| Document | Document Title |
|---|---|
| US08052100B2 |
Adjustable tilt solar panel support system
An adjustable tilt solar panel support system including a support post, a U-shaped pivot bracket attached to the support post in a generally upright orientation and having a pivot pin hole for accommodating a pivot pin, and further having at least one adjustment opening; a rotational support cradle having a pivot pin hole in alignment with the pivot pin hole of the pivot bracket, such that the support cradle is pivotally attached to the pivot bracket, the support cradle further including at least one adjustment opening which aligns with the adjustment opening of the pivot bracket. An adjustment pin is selectively inserted into and through the adjustment openings of the support cradle and pivot bracket to secure the support cradle at a selected angle, and wherein the removal of the adjustment pin permits the rotational support cradle to pivot on the pivot bracket about the pivot pin. |
| US08052093B2 |
Control moment gyro and device for assembly thereof
The gyrodyne includes an inertial wheel mounted, via a wheel support, on the moving part or rotor of a cardan assembly. The cardan assembly is provided with a stator and the rotor is rotatable with respect to the stator about a first axis of rotation, it being possible for the spinner of the inertial wheel to be set in rotation about a second axis of rotation not aligned with the first axis of rotation. The stator of the cardan is mounted on a block and fixed to this block via an arrangement of vibration attenuators or insulators. The mechanism for setting the rotor in rotation is at least partially housed in the interior volume of the block. |
| US08052084B2 |
Mechanical connection between a primary nut and secondary nut
The assembly comprises a first and a second nut intended to cooperate with a screw in particular provided in an adjustable tailplane actuator for an aircraft, and a mechanical connection between the first and the second nut comprising means for fusible driving of the second nut by the first nut, in which the mechanical connection also comprises adjustable spacing means forming a wedge between the first and second nuts. |
| US08052083B1 |
Bird deflector and air replacement system technical field
A bird deflector and air replacement system for a jet engine, the bird deflector being conical or arcuate in shape as formed by suitable longitudinal and lateral interconnected bars, and the air replacement apparatus being one of a frustum or a selectively perforated tube or a modified cowl with cooperating external spaced-apart channels or openings formed therearound for directing additional air into the mainstream of the jet engine inlet. The system may be manufactured as an aftermarket add-on, or it may be manufactured as original cowl equipment for respective jet engine models. |
| US08052067B2 |
Self-cleaning assembly employing a gap filler for a guidance or runway rail on the ground
A self-cleaning assembly employing a gap filler for a rail on the ground which guides or in which there runs rollers or wheels with lugs housed in a groove so as to lie flush with or protrude only slightly from the ground and which has a gap on the side of the rail corresponding to the passage of the lug. A filling substance is placed in the gap outside of the dynamic footprint of the lug and at least partially lines the gap, at least partially filling it. The filling material has properties of compressibility and is positioned in such a way that under all normal conditions of use or normal environmental conditions, the gap remains filled outside of the dynamic footprint of the lug. |
| US08052065B2 |
Tapered high pressure rotary feed valves
A tapered rotary feed valve is manufactured or refurbished for use in feeding materials into a high temperature environment, so as to reduce the time and expense of break-in operation, by shaping the tapered bore of the valve body at ambient temperature to have greater clearance around the rotor in a sector of the valve body that is cooler when the valve is at stable operating temperature. As a result, when the valve first reaches operating temperature after being manufactured or refurbished the rotor and the bore of the valve body nearly fit and can quickly wear in to fit each other closely. |
| US08052064B2 |
Expansion valve with refrigerant flow dividing structure and refrigeration unit utilizing the same
An expansion valve of the present invention has a structure which integrates a refrigerant flow divider. The expansion valve includes a refrigerant flow dividing chamber 6 on the downstream side of a first throttle 10. Flow dividing tubes 12 are connected to the refrigerant flow dividing chamber 6. In the expansion valve, refrigerant which has passed through the first throttle 10 is sprayed into the refrigerant flow dividing chamber 6, so that the flow dividing characteristic of the refrigerant is improved. Also, due to an enlargement of the passage in the refrigerant flow dividing chamber 6, the ejection energy of a flow of the refrigerant ejected from the first throttle 10 is dispersed, whereby a discontinuous refrigerant flow noise is reduced. |
| US08052062B2 |
Constant air volume / variable air temperature zone temperature and humidity control system
A method for providing energy-efficient temperature and humidity control with uniform ventilation air distribution in a constant-volume zoned heating and cooling systems. The method utilizes an air-to-air heat exchanger that regulates the temperature of the supply air to a space, using the temperature differential between supply air and return (room) air and regulating the flow of return air through the heat exchanger. |
| US08052059B2 |
Semiconductor device
An object of the present invention is to provide a semiconductor device which can obtain the high potential necessary for writing data to a memory, using a small circuit area. In the present invention, by using as input voltage of a booster circuit not the conventionally used output VDD of a regulator circuit 104, but rather an output VDD0 of a rectifier circuit portion 103, which is a higher potential than the VDD, the high potential necessary for writing data to a memory can be obtained with a small circuit area. |
| US08052054B1 |
Track quality to track error covariance
A computer-implemented method for estimating track error covariance of a sensor track data in a Link 16 tactical data link network from track quality involves receiving at a computer system the sensor track data on a ballistic target including the track quality and by estimating the track maturity, the position and velocity error covariance eigenvalues (λp, λv), and the position and velocity error covariances (Cp, Cv), the track error covariance of the sensor track data is calculated. The resulting error covariance is provided to the weapons control systems for more accurate engagement of the ballistic targets. |
| US08052039B2 |
Insulated cup
An improved cup comprising a top portion and a base sleeve connected to the sidewall of the top portion. The base sleeve is at least partially formed of an insulating material. The base sleeve is formed of a one piece material that eliminates a seam at the bottom of the cup. |
| US08052038B2 |
Dispensing container
A dispensing container for selectively holding and dispensing products has a resiliently deformable main panel with a centrally disposed pivot emboss extending longitudinally there along. One end of the pivot emboss terminates at a pivot panel located on the main panel. The container includes a spout panel positioned distally from the pivot panel with spout panel being at least partially selectively opened by deformation of the main panel along the pivot emboss. Deformation of the main panel may be imparted by inward squeezing motion to the sides of the container, which in turn causes the main panel to outwardly deform along the pivot emboss, resulting in opening of the spout. |
| US08052033B2 |
Friction stir welding method
A friction stir welding method includes providing a joining tool including a friction surface; providing a first workpiece and a second workpiece; arranging the first workpiece and second workpiece in position with a first joining surface abutting a second joining surface, a friction surface of a joining tool resisting at least one of the first treating surface and the second treating surface; positioning, rotating and moving the joining tool to rub and stir at least one of the first workpiece and the second workpiece, thus plasticizing at least part of the first workpiece and the second workpiece to join the first workpiece and the second workpiece. |
| US08052029B1 |
Method of calibrating a friction stir spot welding system
A method of performing a plurality of friction stir spot welds with a friction stir spot welding (FSSW) system includes measuring a length of a pin of a weld tool of the FSSW system. The length is compared to a first limit to determine if the length is above or below the first limit. Debris is removed off of a tip of the pin when the length is determined to be above the first limit. The length is also compared to a second limit to determine if the length is above or below the second limit. At least one friction stir spot weld is performed on a workpiece when the length is determined to be less than the first limit and above the second limit. |
| US08052028B2 |
Device for use with a friction stir spot welding (FSSW) apparatus
A device for use with a welding apparatus, such as a friction stir spot welding (FSSW) apparatus, that maintains work pieces in a generally flat or flush orientation during a welding operation. The device can be mounted to the operable end of an FSSW apparatus so that it exerts a stabilizing force against an upper work piece. The stabilizing force exerted by the device prevents the upper work piece from deflecting when the rotating tool of the FSSW apparatus passes through the upper work piece and penetrates into the lower work piece. In an exemplary embodiment, the device includes a housing component that slidably receives a movable component under the force of a biasing component. |
| US08052017B2 |
Pin moor
A moor or anchor (10) for pins (12), needles, or other sewing implements, comprising a moor or anchor having a first end and a second end, the first (14) and the second end (16) are connected by a central portion (30) which may be curved (18), whereby the moor or anchor (10) can be positioned on a surface (20) and receive a pin (12), needle, or other sewing implement to anchor apiece of fabric (19) to the surface. The surface (20) may be fabric, cloth, vinyl, plastic, or any other flexible material. The moor or anchor (10) may be configured in various shapes and include curved portions (18) and planar surfaces (26). A method for using the moor to secure and position pins and other sewing implements to surfaces such as fabric or other flexible material is also disclosed. |
| US08052014B2 |
Fluid container
A dual storage system-type fluid container in which a liquid pouring tube is securely fitted and a liquid discharging passage formed in a dispenser is easily and securely connected to the liquid pouring tube. A joint for the fluid container comprises a flexible bag (12) having a neck part (11) opened such that liquid can be poured through it and also has an outer container (13) for receiving the bag (12) with the neck part (11) supported by a mouth part (13a). The liquid pouring tube (15) having a flange part (15a) can be fitted to the mouth part (13a) of the outer container (13) with a retainer (14) placed between the tube and the mouth part. A flow passage (21a) formed in the dispenser (2) can be directly connected to the fluid passage (15b) of the liquid pouring tube (15). |
| US08052010B2 |
Helical coil dispenser for vending machines and vending machine comprising such dispenser
