| Document | Document Title |
|---|---|
| US08910493B2 |
Oil free falling film heat exchanger
A falling film plate type heat exchanger. The heat exchanger includes a pressure vessel surrounding an encapsulated stack of plates. Each plate has a primary fluid side and a secondary fluid side. The primary fluid will be a refrigerant—such as R-134a. The secondary fluid will typically be water. A film of refrigerant is applied to the primary fluid side of each plate, where it evaporates by absorbing heat from the secondary fluid on the other side of the plate. The invention uses embossed patterns on the plates to direct the flow of the primary and secondary fluids in a desired pattern. Further, the primary fluid side of each plate has a roughened surface treatment to increase the effective surface area and thereby increase the heat transfer rate. |
| US08910492B2 |
Wall-mounted air-conditioning apparatus
An upper suction port is formed in a main-body upper part of an air-conditioning apparatus main body, a suction opening part is formed in a front grill disposed on a main-body front face of the air-conditioning apparatus, a suction opening whose opening is directed upward is formed by consecutively providing an air guide wall inclined downward inside the main body on the upper edge of the suction opening, and the suction opening is located between a part, in the main-body height direction, lower than a straight line passing through a rotation center of an impeller and a closest contact point between the impeller and a front-face heat exchanger and a part, in the main-body height direction, higher than a straight line parallel with the straight line and passing through the impeller and a tongue part of a stabilizer. |
| US08910491B2 |
Modular chiller system and method for retrofit
A Modular Chiller System integrated into a single Standalone Rack Assembly having vertically positioned air intakes, heat exchanger, and an air deflector is disclosed. The orientation of the components in the Standalone Rack Assembly allows for maximum heat exchange from a rack of hot food items positioned coextensively to the Chiller System. Hot air from the food rack is received through the air intakes into the heat exchanger where chilled air is recirculated outward through said frame assembly. The Chiller System is portable and can be retrofitted to existing walk-in cooler configurations, or be embodied in standalone and portable refrigeration enclosures. |
| US08910482B2 |
Aircraft engine nozzle
An apparatus and method comprising a fan nozzle sleeve, a plurality of slider mechanisms, and a fan nozzle actuator system. A flow of gases generated by an engine moves through and exits the engine at an aft end of the fan nozzle sleeve. The plurality of slider mechanisms is configured to connect the fan nozzle sleeve to a translating sleeve for a thrust reverser for the engine. The fan nozzle actuator system is configured to activate the plurality of slider mechanisms to move the fan nozzle sleeve in an aft direction to change a direction of the flow of gases exiting the engine at the aft end of the fan nozzle sleeve. |
| US08910480B2 |
Fuel injector with radially inclined vanes
A fuel injector comprises a plurality of swirler vane passages defined between swirler vanes. Each vane is leant with respect to the true radius of the swirler. The pressure distribution through the swirler passages is improved and the flow of air over a prefilmer located at the radially outer edges of the swirl vanes is improved and consequently atomization of fuel is improved and levels of NOx is reduced. |
| US08910478B2 |
Model-free adaptive control of supercritical circulating fluidized-bed boilers
A novel 3-Input-3-Output (3×3) Fuel-Air Ratio Model-Free Adaptive (MFA) controller is introduced, which can effectively control key process variables including Bed Temperature, Excess O2, and Furnace Negative Pressure of combustion processes of advanced boilers. A novel 7-input-7-output (7×7) MFA control system is also described for controlling a combined 3-Input-3-Output (3×3) process of Boiler-Turbine-Generator (BTG) units and a 5×5 CFB combustion process of advanced boilers. Those boilers include Circulating Fluidized-Bed (CFB) Boilers and Once-Through Supercritical Circulating Fluidized-Bed (OTSC CFB) Boilers. |
| US08910477B2 |
Thermodynamic cycle
A method of improving heat utilization in a thermodynamic cycle, the method comprising heating a working stream in a at least one distillation assembly to produce a rich stream and a lean stream; wherein the distillation assembly comprises a bottom reboiler section, a middle distillation section and a top condenser section; superheating the rich stream in at least one superheater to produce a gaseous working stream; expanding the gaseous working stream in at least one means for expansion to obtain energy in usable form and at least one spent stream; mixing the spent stream and the lean stream to produce a mixed stream; condensing the mixed stream in an absorber-condenser assembly using cooling water to obtain a condensed stream; exchanging heat between the condensed stream and the rich stream to partially condense the rich stream before step b); whereby the condensed stream on heat exchange gives a liquid working stream; exchanging heat between the liquid working stream and the lean stream in at least one heat exchanger before step d) to produce the working stream; and, recycling the working stream to the distillation section of the distillation assembly. |
| US08910474B2 |
Hydraulic system
A hydraulic system includes a first pump, a first actuator fluidly connected to the first pump via a first closed-loop circuit, a second pump, and a second actuator fluidly connected to the second pump via a second closed-loop circuit. The system also includes a third pump, a third actuator fluidly connected to the third pump via a third closed-loop circuit, a fourth pump, and a fourth actuator fluidly connected to the fourth pump via a fourth closed-loop circuit. The system further includes a first combining valve configured to combine fluid from the first and second circuits, a second combining valve configured to combine fluid from the second and third circuits, and a third combining valve configured to combine fluid from the third and fourth circuits. The system also includes a fourth combining valve configured to combine fluid from the first and fourth circuits. |
