A fault-monitoring system for a large industrial conveyor belt to detect rips or other faults. There are fault-sensing units in the belt, each comprising a conductive loop extending across the belt and a sensing circuit. First and second frequency signals are directed to the fault sensor and the fault-responsive circuit sends a response of a frequency to indicate either a fault condition or a no-fault condition. Thus, the response from the fault sensor is either an "I am here and I am okay" or "...

A crimping and cutting apparatus having upper and lower die members, with each die member having matching crimping surfaces and matching cutting surfaces which define a crimping region and a cutting region. A cylinder and piston assembly moves the first die member between upper and lower positions to accomplish the crimping and the cutting. The apparatus can be grasped manually, and it is particularly adapted for use in an operation where a cable is placed around a bundle of logs, and the ends o...

This allows for modular floating gardens that can be fabricated into forms chosen by the end user to be aesthetically pleasing even before planting has matured. Because composite floating gardens created from these modules can be large, their form can be pleasing from a distance. Because these are significant structures, they can be incorporated into a process to improve water quality.

An improved rotary engine and method for determining the contours of the sealing surfaces thereof. The improved engine provides for maintaining a predetermined, optimal gap between the sealing surfaces during rotation. The gap may be parallel or angled, and may be positive or negative so as to form an interference engagement. The rotors of the engine may be provided with mirror-image sealing surfaces so as to prevent development of excessive back-lash and clearance, and also to permit efficient ...

An automated cleaning system, where dairy cows pass through a foot bath region. The foot bath is periodically changed by implementing an agitation phase where high velocity water jets agitate the waste material in the foot bath and causes these to be discharged, followed by a drain phase where the liquid flows out an outlet. Then, a flushing phase removes the further debris, with the foot bath then being refilled with water and chemical disinfecting liquid for a subsequent cycle where another gr...

An anemometer that visually indicates the speed of the wind by the position of a float housed within a first chamber. The first chamber is in communication with a second chamber through a vertically extending conduit system. The second chamber is in communication with a low-pressure zone of a push differentiating system preferably a Venturi.

A method of repairing a leak at a branch pipe location in a manner that it is not necessary to drain the water or the liquid from the main pipe at which the repair is being made. The end of the existing branch pipe is removed from a connector at the main pipe, and a temporary plug with an elongate handle is used to branch the connector opening. With the opening remaining closed, an intermediate connector is placed over the elongate handle and welded to the connector, after which the plug member ...

A positive displacement device that incorporates two rotors that are offset from collinear and each comprising a first and second set of vanes where the engagement surfaces of the first set of vanes are adapted to only engage when the rotors are in the top dead center location and the second set of lobes of each rotor only engage one another at the bottom dead center position of rotataion.

A system by which an electric power utility can selectively limit power supplied to homeowners or other users to conserve electricity in periods of higher usage/shortages. Each home that is participating in the system has "smart switches" installed at outlet locations, for example, a stove, clothes dryer, television sets, lamp, etc. The power utility sends communications either through cell phone technology, telephone, or other communication link to the home to signal the various smart switches ...

A pressure washer apparatus and method comprising a telescoping tube section which contains a hose. There is a forward outlet section having an outlet housing with a quick disconnect to the forward end of the hose in the telescoping tube section. A control section is located at the rear end of the telescoping tube section and makes a second quick disconnect connection to the hose. Releasable connectors are provided for the tube sections to lock the tube sections in place, and these comprise tape...