| Document | Document Title |
|---|---|
| US07913674B2 |
Abnormality determination device and method for EGR device, and engine control unit
An abnormality determination device for an EGR device, which is capable of determining the abnormality of the EGR device properly without interrupting the EGR operation. An ECU of an internal combustion engine detects an amount of fresh air drawn into a combustion chamber of the engine, carries out feedback control of the fresh air amount such that the detected fresh air amount converges to a predetermined target fresh air amount by controlling an opening of a throttle valve disposed in an intake system of the engine during execution of EGR by the EGR device. The ECU obtains a decreasing degree parameter which represent a degree of decrease in the fresh air amount caused by the feedback control, and determines abnormality of the EGR device based on the obtained decreasing degree parameter. |
| US07913671B2 |
Device for the venting circuit of a liquid tank and valve incorporating said device
A device for a venting circuit of a liquid tank provided with a canister and a filling tube including a filling head, this device comprising:a) a control chamber that communicates with: the canister via a main orifice and a smaller-flow-area secondary orifice, both terminating in a ventilation line leading to the canister; the interior of the tank via the venting circuit; and the filling head via a pressure-equalizing line; b) a closure member that is: provided with an opening therethrough which brings the venting circuit into communication with the pressure-equalizing line; able to move in the control chamber between an operating position with the main orifice closed off by gravity and the secondary orifice left open, and a filling position with both orifices left open; and shaped to sealingly conform to at least a control chamber part that includes the main orifice. |
| US07913669B2 |
Method for controlling cylinder deactivation
A method of controlling a cylinder deactivation system is disclosed. Information from one or more sensors is received by a control unit. The control unit compares the current values of a parameter with one or more prohibited ranges in order to determine if cylinder deactivation should be prohibited. The one or more prohibited ranges are discrete ranges, each with a lower limit and an upper limit. |
| US07913661B2 |
Protective system for a crank angle sensor
A system for protecting a crank angle sensor is disclosed. The system includes a protective member, a heat insulating member and an airflow deflecting member. The heat insulating member insulates against heat from adjacent heat sources. The airflow deflecting member directs driving wind into an interior portion of the protective member to cool the air adjacent to a portion of the crank angle sensor. The protective member also includes holes to receive the driving wind directed from the airflow deflecting member. |
| US07913659B2 |
Carburetor start system
Carburetor start system comprising a primer pump bulb coupled to a valve-opening mechanism, the primer pump bulb and valve-opening mechanism being operably coupled to a throttle valve and/or a choke valve. Pushing the primer pump bulb causes the throttle valve and/or choke valve to be rotated and releasably fixed in a starting position. |
| US07913657B2 |
Variable valve timing mechanism
In a variable valve timing mechanism, a valve-lifting cam member is fitted, slidably in the circumferential direction, onto a camshaft that is driven to rotate in synchronization with a crankshaft of a four-stroke cycle internal combustion engine. An eccentric collar is set between a driving collar fixed on the camshaft and the valve-lifting cam member. A driving projection is formed in the driving collar and engages with one of sandwiching portions of the eccentric collar. A driven protrusion is formed in the valve-lifting cam member and engages with another one of the sandwiching portions of the eccentric collar. A linkage mechanism includes the eccentric collar, the drive, and the driven protrusions. The variable valve timing mechanism adjusts the timing of opening and closing of the valve while the rotational phase of the valve-lifting cam member is cyclically varied relative to the camshaft by the eccentricity of the eccentric collar. |
| US07913655B2 |
Electromagnetically-driven valve
An electromagnetically-driven valve includes intake valves that are provided in a gasoline engine and that are arranged side by side; a valve plate that connects the intake valves to each other, wherein driving force that is generated by electromagnetic force is transferred to the valve plate; and a changing mechanism that is fitted to the valve plate. The changing mechanism changes the valve drive state between the two-valve drive state, in which both of the intake valves are driven, and the one-valve drive state, in which one of the intake valves is driven and the other intake valve is stopped. |
| US07913650B2 |
Containment systems and components for animal husbandry
Provided are animal containment systems and components, including single-use animal containment cages and modular rack units. Also provided are methods for assembling and using components of the animal containment systems. |
| US07913648B2 |
Water drinking container for animals
A water drinking container for animals is provided with which the temperature of water placed therein can be suppressed over a long period of time, especially during a period of high air temperature, to make water readily drinkable for a dog or other animal to weak from heat and make it easy for the animal to weather the heat by adequate hydration, the water drinking container being simple in arrangement, being available inexpensively, and including: a water container, having an upwardly-open, water containing recess; a cold reserving material, contained in a bag or a plastic case; and a cold reserving material container, holding the cold reserving material in a state of contact with a bottom rear surface of the water containing recess of the water container. |
| US07913647B1 |
Animal food dispenser and water dispenser
An animal food dispenser is disclosed. The animal food dispenser includes a base having a base interior and a dispensing slot communicating with the base interior. A food hopper having a hopper interior is provided on the base. A food opening is provided between the hopper interior and the base interior. A food tray pivotally mounted in the hopper adjacent to the food opening is pivotal between closed and opened positions. A water dispenser is also disclosed. |
| US07913644B2 |
Electroless deposition system
An electroless deposition system includes a deposition solution, and saturating the deposition solution with an oxygen concentration in a range from about two thousand parts per million to about twenty thousand parts per million. |
| US07913638B2 |
Wasp repellent device
According to the present invention, there is provided a wasp repellent device comprising a suspension member operatively connected to a closed end of a bag. The bag has a skirt extending from the closed end of the bag to a mouth of the bag, with a drawstring for contracting the mouth of the bag to give the bag the approximate shape of an inverted cone. The exterior of the bag is provided with a striated pattern and, in use, the bag imitates the appearance of a wasp nest. |
| US07913636B2 |
High speed watercraft suitable for rough water conditions
A watercraft suitable for operation in rough water conditions is disclosed. The watercraft comprises a central platform (13) and two pairs of hull units (60), a forward pair and an aft pair. The hull units are located on opposite sides of tie platform and extend below the platform, with each hull unit comprising a mount (54) attached to the platform and a trailing hull connected to the mount via a movable hull support. The components of the hull units are connected by joints (58,62) arranged to constrain lateral and axial movement of: the hull relative to the platform (12) but to permit pivoting thereof about the mount (54). Each hull unit has a suspension assembly arranged to support the respective hull units, and comprises a suspension member (66) extending from the platform (12) to a mounting point (20) on the hull aft of the respective mount, and being arranged to accommodate movement of the hull relative t) the platform and to apply damping to movement of the hull. |
| US07913635B2 |
Surface skimming watercraft
A water craft including a hull having a main longitudinal axis defining a direction of travel of the craft, a plurality of discs mounted at respective opposed sides of the main longitudinal axis to and below the hull and in combination having sufficient buoyancy to support the hull above the water, each disc comprising an essentially circular convex skimming surface adapted to skim upon the water as the craft moves at low speed, wherein the discs are mounted to the hull such that the skimming surface of each disc faces downwardly with respect to the longitudinal central axis of the hull, and adapted for movement between a low speed orientation in which the discs present a portion of the circular convex skimming surface to the water surface and a high speed orientation in which the discs present a portion of the edge of the disc to the water. |
| US07913632B2 |
Combustion method and system
A method of combustion for pulverized hydrocarbonaceous fuel includes injecting a concentrated fuel and air stream into a burner, causing a low-pressure zone; directing a flow of a high-temperature combustion gas from a combustion chamber into the low-pressure zone in the burner; mixing the high-temperature combustion gas with the injected concentrated stream to heat the injected concentrated stream; injecting the heated concentrated stream from the burner to the combustion chamber, wherein the concentrated stream is rapidly devolatilized and combusted in a flame that has a fuel-rich flame zone; sensing a combustion parameter; and, based on the sensed combustion parameter, controlling combustion to achieve at least one of a desired NOx reduction and a desired distance from the burner to a flame front. |
| US07913630B2 |
Combination knockdown pallet structure and article container
A combination knockdown pallet structure and article container is disclosed wherein the knockdown pallet structure comprises a base panel and a pair of pockets which are secured upon undersurface portions of the base panel so as to accommodate rigid support members for accommodating the fork tines of a forklift truck. A pair of cross-brace members are pivotally secured at first end portions upon the bas member so as to be movable between first operative position and a second inoperative position in order to permit the entire pallet structure to be rolled up, folded, or otherwise knocked-down. The article container is pivotally or removably secured upon the base panel so as to provide access to the cross-brace members. |
| US07913629B2 |
Collapsible pallet system and methods
