| Document | Document Title |
|---|---|
| US08047230B2 |
System for the chemical/physical treatment of a fluid
System for the chemical/physical treatment of a fluid in which a distributor valve has been installed for the feed/discharge of fluid to/from various reactors. The distributor valve consists of a plate valve with stationary plate and rotary plate. A cylindrical body provided with a number of axial bores that change into radial bores and emerge in the wall of a stationary housing adjoins the rotary plate and rotates therewith. A number of inlets/outlets located one after the other viewed in the axial direction are provided on the stationary housing. According to the invention the various radial bores in the cylindrical body are provided with a fluid via axial bores, based on a single valve plate. |
| US08047226B2 |
Pressure relief valves and pneumatic control systems
A pressure relief valve includes a lever plate, a first spring, a fitting, and a guide assembly. The fitting has a first side, a second side, and a flange having a rounded end and includes a surface with which a first end of the first spring contacts. The guide assembly has two sides, two concavities, and at least a portion of the guide assembly extends through the opening of the lever plate, the first concavity is formed on the first side of the guide assembly and contacts the fitting flange rounded end, and the second concavity is aligned coaxially with the first concavity. A rounded end of a rod of the diaphragm assembly contacts the second concavity. The second spring is adapted to supply a second force against the diaphragm assembly to move the lever plate in a second direction that is substantially opposite the first direction. |
| US08047223B2 |
Gauge assembly having a stop fill device
A gauge assembly includes an indicator for providing an indication of an amount of fluid in a tank and a stop-fill assembly for stopping the flow of fluid flowing into the tank once the fluid reaches a particular level. The gauge assembly has a shaft that rotates as the fluid level changes in the tank. The indicator translates the rotational position of the shaft into a fluid level. The stop-fill assembly moves from an open position, where fluid can flow into the tank, to a closed position, where fluid is prohibited from flowing into the tank, depending on the rotational position of the shaft. |
| US08047222B2 |
Air valve for an air driven reciprocating device
An air operated double diaphragm includes an air valve, air chambers, a center section between the air chambers, pump chambers and diaphragms between the air and pump chambers harnessed together with a piston rod. The air valve includes a statically dissipative body having a bore therein with a statically insulative liner in the bore. The statically insulative liner is fully enclosed within the statically dissipative body. A valve element is slidably positioned in the liner. The liner includes annular tenons to mate with annular mortises in the statically dissipative body and an end cap is used to close the valve cylinder. |
| US08047217B1 |
Anchorable umbrella apparatus
The anchorable umbrella apparatus has a pole having a first section slideably and removably fitted within the second section, a receiver with cam lock disposed atop the first section, an object fitted atop the first section, a pointed tip disposed downwardly on the second section, a visual guide disposed downwardly on the second section, a collar slideably fitted around the pole second section, a plurality of equally spaced apart butterfly bolts radialy and threadably inserted through the collar, a Y end disposed outwardly on each butterfly bolt, a tarp comprising a reinforcement disposed centrally within the tarp, an opening disposed within the reinforcement, and a plurality of spaced apart grommets disposed outwardly within the tarp, each grommet selectively engaged with one of each of the Y ends of one of each of the butterfly bolts. |
| US08047213B2 |
Cosmetic coating implement and cosmetic coating set
A cosmetic coating implement which is used to apply a cosmetic material such as mascara or the like as a coating, comprising a coating part in which brush bristles are disposed on a shaft member, and a holding part which is held in order to use the coating implement and which is connected to the shaft member. In this cosmetic coating implement, the brush bristles disposed on the shaft member have two or more protruding parts comprising curved surfaces with respect to the direction of length of the shaft such as parts with a spherical or elliptical shape, and these protruding parts are symmetrically disposed with the shaft member as an axis. |
| US08047208B2 |
Double action filter assembly wheel with flipping wheel
The present invention relates to a method and apparatus for forming two filters in a two-up configuration. The apparatus includes a feed wheel 18, an assembly wheel 20, a take-off wheel 22, and a flipping wheel 24. According to the method of the invention, tubes 10 are loaded from the feed wheel 18 to the assembly wheel 20 where one hollow end of the tubes is filled. The half-filled tubes 10′ are then transferred to take-off wheel 22 and then to a flipping wheel 24 where the tubes are flipped. The half-filled and flipped tubes 10″ are returned to vacant positions on the feed wheel and transferred back to the assembly wheel so that the remaining hollow ends can be filled. The filled tube 10′″ is transferred to a take-off wheel 22, where it is then removed from the take off wheel 22 using a stripper and/or additional wheels for further processing. |
| US08047207B2 |
Orifice insertion devices and methods
Methods and devices for sealing an orifice are provided. A sealing element is inserted into an orifice. A fluid is transferred into the sealing element. Fluid transfer into the sealing element is restricted when a pressure in the sealing element is greater than a threshold value. |
| US08047203B2 |
Unit dose dry powder inhaler
A unit dose dry powder inhaler has a dispersion chamber, optionally including one or more beads. A blister is supported adjacent to the dispersion chamber. A mouthpiece cover is removable from a mouthpiece, with movement of the mouthpiece cover causing the blister to open. An air flow path extends past or under the blister and into the dispersion chamber. As a result, the blister remains sealed until the inhaler is ready for use. The blister is then automatically opened when the mouthpiece cover is removed from the mouthpiece. Pharmaceutical dry powder is released from the blister and entrained in air flow through the inhaler, when the user inhales on the mouthpiece. The powder is dispersed in air within the dispersion chamber. |
| US08047196B1 |
Portable grill system
A flexible metallic sheet has a lower edge, parallel side edges and an upper edge. The sheet has spaced long notches. A plurality of rods is provided. Each rod has an interior end with a tab. Each tab is formed with an aperture. Each rod has an exterior end. A primary cap has a circular bottom, a cylindrical side wall and a recess. A ring is provided within the recess. The ring pivotally supports the apertures. |
| US08047191B2 |
Mechanical drive assist for active feed paintball loader
An active feed paintball loader for supplying paintballs to a paintball marker. The loader includes a container for storing a plurality of paintballs. An outfeed tube on the container is connected to an inlet tube on the marker. The loader further includes a drive shaft, a feeder rotatably disposed in the container for feeding paintballs into the outfeed tube, and a drive spring having first and second ends. The first end is engaged to the feeder to provide a driving force to rotate the feeder within the container. The second end is coupled to the drive shaft. The drive shaft operates to wind the drive spring to maintain sufficient tension on the drive spring to maintain a paintball stack in the outfeed tube. The loader further includes a mechanical drive handle accessible externally of the loader and connected to the drive shaft to manually wind the drive spring. |
| US08047190B2 |
Paintball loader
A paintball loader which feeds paintballs to a paintball marker has a rotor body and a drive motor for rotating the rotor body. The paintball loader can include a latch member for selectively securing an upper shell member to a lower shell member. The paintball loader can include a ramp member inside the upper and lower shell members. The ramp member moves between a first or flattened position and a second or raised position to facilitate operation of the loader. The components of the loader are designed so that assembly/disassembly is performed with few, if any, tools to facilitate cleaning and/or maintenance. |
| US08047189B2 |
Limb mounting system
An apparatus and method for reducing stress in a bow limb of an archery bow connected to a handle/riser of the bow by allowing a butt end of the bow limb connected to a forward end of the handle/riser by a limb bolt to flex forwardly when the bow is drawn and/or allowing the bow to flex rearwardly at the rearward end of the handle/riser when the bow is drawn. |
| US08047177B2 |
Cylinder head having an integrally formed port-exhaust manifold assembly
A cylinder head having a plurality of integrally formed port-exhaust manifold assemblies therein, wherein the port-exhaust manifold assembly is integrally formed in the cylinder head by extending a plurality of exhaust port of an engine to function as an exhaust manifold and the plurality of the port-exhaust manifold assemblies is arranged in a triangle when each center portion of outlet portions thereof are connected. |
| US08047176B2 |
Balancer apparatus for an engine
In a balancer apparatus of an engine having an oil pump, a space on a chain side and a space on an oil strainer side are partitioned by a projecting portion projecting in a direction which perpendicularly crosses balancer shafts in a balancer housing formed on an oil pump housing. An oil strainer is attached to a side wall on the anti-chain side of the projecting portion, and a chain tensioner for applying tension to a chain is arranged in the space on the chain side formed by enlarging the attaching surface of the oil pan outwardly so as to enclose the projecting portion. Thus oil which has been stirred by the chain and in which air has been mixed is prevented from being sucked into the oil strainer. |
| US08047175B2 |
In-line four cylinder engine for vehicle and vehicle provided with the engine
A two-plane type crankshaft is provided. The weight of crank webs for the respective cylinders is divided between left and right half webs and balance ratios kL and kR of the half webs for the respective cylinders are set so as to be (kL−0.25)·(0.25−kR)≅DR/DL to form a track of a vector of a primary inertial couple into a substantial circle. A primary balancer offsets the primary inertia couple. |
| US08047168B2 |
Continuously variable valve lift system for engine
A continuously variable valve lift system for an engine may include a driving cam fixed to a camshaft, a control shaft disposed in parallel to the camshaft with a predetermined distance, an upper rocker arm, one end of which is rotatably coupled to the control shaft and the other end of which is slidably contacted to and rotated by the driving cam, lower rocker arm that is selectively pushed by the upper rocker arm and selectively pushes a valve, rocker arm follower slidably coupled to the lower rocker arm and contacting the upper rocker arm, wherein the rocker arm follower transmits an operational force of the upper rocker arm to the lower rocker arm, and a variable mechanism that changes contact point of the rocker arm follower and the upper rocker arm according to rotation of the control shaft. |
| US08047167B2 |
Multi-cylinder internal combustion engine
