Abstract: A reversible heat pump system with one bi-flow expansion device. A four-way valve in the refrigerant circuit may be configured in either a cooling mode or a heating mode. In the cooling mode, a compressor is operable to flow a refrigerant out a compressor outlet and through the bi-flow expansion device in a first direction. In the heating mode, the compressor is operable to flow the refrigerant out the compressor outlet and through the bi-flow expansion device in a second direction, opposite the first direction. Thus, only one thermal expansion device is needed for a reversible heat pump heating, ventilation, and air conditioning (HVAC) system without the need for bypass lines and check valves around the bi-flow expansion device. Further, if an accumulator is included before the compressor, the bi-flow expansion device may be controlled to store at least some refrigerant in the accumulator, thus allowing the evaporator superheat to be lower than if the accumulator were not used.

Abstract: A table system that includes a table top having an upper surface and a surface covering which covers substantially the upper surface of the table top. The table top and the surface covering have concentric openings with substantially similar diameters.

Abstract: Disclosed herein is a table system that includes a table having a table top with an upper surface, a top sheet with a magnetically attractive upper surface adhered to the upper surface of the table, and a magnetic surface covering having an upper surface and a lower surface that is magnetically secured to the top sheet. The surface covering has an advertisement on the upper surface thereof.

Abstract: One or more multilayer back side metallurgy (BSM) stack structures are formed on thru-silicon-vias (TSV). The multiple layers of metal may include an adhesion layer of chromium on the semiconductor wafer back side, a conductive layer of copper, diffusion barrier layer of nickel and a layer of nobel metal, such as, gold. To prevent edge attack of copper after dicing, the layer of nickel is formed to seal the copper edge. To also prevent edge attack of the layer of nickel after dicing, the layer of gold is formed to seal both the layer of copper and the layer of nickel.

Abstract: Described herein is a case for holding a plurality of items arranged in an ordered fashion. The case includes a structure having a cavity, the structure having thin walls and being lightweight; a plurality of the items to be disposed in the cavity; and a flat speaker comprising a speaker frame and a speaker, the speaker frame supporting the speaker, the speaker housing being attached to a wall of the structure and extending from outside the wall into the cavity, wherein the speaker is disposed at an area of the wall that does not interfere with the arrangement of items in the cavity.

Abstract: Described herein is a table system comprising a table top having an upper surface and a surface covering which covers substantially the upper surface of the table top. The table top and the surface covering have concentric openings with substantially similar diameters.

Abstract: One or more multilayer back side metallurgy (BSM) stack structures are formed on thru-silicon-vias (TSV). The multiple layers of metal may include an adhesion layer of chromium on the semiconductor wafer back side, a conductive layer of copper, diffusion barrier layer of nickel and a layer of nobel metal, such as, gold. To prevent edge attack of copper after dicing, the layer of nickel is formed to seal the copper edge. To also prevent edge attack of the layer of nickel after dicing, the layer of gold is formed to seal both the layer of copper and the layer of nickel.

Abstract: A display panel for associating a promotional item with a product is provided. The display panel includes wells to retain the promotional item in a fixed location. The display panel also includes side attachment means for adhering the panel to the associated product.

Abstract: According to yet another embodiment, the present invention provides a pickup truck bed cover including a truck bed having side walls, a front end, and an end gate defining the interior of the truck bed; a stationery cover portion shaped to partially cover the truck bed; a moveable portion shaped to cover a remaining part of the truck bed; and a piano hinge extending across the width of the truck bed and connecting the stationary cover and the moveable cover portion. The stationary cover portion includes first quick release toggle clamps arranged around the edges of the stationary cover portion that are configured to releasably engage the side walls of the truck bed from the interior of the truck bed. The moveable portion includes a second quick release toggle clamps arranged around the edges of the moveable cover portion that are configured to releasably engage the side walls of the truck bed from the interior of the truck bed.

Abstract: Structural wall reinforcement method and apparatus for reinforcing a wall comprising a plurality of post-tensioned cable assemblies and wire mesh embedded in a layer of concrete-like material for applying compressive forces to the wall.

Abstract: A column such as a concrete bridge or overpass column is reinforced by transverse post tensioning a steel wire around the length of the column. Apparatus for winding the wire around the column includes a first support frame which is attached to the column and a second support frame which is movably positioned around the column. The second support frame is movably supported on the first support frame whereby the second support frame can move axially along the length of the column. The second support frame includes a fixed inner ring, and a rotatable outer ring engages the inner ring in a tongue-in-groove fashion. The outer ring supports a spool of wire and a tensioning spool, and a drive motor and pinion mounted to the fixed inner ring drives the outer ring gear and rotates the spool of wire around the column as the second support frame is translated axially along a length of the column. The first support frame is repeatedly moved along the column until the full length of the column has been wound with wire.

Abstract: A protective tendon tensioning anchor assembly comprising an anchor plate, a sealing cup and a resilient sealing ring for providing corrosion protection for exposed portions of a tendon secured in the tendon tensioning anchor assembly.

Abstract: A soil retaining system, including an upright soil retaining wall of modular facing panels and a number of horizontal wire mesh reinforcement units, including spaced parallel wires ending in hole forming loop and interconnected by perpendicular crossbars. The mesh units are connected in tiers to the retaining wall and rest in the soil behind the wall. The connection of each wire in a mesh unit is made by a clevis member embedded into the back side of the panel and a bolt and nut assembly or an elongated pin member for attaching the wires and the clevis.

Abstract: A protective apparatus for tendons in tendon tensioning anchoring assemblies comprising a top member, a bottom member and a sealing cap which are attached to an anchor plate for providing corrosion protection for exposed portions of a tendon anchored in the tendon tensioning anchor assembly.

Abstract: A soil retaining system, including an upright soil retaining wall of modular facing panels and a number of horizontal wire mesh reinforcement units, including spaced parallel wires ending in bulbous portions and interconnected by perpendicular crossbars. The mesh units are connected in tiers to the retaining wall and rest in the soil behind the wall. The connection is made by a female member embedded into the back side of the panel with internal threads, into which a male member is threadedly received with an internal bore of a suitable size to pass the wires but not the bulbous portions which bear against the forward end of the bolts. In this manner, with the wires seated within a corresponding male member, the facing panels and mesh units are connected by screwing the male member into the female member.