Abstract: Apparatus and method for harvesting biomass from a dead zone in a body of water includes structure and/or function whereby, preferably, at least one guide float is configured to float below the water surface. At least one support structure is configured to be coupled to the bottom beneath water, and is configured to support a substantially rigid frame within the dead zone. A main funnel is coupled to (i) the at least one guide float and (ii) the substantially rigid frame within the dead zone, and is configured to collect descending biomass and funnel it toward a lower funnel that is coupled to the bottom of the main funnel. A collection canister is disposed adjacent the lower funnel and is configured to store the descending biomass. Hauling structure is coupled to the guide float and is configured to haul the collection canister from the lower funnel to the surface.

Abstract: Apparatus and method for harvesting biomass from a dead zone in a body of water includes structure and/or function whereby, preferably, at least one guide float is configured to float below the water surface. At least one support structure is configured to be coupled to the bottom beneath water, and is configured to support a substantially rigid frame within the dead zone. A main funnel is coupled to (i) the at least one guide float and (ii) the substantially rigid frame within the dead zone, and is configured to collect descending biomass and funnel it toward a lower funnel that is coupled to the bottom of the main funnel. A collection canister is disposed adjacent the lower funnel and is configured to store the descending biomass. Hauling structure is coupled to the guide float and is configured to haul the collection canister from the lower funnel to the surface.

Abstract: Methods and apparatus are disclosed for capturing and removing oil from a body of water with equipment using rod and film technology, which includes a streamlined oil tank that moves in the water and collects surface oil from an attached skimmer, arrays of inverted funnels lowered into the water to concentrate oil for removal, and containment tents to capture leaking fuel or cargo oil from a sunken ship or any underwater oil leak and channel it into a partially submerged rod and film storage tank at the surface.

Abstract: Apparatus and method for harvesting plankton and/or other biomass from a dead zone in a body of water includes structure and/or function whereby at least one support float is provided to float on a surface of the body of water. At least one support structure is coupled to the at least one support float, and is configured to support a substantially rigid frame within a dead (e.g., hypoxic) zone below the surface in the body of water. A main funnel is coupled to the at least one support structure within the dead zone, and is configured to collect descending biomass and funnel it toward a lower funnel that is coupled to the bottom of the main funnel. A collection canister is preferably disposed within the lower funnel, and is configured to store the descending biomass.

Abstract: Methods and apparatus are disclosed for capturing and removing oil from a body of water with equipment using rod and film technology, which includes a streamlined oil tank that moves in the water and collects surface oil from an attached skimmer, arrays of inverted funnels lowered into the water to concentrate oil for removal, and containment tents to capture leaking fuel or cargo oil from a sunken ship or any underwater oil leak and channel it into a partially submerged rod and film storage tank at the surface.

Abstract: Methods and apparatus are disclosed for capturing and removing oil from a body of water with equipment using rod and film technology, which includes a streamlined oil tank that moves in the water and collects surface oil from an attached skimmer, arrays of inverted funnels lowered into the water to concentrate oil for removal, and containment tents to capture leaking fuel or cargo oil from a sunken ship or any underwater oil leak and channel it into a partially submerged rod and film storage tank at the surface.

Abstract: Methods and apparatus are disclosed for capturing and removing oil from a body of water with equipment using rod and film technology, which includes a streamlined oil tank that moves in the water and collects surface oil from an attached skimmer, arrays of inverted funnels lowered into the water to concentrate oil for removal, and containment tents to capture leaking fuel or cargo oil from a sunken ship or any underwater oil leak and channel it into a partially submerged rod and film storage tank at the surface.

Abstract: Methods and apparatus are disclosed for capturing and removing oil from a body of water with equipment using rod and film technology, which includes a streamlined oil tank that moves in the water and collects surface oil from an attached skimmer, arrays of inverted funnels lowered into the water to concentrate oil for removal, and containment tents to capture leaking fuel or cargo oil from a sunken ship or any underwater oil leak and channel it into a partially submerged rod and film storage tank at the surface.

Abstract: Feedback is reduced by routing an input signal through a kick gate that opens for a predetermined time period then closes. The gate may be kept closed for a predetermined minimum time period before being allowed to open again. The gate is triggered open based on the input signal and may include a plurality of triggering conditions.

Abstract: Feedback is reduced by routing an input signal through a kick gate that opens for a predetermined time period then closes. The gate may be kept closed for a predetermined minimum time period before being allowed to open again. The gate is triggered open based on the input signal and may include a plurality of triggering conditions.