In a multi-cylinder internal combustion engine, a hydraulic valve rest mechanism is mounted on a valve operating device, which performs open-close driving of an engine valve which is arranged in a cylinder head of an engine body having a plurality of cylinders in an openable-and-closable manner. The hydraulic valve rest mechanism is operated with an oil pressure that is controlled by a hydraulic control device so as to close and rest engine valves of a plurality of cylinders for bringing the cylinders into a rest state Therefore, the miniaturization of the multi-cylinder internal combustion engine along an axis of a crankshaft and can shorten a length of an oil passage which connects a hydraulic valve rest mechanism and a hydraulic control device. A hydraulic control device is arranged on an engine body directly above a portion thereof corresponding to a cylinder that is expected to assume a cylinder rest state. |
| US08047165B2 |
Medium circulating apparatus for improving startability and warm up ability
A medium circulating apparatus of engine oil, which improves startability and warm up ability of an internal combustion engine, includes a microbubble generator that generates microbubbles and mixes the microbubbles into the circulating engine oil. Further, the medium circulating apparatus includes a medium temperature acquiring unit that acquires a temperature of the engine oil. The microbubbles are generated by the microbubble generator when the temperature of the engine oil is less than or equal to a predetermined value in order to decrease a viscosity, a heat conductivity, and a heat capacity of the engine oil in which the microbubbles are mixed. |
| US08047163B2 |
Gas water heater with harmful gas monitoring and warning functions and the method of monitoring and warning
A gas water heater with a warning function, the gas water heater being disposed in a facility and comprising: a gas water heater main body including a controller having a warning cell; and a gas detecting unit separate from the main body and disposed at an indoor monitoring point of the facility, the gas detecting unit having a gas sensor and being in communication with the controller. |
| US08047162B2 |
Black plant steam furnace injection
A system and method for quickly cooling and de-pressurizing a boiler arrangement in the event of a plant power loss, a.k.a. a black plant condition. A steam discharge system injects steam from the steam/water circuit into the furnace, thereby both cooling components of the boiler arrangement and reducing pressure in the steam/water circuit. This reduces or eliminates the additional cost associated with providing extra capacity in a steam drum and/or an independently powered boiler water pump. The system and method is particularly useful for quickly cooling the U-beams of a circulating fluidized bed (CFB) boiler during a black plant condition. In application to boiler arrangements with a selective non-catalytic reduction (SNCR) system employing steam as a carrier for a NOx reducing agent, the steam discharge system advantageously uses the discharge nozzles of the SNCR system to inject the steam into the furnace. |
| US08047159B2 |
Portable pet bowl
A pet bowl includes a unitary housing having a front portion and a rear portion. The housing defines an internal chamber having a bottom wall upon which the housing sits in a first/dispensing orientation and a rear wall upon which the housing sits in a second/storage orientation. The housing also includes a first receptacle formed at the rear portion and a second receptacle formed at the front portion. A fluid flow port defined in the housing provides fluid communication between the internal chamber and the second receptacle. A handle is formed by a sidewall of the second receptacle defining a first lip, and a groove in the bottom wall defining a second lip. The housing may further include a transition wall angled from the bottom wall and rear wall, the housing configured to sit on the transition wall in a third/draining orientation. |
| US08047154B1 |
System for changing the attitude of linear underwater sensor arrays via neutrally buoyant fluid transfer
The attitude of a submerged array of sensing elements can be changed using a fixed quantity of transferable ballast fluid having density different than water. In one embodiment, a non-rigid array of sensor elements is equipped with two expandable reservoirs connected between a flexible conduit which allows the ballast fluid to be transferred back and forth. Pumping fluid between the two reservoirs causes one reservoir to expand while the other contracts. Due to the density difference between the pumped fluid and water, the difference in volume between the two expandable reservoirs causes a shift in the center of buoyancy of the array system. The center of buoyancy in this way becomes offset from the center of gravity of the array system, causing a shift in the attitude of the array. The array can be trimmed, using positively or negatively buoyant static elements, to achieve a specific orientation for given volume ratios between the two expandable reservoirs, and so by controlling the volume ratio, multiple orientations can be selected. |
| US08047153B2 |
Solar powered kayak outrigger
An outrigger for attachment to a host vessel, including: a flotation pod; a frame connected to the pod and connectable to the host vessel; at least one solar cell mounted on the frame; a battery connected to the at least one cell; and an electric motor mounted on the frame and connected to the battery. |
| US08047146B2 |
Subsurface soil injection apparatus and method
A method for the subsurface application of fertilizers, biologicals, fumigants, non-fumigant pesticides or other chemicals to soil with reduced application rates. Discrete amounts of the materials are injected into the soil at numerous sites along a path during a pass through the soil. At the injection sites, the materials form diffusion patterns which may touch or overlapping with diffusion patterns of adjacent soil injections. The application of materials to soil in this manner maintains optimum efficacy with the use of the least amount of materials necessary per acre of soil. |
| US08047138B2 |
Self-regulating magneto-dynamic system for high speed ground transportation vehicle
A self-regulating magneto-dynamic system, utilizing steel core rails and permanent magnets as sources of magnetic field, provided for magnetic levitation, stabilization and propulsion in a high speed ground transportation vehicle moving with high speed without friction along a track having a predetermined trajectory, comprising of a self-regulating magneto-dynamic levitation and stabilizing system (MDLSS) provided for magnetic levitation and stabilization of the vehicle, and a permanent magnet linear synchronous motor (PMLSM) provided for stable propulsion of the vehicle. Both systems are situated on the same vehicle, interacting with each other only through electro-magnetic process, working synchronously, supporting each other's stability and self-regulation, where the stability of the MDLSS affects the functionality of the PMLSM, and the precise work of the PMLSM allows for more optimum design of the MDLSS. |
| US08047136B2 |
Projectile for simulating multiple ballistic impacts
A projectile is provided for simulating multiple sequential ballistic impacts. The projectile has a plurality of relatively dense loading layers spaced along the firing direction of the projectile. Each pair of nearest-neighbor loading layers is separated by a less dense support element which maintains the spacing of the loading layers. The projectile may be suitable for simulating bird slurry impacts on stator vanes of an aero gas turbine engine. |
| US08047135B1 |
Counter-mine dart
Some embodiments of the invention provide a dart that contains an HE payload, two time-delay fuses, one providing a relatively longer delay and the other providing a relatively shorter delay and two triggering mechanisms for triggering the fuses. The first triggering mechanism, which triggers on contact with a mine lid, triggers the relatively shorter time-delay fuse. The second mechanism, which triggers on overburdening exposure to water, sand, or soil, triggers the relatively longer time-delay fuse. |
| US08047130B2 |
Opposing paired peeling cups for fruit juice extraction devices, and said devices comprising said cups
One embodiment of the present invention comprises a pair of intermeshable fruit juice extraction peeler cups (100, 150) comprising respective blades (106, 156) that are arranged so as to intermesh to peel and extract juice from a fruit introduced into a space 107 there between during an extraction stroke. Considering one peeler cup (150), its blades' distal ends 158 collectively define a shape referred to as a Mendesaddle shape (160). The Mendesaddle shape (160) comprises a top opening (164) and a bottom opening (166) extending toward a rearward end (154) of the peeler cup (150). A fruit enters the space (107) through an open area (139) that comprises top opening (164) and a corresponding top opening (114) of the mated peeler cup (100). Also, considering the bottom openings (166, 116), a juice-extracted fruit core may drop through an open area (141) provided by these, wherein, nonetheless, the size of the open area (141) (and also of each of the bottom openings 166 and 116) is effective to retain the whole fruit upon entry of the whole fruit into the space 107. Various features of the invention provide for more reliability and fewer misfeeds of fruit. |
| US08047125B2 |
Coffee maker equipped with a steam nozzle
The inventive coffee machine is provided with a housing (2) including a coffee output (9, 10), a steam generator and a steam output nozzle (20) which is movable with respect to the housing and is provided with a free end (22) immersible into a cup. The free end is introducible into a space under the coffee output (9, 10) and is translationally displaceable between an elevated position in which the free end (22) is placed at least substantially at the level of the coffee output (9, 10) and a lower position in which the free end (22) is immersible into a cup which is positioned in such a way that it receives espresso coffee. |
| US08047121B2 |
Working machine, and quick load-dropping method
A tank 16 and a main hydraulic pump 17 are connected to head side actuator chambers 13 and rod side actuator chambers 14 of hydraulic actuators 12 via conduits 21, 22. A direction control valve 18 and a quick drop valve 36 are connected to the conduits 21, 22. A hydraulic circuit is provided with an electromagnetic switch valve 42, which switches the quick drop valve 36 from a non-quick drop position 37 to a quick drop position 38. When switching the direction control valve 18 from a neutral position 23 to a lowering operation position 25, if the manipulation speed of a manipulation lever 33 exceeds a criteria speed, an excitation signal is output from a control device 32 to an electromagnetic switch valve 42 to quickly drop a blade 11, and the quick drop valve 36 is switched from the non-quick drop position 37 to the quick drop position 38. |
| US08047120B2 |
Hydraulic piston pump with a balance valve
In a hydraulic piston pump, a cylinder port can communicate with a discharge port after a system pressure and a chamber pressure in a cylinder bore becomes in an equilibrium condition. A through hole opening to a surface on which a cylinder block slides in a valve plate is allowed to communicate with a side of one end surface of a balance valve, and the system pressure of a discharge port side is supplied to the other end surface of the balance valve. In the balance valve, a balance piston which slides by a pressure difference between the chamber pressure of the cylinder bore and the system pressure is accommodated. Before the cylinder port communicates with an oil guiding groove, the chamber pressure can be equilibrated to the system pressure by an activation of the balance piston. |