The present invention relates to a helical coil dispenser (4) for vending machines, which dispenser comprises a frame (5), a plurality of helical coils (6) mounted on the frame (5) and a plurality of motors (15), each connected to a respective helical coil (6), to determine rotation of the helical coil (6) about a longitudinal axis (X) and moving forward of the goods (P) supported by the helical coil (6). The dispenser (4) further comprises adjusting means (18) interposed between each motor (15) and the frame (5), said adjusting means (18) enabling shifting of the motors (15) along a rear side (12) of the frame (5) perpendicular to the longitudinal axes (X) and locking of said motors (15) onto the frame (5), to allow installation of a different number of motors (15) and helical coils (6) and/or installation of helical coils (6) of different sizes. |
| US08052006B2 |
Closure for a vessel
A closure 10 is provided for retaining fluid pressure within a vessel, and comprises a hub 12 having an access opening to the vessel, with the hub having a circumferential stop 17 and one or more recesses 50 each extending radially outward from an adjacent inner surface 26 of the hub. A door 22 is positioned between the stop surface and the vessel, and a latch member 30 brings the door into sealing engagement with the stop member. One or more lugs 24 each extend radially outward from an exterior surface of the door, such that a respective lug engages the hub about a respective recess to seal the door to the hub, while the door may be moved to pass through the one or more recesses and out of the hub. |
| US08052001B2 |
Case assembly structure of electronic device
The present invention relates to a case assembly structure. The case assembly structure includes a first case and a second case. The first case has a first connection portion including a first protrusion, a first trench and a second protrusion from an external side to an internal side thereof. The second case has a second connection portion including a third protrusion and a second trench from an external side to an internal side thereof. The first trench and the second protrusion of the first connection portion of the first case are corresponding to the third protrusion and the second trench of the second connection portion of the second case, and an inner wall of the first protrusion of the first connection portion of the first case is in contact with the external side of the second connection portion of the second case such that the first case and the second case are combined together. |
| US08051998B1 |
Product container with integral selective membrane
In embodiment, the present invention relates to a cap and container assembly comprising at least one selective gas permeable membrane, wherein the assembly is manufactured so that the membrane is an integral part of the assembly and wherein the membrane is composed of a material for controlling conditions of gas concentration in an internal portion of the assembly when the cap is closed. In another embodiment, the present invention relates to a method of forming a cap and container assembly comprising at least one selective gas permeable membrane that is integral with the assembly comprising: cutting the membrane to a pre-selected form, wherein the membrane is composed of a material for controlling conditions of gas concentration in an internal portion of the assembly when the cap is closed; placing the membrane into a mold by robotic means; and overmolding the assembly about the membrane to form an assembly wherein the membrane is an integral part of the assembly. |
| US08051996B1 |
Baby bottle with a spare nipple storage assembly
A baby bottle storage assembly includes a bottle that has a cylindrical body, a chamber formed therein, and has open top and closed bottom ends. First and second coextensive protective caps are conjoined to the top and bottom ends. The second protective cap has a cavity positioned adjacent to the body's bottom end, defining a storage chamber when the second protective cap is secured to the bottom end. A first discharge nozzle is intercalated between the first protective cap and the body's top end, and has a nipple protruding outwardly from the first protective cap. Spare discharge nozzles are housed within the storage chamber and are intercalated between the second protective cap and the body's bottom end such that the spare discharge nozzles are isolated from ambient surroundings. The first and spare discharge nozzles are formed from resilient rubber material. |
| US08051990B2 |
Oil canning of mesh screen for filter
A method of reducing if not eliminating the possibility of tearing or ripping of a mesh screen of a filter during the manufacturing process includes the step of intentionally deforming the mesh screen. With this technique, as the plastic material that forms the frame of the filter begins to expand or change shape, as a result of the heating and squeezing steps involved with the molding process, the deformed mesh screen will be able to accommodate the relative changes in shape without tearing or ripping of the mesh screen. With the invention, numerous shapes and configurations of tools may be used to provide the intentional deformation of the mesh screen during the manufacturing process as well as to provide for control over the amount and degree of mesh screen deformation. Also, the resulting filter will have a mesh screen that has improved retention capabilities which will enhance the performance of the filter. |
| US08051989B1 |
Support structure for a filter
A support structure of a filter element for supporting a filter material that is adapted to filter a fluid includes a first frame portion and a second frame portion. The first frame portion has a plurality of radially-extending fingers that are longitudinally spaced from one another. The first frame portion is disposed entirely on an unfiltered side of the filter material. A second frame portion has a pair of longitudinally-extending support surfaces that are disposed in a spaced, facing relationship with respect to one another. The second frame portion is disposed entirely on a filtered side of the filter material. The radially-extending fingers of the first frame portion and each of the longitudinally-extending support surfaces of the second frame portion support the filter material to define a first radial channel. The radially-extending fingers of the first frame portion space the longitudinally-extending support surfaces of the second frame portion apart from one another. |
| US08051988B2 |
Grain conveyor apparatus and system including separation capability
A grain conveying apparatus and system for conveying and separating elements of a grain mixture of a first minimum size, such as cob pieces, and a second maximum size smaller than the first minimum size, such as grain or corn, including an upper passage having at least one aperture generally smaller than the cob pieces and larger than the grain or corn. As the grain mixture is conveyed through the upper passage, the cob pieces will pass across the apertures, and the grain or corn will pass through the apertures to the lower passage thereby separating the elements of the grain mixture as it is conveyed from a source bin to separate receiving bins. |
| US08051983B2 |
Peelable, child-resistant package for film-shaped drug forms
A package for flat, pliable objects, such as for wafer-shaped or film-shaped drug forms. The package has a carrier layer, a cover layer which is detachably connected to the carrier layer, and a first surface region wherein the carrier layer is not connected to the cover layer and is completely surrounded by a margin area. A cavity, enclosed on all sides, is formed for accommodating an object. The package has a second surface region wherein the carrier layer is not connected to the cover layer. At least one perforation line extends at least partially within the second surface region, and is provided both in the carrier layer and in the cover layer.Severing the perforation line forms a free edge of the cover layer which serves as a gripping aid and enables manual removal of the cover layer from the carrier layer. The disclosure further covers a process for packaging flat, pliable objects by forming the above-described package. |
| US08051979B2 |
Innovative packaging for consumer product
A package for containing an oral sensorial product includes a packet having a shaped front sheet having a raised inner portion and a resealable back sheet. The raised inner portion has at least one recess adapted to receive a product. The resealable back sheet peels away from the shaped front sheet without damaging either the shaped front sheet or the back sheet. |
| US08051974B2 |
Linear vibratory conveyor
Linear vibratory conveyor including a utility weight and a counterweight that can be vibratingly moved in opposing directions via a drive unit, the utility weight and the counterweight being connected via a non-rigid connector that represents or includes a vibration amplifying means for the vibration produced by the drive unit. |
| US08051971B2 |
Apparatus and method for positioning articles, comprising multiple unloading operations per cycle
The invention relates to an apparatus and method for positioning articles, comprising multiple unloading operations per cycle. The inventive apparatus comprises means for placing articles in housings that move along the length of a closed circuit provided with at least first and second drop sites through which the correctly oriented articles fall from each housing into a corresponding alignment conduit placed under and moving together with each housing. In addition compartments are positioned between the alignment conduits. According to the invention, transfer means transfer each article from a conduit to a compartment after said article has fallen through the first drop site, but before it has reached the second drop site. Subsequently, extraction means extract the correctly oriented and aligned articles from said conduits and compartments and transfer same to an outfeed conveyor. |
| US08051968B2 |
Clutch unit including a wet clutch
A clutch unit for use in the drive train of a motor vehicle between a drive unit and a transmission including at least one transmission input shaft. The clutch unit includes at least one wet clutch device that is provided with a plurality of clutch elements, in particular clutch discs, that are at least partially wetted by a coolant such as oil. The coolant carries away frictional heat that is generated by slippage between adjacent clutch discs during certain vehicle operating conditions. The heat absorbed by the clutch coolant is cooled by heat transfer from the coolant to a cooler that surrounds the clutch unit. |
| US08051967B2 |
Step-by-step mechanism, in particular for a seat adjustment
The seat adjustment mechanism has a housing with an outer ring and an inner ring. The rings are arranged concentrically. Clamping bodies interact with double clamping ramps on the rings and are arranged in an annular space between the rings. Spring supports pivot in relation to each other, interact with a stop on the housing, are arranged concentrically with the rings, and engage in each case both in the annular space and in an inner space arranged radially within the inner ring. The spring supports are braced in relation to each other by a spring, which is arranged in the inner space to secure the clamping bodies in the center of the double clamping ramps. Stop surfaces of the spring supports are acted upon by a force in the direction in which they are minimally spaced apart. |
| US08051962B2 |
Steering damper
A steering damper comprises two oil chambers (R1, R2) delimited in a housing (1, 7) by a partitioning member (2, 8), and a damping valve (2a, 2b) which imposes a drag on a flow of working oil between the two oil chambers (R1, R2). By further comprising an oil passage (5) connecting the two oil chambers (R1, R2), a pair of check valves (5a, 5b) which prevents oil flow from each of the two oil chambers (R1, R2) into the oil passage (5), and a bypass passage (6) connected to the oil passage (5) between the pair of check valves (5a, 5b) and having an opening that opens onto the interior of the housing (1) in the vicinity of the neutral position of the movable partitioning member (2, 8), the steering damper enables the movable partitioning member (2, 8) to return quickly towards the neutral position. |