Collapsible type pallets and related products embodiments of which include a construction wherein support beams can be integrally formed from the sheet material of the pallet itself. The beams can be supported internally by structural inserts. Additionally, the supporting inserts may include braces for added stability and strength. The beams, as well as the platform can be further braced and structurally supported by cross braces, which run generally at right angles to the beams and pass through apertures in the beams themselves and slots in the inserts. In certain embodiments, the cross braces pass underneath and support the underside of the platform to create significant structural advantages to the pallet. Embodiments of the pallet can be easily assembled from components that can be easily and economically stored and transported. Embodiments are light-weight thereby providing savings in assembly, transportation, and storage. |
| US07913628B2 |
Train-to-platform gap mitigator
An improved gap filler in the form of a single plate or a plurality of plates attached to the train car exterior or emanating from below train car vestibule floor which permits transit line system operator to utilize one device to obtain any desired gap minimization at every train car door in a trainset relative to its corresponding platform edge at all stations on its transit line regardless of platform and/or track configuration while simultaneously adhering to its gap clearance standards pertaining to safe passage of any train within its fleet through any station. |
| US07913627B2 |
Upper and lower path switching device for traveling body for transportation
An upper and lower path switching device for a traveling body for transportation has an elevating guide rail supported horizontally by an elevating body, upper fixed guide rails which are connected to the elevating guide rail at a lifted position of the elevating body, and lower fixed guide rails which are connected to the elevating guide rail at a lowered position of the elevating body. The elevating guide rail is supported movably vertically in a predetermined range with respect to the elevating body. Receiving members are provided for receiving the elevating guide rail at a level at which the elevating guide rail is connected to the lower fixed guide rails before the elevating body reaches a lower limit of an elevation path of the elevating body. |
| US07913626B1 |
Kinetic energy absorber
A kinetic energy absorbing apparatus includes a body having a generally ogival exterior surface; and at least one kinetic energy absorbing structure (KEAS) extending generally rearwardly from substantially an interior surface of the body. |
| US07913624B2 |
Explosive matrix assembly
An explosive matrix assembly is provided in which a single detonating cord is configured into a first set of at least five parallel sets of paired portions lying in the same plane, with adjacent parallel pairs being spaced about two inches apart. The detonating cord is further configured so that there is a second set of at least five more parallel portions that are substantially orthogonal to the first set and that lie on top of the first set. Finally, the detonating cord is further configured so that there is a pair of portions that operably secure the matrix to an appropriate explosive initiator. |
| US07913613B2 |
Piston/cylinder unit
A piston/cylinder unit comprising a cylinder, a piston which reciprocates in the axial direction of the cylinder between first and second piston positions, and a fluid bearing provided between the piston and the cylinder which supports the piston such as to be axially displaceable in the cylinder and defines the piston-side bearing surface, enclosing the circumference of the piston at least over a part of the axial extension of the piston, whereby the fluid bearing comprises a number of outlet nozzles for the fluid arranged in the inner circumferential wall of the cylinder. The outlet nozzles are arranged such that when the piston is in the second position, first outlet nozzles provide the front or middle region of the piston-side bearing surface relative to the piston longitudinal extension and second outlet nozzles provide the middle region of the piston side bearing surface with pressure fluid. |
| US07913611B2 |
Blast and ballistic protection systems and method of making the same
An embodiment provides a protection structure comprising: open cell core structure; a top face sheet coupled to said core structure; a bottom face sheet coupled to said core structure distal from said top face sheet; a projectile arresting layer coupled to said top face sheet distal from said core structure; and a fragment catching layer couple to said bottom face sheet distal from said core. |
| US07913610B2 |
Ammunition retainer for linked ammunition
An ammunition retainer apparatus for restraining a continuous belt of linked ammunition cartridges loaded into bays of an ammunition box or magazine from flowing over a divider wall from a first bay to a second bay adjacent to the first bay. The ammunition retainer apparatus comprises an elongated body having on a first side, a first pair of tabs rigidly attached to the body and protruding from the body in a first direction, and on a second side, a second pair of tabs rigidly attached to the body and protruding from the body in a second direction. |
| US07913607B2 |
IM-lock for weapons having preloaded projectiles
A weapon having a barrel or launch tube and a projectile preloaded therein. An element prevents accidental firing of the projectile if the weapon becomes overheated. |
| US07913605B2 |
Missile launcher
This missile launcher is characterized in that the cells do not extend in rows parallel to an elongated chimney, but by surrounding a central chimney, providing a more compact and especially lighter arrangement with identical resistance conditions. |
| US07913604B2 |
Missile container retaining structure for a vertical missile launch device
The invention relates to a missile container retaining structure (1a) for a missile launch device of the type comprising a plurality of cells for receiving a missile container (2) and at least one duct (3). The structure is constituted by metal plates (101, 104) which are pre-cut so as to comprise complementary elements which can be fitted one inside the other, the plates being assembled so that the complementary elements of two adjacent plates are fitted one inside the other. |
| US07913601B2 |
Enhanced performance saw blade toothform pattern
A saw blade, such as a bandsaw blade, has a toothform pattern that includes a raker tooth and set teeth. The bandsaw blade teeth are configured such that a distance from a tooth point of the raker tooth to a tooth point of an immediately preceding set tooth is the smallest tooth spacing in the saw blade toothform pattern. With the use of a smaller spacing, the raker tooth removes the smallest chip thickness from a work piece relative to the chip thicknesses removed by the set teeth. This reduces the amount of load imposed on the raker tooth point. In one arrangement, in order to balance the forces on either side of the blade during operation, the saw blade is configured such that an accumulated pitch of the tooth points set to a first side of the blade are substantially equal to the accumulated pitch of the tooth points set to a second opposing side of the blade. |
| US07913600B2 |
Tourne cutting method and device
A cutting device holds an article to be cut stationary while a blade is traversed along a curved guide to peel or slice away material from the article. The article may be rotated using an indexing mechanism to realign the article with respect to the blade. The cutting device is especially configured to cut complex shapes, such as a seven-sided tourné. Portions of the cutting device may be separated for storage or travel, and a storage container may be provided to protect the device as well as to keep the separated pieces together. |
| US07913593B2 |
Installation tool for a threaded object
A tool for installing a threaded object includes a bit or inner implement that has a tip for engaging a head of the threaded object, and a sleeve surrounding the inner implement for securing the threaded object to the tool during the installation process. The sleeve includes plural arms at least some of which have inner lips that engage the head of the threaded object to hold the head against the tip. The inner lips are chamfered to facilitate engagement and disengagement between the sleeve and the head of the threaded object. The sleeve is able to translate to a limited extent relative to the inner implement, in order to pull back and disengage from the threaded object head as the threaded object is received into a threaded opening. |
| US07913587B2 |
Internal combustion engine and vehicle having the internal combustion engine
An engine (internal combustion engine), in accordance with an embodiment, includes: a crankcase; a crankshaft accommodated in the crankcase; a first crank gear and a second crank gear disposed inside the crankcase to rotate about the crankshaft; a balancer gear meshed with the first crank gear to rotate as the first crank gear rotates; and a water pump part having a water pump gear. The water pump gear is meshed with the second crank gear to rotate as the second crank gear rotates. The balancer gear and the water pump gear are disposed to overlap each other as viewed from an end of the crankshaft. |
| US07913586B2 |
Steering wheel for vehicle
A steering wheel for a vehicle has a gap formed between a spoke and airbag cover that can be maintained as small as possible regardless of a hot blast process of a steering wheel. The steering wheel may include an armature member that connects a rim and a hub, an intermediate structure that overlaps and is fixed to the armature member and includes a groove at an end thereof facing an airbag cover, a reinforcement member that is fitted to the groove of the intermediate structure, and/or a cover that includes the reinforcement member, and is fixed to the intermediate structure and the reinforcement member so as to cover the intermediate structure. |
| US07913585B2 |
Annular ring and annular ring assembly for controllable positioning on a pilot tube
The present invention broadly comprises an assembly for incrementally changing an axially fixable position, including an annular gripping element with at least one deformation segment, a glide push ring axially displaceable along a pilot element, and a wedge push ring axially displaceable along the pilot element. The gripping element is in contact with a circumference of the pilot element and the deformable segments are circumferentially deformable in response to a change in a gripping element diameter. The glide ring incrementally urges the gripping element in a first direction along the pilot element. The gripping element axially fixes responsive to force applied by the wedge ring in a second direction, opposite the first direction, along the pilot element. A surface between gripping element inner and outer circumferences forms a fixed angle with the pilot element despite changes in the inner or outer circumferences. |
| US07913584B2 |
Support arm for a clamping and centering element of a gripper frame for holding three-dimensional components in the motor vehicle industry
A support arm for a clamping and/or centering element of a gripper frame for holding three-dimensional components includes an adjustment mechanism, such as a ball that can pivot or a cylindrical pin that slide and rotate, held in a clamping and release unit with clamping jaws that can be radially clamped and are configured as shells engaging on opposing halves of the ball or the cylindrical pin and whose separation distance can be set by a means of adjustment. A radially directed compression force can be applied to the clamping jaws by a ring-shaped hydraulic force generator that is arranged about the jaws. |