| US08047118B1 |
Integrated laser range finder and sighting assembly
An integrated laser range finder and sighting assembly includes a range finder for determining a distance to a target and an onboard ballistics computer for calculating a trajectory and automatically rotating a pointing laser to the proper angle for aligning with the target for lobbing of a grenade. |
| US08047116B2 |
Method and apparatus for defeating ballistic projectiles
A method and apparatus for defeating high-velocity projectiles. A plurality of disks of equal size comprised of fiber induced ceramic composites are provided. The disks are laid out in an imbricated pattern row by row such that each disk in a row is in substantially a straight line with the other disks in the row and overlaps a segment of a disk in an adjacent row. The imbricated pattern is then adhered to a flexible, high tensile strength substrate and overlaid by a second high tensile strength layer such that the imbricated pattern is enveloped between the substrate and the second layer. The envelope is then coupled to a soft body armor backing. |
| US08047115B2 |
Flash suppression system
A flash suppression system for increasing the reliability of an autoloading firearm has a body having a central bore including the front opening and a rear opening. The rear opening of the body terminates in a conical feature having a front opening and a rear opening. The central bore of the body receives the rear opening of a conical element. The rear opening of the conical element is positioned within the central bore of the body to create a gap between the front opening of the conical feature and the rear opening of the conical element. The front opening of the conical feature has a larger diameter than the rear opening of the conical element. |
| US08047113B2 |
Guide for hand-held power tool
An apparatus and method for a solution that permits a carpenter to make exact, on-the-spot time-efficient cross-cuts of their boards while holding the board in one-hand and the circular saw in the other hand. A cross-out apparatus includes a guide system including a housing and a range of motion control for defining a processing path for a guide element as it moves from a first position to a second position relative to the housing; a workpiece coupler, coupled to the guide element, for defining a desired processing orientation with respect to a workpiece for maintaining the desired processing orientation as the guide element moves from the first position to the second position; and an attachment system, coupled to the housing, for cooperating with a hand-held power processing tool to position a processing implement at a reference location relative to the workpiece and at the desired processing orientation, the attachment system coupled to the housing so the guide element maintains the desired processing orientation along the processing path from the reference location during use of the hand-held power processing tool to process the workpiece. |
| US08047110B2 |
Positioning system and carriage assembly for converting machines
A system for slitting a web includes a carriage assembly having an elongate housing including a first wall, where the first wall defining a longitudinal axis. A first plurality of rails can be mounted on the first wall, wherein the plurality of rails extends parallel to the longitudinal axis. At least one of the plurality of rails can have a substantially circular cross section, among others. The system also includes a first plurality of carriers. Each carrier can be adapted and configured to support an instrumentality such as a blade for performing an operation (e.g., cutting) on a web of material. The carrier body includes a first body portion and a second body portion. Each of body portion includes at least one mounting feature for mounting the carrier on a the plurality of rails. |
| US08047109B2 |
Device for transversally cutting a rolled strip
The invention relates to a device for transversally cutting a rolled strip using shears, especially drum shears. According to the invention, a gap between the end of the roller table upstream of the shears and the beginning of the roller table downstream of the shears, where there is no support for the rolled strip, is reduced by a pivotable roller table part supporting the rolled strip as it passes through, and a mobile guiding table is arranged between said pivotable roller table part and the beginning of the rear roller table. |
| US08047107B2 |
Air temperature normalization in paper cutting system
A paper cutting system includes a cutting assembly, a transport moving a web through the cutting assembly, a vacuum plenum utilizing a vacuum source to control the web moving through the cutting assembly, an air source providing purge air to the cutting assembly for removal of debris, and a heat exchanger normalizing a temperature of the purge air with respect to a temperature of ambient air prior to the purge air reaching the cutting assembly. The heat exchanger may be operated using the vacuum source. |
| US08047102B2 |
Multi-purpose tool
A multi-purpose tool may be comprised of a body having a gripping configuration on the outer surface of the body for long bolts and a lengthwise bore through the center of the body. The multi-purpose tool has a socket located at a first end of the body and a crown located at the second end of the body to receive various fasteners, such as flange and wing nuts. A multi-purpose tool may also be comprised of a body having a gripping configuration on the outer surface of the body and a lengthwise bore through the center of the body for a sleeve. The multi-purpose tool has a socket located in the sleeve at a first end of the sleeve and a crown located at the second end of the body to receive various fasteners, such as flange and wing nuts. The sleeve has a lengthwise bore through the center of the sleeve for long bolts or to accept a tool shaft. The tool shaft may accept various tool bits, and the tool shaft may be inserted into and engaged with the sleeve bore along its length. A cross hole extends in a substantially perpendicular direction through the center of the sleeve and the center of the body, respectively, which line up so the tool shaft may be inserted into and engaged with the sleeve bore for use as a T-handle. |
| US08047096B2 |
Lock mechanism for an adjustable steering column assembly
An adjustable steering column assembly for a vehicle having an outer jacket and an inner jacket slideably disposed within the outer jacket along a longitudinal axis for telescoping movement. A pivot pin is coupled to the outer jacket and defines a pin axis. A pawl is disposed about the pivot pin and is rotatable about the pin axis between and engaged position engaging the inner jacket for preventing the telescoping movement and a disengaged position disengaging the inner jacket for allowing the telescoping movement. An actuator is mounted to the pivot pin for concurrent rotation with the pivot pin about the pin axis and is coupled to the pawl for moving the pawl between the engaged and disengaged positions in an opposing rotational direction from the concurrent rotation of the pivot pin and the actuator. |
| US08047095B2 |
XY table actuator
Provided is an XY table actuator that, while building-in a drive means for freely moving an object placed on a table within an XY-plane and positioning the object, can be significantly reduced in size and that helps to suppress an increase in table height. The actuator has: a stationary plate (2) having a receiving groove extending in an X-direction; a moving plate (5) having a receiving groove extending in a Y-direction; an intermediate plate (4) whose lower body is assembled to the receiving groove (20) of the stationary plate (2) through intermediation of rolling bodies (3), whose upper body is assembled to the receiving groove of the moving plate (5) through intermediation of rolling bodies (3), and which is movable in the X-direction with respect to the stationary plate, with the moving plate being movable in the Y-direction with respect to the intermediate plate; an X-drive means (6) for propelling the intermediate plate in the X-direction with respect to the stationary plate; and a Y-drive means (7) for propelling the moving plate in the Y-direction with respect to the intermediate plate, in which the intermediate plate is provided with receiving chambers (40, 41) for the X-drive means and the Y-drive means, respectively. |
| US08047094B2 |
Hydraulic involute cam actuator
Mechanical joints are provided in which the angle between a first coupled member and a second coupled member may be varied by mechanical actuators. In some embodiments the angle may be varied around a pivot axis in one plane and in some embodiments the angle may be varied around two pivot axes in two orthogonal planes. The joints typically utilize a cam assembly having two lobes with an involute surface. Actuators are configured to push against the lobes to vary the rotation angle between the first and second coupled member. |
| US08047093B2 |
Parallel robot
A parallel robot including a movable-section drive mechanism having a parallel mechanism configuration and operating to allow a movable section to perform a three-axis translational motion with respect to a base section; and a wrist-section drive mechanism operating to allow a wrist section to perform a rotational motion with respect to the movable section. The wrist-section drive mechanism includes a hollow outer holder connected to the base section rotatably about a first rotation axis; a hollow intermediate holder provided in the outer holder rotatably about a second rotation axis orthogonal to the first axis; a hollow inner holder provided inside the intermediate holder rotatably about a third rotation axis orthogonal to the second axis; a prime mover driving the outer holder to rotate about the first axis; and a transmission member received in the inner holder and linearly movable in a rotationally restrained state along a linear-motion axis orthogonal to the third axis, and connected at one end spaced from the inner holder to the wrist section through a universal joint. The transmission member operates to transmit a rotation of the outer holder about the first axis to the wrist section, and to allow the wrist section to perform a rotational motion about a fourth rotation axis orthogonal to the third axis. |
| US08047088B2 |
Environmental test chamber having movable panel and method of driving the same
Disclosed are an environmental test chamber having a movable panel and a method of driving the same. The environmental test chamber is used in a thermo-hygrostat, a thermostat, and a high temperature-low temperature tester. The chamber body includes a test cavity in which an object is disposed. An air-conditioning unit conditions the air inside the test cavity, thereby controlling a condition of the test cavity. A movable panel is accommodated in the chamber body to decrease or increase a volume of the test cavity. The efficiency of the chamber is enhanced, and the cost and space required for installing additional equipment is reduced. |
| US08047083B2 |
Trigger assembly including a flexible bend sensor
A flexible sensor is disposed in a power tool. The flexible sensor has an electrical resistance that varies based on a radius of curvature of the flexible sensor. A trigger partially disposed in the power tool, operates to apply a bending force at an engagement point on the flexible sensor to bend the flexible sensor and alter the radius of curvature. A controller outputs an electrical signal to the power tool based on the electrical resistance to control a function of the power tool. |
| US08047081B2 |
Flow monitoring apparatus having an ultrasonic sensor with a coupling adapter having securing mechanism