| US08910473B2 |
Pipe layer and warm-up method for pipe layer
A warm-up pilot pressure control unit adjusts pilot pressure inputted to a first flow channel open/close unit so that the flow channel open/close unit is switched to an open state when a warm-up start state is entered under the necessary condition that a first winch operation member is in a neutral position. When the first flow channel open/close unit is in the open state, a first pump displacement adjustment unit adjusts the displacement of a first hydraulic pump so that the differential pressure between a first pump hydraulic circuit and a first warm-up hydraulic circuit becomes constant at a predetermined set pressure. |
| US08910472B2 |
Utility vehicle
An exhaust system of a vehicle used for a parallel multiple cylinder engine in which a plurality of cylinders are aligned in vehicle width directions, at least comprising: an exhaust manifold that is connected to a plurality of exhaust ports formed in a front face of a cylinder head of the engine with respect to a vehicle traveling direction and that extends approximately horizontally in vehicle width directions along a front face of the cylinder head; and an exhaust pipe connected to an exhaust downstream end of the exhaust manifold. |
| US08910467B2 |
Hybrid vehicle control device and hybrid vehicle
In controlling a hybrid vehicle, an internal combustion engine and an electric motor are controlled such that, when a power request is received while traveling with an operation of the internal combustion engine stopped and a requested power required for traveling is higher than a predetermined power, the operation of the internal combustion engine is started with an intake air volume based on the requested power and the hybrid vehicle travels with the requested power. When the power request is received for the first time after ignition-on, the start control for controlling the internal combustion engine is performed such that the operation of the internal combustion engine is started with an intake air volume lower than that based on the requested power. The hybrid vehicle includes a controller that performs the above control, an internal combustion engine, an electric motor, a battery, and a purification device. |
| US08910466B2 |
Exhaust aftertreatment system with diagnostic delay
An apparatus and method of controlling a vehicle aftertreatment system is provided. The aftertreatment system treats exhaust gas produced by the vehicle engine and includes a particulate filter, and a NOx reducing device such as a selective catalytic reduction (SCR) device. The particulate filter is configured to regenerate to remove accumulated particles when the exhaust gas is heated above a regeneration temperature. A diagnostic device is included for monitoring the aftertreatment system. The diagnostic device may be a sensor for measuring the oxides of nitrogen (NOx) and/or an SCR efficiency monitor. A controller is employed to optimize the function of the diagnostic device. The controller does not enable the diagnostic device when the vehicle is powered until one or more entry conditions are satisfied. |
| US08910463B2 |
Turbine starter lubricant cooling
A cooling system for turbine starter lubricant includes one or more outflow transfer passages (54) extending from the turbine starter (10) to a secondary component (40). At least one heat exchange passage (56) affixed at a first end to an end of an outflow transfer passage (54) of the one or more outflow transfer passages (54), is located in the secondary component (40) having a lower interior temperature than the turbine starter (10). One or more return transfer passages (60) are affixed to a second end of the at least one heat exchange passage (56) and extend from the secondary component (40) to the turbine starter (10). Flowing a volume of starter lubricant (42) through the one or more outflow transfer passages (54), the at least one heat exchange passage (56), and the one or more return transfer passages (60) removes thermal energy from the volume of starter lubricant (42) and returns the volume of starter lubricant (42) to the turbine starter (10). |
| US08910458B2 |
Method for mowing around obstacles
A mower cuts vegetation and brush growing around and near obstacles. A supporting member pivotally connects to a supporting vehicle. The supporting member includes a pivotal connect that connects to a mower arm. The mower arm provides a pivotal connect at one end for a pivotal arm to connect thereto. The pivotal arm pivoting about an axis of rotation defined by the pivotal connect. Two rotary cutters connect to both ends of the pivotal arm and rotate about an axis of rotation defined by their respective pivotal connects. |
| US08910453B2 |
Vacuum insulated glass units system
Vacuum systems comprising vacuum insulating glass (VIG) units are provided. The vacuum spaces within the VIG units are connected to one another and to one or more vacuum pumps that are configured to operate during the service lives of the VIG units. |
| US08910452B2 |
Hurricane tie fastener and method of use
A hurricane tie fastener and method are provided for securing a truss to a wall structural member. The fastener includes upper and lower vertical perpendicular plates with respective nail-receiving through holes formed therein. A horizontal arm extends from adjacent the bottom of the upper plate away from the lower plate. A leg extends upwardly from the arm. A truss-receiving space is formed between the upper plate and leg having a top entrance opening for receiving the bottom of the truss when the fastener is moved upwardly relative to the truss. The fastener is self-supporting on the truss to make the nailing of the fastener to the truss and wall member easier and safer. |
| US08910451B2 |
Seating system
An example of the disclosed seating system includes a plurality of seating risers configured to telescope relative to one another, and at least one of the seating risers is a powered seating riser configured to deploy and retract the seating risers. Further included is a control pendant. The powered seating riser is drivable in response to said control pendant. |
| US08910445B2 |
Thermally isolated anchoring system