| US07913582B2 |
Transmission for tractor
A transmission for a tractor has a main transmission part between a forward/reverse transmission part and a sub transmission part. The main transmission part has a driving shaft, a first sub shaft parallel with the driving shaft, a second sub shaft parallel with the first sub shaft, an output shaft arranged between the first sub shaft and the second sub shaft, first and second driving gears installed spaced to a distance from each other, third and fourth driving gears installed spaced to a distance from each other, a first output gear installed on the output shaft, a second output gear installed on the output shaft, a first clutch arranged between the first driving gear and the second driving gear, and a second clutch arranged between the third driving gear and the fourth driving gear. |
| US07913572B2 |
Integrated multi-measurement system for measuring physical properties of gas diffusion layer for polymer electrolyte fuel cell with respect to compression
Disclosed is an integrated multi-measurement system for measuring physical properties including thickness, electrical resistance and differential pressure of a gas diffusion layer for a polymer electrolyte fuel cell with respect to compression. The integrated multi-measurement system simultaneously measures changes in the physical properties of the gas diffusion layer depending on pressure upon measurement of the physical properties of the gas diffusion layer of the fuel cell and also measures through-plane permeability in which a gas is passed through a sample in a direction perpendicular to the sample and in-plane permeability in which a gas is passed through a sample in a direction parallel to the sample. |
| US07913571B2 |
Apparatus for estimating residual life of blasting vessel, method of estimating residual life, and blasting facility
The present invention aims at estimating a residual life of a blasting vessel. For the estimation, a strain gauge 30 is attached to a blasting vessel 10. The strain gauge 30 measures high-frequency repetitive strain caused in the blasting chamber 10 in each explosion. Strain waveform data obtained with the strain gauge 30 is analyzed to calculate the cumulative degree of fatigue damage due to a high-frequency repetitive load applied to the blasting vessel 10 in each explosion. A residual life of the blasting vessel 10 is estimated on the basis of a cumulative value of the cumulative degrees of fatigue damage. |
| US07913564B2 |
Ultrasonic scanning device with a hybrid controller
An ultrasonic scanner includes an assembly mounted within a housing and pivoting between two positions. The assembly includes an ultrasonic module that generates an ultrasonic beam directed at a target, such a tissue and detecting the corresponding return beam. A worm screw with a block contacting the assembly is used to selectively pivot the assembly to a desired position. The worm screw is driven by a DC motor and the position of the assembly is monitored using a proximity sensor, such as a Hall Effect Device. A hybrid controller receives analog signals from the Hall Effect Device converts them into corresponding sensor digital signals, and uses them as a feedback signal to an analog OP AMP driving the DC motor. |
| US07913561B2 |
Ultrasonic wave vibrating apparatus
An ultrasonic wave vibrating apparatus includes a passive element converting electric energy to ultrasonic vibration, electrodes, a horn body arranged in a forward side of the element and amplifying the vibration, a backing arranged in the base side of the element and backing the element, and a horn connecting portion having one end connected to the body and the other end connected to the backing to connect the body and the backing to each other with the element sandwiched between the body and the backing. At least one of the body, the connecting portion and the backing is formed of metallic glass. The body and the connecting portion can be formed of the metallic glass integrally with each other. A cover covering the element may be included, and the cover, the body and the connecting portion can be formed of the metallic glass integrally with each other. |
| US07913559B2 |
Casing assembly of a monitor
The present invention relates to a casing assembly of a monitor. The monitor includes a casing, a cover and a connecting arm. The casing has a first end and a second end. The second end has a plurality of fixing portions. The cover is provided with a plurality of fixing elements that correspond to the fixing portions and are fixed to each other. These fixing elements can be operated manually. One end of the connecting arm is rotationally connected with the second end of the casing; and the another end of the connecting arm is fixed to the cover thereon so that the cover can be opened or closed manually without any tools at the second end of the casing, and prevent the cover from falling off or being lost easily. |
| US07913554B2 |
Method and apparatus for balanced pressure sampling
A method of sampling fluid from a rock formation penetrated by a borehole includes positioning a downhole tool having a flow line in the borehole, establishing an inlet port through which fluid passes from a first point in the formation into the flow line, establishing an outlet port through which fluid passes from the flow line into a second point in the formation, and passing fluid between the formation and the flow line through the inlet and outlet ports. |
| US07913551B2 |
Tire pressure gauge with cap wrench
A tire pressure gauge with a valve cap wrench is disclosed. A bore at one end of the tire pressure gauge may be used to grip and remove a valve cap mounted on a valve stem of a tire. A port at the other end of the tire pressure gauge may be used to measure air pressure in a tire. The measured air pressure may be displayed on a display on the tire pressure gauge. The cap wrench may have a collet to hold a valve cap and a switch to tighten and loosen grip on a valve cap. The cap wrench may also have a plunger to push a valve cap out of the tire pressure gauge. |
| US07913545B2 |
Time and angle based cylinder pressure data collection
A control module for determining a time and angle based cylinder pressure includes a crankshaft position determination module that determines a first crankshaft position in an engine at a first time, a time-based cylinder pressure determination module that determines N time-based cylinder pressures in the engine at N times, wherein N is an integer greater than one, and an angle-based cylinder pressure determination module that determines an angle-based cylinder pressure at the first crankshaft position based on the first time, the N cylinder pressures, and the N times. |
| US07913543B2 |
Method of using a device for measuring the back pressure in chemical reactor tubes
A device and method for measuring the back pressure in chemical reactor tubes includes many automated features. Inflatable tube seals may be automatically inflated. The device may measure several tubes at once. It may transmit data electronically to a remote computer for analysis and graphic display. |
| US07913538B2 |
Evaluation method for monitoring the effects of an impact on a structural composite material part
An evaluation method for monitoring the consequences of an impact at low speed and little force on a structural composite material part covered with a film that changes color when under pressure and whose color intensity is directly related to the force of a received shock. |
| US07913536B2 |
Compensation arrangement and method for operation thereof
An arrangement and method for providing compensation to a cyclical input signal is disclosed. The arrangement comprises a first detection unit (20) for detecting a first event in a cyclical output signal; a compensation signal generation unit (14) for generating a compensation signal; and a signal combination unit (8) for combining the compensation signal and the cyclical input signal to obtain the cyclical output signal. The compensation signal generation unit (14) is arranged to adjust the compensation signal at an instant which has a determined relationship with the detection of the first event. By adjusting the compensation signal at the right instant in a cycle of the cyclical output signal, the adjustment will not influence the further processing of the cyclical output signal. The method can be used to compensate the offset and sensitivity characteristics of a sensor. |
| US07913532B2 |
Manipulator for metal sheets
A manipulator of a metal sheet (4) is disclosed, comprising pickup means (8) for picking up the metal sheet, which pickup means (8) is connected to a rack (3) associable with a first pinion (1) and an operating head (9). The manipulator comprises at least a second pinion (2) and the first (1) and the second (2) pinions are arranged along the movement path of the metal sheet (4); at least one between the first (1) and the second (2) pinions are each time engaged with said rack (3) to move the rack from one part to the other of the operating head (9) (FIG. 2). |
| US07913530B2 |
Closing method and closing machine
A closing machine (1) for closing a work piece (9) by pressing a rotating die (4) against the rotating work piece (9) comprises a die support shaft (41) that supports the die (4), which is disposed coaxially with the work piece (9), rotatably, a power transmission mechanism (401) which transmits the torque of a motor 46 to the die support shaft (41) and a one-way clutch (410) which blocks torque that is input into the power transmission mechanism (401) from the die support shaft (41). During a closing operation, the die (4) is pressed against the work piece (9) so as to contact the work piece (9) slidingly such that the die (4) rotates in accordance with the work piece (9), which rotates at a higher speed than the die (4). |
| US07913526B2 |
Multiple function lock
A multiple function lock comprising a body, an engaging element having a first end and a second end, a locking mechanism for securing the first end and the second end of the engaging element to the body, and a gate mechanism for selectively concealing or revealing a passage in the body through which the second end may move to unlock the lock. In certain embodiments, a multiple function lock may comprise a body, a U-shaped shackle having toe and heel portions, the heel portion rotatably secured within the body, a locking mechanism for locking the heel and the toe portions within the body, a passage through the body adjacent to the toe portion, the toe portion adapted to move through the passage to unlock the lock, and either a retaining cup, an adjustable gate, or an outer housing, each being adapted to selectively block or reveal the passage. |
| US07913525B2 |
Pointer padlock
