Abstract: A continuous separation of fatty acid methyl esters (FAME) from glycerol in a low pressure dry transesterification process for vegetable oil is provided. Improved purity of the FAME and the glycerol fractions are achieved via the use of continuous decantation so as to thereby eliminate the need for a water wash step for the FAME fraction. Excess methanol from the FAME and the glycerol fractions is readily recovered in a dry vacuum extraction process. Water which has been inadvertently introduced into the process is removed from the recovered excess methanol by desiccant columns equipped with molecular sieves instead of the traditional energy and capital intensive fractionation processes practiced for this purpose.

Abstract: Disclosed is apparatus for scanning a field of view for two-dimensional data and for rapidly processing the data. There is a video device viewing the field of view and producing a two-dimensional matrix of pixel data as an output representing a plurality of pixel positions of the field of view. A digital memory receives and holds the two-dimensional matrix of pixel data output from the video device in a plurality of multiple pixel data words. There is also a digital processor including a register for receiving pixel data and logic for processing data to decode it. Primarily, there is pixelizer logic and associated circuitry connected between the digital memory and the digital processor for removing data associated with a specified pixel position within the field of view from an associated one of the plurality of multiple pixel data words in the digital memory and for placing the data into a pre-established bit position within the register of the digital processor.

Abstract: Apparatus is disclosed for automatically determining the volume of an object. The volume system includes a height sensor and a width sensor positioned in generally orthogonal relationship and each constructed to reflect light from a corresponding surface of the object. The height sensor and the width sensor each include a plurality of charge coupled devices for sensing light reflected from the object. The output from the height sensor and the width sensor are provided to a data processor for evaluating the data to determine a plurality of incremental volume of the object as the object is displayed in relation to the height and width sensors. The plurality of incremental volume are then added to determine the volume of the object.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for locating multiple bar codes in a field. The apparatus includes a microcomputer programmed to detect the existence of bar codes in location cells in the field and then apply a location score to each location cell. Based on the scores assigned to the location cells, a particular location cell is selected and the location cells surrounding the selected cell are analyzed to determine whether they might contain a bar code segment. A location cell that is determined to be sufficiently likely to contain a bar code segment will be appended to the first selected location cell. In this manner, a bar code in the field can be located. The determination of whether the located bar code is a primary or a secondary bar code is made by further analyzing the located bar code. The further analyses may be to determine the located bar code's length, whether it has a predetermined prefix, or whether it has a predetermined pattern of descenders from its constituent line segments.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for determining the distance and angular orientation between two structurally unconnected members, such as two sections of a subsea pipeline, is disclosed. The apparatus of the invention comprises generally two guide posts fixedly disposed, respectively, in known spaced relationships to the two structurally unconnected members and a remotely operable template. The remotely operable template comprises generally a variable length frame member; two guide members movably secured, respectively, to the outer ends of the variable length frame member and adapted to mate, respectively, with the guide posts; positioning means associated with each guide member and its respective guide post for properly positioning each guide member on its guide post; and means for measuring the distance between the outer ends of the variable length frame member and the angular orientation of each guide member after the guide members and the guide posts have been properly mated.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for the remote recovery of submerged pipelines is disclosed. The operations are entirely controlled by an operator located on a lay barge or other floating vessel. A buoy and cables are manipulated from the lay barge to deploy equipment to a submerged pipeline. To utilize the invention, an alignment cable is threaded through a pipe alignment frame and is then connected to a buoy. The pipe alignment frame is lowered by the alignment cable into an operational relationship with the submerged pipeline. Once the pipe alignment frame is in an operational relationship with the submerged pipeline, the alignment cable is slackened and the buoy and attached alignment cable rise to the water surface. Cutting equipment connected to a retrieval cable is connected to the alignment cable. The cutting equipment is lowered to a predetermined location relative to the pipe alignment frame and attached pipeline by taking in the alignment cable while paying out the retrieval cable.

Abstract: A sanitary door handle for the inside of a public toilet door which includes a generally circular handle element having means for rotating the handle to a new position with the handle being moved through a sterilizing bath as it rotates. Means are provided for effecting rotation of the handle on each opening of the door.