An anchoring system for cavity walls is disclosed and includes a stud-type wall anchor and veneer tie. The stud-type anchor is comprised of high-strength, nonconductive thermally-isolating components that maintain the insulation R-values. The anchor has a driver head, dual-diameter barrel, a driven tip and multiple thermally-isolating seals. The multiple seals and the dual-diameter barrel of the anchor fill the anchor-receiving channel and stabilize the wall anchor. The wall anchor is clamped in place by the multiple seals. The anchor operates with various veneer ties. |
| US08910444B2 |
Foam insulation backer board
Disclosed herein are embodiments of foam backing panels for use with lap siding and configured for mounting on a building. Also disclosed are lap siding assemblies and products of lap sidings. One such embodiment of the foam backing panel comprises a rear face configured to contact the building, a front face configured for attachment to the lap siding, alignment means for aligning the lap siding relative to the building, means for providing a shadow line, opposing vertical side edges, a top face extending between a top edge of the front face and rear face and a bottom face extending between a bottom edge of the front face and rear face. |
| US08910440B2 |
Connection system for prefabricated thermal break panels
The present invention describes a connection system for prefabricated panels of the type comprising at least two outer concrete layers (12, 14), provided with metallic reinforcement (18), and an intermediate layer (16) made of heat-insulating material, arranged between the two outer concrete layers (12, 14). The system comprises a plurality of plate-like connection elements (10) having such a length (L) as to allow them to extend, in an orthogonal direction with respect to the panel's development plan, through the heat-insulating layer (16) and to partially penetrate inside the outer concrete layers (12, 14). Each connection element (10) is provided, at two opposed terminal ends, with respective hooking means (22, 24) to the outer concrete layers (12, 14). At least one (24) of the hooking means provided at the opposed terminal ends of each connection element (10) is made up of two distinct C-shaped edges (24A, 24B), side by side and parallel to each other. The C-shaped edges (24A, 24B) are capable of hooking onto respective bars (20) provided on the metallic reinforcement (18) of at least one (12) of the panel's outer concrete layers. |
| US08910436B2 |
Apparatus for a wind resistant and post load re-tensioning system utilizing a composite fabric and attachment apparatus
A roof fastening system that joins building walls or roof structures of a building frame to its foundation to provide a continuous load path that resists upward and lateral forces without interfering with the natural downward forces exerted on the frame over time. This system includes a composite material that combines the properties of a house wrap with high tensile strength low elongation fibers along one direction of the fabric and lower tensile strength high elongation fibers along one or more fabric directions that cross the high tensile strength low elongation fibers. The composite material extends from the top plates or heel truss of the framing of the structure down to its foundation to hold the frame together against high wind loading. |
| US08910434B2 |
Pre-cast monolithic concrete stair with dual edge beams, method and mold
Pre-cast concrete stairs, molds for making pre-cast concrete stairs, and methods of casting pre-cast concrete stairs are provided. The stair is constructed with two beams that are cast with the stair steps as an integral monolithic structure. One of the beams (integral down edge beam) projects below the steps on one side, and the other (integral up edge beam) projects above the steps on the other side. The weight of the stairs and the weight of traffic on the steps creates compression on the tops of the integral down edge beam and integral up edge beam, and tension on the bottoms of the integral down edge beam and integral up edge beam, which enhances the combined strength of the beams. The asymmetric orientation of the members creates a stronger cross-section than if the beams were in the same plane horizontally, allowing greater load handing capability. Lightweight steps are suspended between the two beams. |
| US08910431B2 |
Tower structure
Methods and apparatus for a tower structure and erection thereof include, in one embodiment, a tower structure comprising a base support member, a mast structure pivotally coupled to the base support member, and a motion control device coupled between the base support member and the mast structure for controlling movement therebetween. |
| US08910428B2 |
Storage building and a roof panel system for use with storage buildings
A roof panel system for use with a portable building is described herein. The portable building includes a support frame including a first wall plate, an opposite second wall plate, and a ridge beam positioned above the first and second wall plates. The ridge beam and the first and second wall plates extend between the first end wall and the second end wall along a longitudinal axis. The roof panel system includes a first panel assembly adapted to be coupled between the ridge beam and the first wall plate and a second panel assembly adapted to be coupled between the ridge beam and the second wall plate. Each of the first and second panel assemblies includes a plurality of pre-assembled, modular roof panels that are adapted to be coupled together to form the first panel assembly and second panel assembly, respectively. |
| US08910426B2 |
Hidden down spout system
A hidden down spout system includes: a down spout receiver adapted to be secured to a building; a down spout adapted to be secured to the down spout receiver; a top conveyor arm adapted to receive water from a gutter; and a top cap connecting the top conveyor arm to the down spout such that water flowing from the top conveyor arm flows to the down spout. The down spout receiver may include: a sealing flange, one or more siding channels, a tab and a snap-lock tab; and a down spout adapted to snap-fit to the down spout receiver, wherein the down spout includes a socket adapted to receive the tab and further includes a ramp surface and retainer adapted to receive the snap-lock tab. |
| US08910425B2 |
Fatigue resistant pressure relief assembly