A padlock includes a housing, a shackle having a pivoting portion pivotally passing through a first top hole of the housing into an accommodation chamber of the housing and a locking end passing through a second top hole of the housing, a retaining device disposed in the accommodation chamber and having at least two driving wheels for controlling an axial movement of the pivoting portion of the shackle, and at least two pointers located above a dial of the housing and respectively driven by the driving wheels to point to one of figures of the dial. When both of the pointers point to correct figures, the pivoting portion of the shackle is axially moveable relative to the housing under the control of the driving wheels, such that locking end of the shackle is moveable away from the second top hole of the housing to unlock the padlock. |
| US07913514B2 |
Water spillage management for in the door ice maker
A refrigerator freezer having an ice maker positioned on a refrigerator compartment or freezer compartment door. The ice maker is arranged to prevent or manage spills from the ice maker in the event the door on which the ice maker is mounted is opened or closed when unfrozen water is present in the ice maker. Spill management embodiments for a number of fixed and movable tray ice makers are disclosed. |
| US07913512B2 |
Air-heated heat exchanger
A heat exchanger comprises a first tube having a first fin of a first predetermined height extending outward therefrom. A second tube is vertically spaced above the first tube. The second tube has a second fin of a second predetermined height extending outward therefrom. A fan is positioned to force ambient air across the second tube and then across the first tube to heat a fluid flowing therethrough. A method of heating a fluid comprises sequentially flowing the fluid upward through a plurality of vertically spaced rows of substantially horizontal tubes, and forcing air downward over the plurality of tubes to heat the fluid. |
| US07913511B2 |
Cargo container for transporting temperature sensitive items
A cargo container includes an outer aluminum shell or housing having side, rear, bottom and top walls and a front opening with a pair of hinged doors. The housing receives a molded box-shaped composite outer shell which receives a molded box-shaped composite inner shell defining a cargo chamber. Corresponding walls of the inner and outer shells and the doors confine insulation cassettes each including vacuum insulation panels forming layers, all protected by plastic sheets and plastic film. Air is circulated by blowers within the chamber through a refrigeration evaporator and electrical heating elements, and a rear portion of the housing encloses operating components including a refrigeration compressor, storage batteries and exhaust fans. A control system senses temperature within the chamber and smoke and humidity outside the container and controls the operation of the compressor, exhaust fans and other components from storage batteries or an external power source. |
| US07913508B2 |
Cooling device for interior and exterior surfaces of a mud pump liner
A cooling device for interior and exterior surfaces of a mud pump liner, in which one end of the suction tube 3 is connected to the water tank 2, with the other end of the suction tube 3 connecting to the intake port of the spray pump 4, and an end of the discharge pipe 5 is connected to the outlet port of the spray pump, with another end thereof connecting to the interior cooling nozzle 1; and said another end of the discharge pipe 5 is also connected with a exterior cooling nozzle 6, the spray port of the interior cooling nozzle 1 is placed inside the liner 7, and the spray hole of the exterior cooling nozzle 6 is placed outside the liner 7. The present invention additionally performs spraying against the outer surface of the liner and cooling it so as to sufficiently cool the liner/piston. In this way, the working temperature of the liner/piston is decreased and the service life thereof is extended. Experiments show that the working temperature of the liner/piston is decreased by at least 16° C., and service life thereof is at least doubled. |
| US07913507B2 |
Electronic equipment cooling system
An electronic equipment cooling system of the invention comprises: a heat receiver; a closed refrigerant circulation path (including: the heat receiver; a refrigerant condenser; a refrigerant pump; and a refrigerant tank); and a closed gas circulation path (including: the heat receiver; the refrigerant condenser; and a blower). The heat receiver includes: a heat receiver base contacting a heat generating component; a box; a gas flow space surrounded by the heat receiver base and box; a refrigerant inlet through which a liquid refrigerant dribbles down along an internal surface of the heat receiver base; a liquid refrigerant spreader used for spreading the liquid refrigerant thereacross and having a mesh portion with an opening for passing a vapor of the refrigerant into the gas flow space; a gas inlet through which a gas is fed from the blower; and a gas outlet for venting the gas containing the vapor of the refrigerant. |
| US07913506B2 |
Free cooling cascade arrangement for refrigeration system
A refrigeration system includes a medium temperature subsystem circulating a coolant in a closed loop between at least one medium temperature chiller and at least one medium temperature load and at least one cascade heat exchanger, and a low temperature subsystem circulating a coolant in a closed loop between at least one low temperature chiller and at least one low temperature load. A cooling circuit is provided for circulating a coolant and includes a first pump and a second pump and a fluid cooler and a valve, and interfaces with the medium temperature chiller and the low temperature chiller. The valve is movable to a closed position to define a first flow path and a second flow path, where the first flow path includes the first pump and the medium temperature chiller and fluid cooler, and the second flow path including the second pump and the low temperature chiller and the cascade heat exchanger. |
| US07913505B2 |
Air conditioning device for work vehicle
A work vehicle comprises a plurality of wheels; a vehicle body supported by the plurality of wheels and having a cabin, a front half region and a rear half region; an engine located in the rear half region of the vehicle body; and an air conditioning unit located in a lower forward region of the cabin and having an evaporator and a fan. |
| US07913504B2 |
Variable refrigerant expansion device with pressure relief
A refrigerant expansion assembly, and method of operation, for use in a vehicle air conditioning system is disclosed. An orifice channel connects an orifice inlet port to an orifice outlet port and includes a valve seat. A variable orifice assembly is mounted in the orifice channel and includes a fixed orifice passage extending axially through a variable orifice body having a sealing flange that can seal against a valve seat via an orifice spring. An orifice bypass valve includes a check ball biased against a ball seat by a bypass spring and selectively allows some of the refrigerant to bypass the variable orifice assembly. The refrigerant expansion assembly may also include a burst disk downstream of the variable orifice assembly. |
| US07913502B2 |
Expansion valve and method for its control
The invention relates to an expansion valve and a method for controlling an expansion valve, in which the opening and closing movement of the valve-closing element is adjusted as a function of the pressure difference which is present on the high-pressure side in an inlet opening and on the low-pressure side in an outlet opening. |
| US07913501B2 |
Water-cooled air conditioning system using condenser water regeneration for precise air reheat in dehumidifying mode
A water-cooled air conditioning system using a regenerative condenser water circuit to reheat the supply air during a dehumidification mode. The air conditioning system may be any type of water-cooled system, including a water source heat pump or water-cooled air conditioner. The reheat circuit circulates water leaving the condenser through the reheat heat exchanger and then returns the water to the condenser inlet. Thus, the reheat circuit ensures that water leaving the condenser is warm enough to provide sufficient reheating for the supply air, regardless of the water source temperature. In addition, a modulation assembly controls the amount of water flowing through the reheat circuit, and thereby its temperature, so that the temperature of the reheated supply air can be maintained within a narrow range. |
| US07913495B2 |
Gas turbine and manufacturing process of gas turbine
The invention is intended to maintain turbine reliability when, based on a gas turbine designed for one desired cycle, a gas turbine for another different cycle is manufactured. A channel of a compressor is formed such that a mass flow of a fluid compressed by the compressor changes. Thus, when manufacturing, based on the gas turbine designed for one desired cycle, the gas turbine for another different cycle, turbine reliability can be maintained. |
| US07913494B2 |
Burner for combustion chamber and combustion method
A burner 1 for combustion chamber is provided with a cylindrical mixing portion 3 that mixes air for combustion (oxidizing agent) and fuel in the interior thereof and has one end 3a that opens to a combustion portion 2; a spray nozzle (fuel spraying portion) 5 that sprays fuel in the mixing portion 3, being disposed on another end 3b of the mixing portion 3; first blowing ports 6 that introduce the air for combustion to the mixing portion 3 to form a swirling flow with the fuel, being disposed to open to the inner wall of the mixing portion 3; and second blowing ports 7 that additionally introduce the air for combustion to the mixing portion 3, opening in a direction different from the first blowing ports 6 and being disposed further to the other end 3b side of the mixing portion 3 than the swirling flow. The burner for combustion chamber and combustion method of the present invention can shorten the flame length in the central axial direction by improving the combustion efficiency even during low loading and shorten the overall length of the burner for combustion chamber in the central axial direction. |
| US07913493B2 |
Rotary displacement steam engine
A steam engine of a simple constitution capable of efficiently obtaining mechanical energy not only from a heat source of a high temperature but also from various heat sources in a low-temperature state such as the exhaust heat of an internal combustion engine. The engine comprises a displacement engine 1 having a rotor 13 that rotates, a steam-generating portion 2 arranged thereunder and a condenser 3 arranged thereover. Water heated in the steam-generating portion 2 becomes the steam which is fed into the displacement engine 1, enters into an operation chamber that moves up, rotates the rotor 13 and is, thereafter, fed into the condenser 3 where it is condensed to turn into the condensate. The condensate falls on the rotor 13 on the lower side due to gravity, and is refluxed into the steam-generating portion 2 through the operation chamber that moves downward with rotation of the rotor 13. The steam engine efficiently operates even at low speeds, requires no pump for refluxing the condensate, and is constituted in a compact size. |
| US07913491B2 |
Hydraulic flow control system and method
