear fork rearward of the stand-on area configured for attaching a rear wheel, and a coupling that couples the steering assembly and the scooter body. The kit includes a front ski assembly having a scooter steering assembly mount that receives and releasably retains the steering assembly while providing a clearance for an attached front wheel. The kit also includes a rear ski assembly having a scooter body mount that receives and releasably retains the scooter body while providing a clearance for an attached rear wheel.

Abstract: Microstructured optical fibre is fabricated using extrusion. The main design of optical fibre has a core suspended in an outer wall by a plurality of struts. A specially designed extruder die is used which comprises a central feed channel, flow diversion channels arranged to divert material radially outwards into a welding chamber formed within the die, a core forming conduit arranged to receive material by direct onward passage from the central feed channel, and a nozzle having an outer part in flow communication with the welding chamber and an inner part in flow communication with the core forming conduit, to respectively define an outer wall and core of the preform. With this design a relatively thick outer wall can be combined with thin struts (to ensure extinction of the optical mode field) and a core of any desired diameter or other thickness dimension in the case of non-circular cores. As well as glass, the extrusion process is suitable for use with polymers.

Abstract: A monitoring and locating device includes one or more remote child units and a parent unit in communication with each of the child units. The parent unit is adapted to assign and transmit an individual identifier to each child unit. The parent unit is constructed and arranged to continuously monitor each of the child units by transmitting and receiving signals to each of the child units using the individual identifiers assigned thereto. The monitoring and locating device may be used in a method for monitoring and tracking a living entity that includes acquiring the plurality of child units using the parent unit based at least in part on user input. Monitoring each of the plurality of child units individually with the parent unit. Tracking the location of each child unit with the parent unit and locating a selected child unit of the plurality of child units with the parent unit based upon the tracked location thereof.

Abstract: A ski attachment kit for a kick scooter having a scooter steering assembly that includes a front fork configured for attaching a front wheel, a scooter body that includes a stand-on area and a rear fork rearward of the stand-on area configured for attaching a rear wheel, and a coupling that couples the steering assembly and the scooter body. The kit includes a front ski assembly having a scooter steering assembly mount that receives and releasably retains the steering assembly while providing a clearance for an attached front wheel. The kit also includes a rear ski assembly having a scooter body mount that receives and releasably retains the scooter body while providing a clearance for an attached rear wheel.

Abstract: A ski attachment kit for a kick scooter having a scooter steering assembly that includes a front fork configured for attaching a front wheel, a scooter body that includes a stand-on area and a rear fork rearward of the stand-on area configured for attaching a rear wheel, and a coupling that couples the steering assembly and the scooter body. The kit includes a front ski assembly having a scooter steering assembly mount that receives and releasably retains the steering assembly while providing a clearance for an attached front wheel. The kit also includes a rear ski assembly having a scooter body mount that receives and releasably retains the scooter body while providing a clearance for an attached rear wheel.

Abstract: A synthetic leather is made by a impregnating a non-woven or woven textile with an aqueous polyurethane dispersion comprised of a nonionizable polyurethane and an external stabilizing surfactant. The impregnated textile is then exposed to water containing a coagulant for a coagulation time sufficient to coagulate the dispersion. The method may be used to form a synthetic leather having excellent wet ply adhesion and may contain an insoluble multivalent cation organic acid.

Abstract: A monitoring and locating device includes one or more remote child units and a parent unit in communication with each of the child units. The parent unit is adapted to assign and transmit an individual identifier to each child unit. The parent unit is constructed and arranged to continuously monitor each of the child units by transmitting and receiving signals to each of the child units using the individual identifiers assigned thereto. The monitoring and locating device may be used in a method for monitoring and tracking a living entity that includes acquiring the plurality of child units using the parent unit based at least in part on user input. Monitoring each of the plurality of child units individually with the parent unit. Tracking the location of each child unit with the parent unit and locating a selected child unit of the plurality of child units with the parent unit based upon the tracked location thereof.

Abstract: A protective relay, system, and relay operation method which allows logic functions to be distributed amongst multiple protective relays associated with a power distribution system. The protective relays include communications ports for exchanging messages over a peer-to-peer communications network, and include programmable logic. Each protective relay receives logic operands contained in the messages from remote protective relays, executes logic equations using the received operands, provides protective control if needed, and outputs operands to other protective relays.