A pressure relief device is provided with enhanced fatigue resistance. The pressure relief device may include, inter alia, rupture disks assemblies and explosion panel assemblies. The explosion panel assemblies include a first explosion panel, a second explosion panel, and a non-rigid buffering layer that may be selected for its thermal insulation properties. The buffering layer is interposed between the first and second explosion panels and may be configured to oppose inward flexing of these panels. The buffering layer may force surfaces of the first and second explosion panels to extend outwardly. |
| US08910424B2 |
Push-out screen frame
A push-out screen frame including: a fixed frame member having a fixed body portion and an arcuate flange portion extending along one edge thereof; a hinged frame member having a hinged body portion and an arcuate channel along one edge thereof and formed to receive the arcuate flange portion for hinged connection therewith; a swinging frame member having a swinging body portion, a closure formation along an edge thereof and conforming substantially with the arcuate flange portion, and complementary latching and locking formations for latching and locking the hinged frame to the fixed frame; a latching assembly attachable to the fixed body portion and having a latching body portion and a latching formation for latching to the complementary latching formation; and a locking member attachable to a swinging frame member and having a locking body and a locking formation formed for locking engagement with the latching member. |
| US08910423B2 |
Door weather strip for motor vehicle
A door weather strip for a vehicle includes a weather strip body, an upper rib, a lower rib and a sealing portion. The weather strip body has an assembly groove. The upper rib and lower rib extend outward from one side of the weather strip body at a predetermined distance in a height direction of the weather strip body. The sealing portion is integrally connected with the upper rib and the lower rib. |
| US08910418B2 |
Floatable plant growth system and a floatation tray for use with the system
A floatable plant growth system is provided. The system comprises an upper tray (10) and a lower tray (20). The upper tray has a plurality of downwardly tapering cells (11) for receiving plant growth material, with each of the plant cells having an opening (13) at its bottom. The lower tray has a plurality of upwardly tapering cells (21) that trap air, enabling the system to float in use. The upper tray is removably mateable with the lower tray such that the plant cells of the upper tray are located in the space (27) between the air cells of the lower tray. The lower tray is provided with a plurality of openings (26). When the upper and lower trays are mated together and placed in a body of liquid, liquid enters the mated tray configuration (10, 20) through the openings (26) of the lower tray, fills the space (27) that is below the plant cells (11) between the air cells (21) of the lower tray, and in use may be taken up through the bottom opening (13) of each upper tray plant cell. |
| US08910411B1 |
Supplemental projectile for a firearm
An auxiliary projectile for a firearm includes: an exhaust vessel to allow a bullet to pass through it yet capture muzzle blast, a barrel socket to slide onto the barrel of the firearm; and a ring magnet to attach to the end of the barrel. The exhaust vessel has opposed openings at each end to permit the unimpeded passage of the bullet discharged from a regular cartridge for a firearm. The opening nearest the muzzle is a muzzle-end opening and the opposite opening is an exit-end opening where the bullet exits. The barrel socket is attached to the exhaust vessel so as to surround the muzzle-end opening and project outward therefrom. The barrel socket is what slides over the muzzle end of the barrel of the firearm. The ring magnet fits within the barrel socket and is what attaches to the muzzle end of the firearm. |
| US08910410B2 |
Sling-less firearms carrying device
A firearms carrying device includes a receiver assembly including a base plate and a cover plate connected to the base plate; and a link arm linkable with the receiver assembly, the link arm mountable on a firearm. |
| US08910403B2 |
Glowing frame for a hazardous warning placard
A glowing frame for a hazardous material placard is an apparatus used to illuminate the hazardous material placard during the night or dangerous weather conditions. The apparatus is attached to a vehicle carrying hazardous material and includes a frame, a plurality of light emitting diode (LED) strips, a drain hole, a pair of wires, and a disconnection mechanism. The hazardous material placard and the LED strips are situated in between a front portion and a back portion of the frame. The drain hole allows moisture to be released from within the frame. The pair of wires is used to complete a circuit between the LED strips and the vehicle's side-marker or tail light system. The disconnection mechanism activates the LED strips and locks the placard in place. In addition, the disconnection mechanism deactivates the LED strips and releases the placard from the frame. |
| US08910402B2 |
Medicine cabinet assembly
An apparatus includes a first mirror platform; the first mirror platform has a first portion and a second portion. A media display device is disposed behind the first mirror platform, such that within the second portion information displayed on the media display device is visible when the media display device is on and is viewed from in front of the first mirror platform. A mounting platform is coupled to a back of the first mirror platform to form a door assembly and the mounting platform can also be a mirror platform. |
| US08910396B1 |
Conveyor tunnel
A conveyor tunnel for providing a process environment for articles being conveyed through the tunnel includes a plenum that discharges process air into the tunnel. The flow of the discharged process air is directed to impinge against a portion of the article being conveyed through the tunnel. |
| US08910395B2 |
Installation for the treatment of sludges
In a sludge treatment installation, a movable carriage is arranged transversely above a work surface of a floor. The movement of the carriage by longitudinal translation over the floor is initiated by a first drive shaft carrying a toothed wheel meshing with a drive chain. A second chain helps to guide the carriage. On the carriage is provided a rotary turning tool which engages in the sludge. Driven in rotation by a second drive shaft independent of the first, it includes pairs of semi-cylindrical paddles fixed substantially symmetrically by one of their edges on either side of a shaft driven by the second drive shaft. The two paddles in each pair of paddles are asymmetrical as a result of having different radii, with a difference at least equal to about 5%. Forced ventilation acts directly on the paddles. |
