[Federal Register Volume 64, Number 243 (Monday, December 20, 1999)]
[Notices]
[Pages 71125-71129]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 99-32882]


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DEPARTMENT OF DEFENSE

Department of the Army, Corps of Engineers


Grant of Exclusive License or Partially Exclusive Licenses

AGENCY: U.S. Army Corps of Engineers.

ACTION: Notice.

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SUMMARY: The Department of the Army, U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, 
announces the general availability of exclusive, or partially exclusive 
licenses under the following pending patents. Any license granted shall 
comply with 35 U.S.C. 209 and 37 CFR Part 404.

Serial Number: 09/197,438
Filing Date: 11/23/98
Title: Low Cost Time Domain Reflectometry System for Bridge Scour 
Detection and Monitoring

Serial Number: 09/208,444
Filing Date: 12/10/98
Title: Derivative-a-limit Method for Correcting Imagery Distortion

Serial Number: 09/293,781
Filing Date: 04/19/99
Title: Scour Detection and Monitoring Apparatus for use in Lossy Soils

Serial Number: 09/293,771
Filing Date: 04/19/99
Title: Selected Components of water flow fields

Serial Number: 09/229,160
Filing Date: 01/13/99
Title: Vehicle Barrier Assembly

Serial Number: 09/197,437
Filing Date: 11/23/98
Title: Autonomous Upward-Looking Radar Snow Depth Gauge

Serial Number: 09/018,881
Filing Date: 02/05/98
Title: System for Detection of Radioactive Elements And Metals 
Contaminates in Subsurface soil

Serial Number: 09/176,253
Filing Date: 10/21/98
Title: Low-Lead Leaching Foamed Concrete Bullet Barrier

Serial Number: 09/131,908
Filing Date: 08/10/98
Title: Multiple Pressure Gradient Sensor

Serial Number: 09/178,503
Filing Date: 10/26/98
Title: Telescoping Weir

Serial Number: 09/104,268
Filing Date: 06/25/98
Title: Transmission Line Reflectometer Using Frequency-Modulated 
Continuous Wave

Serial Number: 09/134,531
Filing Date: 08/14/98
Title: Geocomposite Capillary Barrier Drain

Serial Number: 09/173,674
Filing Date: 10/16/98
Title: Noninvasive Mass Determination Stockpiled Materials

Serial Number: 09/087,801
Filing Date: 06/01/98
Title: Shock-Absorbing Block

Serial Number: 08/929,979
Filing Date: 09/15/97
Title: Foam Controller

Serial Number: 08/929,975
Filing Date: 09/15/97
Title: Helical Optical Fiber Strain Sensor

Serial Number: 08/929,255
Filing Date: 09/15/97
Title: System for Monitoring and Controlling the Level of a Liquid in a 
Closed Container

Serial Number: 09/105,010
Filing Date: 06/26/98
Title: Self-Aligning Vortez Snow Fence

Serial Number: 09/019,422
Filing Date: 02/05/98
Title: Time Domain Reflectometry System for Real-Time Bridge Scour 
Detection and Monitoring

Serial Number: 09/131,909
Filing Date: 08/10/98
Title: Method and Apparatus for Treating Volatile Organic Compound Voc 
and Odor-in Air Emissions

Serial Number: 09/017,728
Filing Date: 02/03/98
Title: Camouflaged Erosion Control Mat

Serial Number: 09/131,897
Filing Date: 08/10/98
Title: Shielded Thermocouple Assembly

Serial Number: 09/131,896
Filing Date: 08/10/98
Title: Polychromic Multi spectral Electrochromic Camouflage Device

Serial Number: 09/132,551
Filing Date: 08/11/98
Title: Large Area Tonedown

Serial Number: 09/131,906
Filing Date: 08/10/98
Title: Method of Producing Artificial Guano

Serial Number: 09/042,503
Filing Date: 03/17/98
Title: Remote Site Monitoring With Digital Image Archiving

Serial Number: 09/181,897
Filing Date: 08/10/98
Title: Shielded Thermocouple Assembly

Serial Number: 09/018,968
Filing Date: 02/05/98
Title: Constant Stress Diffusion Cell With Controllable Moisture 
Content

DATES: Applications for an exclusive or partially exclusive license may 
be submitted at any time from the date of this notice. However, no 
exclusive or partially exclusive license shall be granted until 90 days 
from the date of this notice.