| US08051949B2 |
Vehicle exhaust muffler
A vehicle muffler, which is structured in a coiled fashion, has a tube extending through the circumferential wall. This tube is welded to the circumferential wall and fastened by mechanical deformation to a support wall of an inner insert piece. |
| US08051948B2 |
Silencer apparatus with disposable silencer cartridge unit
A silencer apparatus for attenuating noise in gas flow systems. The apparatus generally includes a housing having an interior cavity and a gas flow inlet and outlet that are adapted to be connected to a passage such that a gas flowing through the passage enters and exits the cavity of the housing through the inlet and outlet, respectively. A silencer cartridge unit is removably disposed within the interior cavity of the housing and defines a gas flow path fluidically connected to the inlet and outlet of the housing. The silencer cartridge unit has at least one sound-attenuating element that surrounds the gas flow path. The housing is further equipped with a closure that sealingly closes a portion of the housing, and is releasable from the housing to provide an access opening through which the silencer cartridge unit can be removed. The apparatus can also be adapted to include a filtration medium. |
| US08051944B2 |
Steering apparatus
In a steering apparatus, a differential lock mechanism has a lock holder in which a plurality of groove portions are formed on an outer periphery thereof, and selectively allows and prohibits to generate a difference of steering amount in the rotational direction between an input shaft and an output shaft by selectively engaging and disengaging an engaging portion with respect to the groove portions. A rotation sensor detects the position in the rotational direction of the lock holder during one rotation of the lock holder and repeatedly detects the same sensor pattern being output a plurality of times. A variable transfer ratio unit ECU detects which groove portion, from among the plurality of groove portions, the engaging portion is engaged with using the sensor pattern output by the rotation sensor when a side portion of one of the groove portions is pressing against a side portion of the engaging portion. |
| US08051939B2 |
Throttle control apparatus for a vehicle and vehicle incorporating same
A throttle control apparatus includes a throttle control sleeve rotatably mounted on a handlebar of a vehicle, a throttle control housing fixed to the handlebar, and a throttle sensor unit housed in the throttle control housing. The throttle sensor unit is operable to detect a rotational angle of the throttle control sleeve. The throttle control housing is rotatably engaged with an outer periphery of the throttle control sleeve. The throttle sensor unit includes a rotary member having a spline hole formed therein, a fixed contact and a movable contact for detecting rotation of the rotary member. The throttle control sleeve and the throttle sensor unit are engaged with each other by spline fitting. A throttle return mechanism and the sensor unit are arranged in an overlapping manner in an axial direction. Handle switches are arranged on a vehicle body center side of the throttle control housing. |
| US08051935B2 |
Hovercraft and methods of manufacture and use of same
An air-cushioned vehicle or hovercraft includes a three-dimensional frame comprising a latticework of tubular members. A pressure plate is coupled to the underside of the frame and includes at least one aperture therein and a skirt attached adjacent a periphery thereof. At least one lifting fan is positioned relative to the at least one aperture to generate a current of air therethrough. The frame may be configured to generate a visual indication of damage thereto. Methods of making and air-cushion vehicle are disclosed. Methods of using an air-cushion vehicle are also disclosed. |
| US08051931B2 |
Motorized traction device for a patient support
A patient support including a traction device for powered movement of the patient support. |
| US08051927B2 |
Percussive drill bit for rock drilling and method for the manufacture of such a drill bit
A drill bit for percussive rock drilling of the type that comprises a front head and a tubular skirt, which extends rearward from the head to a rear, ring-shaped end and includes an internal thread for the transfer of combined impact and rotary motions to the drill bit is disclosed. The rear end of the skirt is, via an unelastic joint, e.g., a friction weld, united to a front end of a sleeve having an envelope surface, from which a plurality of projections are peripherically spaced-apart from each other project, e.g., ridges, having the purpose of guiding the drill bit in the drill hole. By assembling the drill bit of two parts, the internal thread can be turned with high accuracy and smoothness, at the same time as the drill bit is given an inherent good controllability. In an additional aspect, a method for the manufacture of such a drill bit is also disclosed. |
| US08051916B2 |
Rear wheel drive assist for a wheel tractor scraper
A rear wheel drive assist for a wheel tractor scraper, the wheel tractor scraper having a tractor portion with a power source operatively connected to the front driven wheels, and a rear, scraper portion having a bowl, work tool, and first and second rear wheels, the rear wheel drive assist includes a work tool pump fluidly connected to a work tool motor to drive the work tool, fluid operated drive motors operatively connected to the rear wheels, and a diverter valve selectively movable between a first position that delivers fluid flow from the pump to the work tool motor, and a second position that delivers fluid flow from the work tool pump to the rear wheel drive motors. |
| US08051913B2 |
Downhole gap sealing element and method
A downhole sealing element includes, a malleable member having at least one closed wall cavity therein positionable downhole in a gap defined between downhole members, and a chemical disposed within the at least one closed wall cavity. The malleable member is deformable to fill variations in a dimension of the gap and the chemical is reactive to form a nonflowable element. |
| US08051904B1 |
Vehicular temperature control device
The vehicular temperature control device includes an external housing, a pair of internal compartments and a mechanism in each compartment that allows the device to either cool off or warm up an interior area within a vehicle. One of the internal compartments includes a belt, a rotating fan attached to the belt, and a volume of water for evaporative cooling. This chamber will help cool down surrounding air. The other internal compartment also includes a belt and a rotating fan attached to the belt and, furthermore, a heating coil. This second compartment is designed to assist an individual in heating up the surrounding air. |
| US08051890B2 |
Expandable gate
An expandable gate is described which includes a top horizontal guide rod, a bottom horizontal guide rod and vertical bar members extending from the top guide rod to the bottom guide rod. Each of the bar members has a top guide rod slot and a bottom guide bar slot and the top guide rod extends through each of the top guide rod slots and the bottom guide rod extends through each of the bottom guide rod slots. The vertical bar members may slide horizontally on guide rod members between an open expanded position where the bars are spaced further apart from one another and a closed collapsed position where the bars are closer together. The bar members each have spring connection holes at spaced locations between said top guide rod slot and said bottom guide rod slot. Elongated flexible tension bar springs are provided which lie flat when no forces are applied to the springs. Each of the bar spring have a central opening and have an elongated upper end opening and an elongated lower end opening. The springs have overlapping ends are positioned between adjacent bar members. First connectors rigidly attach a central portion of each spring to a bar member. Second connectors slidingly attach an upper end portion and a lower end portion of each spring to a bar member and the springs urge the vertical bar members to move closer together to the collapsed closed position. |
| US08051887B2 |
Primary and counter knife assembly for use in wood chipper
A wood chipper having a rotatable disc that contains a series of slots that pass through the disc. A primary chipper knife is located at the entrance of each slot which separates slices from a work piece and directs the slices through the slot. A counter knife unit is mounted within each slot for engaging the slices leaving the primary chipper knife to reduce the size of the chips as they move through the slot. The counter knife unit contains a first series of spaced apart chip contact elements that have a first height to contact the slices as they leave the primary chipper knife to reduce the size of the slices. The counter knife further contains a second series of chip contact elements that have a second height that is less than that of the chip contact element in the first series. Each contact element in the second series is arranged to contact chips leaving the contact elements in the first series to further reducing the size of the chips. |
| US08051886B2 |
Distressing process and apparatus for applying such process
A method is provided for treating the decorative face of a panel to simulate the visual effect of a distressed panel. The decorative face may include at least a layer of wood or the like. The method may involve passing the panel with respect to two or more distressing tools. The passing may be performed in an automated way by first driving means. The method may also involve advancing the distressing tools intermittently toward the moving panel to apply distress marks. The intermittently advancing may be performed in an automated way by second, third and optional further driving means. At least one of the passing of the panel and the advancing of the distressing tools toward the moving panel may be performed according to an irregular rhythm in order to obtain irregularly spaced distress marks. At least one of the first driving means, the second driving means, the third driving means, and the optional further driving means is steered by and therefore coupled to program means. |
| US08051878B2 |
Magnetic valves for performing multi-dimensional assays using one microfluidic chip
An apparatus for performing multi-dimensional assays using a microfluidic chip is presented. The apparatus comprises of two crossing series of micro-channels on the microfluidic chip. The apparatus further comprises of a plurality of magnetic valves placed at the crossings and a guiding magnet. When an operator places the guiding magnet in a vicinity of the chip, the guiding magnet produces a proximal magnetic field gradient at a location of each of the plurality of magnetic valves. At the first micro-channel crossing, a magnetic valve controls fluid flow in the first micro-channel, and another magnetic valve controls fluid flow in the second micro-channel at the first micro-channel crossing. Each magnetic valve comprises a magnetic bead and a cavity on the chip next to a corresponding micro-channel section. |
| US08051876B2 |
Pressure limiting valve with a hydraulic seal ring
The invention relates to a pressure limiting valve with a hydraulic seal ring (12), characterized in that the sealing element (6), for securing the flow gap (10) between the consumer connection (3) and the pressurized fluid outlet (4), is embodied as a seal ring (12) with a limited flexibility. Said seal ring (12) is inserted without preload into a groove (13) provided therefore, whereby said groove (13) is embodied so as to allow the flow of pressurized fluid (11) behind the seal ring (12). |
| US08051874B2 |
Replaceable outlet liner for control valve
A liner assembly adapted to line a valve body of a control valve comprises a sleeve, a liner and a retainer. The sleeve has an inner surface and an outer surface. The inner surface defines a bore. The outer surface is adapted to be disposed in engagement with the outlet of the control valve. The liner is slidably disposed within the bore of the sleeve. The retainer is in engagement with the liner to removably secure the liner within the sleeve. |