| US08910394B2 |
Tumble dryer comprising a heat pump and heating system and method for operating the same
A tumble dryer having a drying chamber for articles to be dried; a process-air duct; a heater arranged to heat process air, wherein the heater is a two-stage heater having a first heating stage in a first circuit and a second heating stage in a second circuit that is parallel to the first circuit; a first fan to direct heated process air over the articles to be dried in the drying chamber; a heat pump having a heat sink, a heat source and a heat transfer device; a controller; and a thermostatic switch arranged in the first circuit or the second circuit, wherein the thermostatic switch is thermally coupled to the heat pump. |
| US08910393B2 |
Drying apparatus for pourable material and method for producing a drying apparatus for pourable material
A drum or drum segment for a drying apparatus of pourable material having built-in components arranged within the drum, which is rotatable about its central axis. The built-in components thoroughly mix and convey the pourable material from a drum entrance to a drum exit while guiding through a tempered gaseous transport fluid. Several support rings are arranged between the built-in components and the drum. The support rings are arranged to be statically supporting, but compensate tensile and compressive stresses in an elastic manner. The support rings are connected to the built-in components, a support frame and the drum, or a combination thereof A method for producing the drum or drum segments includes pre-mounting modules of built-in components and inserting the modules of built-in components into the drum or the drum segment. |
| US08910389B1 |
Door leveling apparatus and methods of use
A door leveling apparatus is configured for assisting in the cutting of a lower edge of a door to match a base angle of a base of a door frame. In the exemplary embodiment, a housing is removably engagable with a hinge of each of the door and door frame and provides a pivotally engaged leveling arm configured for selectively pivoting away from the housing toward the base of the door frame. A laser assembly is pivotally engaged with a distal end of the leveling arm and comprises a laser housing capable of selectively emitting a laser beam and an angle adjustment knob configured for selectively retaining the laser housing at a desired laser angle that matches the base angle. The apparatus may then be removably engaged with the hinge of the door so that the laser beam may project the line on which the door is to be cut. |
| US08910388B2 |
Aerodynamic trimmer head for use in flexible line rotary trimmers
An aerodynamic trimmer head for use in flexible line rotary trimmers having a plurality of aerodynamic elements defined by the upper and lower head surfaces that during rotation of the head, draw air downwardly about the trimmer drive mechanism onto the upper head surface and move the air outwardly from the head into the plane of the extended cutting line and at forward inclination in the direction of rotation. The downwardly moving air cools the trimmer drive mechanism and the outwardly and forwardly moving air reduces the drag on the head and the extended cutting line. The aerodynamic elements preferably include a plurality of troughs extending downwardly and forwardly along the upper head surface, a perimeter surface for deflecting air moved by the troughs into a generally horizontally extended zone of moving air about the extended cutting line and a plurality of dimples formed in a lower surface of the head. |
| US08910385B2 |
Method of forming a bearing device
A bearing assembly is disclosed which addresses the problem of axially retaining a bearing journaled onto a shaft within a casing in an axially compact and technically economic and reliable way by first mounting a retaining plate (6) onto an outer race of the bearing (1). The mounting can be achieved by press fitting onto a shoulder so that the retaining plate can rotate relative to the outer race. The bearing is then journaled onto a shaft (4) and inserted into a compact casing (3) so that the outer race is guided into a housing (2) formed in an end wall of the casing (3). The retaining plate can then be rotated as required to align fastening bosses (7) with holes (8) to be engaged by screws (9) so that the retaining plate us urged axially against the outer race. |
| US08910383B2 |
Method and machine tool for manufacturing exhaust gas cleaning devices
A machine tool for manufacturing exhaust gas cleaning devices, in particular diesel particulate filters and catalysts that have a housing and a gas-traversed insert clamped in the housing, comprises at least one tool, in which the insert is clamped in the housing. A heating device that heats the housing is integrated in the tool. In a method for manufacturing exhaust gas cleaning devices, the heated housing is plastically deformed in a machine tool, and the insert is inserted into the housing. |
| US08910381B2 |
Helical gear and method of manufacturing the same
A method of manufacturing a helical gear, includes a gear cutting process for forming a roughly-processed gear by applying a gear cutting to an outer circumferential surface of a blank, and a tooth surface forming process for forming a tooth surface by pressing a rolling die against a roughly-processed tooth surface of the roughly-processed gear, wherein a length of a portion of the roughly-processed tooth surface, to which a plastic deformation is applied by the rolling die, in a face width direction is formed to be shorter than a length of a face width of the roughly-processed tooth surface. |
| US08910379B2 |
Wireless component and methods of fabricating a coated component using multiple types of fillers