An apparatus for ascertaining, and/or monitoring, volume-or mass-flow of a medium flowing through a pipeline in the direction of the longitudinal axis of the pipeline. The apparatus includes: at least one ultrasonic sensor, which radiates/receives ultrasonic measuring signals at an angle of incidence/emergence into/out-of the pipeline; and a control/evaluation unit which provides, based on the ultrasonic measuring signals, information concerning volume- and/or mass-flow of the medium through the pipeline. The ultrasonic sensor includes at least one sound-producing element, a coupling shoe and a coupling adapter. The end region of the coupling adapter facing the coupling shoe has a securement mechanism for releasable securement of the coupling adapter to the coupling shoe. The end region of the coupling adapter facing the pipeline is embodied as a function of the pipeline in such a manner that it is form-fittingly securable to the pipeline. |
| US08047079B2 |
Method for controlling an electronic pressure gauge and pressure gauge therefor
The invention provides a method for controlling an electronic manometer for measuring pressure (p) inside a pressurized gas receptacle. The manometer comprises at least one pressure sensor, an electronic unit designed for the acquisition, storage and processing of data, and at least one information device device capable of transmitting at least one item of information (p). |
| US08047075B2 |
Vertically integrated 3-axis MEMS accelerometer with electronics
A system and method in accordance with the present invention provides for a low cost, bulk micromachined accelerometer integrated with electronics. The accelerometer can also be integrated with rate sensors that operate in a vacuum environment. The quality factor of the resonances is suppressed by adding dampers. Acceleration sensing in each axis is achieved by separate structures where the motion of the proof mass affects the value of sense capacitors differentially. Two structures are used per axis to enable full bridge measurements to further reduce the mechanical noise, immunity to power supply changes and cross axis coupling. To reduce the sensitivity to packaging and temperature changes, each mechanical structure is anchored to a single anchor pillar bonded to the top cover. |
| US08047074B2 |
Humidity sensor and method of manufacturing the same
Provided are a humidity sensor and a method of manufacturing the same. The humidity sensor has high sensitivity, quick response time, improved temperature characteristics, low hysteresis and excellent durability. Moreover, for the humidity sensor, a humidity sensitive layer may be formed of various materials. The humidity sensor may be manufactured in a small size on a large scale.The humidity sensor includes a substrate, an open cavity with an open upper portion formed to have a depth and a width in the substrate, a plurality of electrode pads formed on the substrate, a heater connected to one pad of the electrode pads at one end, and connected to another pad of the electrode pads at the other end to be suspended over the open cavity, a plurality of sensing electrodes formed on the same plane as the heater, and suspended over the open cavity to output a sensed signal to the electrode pads, a humidity sensitive layer formed on the heater and the sensing electrodes, suspended over the open cavity, and changed in characteristic according to the humidity, and an ambient temperature measurement part configured to measure the temperature around the humidity sensor, wherein the temperature is used as a reference temperature to control a heating temperature of the heater. |
| US08047073B2 |
Capacitive liquid level detector for direct methanol fuel cell systems
A capacitive liquid level detector for detecting a liquid level of a liquid in a receptacle, the liquid being conductive, the detector comprising: a capacitor with a first plate having a fixed size and being insulated from the liquid, and a second plate being formed by the liquid itself, its size being variable depending on the liquid level inside said receptacle, wherein a thin film dielectric layer is formed on the surface of the first plate and located between the first plate and the second plate, the first plate with the thin film dielectric layer formed on its surface is arranged such that it covers an open part of the outer wall of the receptacle, the first plate with the thin film dielectric layer formed on its surface is attached to the receptacle by sealing means in order to seal the receptacle against liquid leakage. |
| US08047071B2 |
Multifunctional electronic device and method for using the same
A portable electronic device includes a housing, a processor unit received in the housing, and an anemometer unit mounted on the housing and electrically connected to the processor unit. The anemometer unit transforms pressure of wind blowing thereon into electronic signals, and the processor unit receives and processes the electronic signals to obtain wind pressures and velocities. |
| US08047069B2 |
Apparatus for determining cut resistance
An apparatus and a method of using the apparatus for measuring the cut resistance of polymeric and elastomeric materials having specimen holding and tensioning devices arranged on a common axis; a blade cutting device located orthogonally to the axis of the first and second specimen tensioning devices and a cutting block assembly located on the same axis as the cutting device and on the opposite side of the specimen tensioning device. |
| US08047067B2 |
Sensor structure in particular for a harsh environment in a motor vehicle and preheater plug comprising such a sensor
A sensor structure notably for a harsh environment in a motor vehicle is disclosed. The sensor structure has a sensor body (1) having at one end an element (2) sensitive to the quantity to be measured in the harsh environment and at another end a connection circuit (3) for the latter, placed away from the harsh environment, and physically separated from one another. The sensor structure is connected by means for transmitting information by carrier current on an electrical conductor (5) of the sensor with which the sensitive element and the connection circuit are associated by wireless coupling means and between which are provided means (4) for protecting the connection circuit from the environment. |
| US08047066B2 |
Steering angle sensing apparatus and method thereof
A steering angle sensing apparatus and method are provided. The apparatus and method sense the steering angle of a steering shaft by using a rotated bit value difference corresponding to the rotated angles of magnets, which are respectively coupled on an axis of one of a plurality of sub gears, when the sub gears with respectively different gear ratios rotate with a shaft gear that rotates together with the steering shaft. |
| US08047064B2 |
Apparatus and method for detecting abnormality of inter-cylinder air-fuel ratio dispersion in multi-cylinder internal combustion engine
An apparatus or a method for detecting an abnormality of inter-cylinder air-fuel ratio dispersion in a multi-cylinder internal combustion engine according to the invention is equipped with a catalytic element that purifies exhaust gas of hydrogen, a first air-fuel ratio sensor that detects an air-fuel ratio of exhaust gas that has not passed through the catalytic element, a second air-fuel ratio sensor that detects an air-fuel ratio of exhaust gas that has passed through the catalytic element, a device that detects an abnormality of inter-cylinder air-fuel ratio dispersion on the basis of a divergence state of a detected value of a second air-fuel ratio to a lean side from a detected value of a first air-fuel ratio, and a device that forcibly reduces fuel injection amounts in cylinders individually when an abnormality on dispersion is detected by the abnormality detector, detects a divergence state of the detected value of the second air-fuel ratio to the lean side from the detected value of the first air-fuel ratio at this time, and specifies as an abnormal cylinder that one of the cylinders in which a value indicating this divergence state has become smaller than at a time of detection of the abnormality of dispersion. |
| US08047059B2 |
Viscometer with integral sample retention reservoir
A viscometer having a substantially horizontal reservoir including a trap for retaining a sample indefinitely in the reservoir. A substantially vertical measuring tube disposed perpendicularly to the substantially horizontal reservoir and depends substantially upwardly from the reservoir. A junction interconnects the trap, a generally downwardly projecting fill tube, and a generally upwardly projecting vent tube. |
| US08047058B2 |
Method and device for determining the gas pressure in evacuated bodies
The invention is directed to a method and a system for using a thermal measurement method to determine the gas pressure in a vacuum element or in an evacuated body having an envelope and comprising on its exterior a flap delimited by two film faces that are joined together in the region of the free edge of the flap; the system according to the invention is characterized, on the one hand, by the fact that the space between the two film faces of the flap communicates with the space inside the envelope of the vacuum element and is at least partially filled with an open-pored, thin material layer, and, on the other hand, by a device for measuring the gas-pressure-dependent heat exchange coefficient of the flap at the location of the material layer; the invention also relates to the manner of operation of this measuring device. |
| US08047054B2 |
Particulate matter sensor
Exemplary embodiments of the present invention relate to methods and devices for monitoring the flow of particulate matter within an exhaust gas stream. In one exemplary embodiment, a particulate matter sensor for an exhaust system of an engine is provided. The particulate matter sensor includes a casing having an attachment feature for mounting the particulate matter sensor to the exhaust system. The particulate matter sensor also includes an insulator disposed within the casing. The particulate matter sensor further includes a sensing rod having a hollow portion extending between a first end and a second end of the sensing rod. The first end of the sensing rod is supported by the insulator and the second end of the sensing rod extending away from the insulator. The particulate matter sensor still further includes an electrical connector assembly engaging the first end of the sensing rod. The electrical connector assembly is configured to transmit a signal generated by the sensing rod. |
| US08047052B2 |
Automatic determination of an emission value for a motor vehicle
The invention concerns the automatic determination of an emission value for a motor vehicle. For this purpose, a system for the automatic determination of an emission value for a motor vehicle 4 is described that comprises the following: a fuel quantity sensor 1, an identification device 3 for registering an account identification, an account database 7 containing at least one account information item for each of a multitude of accounts 8, and a determination device 6, where: the fuel quantity sensor 1 determines a fuel quantity added to the tank and transmits it to the determination device 6; an account identification registered by the identification device 3 is transmitted to the determination device 6 and is associated with the fuel quantity added to the tank; and where the determination device 6 determines the emission value on the basis of the fuel quantity added to the tank and at least one account information item of the account 8 associated with the account identification. This permits a simple and reliable determination of the emission value that also meets with a high degree of acceptance by the users. |
| US08047045B2 |
Apparatus and method for forming a tube with a tetragonal cross-section, having a reinforced end