[[Page 71126]]


ADDRESSES: Humphreys Engineer Center Support Activity, Office of 
Counsel, 7701 Telegraph Road, Alexandria, Virginia 22315-3860.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Patricia L. Howland (703) 428-6672.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: Low Cost Time Domain Reflectometry System 
for Bridge Scour Detection and Monitoring. An apparatus for detecting 
and monitoring scouring around a structural member uses time-domain 
reflectometry (TDR) to measure the level of sediment around a submerged 
portion of the structural member such as a bridge pier, dock, utility 
crossing, or similar structure. The apparatus includes a time domain 
reflectometer which transmits a series of electrical pulses, a sensor 
which is connected with said time-domain reflectometer, and a signal 
analyzer which receives and interprets the portion of the electrical 
pulses reflected back to the source from an interface, such as water/
air or water/gravel, to calculate the position of the interface along 
the sensor. Knowledge of the position of the interfaces before and 
after a scouring event and of the dielectric constant of the 
surrounding media allows the user to detect and monitor the level of 
erosion caused by scouring.
    Derivative-a-limit Method for Correcting Imagery Distortion. The 
present invention is directed to a technique and apparatus for 
correcting imagery distortion in an optical detector matrix. This class 
of algorithms attempts to capture, rather than eliminate aspects of 
non-uniformities intrinsic to the objects being imaged. The derivative 
as limit algorithms emulate the process of determining a derivative of 
the iradiance normalized for an optimal (zero) instantaneous field of 
view for calculating an accurate value of radiance undistorted by 
nonuniform illumination Scour Detection and Monitoring Apparatus for 
use in Lossy Soils. A sensor for detecting and monitoring scour in 
sediment positioned beneath a body of water, which includes a probe at 
least partially embedded in the sediment. Sensor electronics are 
superimposed on the probe. Such electronics include a reflectometer, a 
battery supply and a telemetry transmitter to display an interface 
boundary between the water and the transmitter. The sensor is 
particularly well adapted for use in lossy soils.
    Title: Selected Components of Water Flow Fields. A method for 
determining the probable response of aquatic species to selected 
components of water flow fields, comprising the steps of obtaining data 
for identifying travel and quantitatively describing behavior of real 
fish constituting member of a selected aquatic species in a flow field, 
determining passive transport trajectories of the members of the 
aquatic species in the flow field to establish a basis from which to 
determine swim path selections, developing postulated behavioral 
response of members of the aquatic species to at least one of hydraulic 
and acoustic stimuli, using statistical rules, and developing a 
computer utilizing the travel behavior data, the passive transport 
trajectories, and the postulated behavioral response, to provide a 
virtual fish. The method further includes the steps of obtaining data 
on at least one selected hydraulic flow field component to generate a 
virtual hydraulic flow field, generating a simulative application of a 
multiplicity of virtual fish to the virtual hydraulic flow field, and 
tracking and monitoring the virtual fish through the virtual flow 
field, and summarizing results as to the numbers of virtual fish 
entering and exiting the virtual flow field, whereby to determine 
probable efficiency of real fish passage through the real hydraulic 
flow field.
    Autonomous Upward-Looking Radar Snow Depth Gauge. The present 
invention comprises a flush-with-the-surface, upward-looking 
autonomous, telemetered microwave radar system which can automatically 
provide snow depth and stratigraphy (layering in the snowpack) 
information from a remote field site to a centralized receiver, data 
acquisition, and storage system. The system comprises an FM-CW radar 
system provided with a horn antenna aimed upward through a radome. As 
snow accumulates over the radome, a reflection is produced at the 
boundary between the snow and the outside air. A difference signal 
produced by mixing the transmitted and received signals will produce a 
component whose frequency is proportional to snow depth. Other 
reflections may be produced at boundaries between snow layers. Data 
from the system may be telemetered to a centralized collection station. 
Data may then be processed, along with data from other radar snow 
gauges, to produce an accurate model of snow pack for a given area.
    Vehicle Barrier Assembly. A Vehicle barrier assembly for stopping 
or restraining a moving vehicle includes a flexible barrier for 
positioning across a selected terrain and anchoring barriers made of 
compacted soil, timber, used telephone poles and a concrete wall. An 
impact absorbing assembly, made of used vehicle tires, is positioned 
behind the anchoring barrier for absorbing the impact of a moving 
vehicle.
    Method and Apparatus for Repairing Stator Connections On Electrical 
Generators. A tool for repairing a field pole connection in an 
electrical generator which includes first and second generally 
longitudinal major arms each having proximate and distal ends and each 
having respectively first and second proximate and distal pivot pins. 
First and second generally longitudinal terminal arms connected 
respectively to the first and second base arms at the first and second 
distal pivot pins. An opposed punch and punch receiving recess are 
positioned respectively on the first and second terminal arms. There is 
a piston and cylinder combination for laterally moving the first and 
second proximate pivot pins. A method for using this tool is also 
disclosed.
    Method for Attaching Fabric and Floor Covering Materials to 
Concrete. A method of attaching a covering material, such as carpeting, 
to a concrete surface, includes applying a first adhesive over a 
concrete surface, providing a steel barrier including a plurality of 
projections extending from the bottom surface thereof, pressing the 
steel barrier over the adhesive such that the projections are embedded 
therein, and bonding the covering material over the barrier. The 
moisture-proof barrier construction of the present invention includes a 
concrete layer, a steel barrier, which is adhesively mounted to the 
concrete layer and includes a plurality of projections extending from 
the bottom surface thereof that are embedded into an adhesive between 
the concrete layer and the steel barrier. The barrier includes a 
covering material which is adhesively mounted on the steel barrier. The 
invention provides an effective technique for attaching a covering 
material, such as carpeting to a concrete surface, that prevents 
failing of the adhesive bonding between the covering material and the 
concrete surface.
    System for Detection of Radioactive Elements And Metals 
Contaminates in Subsurface Soil. A system for detection of radioactive 
matter and metal contaminants in subsurface media includes a 
penetrometer adapted gamma detection module for detection of 
radioactive matter, and x-radiation detection module for detection of 
the metal contaminants, and a grout injection module. The system 
includes a surface station comprising a gamma power supply, and x-
radiation acquisition and processing facility, and a grout pumping 
assembly. An umbilical cable interconnects the