Methods of fabricating coated components using multiple types of fillers are provided. One method comprises forming one or more grooves in an outer surface of a substrate. Each groove has a base and extends at least partially along the outer surface of the substrate. The method further includes disposing a sacrificial filler within the groove(s), disposing a permanent filler over the sacrificial filler, disposing a coating over at least a portion of the substrate and over the permanent filler, and removing the first sacrificial filler from the groove(s), to define one or more channels for cooling the component. A component with a permanent filler is also provided. |
| US08910378B2 |
Method for working of combustor float wall panels
A method for working or repairing a combustor wall panel that may be damaged is disclosed. The method comprises providing a supplemental body to a combustor float wall panel, and attaching at least one cooling pin to the supplemental body. |
| US08910375B2 |
Mounting apparatus
The purpose of the invention is to provide a mounting apparatus that can mount a part such as a chip, etc. on a substrate effectively and precisely. A wafer is placed on the upper surface of turntable, which has opening section, and a backup section and a head section that hold a chip are lifted up and lowered respectively, at opening section. The wafer and the chip are contacted, pinched and held locally, and then they are heat-bonded. After that, the backup section and the head section are removed. Lift arms equipped on a holding table are inserted between the wafer and turntable, the wafer is lifted up, and opening section is moved relative to the wafer when turntable is rotated. The wafer is placed on turntable again and the bonding process is performed. |
| US08910371B2 |
Method for fabricating an induction rotor
A rotor for an induction motor includes a rotor core having first and second ends and a plurality of conductor bars. Each conductor bar has a respective first end extending beyond the first end of said rotor core. Each first exposed end has a respective enclosed opening. The rotor also includes an end ring comprising a casting of material flowed between the respective first ends of the conductor bars and through the respective closed openings. |
| US08910367B2 |
Slip bracket connector for rigid members
A one-piece rigid connector allows a nominal construction wood member to slip axially while fixed at its distal end, to accommodate the naturally occurring shrinkage of lumber. The connector surrounds the wood member and attaches to a second wood member to secure the members together. The connector may be slightly larger radially than the first member to accommodate natural movement. In one embodiment, the connector is made of a light gauge sheet metal and attaches a vertical baluster to the horizontal lower deck rail of an elevated wood deck guard rail system. The connector secures the baluster horizontally, but allows the baluster to move vertically to accommodate expansion or contraction of the baluster after construction. The distal end of the baluster is secured using conventional wood screw attachment. The connector includes tabs on each side to allow fastening of the connector to the lower deck rail using conventional wood screws. |
| US08910366B2 |
Press-fitting method of member and press-fitting apparatus
The invention provides a press-fitting method of a member and a press-fitting apparatus in which press-fitting errors can be reduced, without using a dummy pin.The pressing jig 45 includes a main body 46 having a guide pin containing part 47 which is open downward, a compression coil spring (a resilient member) 48 which is contained in an upper part of the guide pin containing part 47, a guide pin 49 which is contained in a lower part of the guide pin containing part 47 with its lower end portion projected downward from a lower face of the main body 46 by an urging force of the compression coil spring 48, and a permanent magnet 50 in an annular shape which is fixed to the lower face of the main body 46, as attracting and holding unit for attracting and holding the press-fitting member 11. |
| US08910364B2 |
Air bag heat sink/filter securing method and apparatus
A method and apparatus for securing a heat sink/filter positioned between a pressure vessel and a diffuser in an air bag inflator. The pressure vessel is constructed so that upon activation of the inflator of the area of gas exiting the pressure vessel is smaller than the area of gas exiting the diffuser to create pressures in the pressure vessel that are higher than the pressures in the diffuser. This results in deformation of the pressure vessel that is equal to or greater than the deformation of the diffuser to maintain compression of the heat sink/filter between the pressure vessel and the diffuser during activation of the inflator. |
| US08910360B1 |
Floating insert removal tool
An apparatus may comprise a shaft, a cutter, and a sleeve. The shaft may have a first end, a second end, and an axis extending through the shaft. The cutter may be associated with the shaft and may have a first channel configured to receive the first end of the shaft and a portion of the shaft. The sleeve may be configured to move along the axis within the first channel of the cutter, may have a second channel configured to receive the first end of the shaft and the portion of the shaft, and may be configured to be biased away from the second end of the shaft. |
| US08910358B2 |
Radiator repair jig
A handheld jig for placement on a radiator and associated method to repair broken welds of tabs of a radiator mounting cradle used to hold a radiator of a vehicle such as a HMMVE where the tabs may be pressed against angled surfaces of the radiator, the jig having a base, a first arm extending from the base, a second arm extending from the base, and a third arm extending from the base, the first arm, second arm and third arm each capable of holding an adjustable pin to selectively contact a tab of the cradle to press the respective contacted tabs against respective angled surfaces of the radiator. |
| US08910355B2 |
Method of manufacturing a film bulk acoustic resonator with a loading element
Manufacturing a semiconductor structure including modifying a frequency of a Film Bulk Acoustic Resonator (FBAR) device though a vent hole of a sealing layer surrounding the FBAR device. |
| US08910353B2 |
Locking device for laces, shoelaces, cords and the like, particularly adapted to close shoes, rucksacks, items of clothing and the like