Apparatus and methods are provided for controlling a double-acting hydraulic cylinder during a load-induced rod-extending operation. The apparatus includes a activation circuit and valve for providing a flow path from a pump to the cylinder head end; a flow regeneration circuit and valve fluidly connecting the cylinder rod end and the cylinder head end and configured for providing flow from the rod end to the head end during rod extension; and a controller responsive to rod-extending rate demands and rod-position sensor signals, and operatively connected to the regeneration flow valve and the activation valve. The activation valve also includes a return valve part to control flow from the rod end to the fluid reservoir during rod extension. Both the activation valve and the return valve part are controllable by the controller independently from the regeneration flow valve. |
| US07913490B2 |
Hydraulic circuit for construction machine
A hydraulic circuit for a construction machine is disclosed, which can prevent an energy loss of a hydraulic system by automatically reducing revolution of an engine when a working device such as a boom is not driven. The hydraulic circuit includes first to third hydraulic pumps, first to third switching valves for controlling hydraulic fluid fed to working devices, a fourth switching valve for controlling hydraulic fluid fed to left and right traveling devices, a confluence switching valve for selectively supply the hydraulic fluid from the third hydraulic pump to either the working devices on the first hydraulic pump side or the working devices on the second hydraulic pump side, a signal line for traveling devices, signal lines for working devices, and a shuttle valve for selecting any one of the signal pressure formed in the signal line for the traveling devices and the signal pressure formed in the signal lines for the working devices. |
| US07913488B2 |
Internal combustion engine with secondary air injection system
A method for operating a diesel internal combustion engine having a compressed air source, a diesel particulate filter situated in the exhaust gas system, and a secondary air line and secondary air compressor for introducing secondary air into the exhaust gas system of the internal combustion engine, in which the compressed air source is used to drive the secondary air compressor. |
| US07913485B2 |
Dual mode propulsion system
A system or method of propelling a vehicle with a multimodal propulsion system is provided. This multimodal propulsion system includes a primary inlet, a high-pressure gas generator, a gas generator exhaust system, a secondary fluid inlet, and a propulsion exhaust system. The primary inlet receives an incoming fluid flow that is provided to the high-pressure gas generator. The high-pressure gas generator coupled to the primary inlet produces a high-pressure exhaust from the incoming fluid flow. The high-pressure gas generator exhaust and secondary inlet couple to the propulsive exhaust system which mixes the two flow streams. The secondary flow may be gaseous or liquid fluid flow such as air flow for airborne flight and water for waterborne operation. The mixed fluid flow is expelled by the propulsive exhaust system that can propel the vehicle. |
| US07913479B2 |
Two-pulley belt tensioning mechanism
A pulley/belt drive system attached to a mower deck has a belt tensioning mechanism for maintaining tension in an endless belt. The belt tensioning mechanism includes an idler arm pivotally mounted with respect to the mower deck such that the idler arm pivots about an idler arm pivot. A back-side idler pulley engaging a back-side portion of the belt and an inside idler pulley engaging an inside portion of the primary belt are rotatably mounted onto the idler arm. A belt tensioning device is attached to the idler arm to pivot the idler arm, wherein the back-side idler pulley and the inside idler pulley remain in a fixed orientation with respect to each other when the idler arm is pivoted. |
| US07913476B2 |
Wrapping device, detent mechanism for said wrapping device and method for operation thereof
A wrapping device 1 for packaging goods, specifically goods stacked on pallets or the like, with a tube-like film, with a film feeding device 4 with fusion and cutting systems to generate and feed a dome-like film cover within a device frame 6, where film feeding device 4 works in conjunction with a covering device 7 that moves vertically up and down within device frame 6, where covering device 7 is designed to grasp the film cover and place it to cover goods located in the lower segment of device frame 6, is characterized by having film feeding device 4 move vertically within device frame 6. This arrangement simplifies installation, maintenance and repairs, specifically to the film feeding device. |
| US07913475B2 |
Multi-stage end-to-end cytotoxin handling system
According to one embodiment, an integrated multi-stage end-to-end cytotoxin handling system includes a first stage for receiving a cytotoxin drug and for preparation of a dose of the cytotoxin drug; a second stage in selective communication with the first stage for further processing the prepared dose; and a third stage in selective communication with the second stage for further processing of the prepared dose. The third stage includes an automated apparatus for sealing the prepared dose in an enclosure. During the entire time from reception into the first stage for drug preparation thereof and to produce a cytotoxin dose to being scaled in the enclosure, the cytotoxin drug remains in a controlled, sealed environment. |
| US07913470B2 |
Insulating strip for supporting a composite structure
An insulating strip is configured to support two profiles or frames in a spaced relationship. The insulating strip includes a body extending in a longitudinal direction and has at least first and second longitudinal edges. The longitudinal edges are configured to be connected with the respective frames or profiles in a shear-resistant manner. Openings penetrate through one or more walls of the body and one or more struts separate the openings from each other in the longitudinal direction of the body. The body further comprises at least one attachment structure configured to retain a covering profile configured to cover the openings. The covering profile may be integral with the insulating strip body or may be a separate part. A composite structural unit comprises two frames supported in a spaced relationship by such an insulating strip. |
| US07913469B2 |
Concrete load-bearing wall with compound heat-insulating layer
A concrete load-bearing wall with compound heat-insulating layer includes wall body (1) and connecting beam (2). Two layers of prefabricated heat-insulating concrete wall bodies (11a, 11b) are set in the wall body (1) of external wall, said prefabricated heat-insulating concrete wall body (11a, 11b) is a concrete plate (5) whose external surface is covered with a heat-insulating material layer (4), every layer of the prefabricated heat-insulating concrete wall body is composed of several trough-type or L-shaped prefabricated heat-insulating concrete wall body units (13). A concrete wall body vertical rib (12) is cast in situ between two adjacent prefabricated heat-insulating concrete wall body units (13) in same layer and connects them into integrity. The upper and lower ends of the rib (12) connect together with the beam of the floor, and the external side of the connecting beam (2) is covered with the heat-insulating material layer (4). |
| US07913466B2 |
Panel structures and mounting therefore
A panel structure including a flexible panel, at least one edge strip and mounting hardware is provided. Also provided is a method of configuring the panel structure. The edge strip has at least one mounting member receiving area provided thereon. The mounting member receiving area is dimensioned to receive the mounting hardware therein. The mounting hardware cooperates with the edge strip to suspend and mount the flexible panel.When installed, the panel structure provides a canopy-like visual element to a space in which it is suspended or mounted. The panel structure may be suspended or mounted in various configurations having different degrees of flex or curvature. The panel structure can be installed easily and reconfigured easily to suit the user. |
| US07913461B2 |
Structural systems
A structural system for use in areas in which space is valuable. The structural system is a self-contained meeting center capable of transforming from a closed storage position into an open position for conducting a meeting. The structural system may be used for interior and exterior applications. The structural system may also include a mobile, micro-climate controlled chair system. |
| US07913454B2 |
Portable pet portal with three-position flap assembly
A pet portal flap assembly has interior and exterior frames between which moveable flaps are mounted in a swinging door, or in a patio door insert, or in an exterior wall, to permit both ingress and egress of a pet. A handle operated mechanism is provided for selectively vertically positioning the moveable flaps in an uppermost position to permit both ingress and egress of a pet, in a mid-position for only permitting ingress of a pet, and in a lowermost position in which bottom portions of the flaps are locked between the interior and exterior frames to prevent any movement of the flaps. |
| US07913453B2 |
Potato quality
Potato quality is improved by applying to the plant or to the locus of the plant a composition comprising (a) a compound capable of forming a chelate with iron or (b) a chelate of iron with a chelate-forming compound. Specific quality improvements include increasing the dry matter content, increasing the starch content and reducing the reducing sugar content. A preferred iron chelate is that of EDDHA, available commercially as SEQUESTRENE 138 Fe 100. |
| US07913449B2 |
Device for extending duration of volatile liquid lures
A liquid-lure dispenser that provides long-time uniform emission of an attractant that entices insects or other organisms into a trap, consists of a wick that absorbs the liquid lure from its container and gradually emits the lure to the atmosphere from the exposed portion of the wick. The tubular container holds the desired quantity of lure and has an opening that holds the wick securely in place, with the lower part of the wick immersed in lure and the upper part exposed to air; lure-emission rate can be adjusted by area of wick exposed to air. An opening in the lure container permits lure to be added as needed and avoids an air-pressure drop in the lure container as lure is sucked up by the wick and volatilized. If desirable, insecticide or more than one lure may be released from a dispenser. |
| US07913445B2 |
Adjustable buoyancy fishing bobber system
An adjustable buoyancy fishing bobber system for efficiently increasing or decreasing the buoyancy of a bobber to match the particular combined weight of the fishing line, lure and bait being currently utilized. The adjustable buoyancy fishing bobber system generally includes a casing including a first portion and a second portion, wherein the first portion extends from the second portion, wherein the casing includes a chamber formed within the first portion and the second portion. Adjusting the first portion with respect to the second portion adjusts a volume of air within the casing. A vent including a channel extends from the casing, wherein the channel extends through vent and fluidly connects to the chamber of the casing to allow the air from within the chamber to escape or enter within the chamber during adjusting. |