[[Page 71127]]

gamma detection module and the gamma power supply, the x-radiation 
power supply, electronic signal conditioning equipment, a data 
acquisition and processing facility, and a grout pumping assembly. An 
umbilical cable interconnects the gamma detection module and the gamma 
power supply, the x-radiation detection module and the x-radiation 
power supply, the grout injection module and the grout pumping 
assembly, and the gamma detection module and the x-radiation detection 
module with the data acquisition and processing facility. The latter is 
adapted to integrate and parallel process data from the gamma detection 
module and the x-radiation detection module to provide a realtime, co-
registered with depth, identification of the radioactive matter and the 
metal contaminants.
    Low-Lead Leaching Foamed Concrete Bullet Barrier. A method of 
forming low lead leaching foamed concrete is provided. The method 
includes the step of dry mixing cement with a suspending agent to form 
a dry mixture. Water is mixed with a fine aggregate to form an aqueous 
mixture. The dry mixture is mixed into the aqueous mixture to form a 
slurry. Calcium phosphate is mixed into the slurry until all 
constituents are throughly distributed throughout the resulting 
mixture. The density of the resulting mixture is determined and an 
aqueous foam is added to the resulting mixture until the density of the 
resulting mixture is reduced to a desired level. Fibers are mixed into 
the resulting mixture until the fiber is distributed throughout the 
final mixture. The final mixture is placed into a mold. The mixture is 
allowed to harden and cure.
    Multiple Pressure Gradient Sensor. Apparatus for studying the 
variations in hydrodynamic pressure for correlation with fish movement 
towards and away from zones of danger comprises a hollow winged section 
having mounted on the surface thereof, piezoelectric sensors, and an 
accelerometer mounted within the apparatus, for generating electrical 
signals that are precessed and interpreted by remote electric means.
    Telescoping Weir. A telescoping weir for the controlled drainage of 
contaminated bodies of water, such as confined disposal facilities 
(CDF), which selectively releases only the relatively clean water while 
leaving behind a contaminated portion. The weir includes a foundation 
that is anchored to the bottom of the body of water and connected with 
a discharge pipe, a cylindrical telescoping portion connected with the 
discharge pipe and extending upwardly from the foundation and 
terminating adjacent to the surface of the body of water, and set of 
mechanical jacks for selectively extending and retracting the upper end 
of the telescoping portion above and below the water surface in order 
to selectively drain a top layer of clean decant water therefrom.
    Title: Transmission Line Reflectometer Using Frequency-Modulated 
Continuous Wave. The invention provides apparatus for and a method of 
locally or remotely monitoring a number of geophysical and other 
variables related to the refractive index of materials, e.g., soil and 
pavement moisture content; the moisture content of bulk food products 
such as grains and beans; liquid levels in storage tanks; interface 
levels between water and floating layers of oil; the thickness of ice 
layers; the water/ice interface in partially frozen ground; the 
location of liquid and gas leaks on roofs, in landfill liners, 
geosynthetic membranes, and pipelines; and the cables. The detection 
technique is their propagation along transmission line probes embedded 
in the material being tested.
    Geocomposite Capillary Barrier Drain. A geotechnical structure that 
includes a first body of soil having a first unsaturated concentration 
of moisture. There is also a second body of soil, which includes a 
second unsaturated concentration of moisture that is different from the 