An apparatus for cold-forming a workpiece having a substantially round cross-section and an elongate body into a tube having a main portion with a substantially tetragonal cross-section and a reinforced end. The apparatus includes a die in which a received portion of the body of the workpiece is receivable and from which a preselected portion of the body extends, and a first punch adapted to bend the preselected portion radially outwardly to form a curled end. The apparatus also includes a second punch to form the curled end into a round reinforced end, and a die subassembly for forming the received portion of the body of the workpiece into the main portion of the tube having the substantially tetragonal cross-section and for forming the round reinforced end into the reinforced end of the tube. |
| US08047042B2 |
Press forging method
The present invention is a press forging method by which porosities in a raw material are removed and mechanical properties such as ductility and toughness of a steel product are at a required level in a case that a steel ingot is treated as a raw material in press forging. A cylindrical steel ingot (a so-called “round billet”) is set onto a die as a raw material, and, a forging process is applied to the steel ingot so that buckling of the steel is not generated during the forging process and that a reduction ratio and a forging ratio are more than predetermined values, respectively. |
| US08047041B2 |
Method of reducing thickness of unbroken rolling stock
A method of reducing thickness of unbroken rolling stock (14) by longitudinal rolling includes deforming the rolling stock (14) in the width direction with deformation regions (26 to 29; 86 to 88) of the rolls (22 to 25; 82 to 84) penetrating in the rolling stock to the same depth. |
| US08047040B2 |
Wire winding apparatus, method for wire winding and wire wound bobbin
A wire winding apparatus for winding a wire on a bobbin includes a forming device forming the wire having a rounded cross section to have a polygonal cross section and a winding device winding the wire formed by the forming device on the bobbin. |
| US08047039B2 |
Process for producing stainless steel pipe
A process for stainless-steel pipe production which comprises piercing rolling a raw material stainless steel containing, by mass, Cr: 10-30%, to give a hollow shell, elongating rolling the hollow shell using a mandrel bar, together with a graphite-free lubricant, to give a finishing rolling blank pipe and heating the blank pipe in a reheating furnace and subjecting the same to finishing rolling by sizing rolling to produce a hot-finished pipe, and then subjecting this pipe as a mother pipe to cold working to produce a stainless-steel pipe. In the reheating furnace, the finishing rolling blank pipe is heated to 1000° C. or more and subjected to heating in which an oxidizing gas is blown into the pipe inside, whereby a stainless-steel pipe which is inhibited from forming a carburized layer in the pipe inner surface can be produced. When the finishing rolling by sizing rolling to give a cold working mother pipe is carried out by stretch reducer rolling at 860-1050° C., an annealing heat treatment of the mother pipe for cold working can be omitted. Thus, a stainless-steel pipe having excellent surface quality can be efficiently produced. |
| US08047038B2 |
Flashing bender
A flashing bender system for bending flashing at a selectable range of angles. The flashing bender system includes a first bending tool and a second bending tool. The first bending tool is arranged to bend flashing to an angle of about 90° and the second bending tool is arranged to bend flashing at a selectable range of pitches. The flashing bender system may include either or both of the first bending tool and the second bending tool. The flashing bender system allows a user to bend flashing of a range of sizes at a range of angles over an unlimited length. Each of the bending tools includes a plurality of starter slots and angling channels. |
| US08047031B2 |
Lock portion with piezo-electric actuator and anti-tamper circuit
An electronic lock includes a rotatable core movable within an outer body. The rotatable core includes a piezo-electric actuator configured to move a tumbler blocking member into or out of interfering engagement with one or more tumblers. Tamper circuitry coupled with the piezo-electric actuator is configured to resist an externally induced acceleration of the electronic lock by shunting electrical power produced by an externally induced motion of the piezo-electric actuator back to the piezo-electric actuator. |
| US08047030B2 |
Housing for electronic lock
A housing assembly adapted to fit into a mortised recess in a door is provided for accommodating components of an electronic lock mechanism. The housing assembly comprises a housing including opposed major side walls at least partially defining an opening into the housing. A circuit board comprising electronic circuitry for operating the lock mechanism is disposed in the housing. A bracket for holding batteries is adapted to be disposed in the opening in the housing. The bracket is accessible when the housing is in the mortised recess of the door such that the bracket is movable relative to the housing between a first position and a second position. In the first position the bracket is in the housing and in the second position the bracket is at least partially outside of the housing such that batteries may be inserted into or removed from the bracket. |
| US08047029B1 |
Tire locking assembly
A tire locking assembly includes a first elongated member and a second elongated member. Each of the first and second elongated members has a top end and a bottom end. The first and second elongated members each have an aperture extending therethrough positioned adjacent to an associated one of the top ends. A locking rod has a first end and a second end. The locking rod is extendable through the apertures in the first and second elongated member. The locking rod is extendable through a rim of a tire. A lock removably engages the locking rod and the second elongated member to secure the locking rod to the second elongate member. |
| US08047027B2 |
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. |
| US08047017B2 |
Refrigerator and evaporator mounting structure therefor
A refrigerator having a mounting structure to firmly fix an evaporator to the refrigerator. In the refrigerator including an evaporator and a cover to be coupled with the evaporator, the evaporator includes first fixing portions to be coupled with the cover and the cover includes second fixing portions to correspond to the first fixing portions. The evaporator and the cover are coupled with each other by the first and second fixing portions without separate fasteners. |
| US08047015B2 |
Ice maker for refrigerator
The present invention relates to an ice maker for a refrigerator. The present invention provides an ice maker for a refrigerator, which is provided at one side of the refrigerator to make ice. The ice maker comprises an ice maker body provided with an ice-making tray for making ice; an ejector rotatably mounted at one side of the ice maker body so as to eject ice made in the ice-making tray to the outside; a water supply hopper provided at one side of the ice maker body and having at least an open portion so that the water supply hopper is supplied with water from a water supply source through a water supply tube and then transfers the water to the ice-making tray; and a hopper cover coupled to the water supply hopper so as to selectively open and close the open portion of the water supply hopper. According to the present invention, it is possible to avoid a phenomenon in which water supplied from an outer water supply source to the water supply hopper splashes to the outside. |
| US08047012B2 |
Refrigeration system and method using multiple variable capacity devices
A system and method of controlling a compressor rack having a plurality of variable capacity components is provided. A variable capacity component is selected from the plurality of variable capacity components as a designated variable capacity component. The designated variable capacity component is operated by varying a capacity of the designated variable capacity component. Each variable capacity component of the plurality of variable capacity components, except for the designated variable capacity component, is operated at a fixed capacity corresponding to one of a maximum and a minimum capacity of the variable capacity component. |
| US08047007B2 |
Methods for generating electricity from carbonaceous material with substantially no carbon dioxide emissions
Disclosed herein is a method for generating “clean” electricity from carbonaceous material, and producing high-pressure CO2 which can be easily sequestered or utilized for a beneficial purpose, such as fuel production. This method utilizes a reformation process that reforms carbonaceous fuel with superheated steam into a high-pressure gaseous mixture that is rich in carbon dioxide and hydrogen gas. This high-pressure gas exchanges excess heat with the incoming steam from a boiler. Once cooled, the high-pressure gas goes through a CO2 separator, after which the CO2-rich gas is sequestered underground or beneficially re-used. The remaining hydrogen-rich gas is used to generate power in a power generation subsystem, such as a gas turbine or a fuel cell. Therefore, carbon-free power is produced from coal, biomass, natural gas, or another carbon-based feedstock. |
| US08047005B2 |
Water injection manifold pressure relief vent
A water injection system positioned about a combustor of a gas turbine engine. The water injection system may include a water manifold and a pressure relief system in communication with the water manifold. The pressure relief system may include a relief vent positioned on a pressure relief line. |
| US08046998B2 |
Waste heat auxiliary power unit
The present invention relates to a waste heat auxiliary power unit. In one embodiment, the present invention is a heat exchange unit for an automobile including a core unit configured to be connected to a catalytic converter of the automobile, the core unit generating vapor, and a first energy generation module connected to the core unit, the first energy generation module receiving the vapor from the core unit and generating energy from the vapor. |
| US08046996B2 |
Master cylinder assembly for a hydraulic actuation system for a handlebar-steered vehicle
A master cylinder assembly for a hydraulic actuation system for a handlebar-steered vehicle including a fluid cavity having an adjustable length. The master cylinder assembly generally includes a housing, a piston assembly, an actuator and an adjuster. The housing is mountable to a frame member and includes a chamber having a fluid cavity with first and second regions. The first region is in fluid communication with the hydraulic actuation system. The piston assembly includes a piston slidably disposed within the fluid cavity. The actuator is operatively connected to the housing and operatively connected to the piston to slidably displace the piston between an open fluid circuit position permitting fluid flow between the first and second regions and a closed fluid circuit position blocking fluid flow between the first and second regions. The adjuster is operatively connected to the housing to adjust a length of the fluid cavity. |
| US08046993B2 |
Micro generator system
The present invention relates to a micro generator system which uses temperature difference (about 5˜10° C.) between skin and outside environment to allow an engine to drive microfluid flow as well as pass nanomagnetic particles within microfluid through coli to produce an inducing electricity. |
| US08046992B2 |
Axle driving apparatus
