Abstract: No reliable test presently exists for predicting the amount or type of corrosion a metal surface may experience during field use, particularly when the corrosion can be a result of both acid-induced corrosion and microorganism-induced corrosion mechanisms. Apparatuses affording more field-like testing conditions may comprise: a one-pass fluid train comprising a reservoir configured to maintain a fluid at a first temperature state under anoxic conditions; a pre-conditioning chamber in fluid communication with the reservoir and configured to receive a defined volume of the fluid; an autoclave chamber having an impeller in fluid communication with the pre-conditioning chamber that is configured to receive the defined volume of the fluid from the pre-conditioning chamber; and one or more sampling receptacles in fluid communication with the autoclave chamber that are configured to receive the defined volume of the fluid while maintaining anoxic conditions.

Abstract: No reliable test presently exists for predicting the amount or type of corrosion a metal surface may experience during field use, particularly when the corrosion can be a result of both acid-induced corrosion and microorganism-induced corrosion mechanisms. Apparatuses affording more field-like testing conditions may comprise: a one-pass fluid train comprising a reservoir configured to maintain a fluid at a first temperature state under anoxic conditions; a pre-conditioning chamber in fluid communication with the reservoir and configured to receive a defined volume of the fluid; an autoclave chamber having an impeller in fluid communication with the pre-conditioning chamber that is configured to receive the defined volume of the fluid from the pre-conditioning chamber; and one or more sampling receptacles in fluid communication with the autoclave chamber that are configured to receive the defined volume of the fluid while maintaining anoxic conditions.

Abstract: A fresh food shipping Vessel is described. The food shipping Vessel includes an outer protective shell, an internal insulation cage with a closing lid and a plurality of drawers. The drawers and other components are specifically designed to provide for conductive and/or convective properties within the Vessel to assist in maintaining food items at a desired temperature. Further, the food containers and ice packs are also designed to assist in the conductive and/or convective properties of the food shipping Vessel, thereby allowing for shipment of fresh food products for extended periods of time.

Abstract: A torque tool for torqueing a receptacle lug having at least one pair of opposite sides. The tool including a block portion, a pair of protrusions, a protruding annulus, a bore, and a receptor for accepting a torque drive. The protrusions are able to correspond to and engage any one pair of opposite sides of the receptacle lug. The protruding annulus is disposed on the same plane of the block portion as the pair of protrusions, and is disposed such that the annulus can act as a pilot for the receptacle lug. The bore passes through the same plane of the block portion where the protrusions and annulus are located. When the receptor for accepting a torque drive is actuated by a torque drive, the protrusions engage any two opposite sides of the receptacle and the receptacle is either loosened or tightened.

Abstract: A pill card bubble cutter includes a hinged or sliding “clam shell” like hand held cutter with opposing blades along one side for cutting through the pill card bubbles to release pills, and resembles a common staple puller. The cutter may further include a cup or pouch to catch the pill once released. In another embodiment, the cutter has a single blade opposing a stop to cut through one side of the bubble to allow the bubble to be bent back to release the pill. The cutter may alternatively include two opposing parallel sides pressed together to cut through the bubble.

Abstract: An electronic article surveillance antenna system with wide interrogation zones has a number of core transceiver antennas with each connectable to a transmitter. The core transceiver antennas are adapted to be installed adjacent a ceiling of the wide interrogation zone and generate an interrogation signal into the wide interrogation zone. The core transceiver antennas each are connectable to a receiver to receive and detect a response signal from an electronic surveillance marker disposed in the wide interrogation zone. The system also has transceiver antenna coils with each connectable to the transmitter and adapted to be installed adjacent a floor of the wide interrogation zone. The transceiver antenna coils generate the interrogation signal into the wide interrogation zone and each is also connectable to the receiver to receive and detect the response signal from the electronic surveillance marker disposed in the wide interrogation zone.

Abstract: A device for actuating a pneumatically operated gas-line shut-off valve is disclosed. The device comprises a shape memory alloy wire that is actuated by the application of electrical current. When the shape memory alloy wire is actuated, it opens a spring loaded air exhaust valve that releases the pneumatic pressure holding the gas-line shut-off valve in the open position. The shape memory alloy wire can be activated with an electronic remote control device or through direct wiring thereto.

Abstract: A device for actuating a pneumatically operated gas-line shut-off valve is disclosed. The device comprises a shape memory alloy wire that is actuated by the application of electrical current. When the shape memory alloy wire is actuated, it opens a spring loaded air exhaust valve that releases the pneumatic pressure holding the gas-line shut-off valve in the open position. The shape memory alloy wire can be activated with an electronic remote control device or through direct wiring thereto.

Abstract: An electronic article surveillance antenna system with wide interrogation zones has a number of core transceiver antennas with each connectable to a transmitter. The core transceiver antennas are adapted to be installed adjacent a ceiling of the wide interrogation zone and generate an interrogation signal into the wide interrogation zone. The core transceiver antennas each are connectable to a receiver to receive and detect a response signal from an electronic surveillance marker disposed in the wide interrogation zone. The system also has transceiver antenna coils with each connectable to the transmitter and adapted to be installed adjacent a floor of the wide interrogation zone. The transceiver antenna coils generate the interrogation signal into the wide interrogation zone and each is also connectable to the receiver to receive and detect the response signal from the electronic surveillance marker disposed in the wide interrogation zone.

Abstract: An electronic article surveillance (EAS) antenna system including at least one transmit antenna and at least one amorphous core receiver antenna adapted for installation on the floor, in the grout region of the floor, or under the flooring of a passageway. An EAS system including at least one perimeter loop antenna adapted to extend around the entire perimeter of a passageway is also provided. The system may further include at least one floor antenna adapted for installation within a region of a floor of a passageway and at least one ceiling antenna adapted for installation adjacent a ceiling of the passageway.