| US07913444B2 |
Fishing lure with safety features
A fishing lure, generally the size and shape of a bait fish such as a minnow, is equipped with a safety feature, whereby the lure comprises a hook, preferably positioned on the under surface corresponding to the bait fish's belly, and a spring-biased shell, pivotally connected to the body and positioned such that the shell shields the hook completely when the shell is in a first position and the lure is out of the water, and exposes the hook when the shell is in a second position while the lure is in water, thereby permitting the lure to be used for fishing while preventing injuries from mishandling. |
| US07913442B2 |
Line guides for fishing rods
The present disclosure generally relates to a line guide for a fishing rod and that employs a system of roller assemblies within a frame, the roller assemblies configured to form a passageway for the fishing line to pass through. As an angler reels in a fish and the fishing line is in contact with one of the roller assemblies, the tension of the fishing line will cause a component of the roller assembly to rotate, thus greatly reducing any sliding friction between the fishing line and the line guide. The line guides can be a variety of sizes and the frames of the line guides can vary in shape and their mounting orientation relative to the fishing rod. |
| US07913441B1 |
Scope mount
An electro-optical device includes a mount assembly that reduces shock imparted to internal electro-optical components. |
| US07913440B2 |
Telescopic sight
A telescopic sight includes at least one main tube and a reticule with a reticule adjusting device arranged on the main tube for adjusting the reticule and an optical focusing means with a focus adjusting device arranged on the main tube for focusing the optical focusing means, characterised in that the reticule adjusting device and the focus adjusting device are arranged in the form of an integrated adjusting device, preferably in the form of an integrated adjusting turret, jointly on the main tube. |
| US07913438B2 |
Method for arranging and storing an in-progress page and article thereof
A method and an article for arranging and storing a page or presentation that is in progress comprising the steps of placing at least one page on a magnetic substrate, wherein the magnetic substrate is sized to receive the at least one page; arranging at least one page-element onto the at least one page; and placing at least one magnet onto the at least one page-element to hold the at least one element in place. An additional aspect of the embodiment comprises the step of covering the at least one page that is in progress. Yet another aspect of the embodiment comprises the step of storing the magnetic substrate with the at least one page and at least one page-element until the at least one page is completed at a later time. |
| US07913435B1 |
Vehicle display bracket system
A vehicle display bracket system for mounting and displaying three-dimensional ornamental objects on the back or front of a comprising at least one and preferably a plurality of three-dimensional ornamental designs having an exterior threaded post for facilitating mounting to a bracket system comprising a bottom support plate, top plate rotatably mounted to the bottom support plate, rod, mounting aperture defined by the top plate for mounting any of the various ornamental attachments a plurality of gear teeth and grooves for fixing the top plate at a desired angle relative to the support plate. |
| US07913431B1 |
Ground clearing apparatus
A ground clearing apparatus comprising a box member comprised of a framework having an upper edge, first and second side edges, and a lower edge. A plurality of base teeth protrude downwardly from the lower edge. The apparatus further comprises a grapple including a first grapple arm hingeably attached to the box member, a second grapple arm hingeably attached to the box member, and a cross member joined to a distal ends of the first and second grapple arms. A plurality of grapple teeth extend outwardly from the cross member. The grapple is movable from a closed position in which the grapple teeth are interspersed with the base teeth, to an open position in which the grapple teeth are separated from the base teeth. |
| US07913429B1 |
Orthotic wedge system
A system of constructing a pair of devices to provide lateral or medial corrections of a desired degree includes a right foot orthotic shell (20R) and a left foot orthotic shell (20L). A first angled wedge (40A) is connectable to the right shell (20R) and a second angled wedge (40B) is connectable to the left shell (20L) to provide lateral correction. The second wedge (40B) is connectable to the right shell (20R) and the first wedge (40A) is connectable to the left shell (20L) to provide medial correction. A plurality of pairs of wedges (40) can be provided with each pair providing a different angle of correction. |
| US07913428B2 |
Electromagnetic fitness shoes with a conductor structure
The present invention provides electromagnetic fitness shoes with a conductor structure and an insole. The shoes include a vamp, an inner space, a heel portion and a sole. The sole includes a big sole body, a middle sole and an insole. The insole is provided with conducting members, and the conductor structure electrically connects to a conducting member. The conducting member includes a conductive terminal and electric wire. The conductive terminal fitted with an electric connecting portion. The conductive terminal is assembled into the interleaving space formed by the heel portion and arranged along the interleaving space. The electric connecting portion is exposed upwards, and the conducting member of insole is made of conductive fabrics. The robustness is improved, and the service life of the electromagnetic fitness shoes is prolonged with better comfort and applicability. |
| US07913423B2 |
Ergonomic insole
The present invention provides individual solutions to workplace fatigue and stress by determining the specific support needed for each individual. Specifically, the present invention defines and utilizes an ergonomic interaction factor to enable selection of a proper fitting shoe. Such selection occurs in one embodiment by dividing a person's weight by the contact area of the bottom of their feet. |
| US07913421B2 |
Footwear sole with ventilation induced by the Venturi effect
Sole for footwear with ventilation induced by the Venturi effect is the present invention. An insole is superimposed that includes a plurality of holes for the passage of air from the sole towards the interior of the shoe. The sole includes at least one inlet opening placed on the lateral frontal surface and at least one outlet opening placed on the back lateral surface. The inlet opening and outlet opening of an airflow channel are each provided respectively with a sliding shutter that reduces the incoming airflow and a sliding shutter that reduces the outgoing airflow and a plurality of air inlet holes made on the insole to make the air enter and exit in correspondence with the foot. |
| US07913420B2 |
Skateboard shoe with textured surface
Footwear having a textured surface. The footwear may have an upper, where at least a portion of the footwear upper has a textured surface. The textured surface may be formed, at least in part, by contoured structures. These contoured structures may define a group of alternating peaks and troughs extending in two orthogonal directions. The textured surface may optionally include apertures that will allow air to pass through the upper into the shoe, and allow moisture to expire from the inside of the shoe into the air. |
| US07913419B2 |
Non-tumble clothes dryer
A non-tumble dryer comprises a cabinet and a drawer configured to support an article to be dried and slidably mounted to the cabinet. An air supply system provides air to a drying chamber formed at least partially by one of the cabinet and the drawer for drying the article supported by the drawer. The non-tumble dryer can function as a pedestal whereby the top of the cabinet can be configured to support a laundry appliance in an elevated position. Alternatively, the cabinet can overlie one or more laundry appliances. |
| US07913418B2 |
Automatic clothes dryer
An automatic clothes dryer comprises a cabinet defining an interior space in which is rotatably mounted a drum that defines a drying chamber, a heater assembly having a heating element for heating air, and a motor for rotating the drum. A blower is mounted within the interior space and is fluidly coupled to the drying chamber for moving heated air through the drying chamber. A first temperature sensor is mounted upstream of the heating element. A second temperature sensor is mounted downstream of the blower. Outputs from the temperature sensors are utilized with one or more methods to determine the air flow characteristics through the dryer. |
| US07913417B2 |
System and method to control energy input to a material
A system and method of controlling energy that is input to a material substance, for the controlled removal of moisture from the material substance, is disclosed. A controlled air flow is blown onto the material substance at a specified air flow rate over at least one specified time period such that the material substance absorbs thermal energy from the controlled air flow via at least one outer surface of the material substance. The controlled air flow is of a specified humidity level at a specified temperature level. The material substance is also irradiated with microwave energy at a first specified power level for at least a first specified time duration such that the material substance absorbs at least a part of the microwave energy and converts the absorbed microwave energy to thermal energy within the material substance. As a result, moisture is removed from the material substance in a controlled manner. |
| US07913416B1 |
Portable hair dryer optimally having a dual heating source
A portable hair dryer optimally having a dual heating source. In a first embodiment, the heating source is gas utilizing a gas cartridge. In a second embodiment, the heating source is electricity utilizing a battery. In a third embodiment, the heating source is either gas, electricity, or both utilizing both a gas cartridge and a battery. |
| US07913415B2 |
Device for drying laundry by means of a current of air
The device for drying laundry 1 by means of a current of air comprises a drum 2 to accommodate the laundry 1 and a ducting system 4, 5, 6, to direct said current of air. The ducting system 4, 5, 6 has a section 4 arranged downstream of the drum 2, in which the current of air is directed downwards and in which is arranged a filter 8 to capture lint 9 from the current of air. A scraper 15 is assigned to the filter 8, in order to scrape off the lint 9. The receptacle 19, 20 has a handle 21 and two interlinked shell elements (19, 20) which can be separated from each other, and which define a storage volume to accommodate the scraped-off lint (9). According to the invention, lint 9 thus scraped off can be removed from the device and disposed of, without the user needing to come into direct contact with the lint 9. |
| US07913414B2 |
Nut plate grip gage