An axle driving apparatus for being mounted on the body frame of a vehicle and for independently rotating drive wheel members. The axle driving apparatus includes a first axle driving unit (18L) having a housing (40) and a single axle (20L), the single axle (20L) defining a proximal end portion rotatably mounted in the housing (40) and a distal end portion extending outwardly from a first side of the housing (40). An enlarged region is defined by the housing (40), with the enlarged region extending substantially perpendicular to the longitudinal axis of the single axle (20L). A hydraulic stepless speed change assembly (22) is disposed within the enlarged region. The speed change assembly (22) includes a hydraulic pump (52) having an input shaft (21) projecting from the enlarged region and includes a hydraulic motor (55) including an output shaft (74) drivingly connected to the single axle (20L). The first axle driving unit (18L) is used in conjunction with a second axle driving unit (18R) which is adjacently disposed to the first axle driving unit (18L) on the body frame of the vehicle and which is of substantially similar construction. However, the second axle driving unit (18R) features a single axle (20R) which extends outwardly from a second, opposite side of the housing (40) such that the axles (20L, 20R) are oppositely disposed. |
| US08046989B2 |
Cooling device for high temperature exhaust
A cooling system for cooling exhaust gases includes a section of pipe adapted to receive exhaust gases having a first temperature. The cooling system further includes an air amplifier with a passage extending therethrough. The air amplifier receives a flow of compressed air and directs the flow of the compressed air through the passageway. The compressed air entrains ambient air into one end of the passageway so that discharge air, which includes compressed air and ambient air, is discharged from the other end of the passageway. A conduit is connected to the air amplifier and extends through a wall of the section of pipe. Discharge air from the air amplifier passes through the conduit into the interior portion of the pipe and mixes with the exhaust gases. The mixture of discharge air and exhaust gases has a second temperature that is less than the first temperature. |
| US08046987B2 |
Air cooled core mounted ignition system
An air cooled core mounted ignition system for gas turbine engine applications is provided. The ignition system includes an ignition exciter component directly mechanically and electrically connected to an igniter component. The housing member of the exciter component includes an air plenum configured to receive bleed air from the engine fan or compressor sections of the turbine engine, or other source. The bleed air provides a relatively low temperature air source for the purpose of cooling the exciter. As such, the exciter component can be directly secured to the igniter, thereby eliminating the need for an ignition lead. |
| US08046980B1 |
Weed whacker attachment
The weed whacker attachment includes a weed whacker that extends via an arm from a mounting means that attaches upon the deck of a lawnmower. A pivoting motor rests atop the mounting means and rotates the arm around the deck of the lawn mower, which moves the weed whacker around to different sides of the lawnmower. An optional switch enables an end user to control both the weed whacker and the pivoting motor from behind the push bar of the lawnmower. |
| US08046978B2 |
Equipment and method for packaging multiple packets of cigarettes
A machine for sleeving one or more packages of smoking articles is provided. The machine can provide a blank from a roll of continuous material and fold the blank around packages. The machine includes a sleeve folding station that can orient the blank to be folded around the packages. The sleeve folding station is also configured to permit at least one fold in the blank when the package is moved against the blank and into a pocket. The machine may include a bundling unit adapted to arrange packages into a bundle. The machine can include an adhesive applicator to apply adhesive to the blank so that when folded the blank can be attached to itself to form a sleeved package. Preferably, the machine includes a transfer wheel having a pocket for receiving the blank and bundle together, where upon rotation of the wheel the blank is folded around the bundle. |
| US08046976B2 |
Devices and methods for packaging beverages
A method for packaging a beverage comprising particulates in a liquid, the method comprising dispensing a first portion of the beverage from a first source into containers, wherein the first portion of the beverage comprises at least a majority of the particulates and a first portion of the liquid, dispensing from a counterpressure filler a second portion of the beverage from a second source into the containers, wherein the second portion of the beverage comprises a second portion of the liquid, and sealing the containers to form packaged beverages. An apparatus for packaging a beverage comprising particulates in a liquid. A method for packaging, in sequence, a first beverage comprising particulates in a liquid and a second beverage comprising a carbonated beverage. A method for packaging a beverage comprising a dairy component and a liquid. |
| US08046975B1 |
Pallet roping and wrapping apparatus
Pallet roping and wrapping machines having a plurality of spools of stretch film supported on a single spool and guides that form ropes of stretch film without cutting. Specific implementations of guides include guides formed or rings and rollers. Positions of guides may be adjustable. |
| US08046973B2 |
Machine for packaging mattresses
The machine (100) comprises a supply station (S1) destined to receive a mattress (M) to be conveyed to a rolling station (S2) comprising a plurality of rolling rollers (1), partly arranged in a fixed section (21) of the station (S2) and partly arranged in an openable section (22), arranged in respective curved lines to define internally thereof a practically-cylindrical rolling chamber (10) with horizontal axes. Sliding organs (3) are interposed between the fixed section (21) and the openable section (22), for regulating a mutual distance between the fixed section (21) and the openable section (22) in order to vary, within a predetermined range, a base area of the rolling chamber (10) and in order to determine corresponding rolling diameters of the mattress (M) comprised between a minimum value (D1) and a maximum value (D2). |
| US08046972B2 |
Tower reinforcement apparatus and method
A method and apparatus for creating a reinforced vertical multi-sided monopole tower for supporting equipment including a multi-sided monopole, a plurality of holes on three equally spaced sides of the multi-sided monopole tower and tower reinforcement apparatus mounted to the holes. The tower reinforcement apparatus includes bolts supporting a first flat bar and a second flat bar on each side of the tower. The upper end of the first flat bar abuts a lower end of the second bar and a plate is bolted over adjacent ends connecting the first and second flat bar such that the first and second flat bars are sandwiched between the plate and a side of the perimeter of the monopole. |
| US08046971B2 |
Wall made of panels used in pre-manufactured construction
This invention provides a new wall arrangement in panels composed of glass wool and fire resistant thermal and acoustical insulating material, adequate for any kind of land and weather condition, to create a habitable environment that may be utilized in many applications such as houses, attendance stations, schools, first aid stations, motels and others. The objective of this invention is to present the conception of a modular wall which comprises a structure composed of a sheet of glass wool, with a wooden frame core and the upper part designed to support cabinets, exhaust fans, and other utensils, offering good mechanical resistance, and receiving in the interior of the hollow areas of the wooden frame, a layer of expanded polystyrene, with grooves to receive the ribs of rock wool. To complete its composition, the structure also has rock wool internal panels, wooden frame with the upper area, a new layer of expanded polystyrene, and completing the assembly a plate of glass wool is added. |
| US08046966B2 |
Suspended ceiling assembly
A suspended ceiling assembly preferably formed of wood or wood-like material for aesthetic purposes. A ceiling panel grid is formed of ceiling panel support members that include runners and cross members arranged in intersecting relationship forming cells that support ceiling tiles. A plurality of parallel runners are installed between opposed room walls. Cross members are installed in perpendicular relationship to the runners and are intersected by the runners. The runners extend from wall to wall. The cross members extend between one runner and the next. The support members have a cross-sectional shape of an inverted “T” to provide a seat for a ceiling tile. A unique unibody connector at the intersection of the cross members and runners secures the cross members to the runners. |
| US08046959B2 |
Construction apparatus with pivotable mast
The invention relates to a construction apparatus comprising a base carrier, a mast which is arranged on the base carrier in a pivotable manner, a first hydraulic cylinder and a second hydraulic cylinder for erecting the mast, which are connected to each other in an articulated manner in a connecting section, the first hydraulic cylinder being linked to the base carrier and the second hydraulic cylinder being linked to the mast, and a coupling rocker-arm which is linked on one side to the mast and on another side to the connecting section. According to the invention in the part of the connecting section a spacer is arranged, through which the connecting section is supported on the mast in a detachable manner. |
| US08046955B2 |
Water deviation unit for external wall fixtures
A water deviation unit for external wall features comprises a frame shaped plate adaptable to be attached to a sheathing of a composite external wall and a box like subassembly projecting outwardly from and connecting to the frame shaped plate and provided centrally with a relatively large aperture. The box like subassembly includes: 1) a pair of spaced apart walls extending outwardly and perpendicularly in vertical planes from adjacent sides of said relatively large aperture and continuing above the latter; 2) upper and lower means for inclining used to deflect outwardly the water and connected laterally respectively at a top and a bottom of the pair of spaced apart walls; and 3) means for controlling an entrance and a withdrawal from an interior of the composite external, disposed between and joining the spaced apart walls. |
| US08046954B2 |
Outswinging window assembly having an operational mode and a wash mode and method of operation
A window assembly including a frame having an interior portion with an inner surface, and a sash having an interior portion and an exterior portion. The window assembly includes an operational mode and a wash mode. In the operational mode, the sash is movable from a closed position to a position in which the sash is generally perpendicular with the frame. In the wash mode, the sash is movable to a position where the exterior of the sash faces toward the interior frame. |
| US08046953B2 |
Two-door cage trap with over-center set mechanism