first concentration. A moisture barrier is interposed between the first 
body of soil and the second body of soil. The moisture barrier includes 
an upper and lower layer that draw water laterally. A medial capillary 
barrier layer prevents transverse moisture migration between the first 
and second bodies of soil. Moisture migration both upwardly and 
downwardly is thus prevented, and water in the first and second bodies 
of unsaturated soil is drained laterally to reduce pore water pressures 
in the first and second bodies of soil.
    Noninvasive Mass Determination Stockpiled Materials. The mass of 
stockpiled material is determined from detailed measurements of the 
elevation of the surface of the material at many points and the 
determination of the gravitational field along several profile lines 
across the surface of stockpiled material. These measurements allow the 
calculation of the volume and the bulk density an hence, the mass of 
stockpiled material.
    Shock-Absorbing Block. Shock-absorbing blocks for bullet stops at 
firing ranges and for traffic control are made by encasing scrap rubber 
tires in concrete. To ensure firm attachment of the tires to the 
concrete, reinforcement such as wire loops are fastened to the tire. To 
prevent the formation of air pockets during the pouring of the concrete 
mixture into a mold holding the tire, vent holes are punched into the 
side walls of the tire. To allow the concrete mixture to flow under the 
tire in the mold, the tire is propped up with support blocks. Wires may 
be strung across the top of the tire and attached to the side walls of 
the mold to prevent movement of the tire while the concrete is being 
poured into the mold. The concrete mixture may contain an aqueous foam 
additive, a stabilizer, and fiber reinforcements such as steel or 
organic polymers.
    Foam Controller. A system for automatically delivering an anti-
foaming agent to a biological waste treatment system includes a sensor 
for monitoring the amount of foam present in the system, a pump for 
pumping a predetermined quantity of anti-foaming agent into the system, 
and controller for initiating the pumping sequence when the quantity of 
foam in the system reaches a preselected level. The controller includes 
two relays. The first relay controls the length of time the pump is on, 
thereby controlling the amount of anti-foam injected into the system, 
and the second relay establishes a period of time following the pumping 
period when the pump cannot be activated, thereby providing a period of 
time for the anti-foam to break down the foam before additional anti-
foam can be added.
    Helical Optical Fiber Strain Sensor. Strain in concrete is sensed 
by a helical optical fiber embedded in the concrete and connected at 
one end to an external light source, and at other end to a light 
detector, providing a signal output to an information processor, which 
provides a display of the strain in the concrete.
    System for Monitoring and Controlling the Level of a Liquid in a 
Closed Container. A system for monitoring and controlling the level of 
liquid in a closed container includes a block for mounting at an upper 
end of the container, a lower level electrode for extending from the 
block vertically into the container, and upper level electrode for 
extending from the block vertically into the container and shorter than 
the lower level electrode, a valve for venting gas from the container, 
and a motor for driving the valve. Electric circuitry is responsive to 
liquid in the container rising to a free end of the upper level 
electrode, a valve for venting gas from the container, and motor for 
driving the valve. Electric circuitry is responsive to liquid in the 
container rising to a free end of the upper level electrode to activate 
the motor to close the valve to