An apparatus comprises a housing, a clamping unit associated with the housing, a biasing system, and a length indicator. The clamping unit can be inserted through a hole in a structure into an interior of a nut that is positioned relative to a first surface of the structure. The clamping unit can engage the interior of the nut when a portion of the housing is positioned relative to a second surface of the structure. The first structure is substantially parallel to the second surface. The biasing system can bias the portion of the housing positioned relative to the second surface of the structure and the clamping unit towards each other, while the clamping unit is engaged with the interior of the nut. The length indicator can indicate a length of a bolt when the biasing system has biased the portion of the housing and the clamping unit towards each other. |
| US07913408B2 |
Chalk line device, hook therefor, and method
A chalk line hook is constructed and arranged to connect with an identical chalk line hook to provide a chalk line having a length of two chalk lines. The chalk line hook includes a connector portion, an anchor portion, and a lock portion. The connector portion is constructed and arranged to connect with a free end of the chalk line. The anchor portion is operatively joined with the connector portion for anchoring the hook. The lock portion is constructed and arranged to lockingly engage with a captured portion of the identical chalk line hook. |
| US07913407B1 |
Inclinometer
Embodiments of the invention provide an inclinometer that is compact, can be easily read with a vertical or horizontal line of sight, and/or readily convey a preferred range of incline angles for an operational sluice box. |
| US07913405B2 |
Target for use in measuring and surveying applications
One embodiment of the present invention concerns a target for use with a measuring instrument in distance measuring and surveying applications. The target includes a base element, at least one light reflecting area arranged at the base element, the at least one light reflecting area being arranged to reflect light beams being incident in an angular area of substantially 360° degrees in plane, and an identification unit arranged at the base element and being adapted to emit signals having predetermined characteristics, wherein the predetermined characteristics may be used to identify the target. |
| US07913399B2 |
Blade set for hair clipper
A blade set for hair clipper which has a lower fixed blade, an upper fixed blade, a movable blade assembly and a blade holder. The movable blade assembly is disposed in between the lower fixed blade and the upper fixed blade and is connected to a driving means driven by a driving unit in the hair clipper to reciprocate laterally relative to the lower fixed blade and the upper fixed blade in an operating condition. A third toothed front edge is provided at a front end of the movable blade assembly. A lower portion of the third toothed front edge cooperates with an upper portion of the first toothed front edge to define a first cutting surface. An upper portion of third toothed front edge cooperates with a lower portion of the second toothed front edge to define a second cutting surface. |
| US07913396B2 |
Adjustable cake cutter
An adjustable cake cutter includes an one-piece cutter body that allows adjustment of the cut size, and a bearing bar pivoted to the cutter body and turnable to the bottom side of the space defined within the cutter body to bear the cut piece of cake for enabling the user to carry the cut piece of cake to a dish directly with the adjustable cake cutter. |
| US07913395B1 |
Pipe cutter with fluid diverting means and method of use thereof
The invention as presently conceived discloses a plumbing pipe cutter with an integral means of directing away residual water after a pipe is cut. The device comprises a conventional, low profile pipe cutter that is commonly used to cut copper water supply lines. Other cutters designed for polyvinylchloride (PVC) or other types of piping can likewise be adapted. The apparatus is further comprised of a transparent shield around the entire perimeter of the cutter and extending onto either pipe. At one end of the shield, approximately 8-10 inches from the cutter, the transparent material is flexibly gathered and routed to a short section of PVC tubing. The distal end of the tubing has a hose connector onto which a standard hose would be attached. When the apparatus is fully installed, residual water in cut pipes is collected and directed away without harming the surrounding areas. |
| US07913394B2 |
Cable sheath splitter
The cable sheath splitter has an elongate body forming a lower portion handgrip and an upper portion tool structure. An end cap is rotatably attached to lower end of the handgrip. An elongate arcuate hand guard member extends from an edge of the end cap. A cutting blade is depth adjustable and extends laterally from the tool structure. A pair of rollers disposed in the tool structure outwardly extend from the structure on opposite sides of the blade. A pair of adjustable cable guide arms forms a claw that extends from the tool structure. The claw is rotatable and may also have at least two rotatably lockable positions. The claw when configured according to either of the rotatably lockable arm positions, guides the cable along a path that contacts the blade to cut the cable sheath. |
| US07913389B2 |
Method of making a flapper valve assembly
A flapper valve assembly and a method of making the same. The flapper valve assembly is mountable to a manifold as a unit. The flapper valve assembly can include bearings that do not require assembly on a shaft of the flapper valve. More particularly, the flapper valve can include a shaft having one or more flap portions and one or more bearing portions molded in place on the shaft as a unitary structure. The bearing portions are separated from adjacent flap portions and/or the shaft thereby forming a bearing that rotates independently of flap portions on the shaft. The flapper valve is mounted to a flapper valve carrier that can include sealing members for facilitating a tight seal between the flapper valve and the carrier and/or the carrier and a manifold. |
| US07913383B1 |
Manufacture of waterproof wire connectors
A method of manufacturing gel containing wire connectors with a silicone gel that remains in an unseparated state wherein the temperature of the gel precursors are elevated before being mixed and dispensed into the cavity of a wire connector where the mixed gel precursors are allowed to cool and cure without the necessity of additional heating of either the mixed gel precursors or the wire connector. |
| US07913382B2 |
Patterned printing plates and processes for printing electrical elements
Printing plates, printing system and method for printing electrical circuits. According to embodiments of the invention, patterned layers of conductive, insulating, semi-conductive materials, and other materials can be additively print deposited on a substrate to form electrical circuits. The electrical circuits so formed of single or multiple printed layers can comprise or compose transistor devices, including thin film transistors, multiple transistor circuits or assemblies, or other electrical devices, for example batteries, sensors, displays, memory arrays, and the like. The invention further provides a patterned printing plate imaged by a photolithography and etch process, and a printing system and methods using the patterned plate by which such high resolution, precise registration electrical circuits and circuit devices can be produced. |
| US07913381B2 |
Metal substrate having electronic devices formed thereon
A method of forming an electronic device (70) on a metal substrate (10) deposits a first seed layer (40) of a first metal on at least one master surface (30) with a roughness less than 400 nm. A supporting metal layer (60) is bonded to the first seed layer (40) to form the metal substrate (10). The metal substrate (10) is removed from the master surface (30), and at least one electronic device (70) is formed on the seed layer (40) of the metal substrate (10). |
| US07913379B2 |
Tool assembly for extracting and installing dual in-line memory module cardlets
A tool assembly for engaging and disengaging a cardlet housing electronic components from a computer environment. The cardlet, in a preferred embodiment is a dual in-line memory module (DIMM) cardlet. The tool comprises a carrier having a handle on one end and a plurality of retention features and engaging members on an opposing side. The carrier release mechanism is secured to the carrier and the engaging members such that activating the carrier release mechanism moves the engaging members from a first to a second position such that engagement and disengagement of the carrier and said cardlet housing electronic components can be achieved. In addition, a removable latch release member is also secured to the carrier, the release member having a durable tip for engaging and disengaging latches on the computer cardlet without damaging the cardlet or its surrounding sensitive components. |
| US07913368B2 |
Method of manufacturing chip capacitor including ceramic/polymer composite
A method of manufacturing a chip capacitor according to an aspect may include: preparing a capacitor lamination including a dielectric sheet formed of a composite having ceramic powder and a polymer mixed with each other, and first and second internal electrodes formed on both surfaces of the dielectric sheet at predetermined intervals; forming covering layers formed of an insulating material on both surfaces of the capacitor lamination; forming a first opening and a second opening in the capacitor lamination having the covering layers formed thereon to expose the first and second internal electrodes, respectively; forming plating layers in the first and second openings, the plating layers connected to the first and second internal electrodes; and dicing the capacitor lamination into chips on the basis of the first and second openings so that the plating layers formed in the first and second openings are provided as first and second external terminals. |
| US07913361B2 |
Door handle device
There is disposed a damper 7, which provides a resistance to a retracting movement of a piston 71. A door opening lever 2 has a pressing part 2c formed with a cam surface, which is configured so as to have a distance from a swingable shaft 2a gradually increasing toward a cam end 2e. The damper 7 is configured so that a piston rod 72 is fixed to a depth end of a housing 9, that a gap 9c is formed between an outer wall of the cylinder 70 and an inner wall of the housing 9, and that the cylinder 70 has a depth end 70a constantly brought into press-contact with the cam surface 2d of the door opening lever 2 under a biasing action. When the door opening lever 2 is not subjected to pulling operation, a portion of the cam surface 2d close to the cam end 2e is brought into press-contact with the depth end 70a of the cylinder 70 to retract the piston 71 into the cylinder 70 at the maximum. |
| US07913359B2 |
Automatically opening hinge assembly for portable electronic devices
