Document Document Title
US08646261B2 Thermoelectric generators incorporating phase-change materials for waste heat recovery from engine exhaust
Thermoelectric devices, intended for placement in the exhaust of a hydrocarbon fuelled combustion device and particularly suited for use in the exhaust gas stream of an internal combustion engine propelling a vehicle, are described. Exhaust gas passing through the device is in thermal communication with one side of a thermoelectric module while the other side of the thermoelectric module is in thermal communication with a lower temperature environment. The heat extracted from the exhaust gasses is converted to electrical energy by the thermoelectric module. The performance of the generator is enhanced by thermally coupling the hot and cold junctions of the thermoelectric modules to phase-change materials which transform at a temperature compatible with the preferred operating temperatures of the thermoelectric modules. In a second embodiment, a plurality of thermoelectric modules, each with a preferred operating temperature and each with a uniquely-matched phase-change material may be used to compensate for the progressive lowering of the exhaust gas temperature as it traverses the length of the exhaust pipe.
US08646244B2 Blister packaging container sealing tool and method
A container comprises a plastic blister with a first planar peripheral edge and a formed, first open-sided volume extending from the plane of the peripheral edge joined with a paperboard tray with a second planar peripheral edge, the paperboard tray having a plurality of panels connected at fold lines and forming a second open-sided volume. The container has means for joining the first planar peripheral edge of the plastic blister and the second planar peripheral edge of the paperboard tray so that the first and second volumes form a combined container volume. The paperboard tray may be a wedge-shaped tray, with greater depth at one end than at the other end. The container may be filled and sealed on conventional equipment used for blister packages with minor changes in tooling.
US08646230B2 Flat roof support structure
A flat roof support structure includes a plurality of vertical columns, an elongated generally horizontally oriented beam associated with and positioned atop each vertical column, and attachment structure fixing the upper end of each vertical column to a mounting area of the associated elongated beam. The attachment structure includes U-shaped attachment members affixed to opposed sides of the vertical columns at the upper end of each column with the attachment members opening in an outwardly directed orientation parallel to the associated elongated beam. A pair of attachment plates is fixed to opposed sides of each elongated beam in the mounting area. The attachment plates extend downwardly below a lower surface of the elongated beam a distance equal to a portion of the U-shaped attachment members so as to overlap the portion. Attachment devices fix the attachment plates to the U-shaped attachment members and are assembled on-site.
US08646225B2 In-ground shelter
An underground shelter having a flat lid divided into two portions substantially flush with the surrounding ground level and each other when closed having—a first stationary lid portion, and a second moving lid portion, at least one reinforcing member supporting each lid portion; a roller means comprising—at least one linear track, at least one upper track roller, each upper track roller rollingly supporting the second lid portion; at least one ramp defined in the first lid portion, and out of line with the track, adapted to elevate a leading edge roller to a higher level allowing the second lid portion to pass over the first; at least one leading edge roller engaging a ramp; a releasable latch means; a lid retainer means for resisting a lifting force; access means for ingress/egress; and at least one ventilation means for equalizing the pressure.
US08646218B1 Roof gutter cover with variable aperture size
A gutter cover for a roof gutter, fashioned to extend longitudinally in overlying relation to a length of the gutter. The gutter cover comprises: (i) a top portion extending forwardly from a rear edge of the gutter cover; (ii) a front wall extending downwardly from the top portion; (iii) a ledge extending generally horizontally in front of the front wall; (iv) a first longitudinally extending ridge formed in the top portion, (v) a first bank of apertures behind the first longitudinally extending ridge, and (vi) a second bank of apertures in front of the first longitudinally extending ridge; wherein the average size of the apertures in the first bank is larger than the average size of the apertures in the second bank.
US08646203B2 Fishing lure
A multi-action fishing lure includes a buoyant head section, a tail section, a joint, and a lip. The head section includes a front surface and an opposing rear surface. The tail section includes a lip that protrudes from a forward region of the tail section. The front surface includes a recessed region, and also includes a line connection device extending from the recessed region. A joint flexibly couples the head section to the tail section. The fishing lure can be retrieved to generate multiple different actions.
US08646183B2 Process for forming a fiber reinforced core panel able to be contoured
A process for forming a fiber reinforced core panel which is able to be contoured includes the following steps. First, slice a sheet of a low density material a plurality of times in a first direction of the sheet on at least one side, where the slices extend through only a portion of the thickness of the sheet, then divide the sheet in the second direction of the sheet into a series of low density strips having at least three faces (major face, a first edge face, a second edge face, and optionally a minor face) where the slices in the sheet form a series of cuts in the major or minor face of the low density strips. Next, arrange the series of low density strips to form a core panel and thread a continuous fibrous reinforcement sheet through the low density strips such that the fibrous reinforcement sheet is disposed between adjacent strips and adjacent to the major or minor faces of the low density strips.