A locking device for laces, shoelaces, cords and the like, including: a base configured to be fixed to a product including the lace to be locked and including at least one seat for passage of a lace to be locked; a lever including at least one element for pinching the lace in the passage seat, and at least one guiding seat for the lace; the lever being connected to the base, proximate to the passage seat, by a pivot, the pinching element engaging the passage seat so as to pinch thereat the lace to prevent its sliding in the passage seat, an end portion of the lace passing through the at least one guiding seat to be directed in a preselected reverse direction, which is defined by the at least one guiding seat, and vice versa. |
| US08910345B2 |
Door closer
A door closer has a housing for connection to a door and a drive spindle (10) coupled to the door. As the door moves the spindle (10) and housing (11) rotate relative to one another. The relative movement is translated by a piston and cam mechanism (21, 22) into a force that is used to separate a pair of magnets (28). The magnetic attraction of the magnet pairs (28) serves as a force to resist opening of the door and biases the door from an open to a closed position. At least one first magnet is coupled to the drive member and at least one second magnet (32) coupled to the housing. The magnets are arranged in the housing with their opposite poles facing one another such that there is a magnetic force of attraction between them. At least one further biasing spring (36) may be provided to provide a biasing force after the magnetic force has diminished by separation of the magnets. |
| US08910343B2 |
Steam sponge
The concept is to use a material that is a microwave susceptor as a heat source to provide the energy necessary to instantly turn water into steam. One or more surfaces of susceptor are housed in a steam chamber. When the steam is generated, the pressure built up inside the steam chamber exhausts the steam through an exhaust duct that directs the steam to the cleaning surface. A sponge or other cleaning element is attached to the bottom of the product to allow the user to scrub the cleaning surface. |
| US08910341B2 |
Wiper device having improved vibration prevention of wiper strip
A wiper device including: a yoke for supporting a wiper strip; an auxiliary lever including a coupling protrusion coupled to a coupling hole prepared in the yoke and formed of synthetic resin; and a main lever including an assembly protrusion coupled to an assembly hole prepared in the auxiliary lever and formed of the synthetic resin, wherein the auxiliary lever includes: a first vibration prevention portion protrusively formed to contact an upper surface of the yoke on a cross section taken along a width direction of the auxiliary lever in a position where the coupling hole is disposed; and a second vibration prevention portion in which an outer circumference surface of the coupling protrusion is formed in a tapered form so that the coupling protrusion coupled to the coupling hole is fit in a direction in which the coupling protrusion is coupled to the coupling hole. |
| US08910337B2 |
Hairbrush, comb and makeup brush cleaning device
The present invention thoroughly cleans hairbrushes and combs and comprises an upper portion with at least two openings for containing a hair remover and an item to be cleaned, a rotating roller brush, and a housing portion. The roller brush, together with the hair remover, effectively clean and remove hair from styling combs and brushes and prevent accumulated hair from impeding the cleaning action by removing it from the roller brush. The device is configured in a specialized concave crescent shape, and the pattern of bristles on the roller brush is configured to optimize cleaning action on hairbrushes and styling combs. |
| US08910336B2 |
Upper structure for bridge
An upper structure for a bridge includes a coping placed on the top end of a pier, and a girder held by the coping, wherein a side surface of the coping and an end surface of the girder are configured as inclined surfaces (or vertical surfaces), wherein a shear key protrudes on one of the inclined surfaces (or vertical surfaces), and a shear key slot is formed in another one of the inclined surfaces (or vertical surfaces) so as to be engaged with the shear key. The present disclosure can reduce the construction cost, can realize improved structural efficiency of the bridge upper structure, can realize an easy installation of the girders, can easily combine the girders with the coping without plastering or fixing with mortar by site work, and can efficiently resist to a shear stress that may be generated in the bridge. |
| US08910334B2 |
Patient support
A patient support includes a layer of fluid pressurized bladders, the bladders each having a chamber and an upwardly facing surface for facing and supporting a patient, and a cover over the layer of fluid pressurized bladders. Respective bladders in at least a group of the bladders each have a resilient body in its respective chamber to reform the shape of the respective bladder when a compression load on the respective bladder is removed wherein the pressure in the respective bladders is generally maintained without a powered supply of air. The cover has an upwardly facing patient surface and a bladder layer facing surface, with the patient surface for forming a patient support surface on the support, and the bladder layer facing surface for lying on the upwardly facing surfaces of the bladders. |
| US08910332B2 |
Infant arm securing device
A method and device for securing arms an infant. The device includes: an elongate piece of material with vertical and horizontal axes; a right wing having a right fastener at a distal right end, the right fastener part disposed along the horizontal axis and on the back side of the material; a left wing having (i) a left fastener part at a distal left end, the left fastener part disposed along the horizontal axis and on the front side of the material; a sleeve attaching component attached on the front side of the material and located at an intersection of the axes, the sleeve attaching component including a pair of sleeves symmetrically disposed about the vertical axis, the pair of sleeves including a right sleeve and a left sleeve, the sleeves disposed and configured to respectively retain right and left arms of the infant. |
| US08910328B2 |
Articulating bed with flexible mattress support