Abstract: Apparatus for shock-absorbingly supporting a bicycle seat on a bicycle frame. A longitudinal beam means is pivotably attached via transverse bearings a first end to the frame, the beam bearings being configured to permit pivot motion only in a plane containing the bicycle frame. The beam is supportive of seat device near an opposite end of the beam. Shock absorbing means, preferably an adjustable gas strut, is disposed below the beam, and is connected at a first strut end to the frame and at an opposite strut end to the beam adjacent the seat device to form a triangular strut shock-absorbing suspension for the seat device wherein the triangle side comprising the strut is variable in length. In a preferred embodiment, the length of the strut may be remotely adjusted by the rider to vary the distance between the seat and the pedals or ground. In a further preferred embodiment, the beam includes a control to adjust the attitude of the seat in accordance with the height thereof.

Abstract: A shock-absorbing and height-adjusting assembly for mounting a seat onto the seat-supporting framework tubing of a bicycle frame. A standard, commercially available, adjustable-length gas spring (hydropneumatic spring), of the type used for the control column of adjustable height chairs, is slideably contained within a hollow receiver attached alongside or within a lower portion of the bicycle seat supporting framework to which the gas spring piston rod is affixed with the upper end of the gas spring in underlying contact with the lower end of a vertically extending elongated cylindrical seat supporting guide tube supported in alignment with the gas spring for axial and non-rotational movement within a bushing assembly affixed to the uppermost portion of the bicycle seat supporting framework.

Abstract: A process for reclaiming scrap UO.sub.2 materials yields a high-sinter-density pellet. The scrap is oxidized in a high-temperature furnace to produce U.sub.3 O.sub.8. The U.sub.3 O.sub.8 particles from the oxidation furnace are reacted with nitric acid to produce a solution of uranyl nitrate that meets the concentration and free acid requirements of the ADU precipitation process. A controlled two-stage ADU precipitation process is carried out to produce ADU particles with a size and morphology that leads to high-surface-area UO.sub.2 powder with excellent sintered pellet ceramic characteristics. After calcination and hydrogen reduction to UO.sub.2, the high-surface-area UO.sub.2 powder is passivated.

Abstract: The present invention provides for an embedded test circuit in an integrated circuit. The integrated circuit has a plurality of conducting line segments and fuse elements therebetween with each fuse element selectively connectable in series through the crossing line segments and programming circuits between a pair of programming terminals. Each fuse element is also associated with a pair of test lines with each test line connected to one of the line segments having the fuse element between the test lines. Each test line pair is selectively connectable to a pair of test terminals. The resistance of a selected fuse element is measured by selectively passing a current between the first and second programming terminals through the selected fuse element and selectively measuring a voltage drop across the selected fuse element through the pair of test terminals.

Abstract: The "Purex" solvent extraction and separation process for recovering uranium from scrap material or spent fuel containing gadolinia is modified by treating uranium containing scrap or spent fuel with nitric acid to convert uranium oxide to soluble uranyl nitrate in an aqueous medium, separating the uranyl nitrate from the aqueous media with an organic medium containing tri-butyl phosphate, and then releasing the separated uranium from the organic medium with water. The improvement comprises monitoring the density of the organic medium and controlling the feed rate of the uranium in the aqueous medium in response to the density measurements.

Abstract: A computer-controlled cordless telephone system having a base unit and a dset unit provides for increased functionality in communications between the base unit and the handset unit, and also provides a controlled power-up/power-down mode of operation for the handset unit. Increased functionality is achieved by employing a message format for control signals transmitted between the base unit and the handset unit in the form of frequency shift keyed (FSK) signals which include a data field. This data field may be in the form of either opcode data or digit data, thereby allowing for many different commands or functions. Power to a computer, a receiver and certain other selected circuitry in the handset unit is controlled to minimize power consumption when the handset unit is in an out-of-cradle-and-standby state. Power to other nonessential circuitry in the handset unit is turned completely off during this state.

Abstract: Improvements in fireplace heaters or devices for efficiently extracting heat from a conventional fireplace; a fireplace enclosure with novel heat exchange and absorption means; a prefabricated installation for use in a conventional fireplace to obtain the maximum utilization of the heat generated by wood, coal or other combustion in a conventional fireplace; a fireplace screen incorporating a forced air draft system associated with a heat absorbing plenum unit and exchanger associated therewith; a forced air fireplace heating system with complete draft control.