Abstract: A method and system for synchronizing the sampling frequency, at which power system data is sampled, with the frequency of the power system. Adjustments to the sampling frequency can be made by comparing first and second derivatives to threshold values.

Abstract: An electrical cable penetration seal apparatus which includes a compliant module having an inner and outer regions of different durometer characteristics. In some forms of the invention the outer regions are generally planar and disposed on opposed sides of the compliant module. The outer regions are manufactured of a relatively high durometer elastomer than an inner region which is made from a lower durometer elastomer.

Abstract: An electrical cable penetration seal apparatus which includes a compliant module having an inner and outer regions of different durometer characteristics. In some forms of the invention the outer regions are generally planar and disposed on opposed sides of the compliant module. The outer regions have are manufactured of a relatively high durometer elastomer and an inner region which is made from a lower durometer elastomer.

Abstract: An operator interface device is connected to the central control unit of a remotely-monitored security system, which also includes one or more local control units located at monitored sites. A local control unit may initiate a telephone call to the central control unit to alert the operator of an event such as an intrusion at the site. The interface device has a keypad on which the operator can enter commands that are transmitted to the local control unit. A processor in the interface device uses a look-up table, state machine or other predetermined relationship to translate the command entered by the operator into the native or local command recognized by the local control unit.

Abstract: An electrical cable penetration seal apparatus which includes a compliant module having an inner and outer regions of different durometer characteristics. In some forms of the invention the outer region has a higher durometer elastomer and a central region which is made from a lower durometer elastomer. The compliant module has an outer rectangular cross-section and the central region is a cylindrically shaped in some forms of the invention.

Abstract: A fusible, rod-like, graft copolymer having repeating units of the formula: ##STR1## wherein X is (--CH.sub.2 CH.sub.2 CONH--).sub.m or (--CH.sub.2 --CH(CH.sub.3)--O--).sub.n, wherein m has an average value of 5.0 to 35.0 and n has an average value of 1.0 to 30.0.

Abstract: A method, and apparatus for practicing the method, is provided for the transit of one or more cables through an opening in a bulkhead while preventing electromagnetic interference and electromagnetic pulse energy from passing through the opening. A housing of electrically conductive material is positioned in the opening and secured around its full perimeter in electrically conductive contact with the bulkhead. The sheathing of each cable is treated so that the conductive shield of each cable is exposed. The cables pass through the housing with their exposed shield being within the interior of the housing. The end portions of the housing are sealed, such as by the use of deformable material. Electrically conductive material, such as shot, granules, powder, grease, liquids or the like, is used to fill the interior of the housing to form conductive paths between the shield of each cable and the housing. The material may be in the form of particulates, semi-liquid, or liquid, including conductive coatings.

Abstract: Disclosed is a method for recovering hydrocarbons from a hydrocarbon-bearing formation. A wellbore is drilled to penetrate the formation and to extend, preferably substantially horizontally, into the formation for a suitable distance. The well is completed with a slotted or perforated casing means and with dual concentric tubing strings. The tubing strings comprise an inner tubing and a surrounding larger diameter outer tubing. The inner tubing cooperates with the outer tubing to form a first annular space and the outer tubing cooperates with the casing means to form a second annular space. After the wellbore is suitably completed, a heated fluid is circulated within the casing means such that the heated fluid passes through a portion of the first annular space to heat the well and to provide a fluid flow path through both the first and second annular spaces. After the well is suitably heated, a heated fluid is injected into the formation through at least a portion of the second annular space.

Abstract: Disclosed is a method for recovering hydrocarbons from a subterranean formation. A heated fluid is injected into the formation by means of a perforated conduit which is positioned substantially horizontally through the formation to heat hydrocarbons within the formation. After a suitable heating period, injection of heat is terminated to permit fluids including formation hydrocarbons to drain from the formation into the conduit. The drained fluids within the conduit are then heated to a temperature such that at least a portion of the drained fluids are vaporized. These vaporized fluids pass from the perforated conduit and into the formation to further heat formation hydrocarbons. Subsequently, formation fluids of reduced viscosity are recovered from the formation through the perforated conduit.