A cage-type animal trap with two opposed animal access openings that can operate in a one-door-opening configuration or a two-door-opening configuration. The trap has an over-center set mechanism for holding one or both doors open to allow access through the corresponding trap access openings. The set mechanism includes a pivotally mounted set lever coupled to the doors of the trap by an actuating member. A bait pedal is movably mounted inside the trap with a trip rod and link assembly secured to the pedal and to the set mechanism so that when an animal enters the trap, the weight of the animal moves the pedal, causing the trip rod and link assembly to actuate the set mechanism. Upon actuation, the set lever pivots past its over-center position to allow movement of the actuating member which enables one of the doors to move from an opened position to a closed position when the trap is operating in a one-door-opening configuration, and both of the doors to move from the opened position to the closed position when the trap is operating in the two-door-opening configuration. |
| US08046951B2 |
Rangefinders and aiming methods using projectile grouping
A method for aiming a projectile weapon involves identifying a projectile group corresponding to a selected projectile and its nominal initial velocity from at least two different predetermined groups of projectiles, determining a range to a target, and automatically determining an aiming adjustment for aiming the projectile weapon based on the range to the target and a nominal ballistic characteristic of the projectile group. The nominal ballistic characteristic of the projectile group may be characteristic of a ballistic coefficient of the selected projectile and the nominal initial velocity of the selected projectile. Also disclosed are systems and methods for determining hold over aiming data and equivalent horizontal range data, for aiming projectile weapons at inclined targets. |
| US08046944B2 |
Automobile interior exhibit
An automobile interior exhibit is configured with a relief formed to replicate an automobile interior member and an interior cover covering the surface of the relief. In the automobile interior exhibit, the relief is provided with a simulative three-dimensional form in perspective so that the relief provides a view from a predetermined viewpoint even when the relief is viewed from the front. |
| US08046943B2 |
Safety kick plate device and manufacturing methods
A safety kick plate device and improved manufacturing thereof, wherein the safety kick plate device includes a base component including a communication element through which a light emission component is visible. A communication protection element provides reinforcement and strength to the communication element as well as mitigates damage to the light emission component. |
| US08046940B2 |
Folder with card-receiving recess
A file with a card-receiving recess is disclosed. The file comprises a first panel comprising a first layer and a backing layer, that contains an opening extending from the first layer to the backing layer, and a second panel hingedly associated with the first panel. The backing layer is configured to support a displayed sheet element in a position such that it is visible through the opening of the first layer, and the displayed sheet element is at least partially received within the thickness of the first surface and the backing layer. The backing layer contains an adhesive disposed thereon within the opening for securing the displayed sheet element to the backing. |
| US08046934B2 |
Convective system for a dryer installation
The present invention concerns a convective system for a dryer installation for a passing web, more particularly paper. The convective system 7 is an assembly of an exterior casing 13 for suction of combustion products with opening 14 towards the web, with a first 15 and second 16 suction ducts sucking the combustion products into the convective system 7. The combustion products coming from the first suction duct 15 are guided through the exterior casing 13 to a mixing and blowing device 17. Cold air 18 is mixed in this mixing and blowing device 17 with the combustion products 19, resulting in a gas mixture with lower temperature 20. The convective system 7 also has an internal casing 21 inside the external casing 13. This internal casing 21 has at least one opening towards the web 22 and has also openings 34 allowing gas flow from the mixing device 17 to the internal casing 21 of said gas mixture 20. Under the internal casing 21, there is also a blowing duct 23. The second suction duct 16 is also arranged under this internal casing 21 thereby extracting a second flow of combustion products 24 into the internal casing 21. This second flow 24 of combustion products is then mixed with the gas mixture 20 coming from the mixing device 17, resulting in a mixture of gasses 25 with a temperature that is higher than the first gas mixture 20 and higher than e.g. 350° C. or 370° C., more preferably 390° C. or 410° C., even more preferably 420° C., 450° C. or 500° C. These hot gasses 25 are then blown to the drying web by the blowing duct 23 of the internal casing 21. |
| US08046933B2 |
Apparatus for detecting a belt-cutoff of dryer and method for detecting the same
Disclosed is an apparatus for detecting a belt-cutoff of a dryer. The apparatus comprises a drying drum accommodating a laundry therein; a motor applying a rotational force to the dry drum; a belt wound around the drying drum and a rotating shaft of the motor; and a belt cut detecting unit provided adjacent to the motor in order to sense the belt-cutoff, wherein the belt cut detecting unit is pressed as the motor is rotated by a turning moment when the belt is cut off. |
| US08046931B2 |
Positioning device
A positioning device for positioning an object includes a platform, a slide rail vertically extending from the platform, two standard units, and a retaining unit. The standard units are slidably mounted to the slide rail to abut against a first side of the object to cooperatively define a position reference plane for the object. The retaining unit includes a fixing block fixed to the high standard unit, a slide bar slidably mounted to the fixing block, a holding arm fixed to the slide bar to abut against a second side opposite to the first side of the object, and a spring to bias the slide bar to ensure that the holding arm abuts against the second side of the object. |
| US08046923B2 |
Folding knife
A fold knife comprising a handle and a blade hinged to the handle. The fold knife further comprises a switch mechanism for manual and semi-automatic operation which is positioned in the inner chamber of the handle. The switch mechanism for manual and semi-automatic operation has a first position in which it is allowed to manually open the blade from the handle and a second position in which it is allowed to automatically open the blade from the handle. The fold knife is capable of easily switching between the manual operation condition and the semi-automatic operation condition by means of the switch mechanism for manual and semi-automatic operation. |
| US08046921B2 |
Apparatus for coring and wedging food items
A food cutting apparatus includes a body defining a first opening and supporting a first blade extending within the first opening. The first blade is configured to cut the food item. The apparatus also includes a dial rotatably coupled to the body about an axis and defining a second opening substantially aligned with the first opening. The dial supports a second blade extending within the second opening. The second blade is configured to cut the food item. |
| US08046915B2 |
Methods for making composite containment casings
Method for making a composite containment casing having an integrated abradable system involving providing a mandrel having a pocket, positioning a sandwich structure into the pocket, applying at least one ply of a material about the mandrel having the pocket containing the sandwich structure therein to produce a containment casing preform, infusing a resin into the containment casing preform, curing the containment casing preform to produce a containment casing, and applying at least one abradable layer to the sandwich structure of the containment casing to produce the containment casing having the integrated abradable system. |
| US08046913B2 |
Manufacturing method of circle type terminal used in driving motor of hybrid vehicle
The present invention relates to a manufacturing method of circle type terminal for driving motor of hybrid vehicle, comprising: assembling a terminal assembly having a plurality of bus-rings; accommodating the terminal assembly into an insert jig; coupling the insert jig with an injection mold; and supplying insert resin into the insert jig through the injection mold to integrally form an insulator with the terminal assembly thus performing manufacturing a circle type terminal, thereby providing a simple process to manufacture the circle type terminal and a method of forming an insulating material that can lower a manufacturing cost. |
| US08046912B2 |
Method of making a connection component with posts and pads
A packaged microelectronic element includes connection component incorporating a dielectric layer (22) carrying traces (58) remote from an outer surface (26), posts (48) extending from the traces and projecting beyond the outer surface of the dielectric, and pads (30) exposed at the outer surface of the dielectric layer, the pads being connected to the posts by the traces. The dielectric element overlies the front surface of a microelectronic element, and contacts (74) exposed on the front surface of the microelectronic element are connected to the pads by elongated leads (76) such as wire bonds. Methods of making the connection component are also disclosed. |
| US08046911B2 |
Method for mounting electronic component on substrate and method for forming solder surface
A method for mounting an electronic component on a substrate includes: forming an Au bump (24) on a surface of an electrode (20) of a substrate (10); placing an Sn-based solder sheet (26) on the Au bump; subjecting the Sn-based solder sheet and the Au bump to reflow soldering, to thus form an Au—Sn eutectic alloy (28); smoothing the eutectic alloy; and bonding an electronic component (30) on a surface of the smoothed eutectic alloy. |
| US08046910B2 |
Method for manufacturing a surface mounted crystal device
A method of manufacturing a surface mounted (crystal) device comprising: the steps of providing an aggregated sheet material having a plurality of container main bodies lengthwise and crosswise, accommodating at least a crystal piece inside the concavities of the plurality of container main bodies formed in the aggregated sheet material, and then parting the aggregated sheet material into individual container main bodies. The method further includes: the steps of providing annular grooves on outer perimeters between the container main bodies of the aggregated sheet material; positioning an outer peripheral edge of an electrode roller having an inclined face of a seam welder inside the annular groove; abutting the inclined face against a metal cover tacked to the container main body; bonding the metal cover to an aperture end face of the container main body, by seam welding; and then parting the aggregated sheet material into individual container main bodies. |
| US08046909B2 |
Method of fabricating stimulation lead
In one embodiment, a process, for fabricating a medical lead comprises: providing a splicing tube having a plurality of angularly spaced longitudinal grooves; placing a first plurality of conductors within the plurality of angularly spaced grooves defined on an exterior surface of the splicing tube; placing a second plurality of conductors within the plurality of angularly spaced grooves and adjacent to the first plurality of conductors such that a portion of the distal ends overlap a portion of the proximal ends; positioning conductive filler material adjacent to the overlapped portions of the distal and proximal ends; electrically coupling the proximal ends of the first plurality of electrodes to respective proximal ends of the second plurality of electrodes; molding insulative material about at least the electrode assembly and the splicing tube; and fusing the splicing tube with the insulative material from the molding and the lead body. |