[[Page 71128]]

increase gas pressure in the container to force lowering of the level 
of liquid, and further electrical circuitry is responsive to the liquid 
in the container dropping below a free end of the lower level electrode 
to activate the motor to open the valve to vent the container and 
reduce gas pressure therein to permit rising of the liquid level.
    Self-Aligning Vortez Snow Fence. The invention relates to a passive 
snow removal system which deliberately forms vortices from a passing 
airflow and directs the vortices into scouring contact with snow 
accumulation on a target surface. The apparatus includes a base and a 
vortex producing plate rotatably mounted at an inclined angle relative 
to an upper portion of the base near the plate's center of mass. The 
geometry of the plate, which is preferably triangular, is used to 
aerodynamically form vortices from a passing airflow and direct the 
vortices onto a target surface. Once the vortices are in scouring 
contact with the target surface, they act upon the surface to dislodge 
and carry away any acculated snow in the direction of the airflow and 
redeposit it downwind, thus removing the snow from the target surface.
    Time Domain Reflectometry System for Real-Time Bridge Scour 
Detection and Monitoring. An apparatus for detecting and monitoring 
scouring of a bed of sediment beneath a body of water uses time-domain 
reflectometry (TDR) to measure the level of sediment adjacent to 
underwater sensors. The apparatus includes and electrical pulse 
generator which produces and intermittently transmits a series of 
electrical pulses along a permanent transmission line arranged adjacent 
to the area of concern, a timer to measure the travel time of the 
pulses within the transmission lines, a transmitter for transmitting a 
radio signal corresponding to the travel times of the pulses, a 
receiver for receiving the signal, and a signal analyzer which 
interprets the signal to determine a measurement of scouring. Knowledge 
of the position of the interfaces before and after a scouring event and 
the dielectric constants of the surrounding media allows the user to 
detect and monitor the level of erosion caused by scouring.
    Method and Apparatus for Treating Volatile Organic Compound Voc and 
Odor-in Air Emissions. An air emissions treatment system is 
characterized by a moving biomass filter element is in the form of one 
or more endless loops which are conveyed within an enclosed housing. As 
a section of the filter element passes through the air, it withdraws 
pollutants therefrom. When the filter passes through the liquid, it 
receives moisture and nutrients and releases the pollutants into the 
liquid.
    Camouflaged Erosion Control Mat. A mat for covering soil comprising 
a lower fabric layer, an upper fabric layer superimposed over the lower 
fabric layer, and a water absorbing material interposed between said 
lower fabric layer and upper fabric layer. The mat contains tubular 
segments containing fabric and hydraulically setting cement. The cover, 
when wetted, becomes ballasted by the absorbed water and the tubular 
elements harden to form rigid ribs that hold the mat in conformity with 
the surface of the underlying soil.
    Shielded Thermocouple Assembly. A shielded thermocouple assembly 
includes a mounting pipe having a flange at a first end thereof and 
extending outwardly therefrom, and a mounting plug having a first end 
connected to a second end of the mounting pipe, the mounting plug 
having a recess in a second end thereof defined in part by a circular 
side wall having at least one opening therein. A fine-wire thermocouple 
is fixed in the mounting plug and extends into the recess. A rigid 
shield pipe is disposed concentrically around and space from the 
mounting pipe, the shield pipe closed by a shield plate proximate the 
mounting plug second end. An inlet extends through a side wall of the 
shield pipe in alignment with a side wall of the mounting plug recess, 
and an outlet extends through the side wall of the shield pipe and is 
in axial alignment with the inlet. The inlet directs incoming air 
against a curved portion of the mounting plug which directs the 
incoming air around the mounting plug past the opening, from whence the 