US08646175B2 Method for making a conductive film/plate exibiting electric anisotropy
A method for making a conductive film exhibiting electric anisotropy comprises forming a nanomaterial on a substrate, the nanomaterial having a cluster of interconnected nanounits, each of which being substantially transverse to the substrate and having one end bonded to the substrate. The method further includes stretching the nanounits along a first direction to remove the nanomaterial from the substrate so as to form a conductive film having strings of interconnected nanounits, where the nanounits of the strings substantially extend in the first direction. A conductive plate and a method for making the same is also disclosed, where the method further comprises attaching the conductive film to a second substrate.
US08646167B2 Method of actuating a wireless sensor of road construction equipment
A method of actuating a wireless sensor of road construction equipment. A bracket is secured to the road construction equipment that has a magnet and is able to receive a wireless sensor. An actuator is disposed within the housing of the wireless sensor that reacts to the magnetic field created by the magnet such that when the wireless sensor is attached to the bracket the sensor is operable and when detached from the bracket no longer operates.
US08646153B2 Hinge mechanism, and monitor opening and closing mechanism
A plate spring 40 is subjected to folding at a fold portion 41 to form integrally a plate spring portion 42 and a stress relief portion 43m and a distal end of a rotary shaft 30 is secured to a caulking hole of the stress relief portion 43 by caulking.
US08646152B2 Transversely movable hinge and folding device utilizing the same
A transversely movable hinge is mounted between a base and a cover of a folding device and has a moving assembly. The moving assembly is connected to an expansion device via a linking rod. Therefore, when the folding device is opened, the expansion device is driven to extend and is convenient for users. When the folding device is closed, the expansion device is driven to retract for saving space.
US08646148B2 Cleaning appliance
A cleaning appliance of the canister type includes separating apparatus for separating dirt from a dirt-bearing fluid flow, a floor engaging rolling assembly including a device for drawing the fluid flow through the separating apparatus, a duct for conveying the fluid flow from the separating apparatus to the rolling assembly, and a mechanism for pivoting the separating apparatus relative to the duct.
US08646147B2 Surface cleaning apparatus
Various uses and constructions for an open sided nozzle for a surface cleaning apparatus are provided. Alternate constructions for a surface cleaning head are also provided.
US08646140B2 Paper ramp
A paper ramp for use in unloading a wheeled or castered product from a pallet or shipping base is provided. The ramp is wedge shaped and comprises a folded bottom member affixed to a pre-formed top member having integrally formed guide rails. The bottom member has closure flaps that fold together in interlocking fashion inside the wedged shaped ramp to support and stabilize the load bearing top surface of the ramp.
US08646123B1 Power actuated toilet seat device
The power actuated toilet seat device provides a pair of leg assemblies positioned on opposites sides of a toilet bowl, an expansion cylinder disposed longitudinally on each hind leg, a receiver/activator disposed downwardly in each expansion cylinder, an expansion lift arm disposed upwardly on each expansion cylinder, a follower disposed perpendicularly inward atop each expansion lift arm, a seat having a front spaced apart from a rear, and two spaced apart sides, a slot disposed laterally within each seat side, each slot in receipt of one of the followers of one of each of the expansion lift arms, a hinge disposed downwardly and at the front of the seat, the hinge selectively affixed forwardly to an existing bowl of an existing toilet, a control means configured to control lifting and pivoting of the seat, the control means in communication with each receiver/activator.
US08646118B2 Cartridge for a toilet freshener
Cartridge (1) for coupling to a toilet flusher comprising at least one chamber (2) for receiving at least one free-flowing toilet cleaning preparation (6). The chamber (2) has an outlet (4) that lies in the direction of gravitation such that the toilet cleaning preparation can be released from the chamber (2) due to the force of gravity. The outlet (4) is, prior to a first coupling to the toilet flusher, secured prior to the release of the toilet cleaning preparation (6). The preparation is released from the cartridge (1) through the outlet due to the force of gravity when the cartridge (1) is first coupled to the toilet flusher. The chamber (2) has a communicating bar (8), wherein the bar and at least one other chamber (10) are designed so that they interact whereby the chamber (10) can be arranged on or next to the bar (8).
US08646117B2 Anti-siphon trap with snorkel
To reduce the barrier sealant amount, the area of a throat (88), communicating an inlet compartment (78) to an outlet opening (64), is made small. Should sealant not be in the throat, wastewater in the throat would be correspondingly small. A snorkel (110) in a discharge section drain tube (98) extends downwards to above the level of the horizontal drain, and allows any air from the external drain to pass to the outlet compartment generally below the ceiling (90) so that, should wastewater cover the opening of the drain tube, such air is permitted to enter into the cartridge and to prevent any syphoning. A three rib channel guide mechanism (100) within the tube guides wastewater flow towards the drain tube center, and away from the drain tube walls to avoid deposit of any sediment contained in the wastewater.
US08646114B1 System and apparatus for the prevention of the use of certain interventions on vulnerable patients
A system and apparatus of coded gowns to alert health care workers of the status of vulnerable patients and where on the patient's body the vulnerable portions are located. The use of color-coded gowns follows the patient on his or her person and is therefore less likely to be lost or unseen information, thereby avoiding physical calamity and legal liability.