Abstract: A device configured for use within a dedicated footwear is provided comprising a wheel housing, a removable wheel cover, and a deployable wheel member for multi-dimensional functionality of the footwear. The wheel housing may reside within the heal portion of the sole of the footwear. The removable wheel cover may cover the wheel housing within the heal portion of the dedicated footwear, so that a user may optionally cover the wheel housing when wearing the footwear without the wheel functionality. In addition, the removable wheel cover may optionally be removed from the wheel housing, so that the user may insert the deployable wheel member within the wheel housing, so that the dedicated footwear provides rolling functionality. A user may easily remove the deployable wheel member from the wheel housing to cover the wheel housing with the removable wheel cover and return to footwear to traditional use without the rolling functionality.

Abstract: A method for assembling a shell section of a wind turbine blade includes providing a support, the support comprising a surface having a primary surface portion configured for supporting a first component and a secondary surface portion configured for supporting a second component. The method also includes arranging a second component on the secondary surface portion such that an outer surface of the second component is facing the secondary surface portion. The method further includes arranging a first component on the primary surface portion such that an outer surface of the first component is facing the primary surface portion, and such that a first primary joint surface of the first component is facing a second joint surface of the second component. Arranging the first component includes applying a force to the first component to force the outer surface of the first component towards the primary surface portion and the first primary joint surface towards the second joint surface.

Abstract: A method for assembling a shell section of a wind turbine blade includes providing a support, the support comprising a surface having a primary surface portion configured for supporting a first component and a secondary surface portion configured for supporting a second component. The method also includes arranging a second component on the secondary surface portion such that an outer surface of the second component is facing the secondary surface portion. The method further includes arranging a first component on the primary surface portion such that an outer surface of the first component is facing the primary surface portion, and such that a first primary joint surface of the first component is facing a second joint surface of the second component. Arranging the first component includes applying a force to the first component to force the outer surface of the first component towards the primary surface portion and the first primary joint surface towards the second joint surface.

Abstract: A motorcycle rider is heated by the steps of: transferring heat from atmosphere to a thermally conductive element mounted on a motorcycle by the Peltier effect; and circulating working liquid in a closed cycle from the thermally conductive element, through a garment worn by the motorcycle rider via an inlet coupling thereto and an outlet coupling therefrom, and then back to the thermally conductive element. In an alternative arrangement, a motorcycle rider is cooled by the steps of: circulating working liquid in a closed cycle through a garment worn by the rider via an outlet coupling therefrom, via a thermally conductive element mounted on the motorcycle, and then back to the an inlet coupling to the garment; and transferring heat from the thermally conductive element to atmosphere by the Peltier effect. In either case, both the inlet coupling and the outlet coupling are separable to allow the motorcycle rider to leave the motorcycle while still wearing the garment.

Abstract: A motorcycle rider is heated by the steps of: transferring heat from atmosphere to a thermally conductive element mounted on a motorcycle by the Peltier effect; and circulating working liquid in a closed cycle from the thermally conductive element, through a garment worn by the motorcycle rider via an inlet coupling thereto and an outlet coupling therefrom, and then back to the thermally conductive element. In an alternative arrangement, a motorcycle rider is cooled by the steps of: circulating working liquid in a closed cycle through a garment worn by the rider via an outlet coupling therefrom, via a thermally conductive element mounted on the motorcycle, and then back to the an inlet coupling to the garment; and transferring heat from the thermally conductive element to atmosphere by the Peltier effect. In either case, both the inlet coupling and the outlet coupling are separable to allow the motorcycle rider to leave the motorcycle while still wearing the garment.

Abstract: A vehicle marker light assembly including a plurality of preferably serially-connected, programmable light unit modules, each module having a microcontroller and a plurality of LEDs, which have a dual function as a marker light and, alternatively, as an emergency or warning light. In a preferred embodiment, microcontrollers of adjacent modules are programmed to communicate instructions to the light unit modules, causing the LEDs to flash in one or more predetermined patterns or sequences. In this embodiment, the light unit modules are configured in longitudinal strips or other desired forms, and are designed to operate on low amounts of current. In another preferred embodiment, a controller providing command instructions to the light unit modules causes flashing of the marker lights in the predetermined patterns or sequences.

Abstract: A vehicle marker light assembly including a plurality of preferably serially-connected, programmable light unit modules, each module having a microcontroller and a plurality of LEDs.

Abstract: Apparatus is provided for sealing cylindrical materials containers such as paint cans and caulking tubes. The apparatus includes a cylindrical sleeve constructed of a semi-rigid, rubber-like material having a first open-base end, where the first open-base end opens into a cylindrical chamber, inner and outer cylindrical surfaces of which extend contiguously from the first open-base end to a second closed-base end of the sleeve. The inner cylindrical surface includes at least one annular bead or protrusion disposed thereon. The apparatus also includes a clamp for placement over an annular portion of the outer cylindrical surface disposed opposite the annular bead to compel a pressure seal by the bead with an outer surface of the materials container. Same features enable the apparatus to usefully and efficaciously seal an access opening in the materials container enclosed and clamped by same.