A hinge assembly (100) includes a shaft (13), a cam (14), a follower (15), a first spring (12), a control member (17), a second spring (16), and a fixing seat (18). The shaft defines a thread (1311). The cam has a cam surface (146), a cam hole (141) and an inner circumferential surface. The inner circumferential surface includes a protrusion (142) configured engaged the thread of the shaft. The control member has at least one reverse slot (173). The circumferential surface includes at least one block (184). The at least one block is received in the at least one reverse slot of the control member so as to lock the control member into the fixing seat. The hinge assembly allows for the automatic opening and closing of the device to which the hinge assembly is incorporated. |
| US07913358B2 |
Hinge assembly for foldable electronic device
A hinge assembly (100) for a foldable electronic device (200) includes a shaft (40), a first follower (33) attached on one end of the shaft, a first cam (34) rotatably attached on the shaft, a resilient member (50) having one end abutting the first cam, a second cam (63) rotatably attached on the shaft and abutting the other end of the resilient member, a second follower (62) attached on the shaft, and a button (70) attached on the other end of the shaft and abutting the second follower. The first follower is rotating with the shaft and has a first follower surface (332). The first cam has a first cam surface (342) engaging with the first follower surface. The second cam has a second cam surface (632). The second follower has a second follower surface (624) engaging with the second cam surface. |
| US07913354B2 |
Automobile door checker
An automobile door checker includes a case secured to a door, a check plate that runs movably through the case and is pivotably supported on a body, a detent member fitted into and retained by the case and working in cooperation with a detent face of the check plate, and a resilient member that is made of a resilient material and is provided in a compressed state in a housing chamber defined between an outer end face of the detent member and an inner end face of the case, wherein the resilient member is formed so that it substantially fills the housing chamber, the resilient member is provided with a hole portion that allows resilient deformation of the resilient member, the hole portion being sealed by the outer end face and the inner end face, and a half of the resilient member on the outer end face side and a half on the inner end face side are symmetrical. In this way, even if some rainwater that has infiltrated into the housing chamber of the case housing the resilient member freezes, it is possible to prevent the resilient deformation characteristics of the resilient member from changing, and it is also possible to avoid misassembly of the resilient member. |
| US07913351B2 |
Cleaning apparatus and cleaning method
A cleaning apparatus which can efficiently and satisfactorily clean component parts facing narrow spaces. A mixture of a substance in gaseous form and the same substance in liquid form or solid form as the former is jetted out from a jet pipe toward deposits attached to a structural object. The jetted mixture and the deposits to which the mixture has been jetted are sucked into a suction pipe. |
| US07913348B2 |
Paint brush with increased ferrule paint reservoir
A paint brush includes a sleeve circumscribing a portion of a handle and a portion of a plurality of bristles. A plug can be coupled to the handle. The plug can extend away from the handle into the plurality of bristles to form a space between the bristles. The plug can have a concave end that faces the space between the bristles. The concave end and the space together can form a paint reservoir within the plurality of bristles. |
| US07913347B2 |
Rotational toothbrush
A toothbrush which head can be rotated to form different angle with the handle. This action of rotation can be done while brushing the teeth, once the handle leaves out the slot at the head, the handle can be moved to another slot, the angle of the head and the handle is changed from 180 degree to 90 degree and then from 90 to 180 degree again. The handle also can be free rotated without fixing to the slot at the head. A T-shape shaft is inserted between two covers at the head of the toothbrush, a connector is connected between the T-shape shaft and the handle of the toothbrush, so that the head and handle can be rotated freely. |
| US07913346B2 |
Substrate treatment apparatus and substrate treatment method
A substrate treatment apparatus includes a substrate holding mechanism which holds a substrate, a scrub brush for scrubbing a surface of the substrate held by the substrate holding mechanism to remove foreign matter from the substrate surface, a treatment liquid supplying mechanism which supplies an alkaline treatment liquid to the substrate surface when the substrate is scrubbed with the scrub brush, and an alkaline fluid supplying mechanism which supplies an alkaline fluid to a surface of the scrub brush in a standby period during which no substrate is scrubbed with the scrub brush. |
| US07913343B1 |
Counterbalance mechanism for fold out ramp
A ramp assembly includes a ramp portion configured for reciprocating motion between a stowed position, a deployed position, and a neutral position. A counterbalance comprises a shaft and a crank fixedly coupled to the shaft. A rod is rotatably coupled to the crank with an end fitting, and an end stop is slidably coupled to the rod. A compression spring is disposed between the end fitting and the end stop, wherein the compression spring provides a force to bias the ramp portion toward the stowed position when the ramp portion is between the deployed position and the neutral position, and toward the deployed position when the ramp portion is between the stowed position and the neutral position. |
| US07913338B2 |
Inflatable pad
A pad (10) of interleaving linear cells (2) has loop straps (1) to hold the central section of the cells (2) linearly in parallel with the cell axis (11), whilst the opposite ends (3) of each cell (2) are secured a pre-determined distance (4) off-set from the cell axis (11). The distance (4) can vary along the length of the pad. By fixing of the ends (3) of the cells (2) at a distance (4) away from the cell axis, each end (3) of the cell (2) is pulled away from the centre axis of the cell, the loop straps (1) and the cell (2) become tensioned, preventing the central cell section from moving or rotating. The resulting cell has been seen to dramatically reduce the movement of a user along the pad with improved user comfort and enhanced pressure relief. |
| US07913333B2 |
Mattress hugging bed rail
A bed rail structured to minimize the gap between the mattress and the bed rail and including a leg portion and a rail portion. The rail portion extends upwardly on a first side of the mattress to extend beyond the sleeping surface of the mattress and prevent a person from rolling out of bed. The leg portion is sandwiched between the mattress and the box spring and extends toward a second side of the mattress. In one embodiment, the leg portion includes a distal end that is engaged to the second side of at least one of the mattress and box spring such that the distal end and rail portion hug the mattress. In another embodiment, the bed rail includes a relatively rigid cover depending from an upper portion of the rail portion to the sleeping surface so as to cover a gap that may exist between the first side of the mattress and the rail portion. In still another embodiment, the rail portion is set at an acute angle relative to the leg portion so as to tend to close off any gap between the first side of the mattress and the rail portion. In another embodiment, the wall of the rail portion may include tubing and the rail portion may be drawn against the bed with a strap extending about the periphery of the bed. |
| US07913332B1 |
Drawn air bed ventilator
A ventilator system for a bed that withdraws air from under the bedding covers to provide fresh airflow along a sleeper's body is disclosed. The bed ventilator system includes an air removal extraction device at one end of a single bed, or along the lower-half sides of a shared bed, between the bottom sheet and the bed covers at the mattress top surface. A conduit directs withdrawn air from the extraction device to a vacuum generating system that provides negative air pressure as a motive force to withdraw air. The system provides air flow in the natural hair follicle direction, relieving bed occupants from both temperature and bodily odor distractions. |
| US07913331B2 |
Integrated domestic utility system
An integrated domestic utility system is used to recycle grey water in a domestic house as a means to divert treated potable water away from non-potable uses, and in particular, toilet flushing. The system comprises a rainwater tank for storing rainwater collected from a roof top and a grey water tank to store grey water collected from a shower or bathtub. The rainwater is used to augment the grey water supply through a self regulating valve. Domestic water can also be used to replenish the grey water tank. A demand amount of grey water is pumped from the storage tank to at least one toilet tank. The system is controlled by a controller using pressure sensors and temperature sensors. The invention may include a solar heating circuit coupled to a domestic water heater. In one example of the invention, the system stores grey water in a bathtub and supplies it to toilet tank. |
| US07913325B2 |
Bicycle helmet with reinforcement structure
A bicycle helmet has a body with a concave inner surface configured to permit the helmet to fit a user's head. The body has a first section with a first density and a second section with a second density different from the first density. A reinforcement structure is disposed in the body, wherein the reinforcement structure engages the first and second portions of the body. |
| US07913324B2 |
Headpiece
A headpiece having a first section and a second section separated along a fold-line. The sections have a decorative design printed thereon and are cut from a piece of material such that a top edge and bottom edge have the shape of the decorative design. The first section has a tab extending from the top edge that is received within a slit on the second section. A strap extends outwardly from the side edge of the second section and has at least one slit that receives a tab that extends outwardly from the side edge of the first section. |
| US07913321B2 |
Child carrier cover
A garment for covering a user and a child supported in a child carrier that has a layer of material with a first opening in the layer constructed and arranged to accommodate the head of the user. The garment also has a second opening in the layer constructed and arranged to accommodate the head of the child. The garment is constructed and arranged to be worn by the user to protect the user and the child from the elements. |
| US07913317B2 |
Wet/dry suit with knitted wool layers
A suit for use to be worn by a person when immersed in water or in contact with water and may be provided, for example, as a wetsuit construction or a dry suit construction. The suit includes an outer layer typically of a rubber foam construction and in accordance with the invention there is provided on the inner side of said layer, at least one portion of the suit, a layer of wool (8) or wool blended with other material. This inner wool (8) containing layer typically lies in contact with the wearer. In one embodiment the wool used is that obtained from Merino sheep which is found to be particularly well suited. |