| US08051873B2 |
Wet well pumping system and method of installing and servicing the system
A wet well pumping system and a method of installing and servicing the same in a wet well include mounting a pair of bent elbows having pump inlets and riser outlets on an alignment platform having a centerline, configuring the riser outlets to extend along longitudinal axes generally parallel to, and located at substantially equal distances from, the centerline of the platform, overlying the wet well with an alignment cover having a centerline and a pair of riser clearance holes, configuring the riser clearance holes to extend through the cover at the substantially equal distances from the centerline of the cover, passing a pair of upright risers through the riser clearance holes along longitudinal axes generally parallel to the centerline of the cover, aligning the longitudinal axes of the risers with the longitudinal axes of the riser outlets, connecting the risers to the aligned riser outlets, securing the platform to a floor of the well after the risers are connected to the aligned riser outlets, connecting a pair of submersible pumps inside the well to the pump inlets of the bent elbows, and pumping waste water from the well though the bent elbows and the risers to outside the well. |
| US08051863B2 |
Methods of and apparatus for correlating gap value to meniscus stability in processing of a wafer surface by a recipe-controlled meniscus
Apparatus monitors a meniscus process that is performed on wafers. Monitoring data for a current process received by a processor indicates characteristics of a gap between the wafer and a process head. The processor is configured to respond to the data that is in the form of orientation monitor signals and to respond to a current recipe. The processor generates meniscus monitor signals for allowing the meniscus to remain stable in further meniscus processing. The monitoring is of current meniscus processing to determine whether a current gap (i) is other than a desired gap of the current recipe, and (ii) corresponds to a stable meniscus. If so, a calibration recipe is identified as specifying the current gap. This calibration recipe specifies parameters for meniscus processing the wafer surface with the current gap. The meniscus processing of the wafer surface is continued using the parameters specified by the identified calibration recipe. |
| US08051861B2 |
Cleaning system utilizing purified water
A cleaning system includes a supply of purified water, a supply of cleaning agent, a mixing junction, and a distributor. The mixing junction is configured to combine a flow of the purified water and a flow of the cleaning agent and output a flow of cleaning liquid comprising the flows of the purified water and the cleaning agent. The distributor includes an output through which the cleaning liquid can be discharged. In a method of cleaning a surface, flows of purified water and cleaning agent are provided. The flow of purified water and the flow of cleaning agent are mixed to form a flow of cleaning liquid. The flow of cleaning liquid is then discharged to the surface. |
| US08051852B2 |
Methods and apparatus for varying the back-up rate for a ventilator
A ventilator device delivers ventilatory support to a patient in a back up timed mode when patient respiration is not detected or a spontaneous mode when patient respiration is detected. The timing threshold governing the back-up mode is chosen to deviate from normal expected respiration time for the patient to promote patient initiated ventilation in the spontaneous mode but permit back-up ventilation in the event of apnea. Automated adjustments to the timing threshold during the timed mode are made from the less vigilant timing threshold to a more vigilant threshold at or near a timing of normal expected breathing of the patient. Such adjustments may be made from a minimum to a maximum vigilance timing settings or incrementally there between as a function of time in the timed mode which is preferably the number of delivered machine breaths. |
| US08051840B2 |
Apparatus for reducing fuel waxing
A fuel filter for an internal combustion engine is provided comprising a fuel conduit configured to transport fuel from a fuel tank to an internal combustion engine. A fuel filter manifold has an inlet and an outlet for fluid communication with the fuel conduit. A fuel filter housing is associated with the fuel filter manifold and is configured to receive fuel from and dispense fuel to the fuel filter manifold. A filter element is disposed within the fuel filter housing between the inlet and the outlet and is configured to filter fuel passing through the fuel filter housing. An electromagnetic transducer is associated with the fuel filter and is configured to emit high frequency waves operable on the fuel to reduce, via ultrasonic cavitation, wax crystals suspended in the fuel. |
| US08051839B2 |
Injection control system
A method of operating a fuel injector including a piezoelectric actuator having a stack of piezoelectric elements, and wherein in use the injector communicates with a fuel rail, the method comprises: applying a discharge current to the actuator for a discharge period so as to discharge the stack from a first differential voltage level across the stack to a second differential voltage level across the stack; maintaining the second differential voltage level for a period of time; and applying a charge current to the actuator for a charge period so as to charge the stack from the second differential voltage level to a third differential voltage level; wherein the third differential voltage level is selected in dependence on at least two engine parameters, the at least two engine parameters selected from: rail pressure; the electric pulse time; and the piezoelectric stack temperature. |
| US08051837B2 |
Intake manifold for vehicle and intake system including the same
An intake system of an engine for a vehicle, may include a surge tank including a first flange, and an intake manifold including a second flange connected with the first flange of the surge tank, wherein the intake manifold may include a main body including a fuel rail and intake ports corresponding to cylinders, and a guide member provided on the main body to guide the surge tank coupled with the main body in a direction where the surge tank becomes separated and more distant from the fuel rail of the intake manifold when a vehicle collision occurs. |
| US08051835B2 |
Internal combustion engine and internal combustion engine control method
In a V-type six-cylinder engine, turbo-superchargers are provided for compressing intake air and feeding the compressed air into combustion chambers, and an ECU is operable to switch the combustion mode from a non-supercharged stoichiometric combustion mode to a supercharged lean combustion mode, depending on the engine operating conditions. When switching from the non-supercharged stoichiometric combustion mode to the supercharged lean combustion mode, the ECU retards the ignition timing, and keeps the retard amount of the ignition timing at a constant value if the increasing actual boost pressure becomes equal to or higher than a pre-set target boost pressure. |
| US08051834B2 |
Method for controlling the EGR and the throttle valves in an internal combustion engine
A method and system are provided for controlling a throttle valve and an EGR valve in internal combustion engine. The method includes, the steps of measuring an actual fresh mass air flow value entering the engine, determining an exhaust oxygen concentration set point indicative of the oxygen concentration in the exhaust manifold, calculating an air reference value as a function of the exhaust oxygen concentration set point ([O2]spEM) and determining an oxygen concentration feedback value representative of the oxygen concentration in the engine. The method further includes, but is not limited to the steps of obtaining a position information for the throttle valve by comparing the actual fresh mass air flow value and air reference value and obtaining a position information for the EGR valve by comparing the oxygen concentration feedback value and oxygen concentration set point. The method also includes the steps of controlling the throttle valve and the EGR valve according to the position information. |
| US08051824B2 |
Shaft
A shaft (1a-d) is provided that is rotatably mounted by a journal (2) in a housing (4) in which lubricant mist is provided. One or several outward-extending ribs (6) extend between the journal and shaft sections (5a, 5b) adjacent to the journal. The shaft is mounted by the journal in the housing using a rolling bearing (3) that is lubricated exclusively by the lubricant mist. At least one of the ribs associated with the journal extends at a certain angle of attack (11, 12) to the axis of rotation of the shaft and is used as a blade for conveying the lubricant mist into the rolling bearing. |
| US08051821B2 |
Camshaft apparatus
A camshaft apparatus includes rolling bearings which support a camshaft rotatably, whereby a reduction in torque when an engine is started or is running at low speeds, a reduction in vibration of the camshaft and an extension of the lives of the bearings can be realized. In the rolling bearings, one rolling bearing is made to constitute a main ball bearing which restrains an axial relative movement of the camshaft relative to a shaft case, and the other rolling bearings are made to constitute a plurality of needle roller bearings, whereby a mechanical movement of the camshaft in an axial direction can be restricted in an ensured fashion by the main ball bearing. As to relative displacements due to thermal expansion or contraction of the camshaft and/or the shaft case, an axial relative displacement can be absorbed by needle rollers relatively moving on inter-cam outer circumferential surface areas. |
| US08051814B2 |
Engine
A simpler configuration of a mechanism for stopping intake/exhaust valves opened/closed by a valve opening/closing mechanism of a rocker arm. An engine E includes an exhaust valve for opening/closing an exhaust port of an exhaust path with a first exhaust valve spring for energizing the exhaust valve in a valve closing direction. An exhaust valve drive cam is rotated in correspondence with the rotation of an engine crankshaft. A rocker arm is swingably provided between the exhaust valve and the exhaust valve drive cam with one end that abuts on the exhaust valve drive cam being pressed according to rotation of the exhaust valve drive cam and swinging to press the exhaust valve by a press member at the other end to move to the open side. An exhaust valve stopping mechanism is provided between the press member of the rocker arm and the exhaust valve. |
| US08051811B2 |
Knock resistant split-cycle engine
An engine has a rotatable crankshaft. A compression piston is received within a compression cylinder and operatively connected to the crankshaft such that the compression piston reciprocates through an intake stroke and a compression stroke during a single rotation of the crankshaft. An expansion piston is received within an expansion cylinder and operatively connected to the crankshaft such that the expansion piston reciprocates through an expansion stroke and an exhaust stroke during a single rotation of the crankshaft. A crossover passage interconnects the compression and expansion cylinders. The crossover passage includes a crossover compression valve and a crossover expansion valve defining a pressure chamber therebetween. A fuel injector is disposed in the pressure chamber of the crossover passage. Fuel injection from the fuel injector into the crossover passage is timed to occur entirely during the compression stroke of the compression piston. |
| US08051809B2 |
Engine cooling system for a vehicle