air flows to the outlet and out of the assembly. Thus, the incoming air 
flows past the thermocouple to permit the thermocouple to sense a 
temperature of the incoming air, but fragments and particles carried by 
the incoming air are substantially routed away from contact with the 
thermocouple.
    Polychromic Multi-spectral Electrochromic Camouflage Device. An 
electrochromic camouflage device that includes a first layer of a 
transition metal oxide material or other suitable conductive material. 
A second layer of a transition metal oxide material positioned in 
spaced relation to said first layer of a transition metal oxide 
material. A layer of an electrochromic polymer is interposed between 
the first and second layers of transition metal oxide material and is 
positioned directly adjacent the first transition metal oxide layer.
    Large Area Tonedown. A method and composition for multispectral 
surface treatment includes predetermined proportions of a hydrophilic 
polymer, hydrophilic fibers and water. The composition is placed in a 
water vessel, mechanically agitated, pumped through a hose and sprayed 
out through a nozzle coming to rest against a surface to be treated.
    Method of Producing Artificial Guano. High-nitrogen, high-
phosphorus fertilizer is produced from animal waste by mixing the waste 
with water and soft-burned dolomite, recovering ammonia that is 
liberated with an aqueous acidic medium, neutralizing the mixture, 
combining the ammonium salt recovered earlier with the mixture, the 
adding guano-forming bacteria to mixture, and allowing the mixture to 
ferment.
    Remote Site Monitoring With Digital Image Archiving. A camera is 
used to generate digital pictures of a site to be monitored. The 
digital pictures are transmitted over the Internet to a remote database 
server for retrieval and archiving. Users remote from both the site to 
be monitored and the database server can access the pictures and, if 
authorized, issue commands to pan and zoom the camera.
    Shielded Thermocouple Assembly. A shielded thermocouple assembly 
includes a mounting pipe having a flange at a first end thereof and 
extending outwardly therefrom, and a mounting plug having a first end 
connected to a second end of the mounting pipe, the mounting plug 
having a recess in a second end thereof defined in part by a circular 
side wall having at least one opening therein. A fine-wire thermocouple 
is fixed in the mounting plug and extends into the recess. A rigid 
shield pipe is disposed concentrically around and spaced from the 
mounting pipe, the shield pipe begin closed by a shield plate proximate 
the mounting plug second end. An inlet extends through a side wall of 
the shield pipe in alignment with a side wall of the mounting plug 
recess, and an outlet extends through the side wall of the shield pipe 
and is in axial alignment with the inlet. The inlet directs incoming 
air against a curved portion of the mounting plug which directs the 
incoming air around the mounting plug past the opening, from whence the 
air flows to the outlet and out of the assembly. Thus, the incoming air 
flows past the thermocouple to permit the thermocouple to sense a 
temperature of the incoming air, but fragments and particles carried by 
the incoming air are substantially routed away from contact with the 
thermocouple.
    Constant Stress Diffusion Cell With Controllable Moisture Content. 
A device

[[Page 71129]]

for measuring the concentration changes of a vapor as it diffuses 
through a porous media comprising a porous central housing having a 
central space; an outer housing for containment of the central housing 
and positioned in outward spaced relation from the central housing to 
form a medial space between said external housing and said internal 
housing; a first fluid conveying line extending into the central space 
of the central housing; and a second fluid conveying line extending to 
the medial space.
    Pursuant to 37 CFR 404, 7 (a) (1) (I), any interested party may 
file a written objection to this exclusive, or partially exclusive 
licenses agreements.
Richard L. Frenette,
Counsel.
[FR Doc. 99-32882 Filed 12-17-99; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 3710-92-P