| US08046907B2 |
Electronic component placement method
In an electronic component placement method in which electronic components are picked up from a plurality of component supply sections which supply electronic components using a plurality of mounting heads which are provided corresponding to the respective component supply sections, and the electronic components are transferred and mounted on a substrate in a same placing stage, in performing the component transferring and mounting operations, head interference areas which constitute exclusive operating regions to which only the specified mounting heads are allowed to access are set for every placing turn. Due to such a constitution, in the component placement operation, it is possible to rationally set the accessible region without causing the interference of one mounting head with another mounting head thus shortening a placing tact time by excluding wasteful standby times of the mounting heads. |
| US08046904B2 |
Motor assembly method with an integrated flexible printed circuit
The present invention provides a motor assembly method for mounting to a base. The motor assembly includes a stator assembly having a plurality of stator teeth. Each stator tooth is configured to support a stator coil. The motor assembly also includes a flexible printed circuit having top and bottom surfaces and an end portion. The end portion is affixed to the stator assembly at the top surface. The bottom surface is affixed to the base. |
| US08046902B2 |
Method for the production of a connection flange
A method for the production of an annular connection flange includes producing the annular connection flange from an element in the form of a circular ring. The element in the form of a circular ring has a substantially triangular profile. |
| US08046901B2 |
Compact plant for continuous production of bars and/or profiles
Compact plant for making steel bars and profiles with which, starting from the scrap, it is possible to obtain the finished product, for example bars with commercial length from 6 to 18 meters, pre-packed, packaged and ready for sale, with all the stations placed in line and operating continuously. All the stations are arranged in reduced spaces, thereby reducing both investment costs and plant management costs, and decreasing production times. Advantageously, the plant of the invention incorporates an extremely compact bar packaging apparatus which, through an innovative arrangement and innovative operating method of the components thereof, allows a further reduction in length. |
| US08046898B2 |
Fastener clearing systems and methods
Fastener clearing systems and methods for a fastener delivery system are provided. In one embodiment, a system includes an extractor tool having one or more vacuum generators in fluid communication with a catcher for retaining fasteners during transport. The vacuum generators are selectively activated to draw fasteners into the catcher. A backflow port is formed in the extractor tool and introduces pressurized air into the catcher to dislodge fasteners that adhere to the catcher after the vacuum generators have been deactivated. The backflow port may be formed in a fitting positioned between vacuum generators and securing the vacuum generators to one another. The vacuum generators and fitting may define a common fluid channel opening into a fastener seat adapted to receive a portion of a fastener. |
| US08046894B2 |
Diorama and method of making the same
Diorama made from a two-dimensional image having a background panel in which a background section of the image appears and a plurality of additional panels on which additional sections of the image appear. The additional panels extend forwardly from the background panel, with edges of adjacent ones of the panels coming together and the image flowing continuously between the panels. The two-dimensional image is transformed into a diorama by constructing a three-dimensional model of the diorama in the form of a plurality of panels on which different areas of the image will appear, converting the three-dimensional model to a two-dimensional layout guide with lines outlining the panels, using the layout guide as a template for adjusting the shape and size of selected areas of the two-dimensional image to match the guide lines on the layout guide, printing the adjusted image, trimming the printed image along facing edges of adjacent ones of the panels, and bringing the trimmed edges together to form a continuous three-dimensional image. |
| US08046890B2 |
Roping method and apparatus
Roping method and apparatus for replacing, installing and/or re-roping the hoisting rope of a traction sheave elevator, said elevator having an elevator car, which is at least partially suspended on a set of hoisting ropes, said set of ropes comprising one or more parallel ropes. The elevator car is moved by means of the ropes. In the method, a rope feed apparatus (1) acting on the hoisting rope is used to feed a new rope to the elevator and/or to pull out a possible old hoisting rope to make place for the new rope. The rope feed apparatus 1 (1) comprises at least a base (2) with at least one feed disc (30, 31) mounted on it, which feed disc (30, 31) engages the hoisting rope and to which feed disc (30, 31) the hoisting rope can be fitted, at least one guide roller (25) for keeping the hoisting rope in position on the feed disc (30, 31), a tightening element (19) for moving the feed disc (30, 31) relative to the guide roller (25) and tightening it in position on the base (2), and in addition at least one electric motor (27) fitted in the apparatus to rotate the feed disc (30, 31). |
| US08046883B2 |
Edged non-horizontal burial containers
Burial containers to be power installed in non-horizontal positions without the need to dig large holes and subsequently replace the dug out material, and which greatly save land area, plus can be interred in high water table areas and even under shallow water. |
| US08046874B2 |
Anti-pinching structure for supporting frame
The present invention discloses an anti-pinching structure for supporting frame, in which a slidable or rotatable positioning block is disposed on the hinge portion of the connection base and the supporting framework and a hinge unit is disposed on the hinge portion of the connection base and the supporting framework, such that the torsion spring of the hinge units may form a supporting torsion against the supporting framework and the positioning block may prevent the supporting framework from springing back. |
| US08046872B2 |
Carriage for a door
A carriage for fitting a suspendable door on a rail is described. The carriage includes a housing and at least one running roller disposed on the housing. The running roller is positioned to engage the rail. An installation plate is included that is adapted to be connected to the suspendable door. A suspension bolt is connected between the housing and the installation plate. A portion of the suspension bolt engages a bearing disposed at one end of either the housing or the installation plate. The bearing permits at least angular displacement if the suspension bolt with respect to either the housing or the installation plate. |
| US08046871B2 |
Caster
A caster of an endless structure is provided which is almost jam-proof even in the case of a bigger gap. The caster includes a first wheel supported on a mounting leg, a second wheel supported by an axle on one end of a suspension arm of which the other end is supported by an axle which also supports the first wheel, and a wrap-around member which is wrapped around the first and second wheels. The wraparound member is formed an endless belt form by connecting independent pieces to each other. The outer peripheral section of each piece is provided with a wider section and when the wraparound member is depressed and warps, the wider section is adapted to touch a wider section of the adjacent piece, thereby preventing further depression. |
| US08046869B2 |
Motor-noise absorbing apparatus of vacuum cleaner
A motor-noise absorbing apparatus of a vacuum cleaner is disclosed. The motor-noise absorbing apparatus includes a body seated and fixed on a peripheral part of an opening of a motor housing to close between the motor housing and a stator core and, thus, to restrict an amount of the air discharged between the motor housing and the stator core, a first air discharging part formed in the middle of the body, so that most of the air comes out of the guide vein is discharged between the stator core and a rotor, and at least one second air discharging part formed to penetrate a peripheral part of the body, so that a portion of the air coming out of the guide vein is discharged between the motor housing and the stator core. |
| US08046865B2 |
Cleaning tool with cleaning pad having a non-woven fiber bundle on both sides
A flexible cleaning tool (22) is disclosed. The cleaning tool (22) includes a handle (24) connected to an elongated flexible support member (26) that includes a plurality of discrete, rotatably interconnected segments (40). A cleaning pad (28) encloses the support rod (26). |
| US08046858B2 |
Gangway handrail and method for manufacturing the same
A handrail for a gangway and a method for manufacturing the same where the handrail comprises a single, continuous piece of plastic. |
| US08046856B2 |
Method for spin-drying textiles after an impregnation process
A method for spin-drying textiles being subjected to a method for the production of a hydrophobic effect in a washing machine. Textiles located within the drum are brought into contact with hydrophobing substances dissolved in the washing liquid. The drum is accelerated for a first number of spin pulses to reach a speed in a first spinning block when the washing liquid is removed from the outer tub, the speed being below a critical speed of rotation. The drum is accelerated in a second spinning block for a second number of spin pulses to reach a speed that is above the critical speed of rotation. The drum is accelerated in a third and final spinning block for a third number of spinning pulses to reach a maximum speed of rotation that is compatible with the washing. |
| US08046853B1 |
Adjustable-length spine-immobilizing backboard
An extendable-length, spine immobilizing backboard is disclosed. The backboard is collapsible to the length of a standard backboard for ease of storage and for use in supporting and transporting patients of average height, and a lower portion is telescopically extendable from an upper portion so as to adjustably accommodate patients of above average height. The upper and lower portions are joined by side shafts that telescopically insert into hollow tubes so as to form hand rails on either side of the backboard, and by a flat, rigid central extension that is slidably insertable into a central cavity so as to provide patient support across a gap between the upper and lower portions. The backboard can be collapsed to a length that is six feet, and extended to a length of eighty inches. In some embodiments, the backboard is wider than a standard backboard, being preferably 21 inches wide. |
| US08046851B2 |
Patient single surface system
This invention is directed towards a patient single surface system, PS3, which is a next generation system solution for patient accommodation, diagnosis, treatment, transfer and transport. PS3 provides a single surface for the patient to remain on from the trauma site through diagnosis, treatment and convalescence. Needs addressed by the PS3 system include improved patient treatment through reduction in time to treatment, reduced or eliminated unnecessary patient movement and injury, as well as improved comfort throughout treatment and convalescence. In addition, the PS3 system solves significant economic considerations. |