The invention relates to a system which is used to cool at least one piece of motor vehicle equipment to a low temperature, comprising a heat transfer fluid circulation loop. According to the invention, a low-temperature heat exchanger (60) and at least one equipment exchanger (102) are mounted to the aforementioned circulation loop. The heat exchange surface of the equipment exchanger (102) is divided into at least first and second heat exchange sections (104,106). A first flow (Q |
| US08051793B2 |
Retractable hydrofoil for marine vehicles
A marine vehicle with at least one hydrofoil at the lower hull of such marine vehicle, and at least one drive element for retracting a pair of hydrofoils mounted side-by-side on both sides of the symmetry axis of the hull of the marine vehicle. When hydrofoils are in the retracted position, the marine vehicle is converted to a conventional marine vehicle. |
| US08051790B2 |
LCAC lander, launcher and lifter
Presented is an advance naval ship's stern appendage called an LCAC (Landing Craft Air Cushion) Lander, Launcher and Lifter (L4 system) to provide for landing and launching of amphibious hovercraft and increase the delivery capacity of amphibious hovercraft by naval vessels. The stern appendage which may be retrofitted on existing vessels or fully designed into new hull forms of new ships. Included in the stern appendage are longitudinally extending cantilever wingwalls, at least one hoistable platform with a backstop fold up gate, a med-moor ramp, drainage ducts, a resistance reduction leading edge, locking pins and a transfer conveyor system for amphibious hovercraft to gain access to and from the ship's decks above the waterline, and a hoisting system for raising and lowering the hoistable platform between said cantilever wingwalls. |
| US08051783B1 |
Display table assembly
A display table assembly includes a housing that has a bottom wall and a perimeter wall with an upper edge defining an opening extending into the housing. A plurality of legs extends downwardly from the bottom wall. An upper wall is hingedly coupled to the upper edge and is positionable in an open position exposing the opening or in a closed position closing the opening. The upper wall has a plurality of apertures extending therethrough. A power strip is mounted within the housing. Plug members are positionable in the apertures to plug the apertures. Multiple articles are positionable on the top side of the upper wall and each covers one of the apertures. Power cords for the articles are extendable through an associated one of the apertures to be plugged into the power strip. |
| US08051774B2 |
Printing plate module, printing press, and method of mounting plates
A printing plate module is disclosed. The module comprises a printing plate support member (3) having means (5) to locate printing plates (4) in a predetermined position thereon and, engagement means (8) on the plate support member for the releasab a engagement of the printing plate support member (3) with a printing press during a plate loading operation to locate printing plates (4) located on the plate support member (3) in a predetermined position relative to a plate cylinder (7) of the press. The invention also discloses a printing apparatus and, a method of loading printing plates onto a plate cylinder of a printing unit. |
| US08051773B2 |
Pivoting print units
An apparatus and method print onto a portion of a medium with one or more print units in a printing orientation and pivot the one or more print units about one or more axes non-parallel to the portion from the printing orientation to a servicing orientation. |
| US08051770B2 |
Robot binding apparatus for coil packaging
A robot binding apparatus for coil packaging includes: a grip unit that grips a band used for packaging a coil; a grip robot that supports the grip unit, rotates the grip unit seizing the band at the periphery of the coil to make the band wound on the coil, and moves the band to a fastening position; a head unit that provides the band to the grip unit and fastens the band at the band fastening position; and a head robot that supports the head unit and moves the head unit to the band fastening position. |
| US08051765B2 |
Distributor of powdered product with removable reservoir
A distributor of powdered product, the distributor having a case, a reservoir removably installable in a housing formed in the case, the reservoir having a distribution orifice and being adapted to contain the powdered product and to be installed in the housing by a vertical translation movement, and elements for locking the reservoir in an intended position in the housing, with associated elements for confirming that the reservoir is correctly positioned inside the housing, elements for confirming including a switch that is responsive to the position of the reservoir in the housing and that forms part of an operating control of a machine associated with the distributor. |
| US08051763B2 |
Hydraulic apparatus
In a hydraulic apparatus, a first rotating member and a second rotating member are provided so as to be relatively rotatable with a same central axis, a cam is provided on the first rotating member, pistons are arranged on the second rotating member so as to be opposed to the cam, the pistons are pressed against the cam to contact by compression coil springs, oil chambers of which volumes are expanded and contracted according to movements of the pistons are provided on the second rotating member, first and second fluid paths through which oil flows into and out from the oil chambers are provided, and a path switching device for switching an inflow direction and an outflow direction of the oil in the first and second fluid paths according to difference in pressure between the first and second fluid paths is provided. |
| US08051757B2 |
Method for cutting paper and other graphic supports on a roll at the same time along two perpendicular axes with automatic correction of errors
A method of cutting, simultaneously on two axes (X, Y) perpendicular to each other, of a sheet or web of paper and other graphic or photographic substrates (10) with series of images, comprising the steps of feeding forward the substrate sheet or web (10) to a direction (F), detecting the speed of sheet or web (10) feed and the speed at which the distance is varying between image reference marks (11) and the ideal feed direction, determining a correct cutting line (TX) in a transverse direction to the feed direction (F) of the sheet or web by data processing according to trigonometric relations through a microprocessor to obtain the angle of parallelism defect of the image with respect to the ideal feed forward direction, aligning suitable mobile means (4) of transverse cutting with the desired cutting line (TX) by means (5) for shifting the transverse cutting means. |
| US08051756B2 |
Band saw blade and cutting method
Concave/convex portions are consecutively formed on a back of a band saw blade. The concave/convex portions include concave portions engageable with and disengageable from a backup guide of a band saw guide unit, and convex portions adjacent to the concave portions. A length of each of the concave/convex portions is configured to be equal to or smaller than four times a maximum pitch of a tooth top of each tooth. |
| US08051755B2 |
Bar feeder, feed rod vibration prevention support of material feeder and vibration stopper of material feeder
A feed rod vibration prevention support of a material feeder includes a guide device for guiding a feed rod moving to feed a material to a working machine, and a vibration attenuation mechanism for preventing the feed rod from being vibrated. The guide device further includes a guide and a bush supported by the guide having a feed rod placed thereon. The vibration attenuation mechanism includes a first elastic material located between the bush and the guide. The bush is provided with a flanged portion. |
| US08051752B2 |
Coaxial load wheel and cranks
An exercise machine includes a base, an axle rotationally supported on the base and two cranks connected to the axle. The cranks are rotational synchronously with the axle. A drive wheel unit includes an active wheel provided on the axle so that the active wheel is rotational synchronously with the cranks. A passive wheel unit includes a load wheel supported on the axle so that the load wheel is rotational relative to the axle and a passive connected to the load wheel so that the passive wheel is rotational synchronously with the load wheel. A step-up device includes a shaft rotationally supported on the base and small and large wheels connected to the shaft so that they are rotational synchronously. The small wheel is connected to the active wheel so that they are rotational together. The large wheel is connected to the passive wheel so that they are rotational together. |
| US08051749B2 |
Positive pivot centers for adjustable tools
There is disclosed herein an improved adjustable tool, such as a pair of pliers, having a first jaw portion and a second jaw portion, the first and second jaw portions being pivotably connected to one another by a pivot pin attached in any manner to one of the jaw portions and fitted within a channel defined within the other of the jaw portions. Preferably, the channel is formed by a plurality of pivot centers, including two non-adjacent terminal centers and at least one intermediate center, each center being connected to at least one other center by a slot to form a single pathway such that travel of the pivot pin between non-adjacent pivot centers requires travel through at least one intermediate pivot center, and the pivot pin has a positive tactile indication when properly seated in each pivot center. |
| US08051748B2 |
Small but effective toolkit
A toolkit includes a handle and at least one bit set. The handle is in the form of a plate including a first cavity defined in a middle portion and a second cavity defined in a terminal portion. The bit set includes a bit and a cap non-rotationally provided on the bit. The cap is non-rotationally inserted through the first cavity where only a mild torque is needed. The cap is non-rotationally inserted through the second cavity where a large torque is needed. |
| US08051741B2 |
Managing structure for umbilical member of industrial robot
A managing structure for an umbilical member includes a flexible conduit for leading an umbilical member inserted therein from a front arm of a robot to a working tool mounted on a wrist of the robot, a first conduit mounting portion provided adjacent to the front arm, and a second conduit mounting portion provided adjacent to a point where the umbilical member is connected to the working tool. One end of the conduit is attached to the first conduit mounting portion, while the other end of the conduit is attached to the second conduit mounting portion. The conduit is laid so that a section thereof between the first conduit mounting portion and the second conduit mounting portion does not contact the body of the robot. |
| US08051737B2 |
Worm gear drive
A worm gear drive has a self locking gear train. The gear train comprises a worm 34 fitted to a motor shaft 32 and in mesh with a worm wheel 35 which drives the output 26. The motor shaft 32 extends between two thrust bearings 29, 60 having faces 54 which contact respective axial ends of the motor shaft 32. The contact between at least one of the thrust bearings 29 and the shaft 32 is adapted to provide a high frictional force. |
| US08051735B2 |
Automated shift transmission
In an automated split path transmission with at least six forward speeds and three characteristic transmission steps (sI, sII, sIII), which decrease with the height of the forward speed, one of the forward speeds is a direct gear and the power of a further forward speed passing through two constant gearsets of the split path group. |
| US08051732B2 |
Dual clutch group transmission shifttable under load
In a load shiftable group transmission with a high number of gears, particularly suitable for utility vehicles, the transmission includes a dual clutch a split unit, a direct gear, a main group and a hollow shaft on a countershaft in an arrangement, wherein the various gear stages can be established by a change of the input constants within the split unit without a change in the transmission stage in the main transmission without an interruption in tractive force during shifting between two adjacent gears within the main group. |