An articulating bed incorporating a frame having side frame members and a rigid cross frame member extending between the side frame members employs a flexible support member secured to the rigid cross frame member. Support arms engage an upper body portion of the flexible support member with lubricious support and are rotatable through a range of motion from an aligned position with the side frame members to a fully elevated position angularly supporting the upper body portion in a raised position. A leg portion adjustment member engages the flexible support member at a knee position intermediate a thigh portion and a leg portion of the flexible support member. The leg portion adjustment member is rotatable through a range of motion from an aligned position with the side frame members to a fully elevated position placing the knee position at an elevated location with angular positioning of the thigh portion and leg portion. |
| US08910326B2 |
Wheelchair lift transfer device
An improved wheelchair lift-transfer device provides capabilities for a patient or caregiver to independently control the wheelchair and lift functions to elevate and move about safely. The patient can use a handheld wireless remote control and summon their wheelchair lift-transfer device from across the room, to their bedside, then independently transfer into the device and then drive it about in their home, raising and lowering their body as needed. |
| US08910325B2 |
Lift apparatus and system
A lifting apparatus for a lift system is disclosed. The apparatus includes a) a motor adapted for providing a lifting force, b) at least one connector operatively connected to the motor, the connector adapted for connecting a load-bearing component to the motor, c) an information receiver for receiving a load limit information about the load-bearing component, d) a motor controller electrically coupled to the motor and the information receiver, wherein the motor controller is adapted to limit the lifting force of the motor based on the load limit information received by the information receiver. |
| US08910324B2 |
Bath system
A bathing environment such as a shower or a tub, has a knee wall in a wall of the environment, a stanchion disposed across from the knee wall, and a bench supported by the knee wall and the stanchion so a user may slide across said bench into said bathing environment. According to an embodiment of the invention, the stanchion has a groove having a depth equal to a thickness of the bench for receiving the bench therein while maintaining a flush surface across the stanchion and the bench to allow a user to slide thereacross. |
| US08910321B2 |
Universal flange apparatus for plumbing fixtures
A flange apparatus operable to connect the discharge of a plumbing fixture to the waste drain pipe of a drainage system. In an embodiment, the flange apparatus includes a flange and a flexible sleeve disposed through a central opening of the flange, in which a first portion of the flexible sleeve is seated on the flange. The flange further includes arm portions, each having an aperture defined therethrough. The surfaces of the apertures are substantially smooth, and the apertures are operable to receive fasteners. In an embodiment, the arm portions may be made of threadable materials, and the fasteners may have thread-forming fasteners such that threads are formed in the arm portions when the thread-forming fastener is received in the aperture of the arm portions. |
| US08910320B2 |
Automated seat and/or lid assembly for a toilet
The present invention is an automated seat and/or lid assembly for a toilet. The invention includes switch automation, wherein movement of a bowl attachment is initiated via a switch, and manual-urging automation, wherein movement of a bowl attachment is initiated via manual urging by a user. An automated attachment assembly may be configured to provide both switch and manual-urging automation concomitantly based upon predetermined logic. Furthermore, the invention includes a method of identifying manual movement and of assisting the movement of a bowl attachment. The invention further includes an object sensor incorporated within the seat or lid to detect the presence or absence of an object near the bowl attachment. |
| US08910318B2 |
Induced draft anti fog device for goggles
An induced draft anti-fog system for goggles and similar optical devices having an air tight goggle with ports, fixedly attached to a hollow elastomeric conduit. Said hollow conduit having an intake port and exhaust fan. The exhaust fan has an on/off switch in communication with two battery packs. When the fan is in operation air is drawn into the intake port and circulated into the goggle housing thereby defogging the goggle lens and then is circulated out through the fan. |
| US08910317B2 |
Shirts and shorts having elastic and non-stretch portions and bands to provide hip and posture support
This disclosure describes systems, methods, and apparatus for garments that restrict detrimental or abnormal movement of the upper and lower body. This is made possible by forming garments from an elastic base layer and then coupling one or more elastic and/or inelastic bands coupled to, secured to, or atop the base material in locations that restrict detrimental movement of the body. A load distribution ring can anchor some of the bands. |
| US08910316B2 |
Head cover
An article of headwear is made of stretchable porous fabric and is configured to fit snugly over a woman's head to conceal hair loss or baldness of the user. A gathering band is stitched inside the headwear along the back portion in the area of the natural hairline to create an illusion of fullness by the folds of the fabric. A neck ruffle is created below the inner band to cover the natural hairline. An outer band is attached at two points to the outer surface to fit outside of the area where the inner band is located. The outer band has longitudinal dimensions at least slightly greater than the stretchable inner band. |
| US08910313B2 |
Apparel
An aspect of the invention relates to a garment which comprises at least a first zone and a second zone. The first zone of the garment is arranged in the spine area and comprises a higher degree of air permeability than the second zone. The second zone of the garment is arranged below the breast area and in the area of the lumbar vertebrae and comprises a higher degree of moisture wicking than the first zone. |