Abstract: A sand trap for use in oil and gas extraction operations includes a cylindrical vessel for receiving a high-pressure fluid stream with particulates. The vessel has a vertical longitudinal axis and a hollow cylindrical wall having upper and lower ends and an inlet opening generally perpendicular to but askew to the vessel longitudinal axis. Upper and lower caps extend from the upper and lower ends and have openings along the vessel longitudinal axis. An annular diverter has top and bottom ends and a longitudinal axis coaxial with the vessel longitudinal axis. A diverter outer wall permanently extends from an inner face of the cylindrical wall, and a diverter inner wall has an upper portion narrowing to a choke area and a lower portion flaring out from the choke area. A vent pipe extends from the upper cap opening to a location between the upper cap and the diverter top end.

Abstract: A sand trap for use in oil and gas extraction operations includes a cylindrical vessel for receiving a high-pressure fluid stream with particulates. The vessel has a vertical longitudinal axis and a hollow cylindrical wall having upper and lower ends and an inlet opening generally perpendicular to but askew to the vessel longitudinal axis. Upper and lower caps extend from the upper and lower ends and have openings along the vessel longitudinal axis. An annular diverter has top and bottom ends and a longitudinal axis coaxial with the vessel longitudinal axis. A diverter outer wall permanently extends from an inner face of the cylindrical wall, and a diverter inner wall has an upper portion narrowing to a choke area and a lower portion flaring out from the choke area. A vent pipe extends from the upper cap opening to a location between the upper cap and the diverter top end.

Abstract: A magnetic drawing tablet apparatus comprising a stationary base housing and a screen housing movable with respect thereto. The screen housing will contain a magnetic drawing screen which is sealed and includes writing medium suspended therein which can create an image on the screen responsive to contacting thereof with a magnetic stylus. An magnetic erasing member is secured with respect to the base and extends into the screen housing to a position adjacent the magnetic screen. When the screen housing is moved between a docked position engaging the base and an extended position away from the base, erasing of images on the magnetic screen is achieved by passing the magnetic screen adjacently over the magnetic eraser. Sliding the screen housing relative to the base will preferably expose a decorative panel therebeneath. A receptacle in the base may be provided for storage of drawings templates and a magnetic style for writing may be mounted in a hole defined in the base.

Abstract: A bearing assembly comprising a centrifugal debris trap for removing contamination debris from lubrication fluid prior to lubrication of the bearing assembly components is provided. The centrifugal debris trap comprises an annular groove on an inner race such that with sufficient centrifugal force, contamination debris in the lubrication oil is forced into the groove and held there. Removal of contamination debris from the lubrication oil prevents damage to bearing balls and races of the bearing assembly, thus reducing bearing fatigue. A method for lubricating bearing assembly components using the bearing assembly of the present invention is also provided.

Abstract: An optical cross-connect switch is provided for routing optical data signals in an optical transport network.

Abstract: A shingled siding unit is adapted for mounting to a wall or roof of a building structure. The unit may be a panel assembly or a corner assembly and includes a substrate having outer and inner surfaces, at least one course of side-by-side shingles mounted to the outer surface of the substrate, and spacing strips extending across and secured to the inner surface of the substrate. The spacing strips define a ventilation channel which facilitates drainage or evaporation of moisture between the unit and the exterior surface of a building structure to which it is mounted. A method of using the shingled siding unit is also disclosed.

Abstract: An optical cross-connect switch is provided for routing optical data signals in an optical transport network.

Abstract: A method of making functional orthotics from a multiplicity of uniquely designed injection molds which have been constructed by studying large numbers of replicas produced from uncorrected replicas that replicate the contour of the feet of a multiplicity of patients. In one form of the method of the invention, following a careful dimensional study of the corrected replicas, they are grouped into families, the members of which exhibit lower surface contours that are substantially identical. An injection mold is then made for each of the identified families, in a manner such that the mold will produce an orthotic having an upper surface that corresponds to the lower surface of the corrected orthotic that make up the group. Companion data is then developed which correlates the corrected replicas of each identified family with the uncorrected replicas from which they were made. A study of the uncorrected replicas then provides data as to the contour of the patient's feet which they replicate.

Abstract: A method of making functional orthotics from a multiplicity of uniquely designed injection molds which have been constructed by studying large numbers of replicas produced from uncorrected replicas that replicate the contour of the feet of a multiplicity of patients. In one form of the method of the invention, following a careful dimensional study of the corrected replicas, they are grouped into families, the members of which exhibit lower surface contours that are substantially identical. An injection mold is then made for each of the identified families, in a manner such that the mold will produce an orthotic having an upper surface that corresponds to the lower surface of the corrected orthotic that make up the group. Companion data is then developed which correlates the corrected replicas of each identified family with the uncorrected replicas from which they were made. A study of the uncorrected replicas then provides data as to the contour of the patient's feet which they replicate.

Abstract: Apparatus and method for synchronizing a local clock signal with a remote clock signal. The local clock signal is divided by a digital counter for generating a phase increment signal. The phase increment signal and the remote clock signal are applied to a further digital counter for counting the number of phase increment signal cycles received during a predetermined number of cycles of the received remote clock signal and generating a count value in response thereto. A microprocessor performs a table look-up for retrieving a predetermined digital correction value using an address characterized by the count value. The correction value is applied to a digital-to-analog converter for generating an analog control voltage in response thereto. The analog control voltage is applied to a master voltage control oscillator for generating the local oscillator signal such that the local oscillator signal frequency is adjusted to be synchronized with the remote clock signal in both phase and frequency.