| US08051731B2 |
Spring reaction force converting apparatus
A spring reaction force converting apparatus has first and second members arranged to be in parallel with and opposed to each other and to be capable of being moved toward and apart from each other, a spring element arranged to be extended between the first and second members in parallel thereto, a link mechanism holding the spring element between the first and second members such that the spring element is capable of being expanded and contracted, the link mechanism being connected to the first and second members; a stopper member maintaining the spring element held by the link mechanism in a condition in which the spring element is compressed by a predetermined amount in an initial condition, and an arrangement thereof in which a reaction force of the spring element is converted to a different type of force transmitted to the first and second members through the link mechanism. |
| US08051729B2 |
Screw device and method of manufacturing the same
The present invention provides a screw device which takes a heavy load in one direction along the axis of the screw shaft and only a light load in the opposite direction, the screw device capable of providing ease of control of preloading.The screw device of the present invention has a screw shaft 1 with an outer surface having a ball rolling groove 1a for rolling balls 7 and a roller rolling groove 1b for rolling rollers 6 both spirally formed thereon; a ball nut 4 with an inner surface having a ball rolling groove 4a spirally formed thereon facing the ball rolling groove 1a of the screw shaft 1; a roller nut 5 with an inner surface having a roller rolling groove 5a spirally formed thereon facing the roller rolling groove 1b of the screw shaft 1; a plurality of balls 7 arranged between the screw shaft 1 and the ball nut 4; and a plurality of rollers 6 arranged between the screw shaft 1 and the roller nut 5. The ball nut 4 and the roller nut 5 are connected along an axis of the screw shaft 1. |
| US08051716B2 |
Method for testing a bearing component by means of ultrasound and optical inspection
A method for testing a bearing component in order to ensure that the bearing surface and a load-bearing region located underneath the bearing surface are in a perfect condition. A material testing depth containing the point of maximum mechanical load during operation is determined. In a first partial testing step, the bearing component is subjected to an ultrasound test by which the material region underneath the bearing surface is tested for defects by ultrasound, at least up to the material testing depth. In a second partial testing step, a full optical test of the bearing surface is carried out During the second partial testing step, the actual surface state of the bearing surface is compared with a nominal surface state. The bearing component is then only classified as faultless if the results of the two partial testing steps do not reveal any defects. |
| US08051713B2 |
Two-dimensional adaptive accelerometer based on dielectrophoresis
Conventional accelerometers are based on test masses that are suspended in some kind of spring damper system. According to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention, a two-dimensional adaptive accelerometer based on dielectrophoresis is provided, which measures an acceleration of a test mass freely floating in a medium by determining the movement of the test mass due to an accelerating force acting on the test mass. A non-uniform electric force field provides for a wide and adjustable dynamic range. |
| US08051702B2 |
Vibration monitor
A system comprising an amplifier for amplifying signals of frequencies less than one kilohertz generated by a vibration sensor and using the amplified signal to amplitude modulate a carrier signal at a frequency in excess of one kilohertz and applying the amplitude modulated carrier signal to a sensor interface circuit. |
| US08051701B2 |
Methods and systems for measuring atmospheric water content
Methods and systems for measuring atmospheric water content, are provided. The method includes measuring a first air temperature and a first air pressure at a first location in a compressor, measuring a second air temperature and a second air pressure at a second location in the compressor, computing a ratio of specific heats from the first and second air temperatures and the first and second air pressures, and determining an atmospheric water content from the ratio of specific heats. |
| US08051699B2 |
Abrasive wear testing machine with cycle programmability and variable force application
An abrasive wear testing machine exhibiting a support surface upon which is dynamically supported a tray to which a wear piece is secured. A tool bit is supported by a vertically displaceable and weight supporting bracket in a fixed and downward load applied fashion against the wear piece, such that the tray is reciprocated a selected number of cycles to determine a wear profile exerted upon the wear piece by the tool bit. The bracket is configured so that end located receiving channels are each seatingly engaged upon upwardly extending hydraulic lifts secured to the support surface, with a plurality of free weights arranged upon the hydraulic lifts. |
| US08051696B2 |
Press forming method for aluminum alloy sheet and pressing device
The invention provides a press forming method of an aluminum alloy sheet and a press device capable of forming a large panel which is an automobile body outer panel such as a luggage outer panel and the like and is of a shape difficult in forming. In a method of press forming of the aluminum alloy sheet 30 into a formed product panel having non-contact outer peripheral parts 5, 6 not contacting the punch for forming the center part of the panel until the vicinity of the bottom dead point, the first punch forming the center part 2 of the panel and the second punch 15 capable of shifting independently with respect to the first punch are provided, and these punches are interlocked with each other so that the second punch 15 is made contact the non-contact outer peripheral parts 35, 36 of the sheet with the relative position of the second punch 15 with respect to the first punch 11 being shifted to the dice 22 side. |
| US08051693B2 |
Device for mounting and functional verification of roll fittings in rolling mill stands or rolling mill trains such as, e.g., tandem rolling mill trains
In a device for mounting and functional verification of roll fittings (4) in rolling mill stands (1), at least a partial number of the roll fittings (4) forms a respective module (5), and the modules (5) are arranged, for pre-assembly with functional verification, on a mounting plate outside of the roll stand (1), with the modules being adjusted and/or verified, and at least one adjusted and/or verified module (5) is operatively arranged between two rolling mill stands (1), primarily, in the stand gap (9) and is arranged on a base frame (8) at constructively fixable support points (10). |
| US08051690B2 |
Anti-theft threaded cap
An anti-theft device is provided for inhibiting access to a fastener, and more specifically to a fastener head. The anti-theft device can include a base member with an opening for receiving the fastener and a lid member releasably coupled to the base member. The lid member can include a specialized tool recess adapted for receiving a specialized tool, such that only the specialized tool can be used to open and close the lid member. |
| US08051680B2 |
Heating glassmaking materials with radiative heat transfer
Heat in a stream of combustion products obtained from a glassmelting furnace heated by oxy-fuel combustion is passed to incoming glassmaking materials in a heat exchanger without requiring reduction of the temperature of the stream yet without causing softening of the glassmaking material. |
| US08051678B2 |
Press molding method for manufacturing of glass substrate
The present invention relates to a glass substrate of which the outer periphery portion is unprocessed. The present invention also relates to a manufacturing method for a glass substrate of which the outer periphery portion is unprocessed, characterized in that a first lapping process, a second lapping process, a polishing process and a washing process are carried out after a press molding process is carried out so as to compress glass between an upper mold and a lower mold without regulating the edge surface of the outer periphery portion of the glass and, then, a crystallization process or an annealing process is carried out. |
| US08051671B2 |
System and method for cooling computers
In certain embodiments, an air-pressurizing device is positioned to discharge a computer system. A supply conduit pneumatically couples a cooled-air discharge conditioning system with an inlet of the air-pressurizing device. |
| US08051656B1 |
Shape-memory alloy actuator
A shape memory element (a structure formed from a shape memory alloy) includes an electrically conductive ferromagnetic material. The ferromagnetic material may be magnetostrictive. In some embodiments, the shape memory element is formed from a shape memory alloy core and has a cladding over the core that includes the ferromagnetic material. In other embodiments, the shape memory alloy may be selected to be ferromagnetic. |
| US08051652B2 |
Hydraulic system and automatic gearbox
A hydraulic system including a multi-flow hydraulic pressure supply unit, especially a dual-flow hydraulic pressure supply unit, such as a pump, by which a volumetric flow of pressurized fluid is supplied to a hydraulic-fluid-operated device. A valve arrangement is provided either for switching between the individual pump flows or for interconnecting the individual pump flows. |
| US08051647B2 |
Exhaust purification device of internal combustion engine
An internal combustion engine in which a main SOx trap catalyst able to trap SOx contained in exhaust gas is arranged in an engine exhaust passage, and the exhaust passage downstream of the main SOx trap catalyst is divided into a main exhaust passage and a bypass passage bypassing the main exhaust passage. An NOx storage catalyst is arranged in the main exhaust passage, and an auxiliary SOx trap catalyst is arranged in the main exhaust passage upstream of the NOx storage catalyst. Normally, the exhaust gas is made to flow in the main exhaust passage. When regenerating the main SOx trap catalyst, the exhaust gas is made to flow through the bypass passage. |
| US08051638B2 |
Systems and methods for exhaust gas recirculation (EGR) for turbine engines
Systems and methods may be provided for exhaust gas recirculation. The systems and methods may include receiving, via an intake section, inlet air at an input of a compressor, generating compressed air at the compressor using the received inlet air, and providing the compressed air from the compressor to a combustor, where the combustor produces combustion involving the compressed air and fuel. The systems and methods may also include receiving combustion products associated with the combustion at a turbine component, where the turbine component releases exhaust gases, and recirculating at least a portion of the exhaust gases to the intake section via a recirculation line, where the recirculated exhaust gases raise a temperature of the inlet air. |
| US08051635B2 |
Lawn mower
A lawn mower for mowing lawn. There is: a lawn mower base, having a first transport hole; an external collection container, having a second transport hole and a first transport flap; and an internal collection container having a third transport hole and a first elongated ductile connection member. There is also a second elongated ductile connection member coupled to the internal collection container. The transport flap is removably coupled to the external collection container by zipping. The internal collection container comprises a plurality of slit portions. The external connection container comprises a plurality of connection hooks, and the internal collection container comprises a plurality of connection bands. The internal collection container comprises a plurality of ventilation holes opposite the third transport hole. |