Abstract: An apparatus (20) for measuring alignment and tilt of a CRT neck (14) attached to a recycled CRT funnel portion (11) includes a support structure (21) that engages and supports a seal edge (24) of the CRT funnel portion (11), and a plurality of stopper pads (28-30) which engage respective alignment stoppers (34-36) molded on the CRT funnel portion (11). Distance measuring gauges (45-48) contact lower and upper points on two sides of the CRT neck (14). The alignment of the CRT neck (14) is determined by readings from the lower gauges (45, 47) on the first and second sides of the CRT neck (14). The tilt of the CRT neck (14) is measured by comparing the readings from the lower and upper gauges (45-48) on each of the first and second sides of the CRT neck. The stopper pads (28-30) on the support structure (21) can be changed to accommodate different sizes of CRT funnel portions (11, 11′).

Abstract: An apparatus for rotating a CRT panel (12) to facilitate inspecting a seal edge (13) thereof includes a support structure (30) rotatably connected to a base frame (21) for rotation about a horizontal axis (31). The CRT panel (12) is placed into the support structure (30) with the seal edge (13) positioned in a holding groove (77) formed on a bottom door assembly (40). A top door assembly (58) is slidable to a closed position to enclose and support the CRT panel (12) while the support structure (30) is rotated 180 degrees. The bottom door assembly (40) is movable to an open position to inspect the seal edge (13). The door assemblies (40, 58) are both arranged to engage the base frame (21) and prevent rotation of the support structure (30) relative to the base frame (21) when the door assemblies are moved to their respective open positions.

Abstract: An excess flow valve includes a linear actuator that effectively isolates a defective CRT from others under preparation when the defective CRT causes the vacuum drawn on the exhaust cart to be compromised. During the manufacture of CRT's a manufacturing step requires that a vacuum be drawn on all CRT's while baking in an exhaust oven. This process is usually performed simultaneously on a plurality of CRT's connected to an exhaust cart by a manifold such that if a defect were to occur to one CRT that breaks breaking the vacuum, all the other CRT's under preparation would be compromised. This excess flow valve with the linear acutator and a method of operating it prevents excess damage to otherwise non-damaged CRTs.

Abstract: An apparatus (20) for measuring alignment and tilt of a CRT neck (14) attached to a recycled CRT funnel portion (11) includes a support structure (21) that engages and supports a seal edge (24) of the CRT funnel portion (11), and a plurality of stopper pads (28-30) which engage respective alignment stoppers (34-36) molded on the CRT funnel portion (11). Distance measuring gauges (45-48) contact lower and upper points on two sides of the CRT neck (14). The alignment of the CRT neck (14) is determined by readings from the lower gauges (45, 47) on the first and second sides of the CRT neck (14). The tilt of the CRT neck (14) is measured by comparing the readings from the lower and upper gauges (45-48) on each of the first and second sides of the CRT neck. The stopper pads (28-30) on the support structure (21) can be changed to accommodate different sizes of CRT funnel portions (11, 11′).

Abstract: During the manufacture of CRT's a manufacturing step requires that a vacuum be drawn on all CRT's while baking in an exhaust oven. This process is usually performed simultaneously on a plurality of CRT's connected to an exhaust cart by a manifold. The present invention provides a method and apparatus to reduce processing times by utilizing a roughing pump and diffusion pump to alternately evacuate a CRT being processed while isolated from one another. The methodology allows the diffusion pump to remain at a high vacuum level at all times therefore eliminating the need for lengthy warm up of the diffusion pump each time a CRT is processed.

Abstract: An apparatus for rotating a CRT panel (12) to facilitate inspecting a seal edge (13) thereof includes a support structure (30) rotatably connected to a base frame (21) for rotation about a horizontal axis (31). The CRT panel (12) is placed into the support structure (30) with the seal edge (13) positioned in a holding groove (77) formed on a bottom door assembly (40). A top door assembly (58) is slidable to a closed position to enclose and support the CRT panel (12) while the support structure (30) is rotated 180 degrees. The bottom door assembly (40) is movable to an open position to inspect the seal edge (13). The door assemblies (40, 58) are both arranged to engage the base frame (21) and prevent rotation of the support structure (30) relative to the base frame (21) when the door assemblies are moved to their respective open positions.

Abstract: An excess flow valve includes a linear actuator that effectively isolates a defective CRT from others under preparation when the defective CRT causes the vacuum drawn on the exhaust cart to be compromised. During the manufacture of CRT's a manufacturing step requires that a vacuum be drawn on all CRT's while baking in an exhaust oven. This process is usually performed simultaneously on a plurality of CRT's connected to an exhaust cart by a manifold such that if a defect were to occur to one CRT that breaks breaking the vacuum, all the other CRT's under preparation would be compromised. This excess flow valve with the linear acutator and a method of operating it prevents excess damage to otherwise non-damaged CRTs.