Abstract: A mechanically reconfigurable marine propulsion device that adapts to engine torque and/or vessel speed thereby providing improved propulsive efficiency and performance. The axial flow propulsion device has two or more stages each having an impeller section and a stator section. Stator vanes and/or the pumping chamber provide a flow diffusion that generates increased hydrostatic pressure from ram pressure recovered from high velocity working fluid which, due to reduced fluid velocity and increased hydrostatic pressure, lowers cavitation events and frictional losses within the propulsion device. Optionally, variable-pitch vanes in the stator section control the amount of ram pressure imparted to the working fluid. Also optionally, variable-pitch inlet guide vanes control the whirl angle and/or mass flow rate of incoming fluid independently of rotor or vessel speed. A set of fixed or variable exit guide vanes aft of the pumping chamber provides flow straightening and pressure maintenance at a discharge nozzle.

Abstract: A construction panel for use with fiber reinforced concrete finish is disclosed. The panel includes a core member comprising a composite of wire trusses and foam blocks secured in a compressed shape. The core member also incorporates wire mesh strips having screed ridges for receiving and smoothing fiber reinforced concrete applied to the composite.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to a bond integrity tool, which includes a shoulder housing, a collar shaft, and an end cap. The collar shaft has a neck portion and a mouth portion. The neck portion is disposed within the shoulder housing, and the mouth portion is able to grip a test piece. The end cap communicates with the neck portion, such that when the end cap is initiated the end cap applies force on the shoulder housing, which in turn applies force on the collar shaft, which grips the test piece such that the bond integrity between the test piece and a surface may be tested.

Abstract: A battery having an electrode assembly located in a housing that efficiently utilizes the space available in many implantable medical devices is disclosed. The battery housing provides a cover and a shallow case a preferably planar, major bottom portion, an open top to receive the cover opposing the bottom portion, and a plurality of sides being radiused at intersections with each other and with the bottom to allow for the close abutting of other components located within the implantable device while also providing for efficient location of the battery within an arcuate edge of the device. The cover and the shallow case being substantially hermetically sealed by a laser weld technique and an insulator member disposed within the case to provide a barrier to incident laser radiation so that during welding radiation does not impinge upon radiation sensitive component(s) disposed within the case.

Abstract: A magnetic core antenna system including a magnetic core and a winding network. The winding network may be configured with a non-uniform ampere-turn distribution to achieve a desired flux density in the core. The network may include a plurality of windings configured to provide a winding impedance facilitating optimal transmitter power delivery to the windings. A magnetic core may be constructed from multiple components having longitudinal contact surfaces and joined by a transverse clamping force. An air gap may be provided between the components to allow relative movement therebetween.

Abstract: A water cannon utilizing ultra high pressure to propel a collimated beam of water or other liquid through a nozzle at high speeds at great distances. Ultra high pressure is achieved by multiple serially communicating pumping stations that successively build fluid pressure within respective annular chambers having cross-sectional areas that decrease between the pumping stations as fluid speed increases in the downstream direction. To attain the desired velocity head at the nozzle, a gearbox connected to a prime mover, e.g., a gas turbine engine on-board an ocean vessel, drives multi-stage axial flow pumps at successively increasing speeds commensurate with a volumetric rate of flow. Optionally, the axial flow pumps may include variable stator vanes between rotor blades and/or variable inlet guide vanes at an inlet in order to control flow volume, fluid pressure, engine load, or impact force delivered by the cannon.

Abstract: An electronic article surveillance antenna system for wide exit interrogation zones is provided. In a first aspect, a first and a second transmit antenna, each adapted for installation on opposite sides of a wide interrogation zone. A third transmit antenna is adapted for installation adjacent the ceiling of the wide interrogation zone. The first, second, and third transmit antennas are connectable to a transmitter for generation of an interrogation signal for transmission into the wide interrogation zone. A plurality of amorphous core receiver antennas are adapted for installation in the grout region of a floor of the wide interrogation zone. The output of each of the plurality of amorphous core receiver antennas are connectable to a receiver for detection of a response signal from an electronic article surveillance tag disposed in the wide interrogation zone. The response signal is responsive to the interrogation signal.

Abstract: A core antenna system for use in electronic article surveillance (EAS) and radio frequency identification (RFID) systems. The core antenna system may include a core antenna. The core antenna may include a core, a first resonant winding disposed around at least a portion of the core, the first resonant winding having a first number of winding turns N1, and a second non-resonant winding disposed around at least a portion of the core, the second non-resonant winding having a second number of winding turns N2, the second number of turns greater than or equal to the first number of turns. The core antenna may be mounted on a shield plate and tuned to an operating frequency on the shield plate such that when the shielded core antenna is further mounted on a mounting surface, e.g., of a checkstand, no significant de-tuning of the antenna takes place.

Abstract: A magnetic core antenna system including a magnetic core and a winding network. The winding network may be configured with a non-uniform ampere-turn distribution to achieve a desired flux density in the core. The network may include a plurality of windings configured to provide a winding impedance facilitating optimal transmitter power delivery to the windings. A magnetic core may be constructed from multiple components having longitudinal contact surfaces and joined by a transverse clamping force. An air gap may be provided between the components to allow relative movement therebetween.

Abstract: An electronic article surveillance (EAS) antenna system including at least one transmit antenna and at least one amorphous core receiver antenna adapted for installation on the floor, in the grout region of the floor, or under the flooring of a passageway. An EAS system including at least one perimeter loop antenna adapted to extend around the entire perimeter of a passageway is also provided. The system may further include at least one floor antenna adapted for installation within a region of a floor of a passageway and at least one ceiling antenna adapted for installation adjacent a ceiling of the passageway.