| US08051634B2 |
Replaceable guide assembly tines for an agricultural harvester
An agricultural harvester is provided that Includes a frame carrying a structure movable about an endless path to deliver a crop to a header. The frame includes a guide assembly including a guide member supported by the frame. The frame also includes at least one tine secured to the guide member without extending through the guide member, and the at least one tine extending from the guide member above the structure to guide the crop between the at least one tine and the structure to the header. The at least one tine is installable and removable from the guide member without disconnecting the guide member from the frame. At least one tine is installable and removable from the guide member substantially without tools. |
| US08051631B2 |
Rear discharge mower
A rear discharge mower comprising: a first shaft; a first blade that is rotated in unison with the first shaft; a second shaft that is configured to be rotated in a direction opposite from a rotational direction of the first shaft; a second blade that is rotated in unison with the second shaft, wherein a grass-clippings discharge path is formed through which grass clippings are discharged in a rearward direction from the area between the first shaft and second shaft; an enclosing casing that supports the blade shafts; and a power train that is accommodated in the enclosing casing and that transmits power to the first and second blade shafts. |
| US08051624B2 |
Access floor grounding fastener
A fastener for connecting a panel to a support, the fastener having at least one projection for penetrating the panel surface upon fastening of the panel to the support, thereby making electrical contact thereto. |
| US08051620B2 |
Joist hanger for ICF wall systems
A hanger for supporting joists or beams in insulated concrete formwork (ICF) systems has two parallel side plates having inner and outer sections, plus an L-shaped support member comprising a horizontal leg extending between the lower edges of the outer sections of the side plates, and an upward-extending vertical leg which demarcates the inner and outer side plate sections. The inner sections of the side plates are passed through slits in one insulation panel of an ICF wall-forming system, until the support member's vertical leg abuts the outer face of the insulation panel, leaving the side plate inner sections extending partially into the formwork cavity. The joist or beam to be supported may be set on the horizontal leg of the support member either before or after the concrete wall is cast. Preferably, an cut-out is made in the insulation panel behind the vertical leg of the support member to allow concrete to flow against the vertical leg and the supported joist or beam is cut for a close fit against the vertical leg, such that external horizontal loads on the wall can pass into the joist or beam by direct compression. |
| US08051616B2 |
Movable partitions, header assemblies for movable partitions, and related methods
A header assembly for a movable partition includes an overhead track and a header pan. The header pan is configured to extend from the overhead track to an adjoining structure. The header pan, the overhead track, or a combination of both may form a fire-resistant barrier extending from a wall of the adjoining structure to an opposing wall of the adjoining structure. Movable partition systems may include header assemblies. Methods of forming header assemblies include positioning a header pan proximate to an overhead track and extending the header pan between a first wall and a second wall to at least substantially occlude a section of space therebetween. Methods of installing a movable partition include securing an overhead track to an overhead support structure, securing a retainer clip to an adjoining structure, extending a header pan from the overhead track to the retainer clip, and suspending a partition from the track. |
| US08051611B2 |
Exterior insulation and finish system and method and tool for installing same
An exterior insulation and finish system (EIFS) is provided for use with associated insulation and substrate layers of a building. The system includes primary and secondary water resistant barriers on first and second surfaces of the associated insulation layer. The secondary water resistant barrier includes a single adhesive and sealing layer defining at least one channel and adhesively securing the second surface of the associated insulation layer to the associated substrate layer. The system is usable with a plurality of associated insulation layers disposed in abutment, the single adhesive and sealing layer defining at least one channel extending from the first insulation panel to the second insulation panel and being adapted to conduct fluid therethrough. Further, a hand tool for working the adhesive and sealing layer is provided. The hand tool includes a handle connected with a flat inflexible rectangular plate, at least one of the longer edges thereof being upwardly curved and including a plurality of spaced apart teeth. |
| US08051606B2 |
Sealing or guiding assemblies and method of making it
A sealing or guiding assembly for sealing or guiding a corner of a closure member such as a window (109) for an opening is disclosed. The sealing or guiding assembly is attached to a frame (8) comprising panels (22,24). Strips (91) of flexible material extend towards and meet at the apex of the corner and are shaped to receive the closure member (109) at the corner and are adapted to be supported by a corner support which forms part of the frame (8). A flap (170) of flexible material is joined to the strips (91) in the region of the corner and bridges across the corner between the strips (91). The strips include inner lip (102) and outer lip (103). The joins (160) and (162) between the molded flap (170) and the (preferably extruded) material of the strips (91) is obscured from view by the lips (102) and (103). |
| US08051603B1 |
Water wing plant pot
A plant pot has a main central portion having an opening providing access to a main planting area, and a pair of wings extending from the main central portion, namely a left wing and a right wing; and a pair of dividers, namely a left divider and a right divider. The pair of dividers is inserted between the pair of wings and the main central portion. The pair of dividers is formed as sheets, and the pair of dividers is removable from a divider attachment area. A plurality of water openings are disposed on the pair of dividers, and the plurality of water openings allow water to pass between the main central portion and the pair of wings. |
| US08051600B2 |
Flying insect trap with spaced entryways
An insect trap (100) with spaced apart first and second entry structures (120, 140), includes an entrapment chamber (100) having a first compartment (102) and a second compartment (104) separated from the first compartment with a transverse panel (106). A conical first tapered guide (126) extends from the first entry structure into the first compartment, and a second tapered guide (146) extends from the second entry structure to the second compartment. The guides encourage the target insects to venture further into the trap, while hindering egress from the trap. One or more of the compartments include means for retaining an attractant. Traps having more than two compartments with spaced apart entryways are also disclosed. |
| US08051597B1 |
Scout sniper observation scope
A method and system for an observation system for use in weapon aiming is disclosed. An observation scope displays azimuth and elevation adjustments. Meteorological information is gathered by one or more weather stations, which use weather sensors. A range finder determines a distance between the observation scope and a target. A ballistics processor determines a ballistic solution based on the distance and the meteorological information. The ballistic solution is provided to the observation scope. |
| US08051595B2 |
Automatic or semi-automatic rifle
A rifle having a receiver with an integral hand guard and a barrel. The barrel is connected to the receiver. The hand guard extends over and surrounds the barrel. A removable hand guard is attached to the receiver by an attachment that stably holds the removable hand guard to the receiver. The attachment is arranged for allowing detachment and removal of the removable hand guard from the receiver without removal of fasteners. |
| US08051581B2 |
Article of footwear construction with binding portions
At least one invention pertains to an article of footwear having a foot-receiving portion and a sole portion attached via at least one binding element. In one aspect, an article of footwear includes a foot-receiving portion configured to extend over a portion of a foot of a wearer, and the foot-receiving portion being configured to extend to medial and lateral side of the foot, and the foot-receiving portion including a binding element. A sole portion having a top surface for contacting the foot and a lower surface for a least a portion provided ground engagement. A plurality of apertures extending through the top surface and lower surface, the apertures are configured to receive the binding element therein to attach the foot-receiving portion to the sole portion. |
| US08051578B2 |
Reduced noise dryer fan and impeller and producing method thereof
A dryer is provided that includes a drum for drying wet laundry via contact of the laundry with process air, an air inlet duct operable to convey process air to the drum, an outlet duct operable to convey process air that has exited the drum, a heating device located in the inlet air duct, and a fan containing an impeller. The fan applies a motive power to process air to effect flow of process air and the impeller has oblique blades. |
| US08051573B1 |
User manipulated line marking apparatus
A user manipulated apparatus for producing straight construction lines on sheet material includes a linearly extensive frame with integrally formed handle and an expendable marking strip affixed to a bottom edge of the frame. A user positions the frame so that its ends are in registry with the endpoints of a desired construction line, with the marking strip contacting the surface of the sheet material. The user then linearly displaces the frame a short distance along its length so that the marking strip rubs along the surface of the sheet material and produces a visible construction line. The portion of the frame that supports the marking substance may be compliant to ensure that the marking substance fully engages the surface of the sheet material even when the sheet material has surface irregularities or is not perfectly planar. |
| US08051569B2 |
Method of building a boiler frame
New and useful method of building a boiler frame significantly reduces the use of high load-lifting height crane and improves the operation efficiency despite bad weather. Multiple levels of steel supporting posts, which are established beforehand, are linked together with their top portion by beams and the 9th floor unit is fixed to the posts at an intermediate floor position temporarily. Suspension rods, which are suspended from lifting jacks, are then connected to the 8th floor unit and jacked up, while floor units made for lower than the 8th floor are connected on the ground to form a multi-floor unit. After connecting the multi-floor unit to the 9th floor unit the temporary fixation is released, the multi-floor unit is lifted up, and each floor unit is permanently fixed to the designated floor position repeatedly and respectively. |
| US08051563B2 |
Systems and methods and apparatus involving fabricating brush seals
A method for fabricating a brush seal assembly comprising, bending a first plate member to a helical shape, bending a second plate member to a helical shape, securing the first plate member to a drum, winding a wire material around the drum and the first plate member, securing the second plate member to the drum, attaching the second plate member and the first plate member to the wire, and cutting the wire to define a bristle length. |
| US08051561B2 |
Method of manufacturing an image drum
A method of manufacturing an image drum includes fixing a control circuit board inside the drum body so that a plurality of terminals of the control circuit board are located in the slot formed longitudinally on the drum body, forming an insulation layer to the entire external surface of the drum body, forming connection parts by removing parts of the insulation layer where the terminals of the control circuit board are formed, forming electrode forming grooves including the insulation layer as a base on the external surface of the drum body comprising the connection parts thereon, and forming a plurality of ring electrodes to be connected to respective terminals among the plurality of the terminals, respectively, through the connection parts. |
| US08051557B2 |
Substrate with multi-layer interconnection structure and method of manufacturing the same
The invention provides a substrate with multi-layer interconnection structure, which includes a substrate and a multi-layer interconnection structure formed on the substrate. The multi-layer interconnection structure is adhered to the substrate in partial areas. The invention also provides a method of manufacturing and recycling such substrate and a method of packaging electronic devices by using such substrate. The invention also provides a method of manufacturing multi-layer interconnection devices. |
| US08051554B2 |
IC socket with attached electronic component
An IC socket in which an electronic component is attached to a predetermined position of the IC socket, the IC socket including a fixed part including a contact pin which is connected to a terminal of the electronic component when a position of the electronic component is aligned to the predetermined position of the IC socket using an electronic component attaching tool, the contact pin including a pair of end portions on an upper surface of the fixed part; a movable part that is movable to the fixed part when the movable part is pushed down to apply a force to the contact pin of the fixed part so as to separate the pair of end portions of the contact pin from each other; and a standard part that is formed on the movable part and engages with the electronic component attaching tool to align a position of the electronic component attaching tool to the standard part when a position of the electronic component is aligned to the predetermined position of the IC socket using the electronic attaching tool, the standard part having a shape which does not substantially depend on an external shape of the electronic component. |
| US08051543B2 |
Composite working lathe
The invention provides a composite working lathe capable of improving the efficiency of workpiece machining area by arranging a workpiece handling device below a spindle of the composite working lathe. The composite working lathe 1 comprises a spindle 20 and a tool spindle 30 on a bed 10. A workpiece handling device 40 arranged below the spindle 20 can be moved along a W axis parallel to the axis line C1 of the spindle. The workpiece handling device 40 has a workpiece handling head 50 that pivots in the direction of arrow F around an axis line C2, and grips the workpiece K1 via a gripper 60. The axis line C2 is an axis perpendicular to the vertical plane including the axis line C1 of the spindle 20, and the workpiece handling head 50 is raised for 90 degrees when the gripper 60 receives the workpiece K1 from the spindle 20. The angular position of the workpiece handling head 50 is allocated and the workpiece K1 is machined via a tool T1 on the tool spindle 30. |
| US08051542B2 |
Detachable lanyard buckle
Male and female parts of a buckle have mating shapes which together form ears and depressed eyes of an animal face. The male part has the shape of an anchor with eyes which slide into grooves to lock the parts, and ears which project upward from a slot in the cylindrical female part. Hooks on the female part back secure a cord loop which extends from the female part. A cover snaps on the back of the female part. |
| US08051537B2 |
Hinge assembly
An exemplary hinge assembly includes a rotatable shaft, a rotatable stand, a fixed stand, an elastic member, and a retaining ring. The rotatable stand is non-rotatably connected to the rotatable shaft. The fixed stand and an elastic member are connected to the rotatable shaft. A flange is formed on a proximal end of the rotatable shaft, and a positioning groove is defined in a distal end of the rotatable shaft. The rotatable stand, the fixed stand and the elastic member are positioned between the flange and the positioning groove of the rotatable shaft. The retaining ring engages in the positioning groove of the rotatable shaft, thereby producing an elastic force along the rotatable shaft. |
| US08051535B2 |
Magnetic doorstop
The present invention provides a magnetic doorstop, which is attached to the multidirectional joint of the existing sectional shelf. The doorstep includes a block type main part, which is of block type and has an mounting end and a holder; a clamp mouth, which is concave on the mounting end of the main part and displays a v-shape; and a magnetic part set on the holder of the main part. The magnetic doorstop can clamp the edge of corner recess of a multidirectional joint by the clamp mouth, and when the flexible door piece pivots to close, the magnetic part on the holder of the holding magnetic doorstop attracts the magnet at one corner of the frame bar of the flexible door piece and holds it. Thus, the flexible door piece can be held close. |
| US08051524B2 |
Multi-diameter elastic sealing module for pigs
A multi-diameter elastic sealing module for pigs, which operates in pipes having diameter changes, by being sent through the inside of a flexible or rigid pipe to move or draw various fittings and remove internal incrustations from the pipe, impelled by a fluid which flows inside said pipe.The sealing module comprises a sealing/impelling element (1), a flexible core (2) covered by the sealing/impelling element (1), a first clamping element (3), a second clamping element (4), a first fastening element (5) and a second fastening element (6). |
| US08051522B2 |
Substrate treatment apparatus
The present invention provides a substrate treatment apparatus for performing a substrate periphery cleaning process. The substrate treatment apparatus includes substrate holding mechanism which holds a substrate, a brush having a cleaning surface inclined with respect to a longitudinal axis thereof extending perpendicularly to a front surface of the substrate held by the substrate holding mechanism, brush moving mechanism which moves the brush along the longitudinal axis and along a lateral axis orthogonal to the longitudinal axis, load detecting unit which detects a load applied along the longitudinal axis to the brush, and first judging unit which judges, based on an output of the load detecting unit, whether or not the brush is located at a reference position serving as a reference for guiding the brush to a treatment position at which the brush is located in the cleaning process. |
| US08051519B1 |
Collapsible small vehicle loader apparatus
The collapsible small vehicle loader apparatus provides for use with an existing receiver hitch, such as those often used on pickups, cars, vans, and other vehicles. Ideally made of aluminum, the apparatus provides for easy, lightweight transport to and engagement with a receiver hitch. While the first ramp downturns may most easily engage a pickup tailgate from above, the apparatus may also be easily fitted to other vehicles that may provide a rest as the tailgate of a pickup does, for the first ramps. After engagement with the transport vehicle, the apparatus may be collapsed and elevated and thereby remain engaged as desired. In loading a small vehicle such as an ATV or golf cart for example, the appropriate pins are disengaged to extend the ramps, and then inserted to hold the ramps in the extended position. |
| US08051511B2 |
Emergency stretcher
A stretcher includes a patient support, a base, and a plurality of support members, which supports the patient support relative to the base. The support members are adapted and arranged to raise or lower the base relative to the patient support. The stretcher also includes a releasable locking link between the patient support and a fixable point at the base. |
| US08051505B1 |
Spa cover and method
A cover for a spa includes a frame with a raisable hood. The hood is affixed by cable to an electric winch mounted atop the frame. Pivotable louvers allow the hood to raise and bracket guides act as stops for safety purposes. After spa usage the winch lowers the spa hood to cover the spa and prevent dust, leaves, debris and the like from contaminating the water contained within. |
| US08051504B1 |
Portable seat device
A portable seat device for use in a portable restroom comprising a seat having an opening situated atop a frame, the frame having a front left leg, a front right leg, a rear left leg, and a rear right leg; a right side horizontal bar connecting the top end of the front right leg to the top end of the rear right leg, and a left side horizontal bar connecting the top end of the front left leg to the top end of the rear left leg. The length of the rear legs, as measured from the top end to the bottom end, are less than the length of the front legs, as measured from the top end to the bottom end. |
| US08051503B2 |
Dispensing device
A device useful for the delivery of a treatment composition, and a fragrancing effect to a sanitary appliance, especially a toilet bowl, the device (10) comprising a dispenser body (200) comprising a body cavity (27) for the treatment composition; at least one inlet (28) and at least one outlet (28); at least one fragrance cavity (31,32); and a hanger (42)for hanging the device upon a portion of a sanitary appliance. |
| US08051496B2 |
Convertible swimwear
Convertible swimwear comprising a top piece and extendable bottom piece; the top piece having a plurality of fasteners along the lower portion thereof and the extendable bottom piece having a plurality of corresponding fasteners along the upper edge thereof to be releasably secured to the fasteners on the lower portion of the top piece. The position of the fasteners may be reversed. The bottom piece further includes a string component secured on the upper edge of the bottom piece, where upon releasing of the respective fasteners the string component is pulled away from the lower edge of the bottom piece bringing the upper edge of the bottom piece substantially close to said lower edge of the bottom piece and thereby rolling, folding or scrunching the upper edge of the bottom piece to effectively convert a one piece to two piece style bathing suit. The top piece further includes a cover flap to conceal the fasteners on each respective piece. |
| US08051495B2 |
Garment with bamboo fabric liner
A garment includes a non-bamboo fabric body portion that has at least one high perspiration area. A bamboo fabric member is affixed to the high perspiration area. In a method of making a lower undergarment, a piece of non-bamboo fabric is cut so as to form an unassembled panty having a crotch member. A piece of bamboo fabric is cut so as to correspond in shape to the crotch member. The piece of bamboo fabric is affixed to the crotch member. The unassembled panty is sewn so as to form a completed panty. |
| US08051494B2 |
Matrix free non-woven layer of polypyridazle short fiber
Provided are non-woven constructions and fabrics comprising polypyridazole short fiber; the short fiber characterized by an average filament tenacity of at least 15 grams per denier; an average filament modulus of at least 500 grams per denier; an average filament density of at least 1.6 grams per cubic centimeter; an average filament length of 30 to 100 millimeters; and an average filament denier per filament of 0.1 to 10; wherein the construction is substantially free of matrix. |