Abstract: A bolt seal protector includes a V-shape or trapezoidal shape set of side and front walls. A set of transverse walls are attached to the side walls in the interior space defined by the side and front walls and include bolt shank receiving apertures. The transverse walls are attached to the side walls by projections. Top and bottom walls may be provided to enhance security. Flanges may be attached to the side walls. The flanges may extend inwardly or outwardly relative to the interior space at the top and bottom side wall edges. The transverse walls are recessed for receiving the bracket of a hasp of a keeper bar assembly which hasp is received between the transverse walls. Slots are provided in the side walls to receive a keeper bar handle and to provide clearance for hasp bracket fasteners and the like. Different thickness walls and flange shapes are provided for a given security need. Different embodiments are disclosed including a tool for use with certain of the embodiments.

Abstract: A dual membered sound wall panel constructed of two pre-formed half-panels. The half-panels have an inner surface that contains a plurality of connectors around their periphery and an outer surface. The outer surface may be textured if desired. The half-panels are each of concrete material with an embedded layer of mesh re-bar. The half-panels are oriented so that their inner surfaces are facing each other and the embedded connectors on each face are secured to each other. Additionally, between the half-panels are contained multiple spacer plates.

Abstract: A blower assembly includes a motor cover having (1) a body portion defining a motor cavity, (2) an air flow guide surface connected to an end of the body portion, the guide surface extending radially outwardly from the body portion, and (3) a cooling duct integrally formed with the body portion and having an inlet and an outlet, the inlet being located at the end of the body portion and the outlet being defined in a sidewall of the body portion. The blower assembly further includes a motor positionable in the motor cavity, the motor having a motor shaft having a central axis. In addition, the blower assembly includes a fan housing is connected to the motor cover, wherein (1) the fan housing defines a scroll cut-off line, and (2) a plane passes through the scroll cut-off line and the central axis, and (3) the cooling duct is positioned adjacent to the plane.

Abstract: A vehicle fan assembly for circulating air to cool an engine. The fan assembly has a central hub; an outer, circumferential ring with an inner surface disposed around the hub; a plurality of blades, each blade having a root connected to the hub, a tip connected to the inner surface of the ring, and a span between the root and the tip, the blades extending generally radially outward from the hub to the ring; and at least one bladelet having a base connected to the inner surface of the ring, a free end, and a span between the base and the free end. Preferably, a plurality of bladelets are disposed alternately with the blades on the inner surface of the ring around the circumference of the ring. The span of each bladelet is about 40% to 50% of the span of the blades. The tips of the blades and the bases of the bladelets are connected to the ring over the full width of the blades and the bladelets, respectively. Finally, each bladelet has a planform with an elliptical profile.

Abstract: A blade for a vehicle engine-cooling fan assembly. The blade combines a particular distribution of four, key, blade-design parameters--planform sweep, airfoil chord, maximum airfoil camber, and airfoil pitch angle--to achieve a fan assembly having high pumping, high efficiency, and low noise. Specifically, the blade has a planform with a forward sweep angle continuously increasing in absolute value along the span from the root to a maximum absolute value not exceeding about 15 degrees at the tip. The airfoil of the blade has a chord that continuously increases from the root to the tip, a maximum camber that continuously decreases from a value not greater than about 12% of chord at the root to a value not less than about 5% of chord at the tip, and a solidity not greater than about 1.1 at the root and not less than about 0.5 at the tip.

Abstract: A blower assembly includes a motor cover having (1) a body portion defining a motor cavity, (2) an air flow guide surface connected to an end of the body portion, the guide surface extending radially outwardly from the body portion, and (3) a cooling duct integrally formed with the body portion and having an inlet and an outlet, the inlet being located at the end of the body portion and the outlet being defined in a sidewall of the body portion. The blower assembly further includes a motor positionable in the motor cavity, the motor having a motor shaft having a central axis. In addition, the blower assembly includes a fan housing is connected to the motor cover, wherein (1) the fan housing defines a scroll cut-off line, and (2) a plane passes through the scroll cut-off line and the central axis, and (3) the cooling duct is positioned adjacent to the plane.

Abstract: A vehicle engine-cooling fan assembly for circulating air to cool an engine. The fan assembly has a central hub with a plurality of blades extending radially outward from the central hub. Each blade has a root joined to the central hub, a tip, and a span formed between the root and the tip. The blades are spaced circumferentially from each other, by unequal spacing angles, around the central hub. The unequal spacing angles minimize noise produced by the fan assembly. The blades are positioned at a radial location along a blade span by unequal setting angles which increase the efficiency of the fan assembly. The blades can have either a straight or a curved planform. Mechanical energy is imparted to the fan assembly from an electric motor, a hydraulic motor, or some other source. Also disclosed is a process for designing a vehicle fan assembly combining unequal fan blade spacing angles and unequal fan blade setting angles.

Abstract: A blade for a vehicle engine-cooling fan assembly having a curved planform and a high-lift airfoil. The planform has a first region adjacent the root of the blade with forward curvature, a second region adjacent the tip of the blade with backward curvature, and an intermediate region disposed between the first region and the second region with substantially straight curvature. The airfoil has a leading edge; a rounded, bulbous nose section adjacent the leading edge; a trailing edge; a curved pressure surface extending smoothly and without discontinuity from the nose section to the trailing edge; a curved suction surface extending smoothly and without discontinuity from the nose section to the trailing edge; and a thin, highly cambered aft section formed adjacent the trailing edge and between the pressure surface and the suction surface.

Abstract: An airfoil defining the shape of the blades of a vehicle engine-cooling fan assembly. The airfoil has a leading edge; a rounded, bulbous nose section adjacent the leading edge; a trailing edge; a curved pressure surface extending smoothly and without discontinuity from the nose section to the trailing edge; a curved suction surface extending smoothly and without discontinuity from the nose section to the trailing edge; and a thin aft section formed adjacent the trailing edge and between the pressure surface and the suction surface. The aft section has a camber at its location of maximum camber of between 5 and 12% of the chord of the airfoil.

Abstract: A vehicle seat is providing including a seat bottom frame; a generally U-shaped seat back frame with an upper cross member with legs pivotally mounted with respect to the seat bottom frame, the seat back cross member being generally at least approximately 470 millimeters along a line generally parallel to the torso of a seated occupant from an H point of the seated occupant, and the cross member being concavely bowed if under approximately 525 millimeters from the H point of the seated occupant; and a deformable lower cross member having ends fixably connected to the seat back legs being concavely bowed, the cross member having a major dimension oriented generally parallel to the torso of the seated occupant, the lower cross member having an upper and a lower end, the lower cross member upper end being vertically above the H point of a seated occupant when the seat back frame is positioned in a normal seating position and where in a rear crash situation, the lower cross member deforms to pivot its lower end f

Abstract: A trimming apparatus comprising a platform, a plurality of wheels and a plurality of cutters. The platform has a kickback capability and is biased into an operable position, but capable of kicking back when the apparatus contacts rigid obstacles during the trimming operation. The cutting elements include a plurality of flexible blades having a cutting radius larger than the guide disks which are provided to contact obstacle and help the invention be steered around such obstacles. Optional bumpers are provided to further enable the device to "ride over" obstacles and uneven ground terrain. An independent power source such as an electrical or combustible engine having a drive shaft connected to a drive pulley which in turn is interconnected with the cutting elements by a cutter pulley and idler pulley arrangement so as to maintain a desired tension on the drive belt during operation of the device.

Abstract: A vehicle seat and headrest arrangement is provided including a seat bun frame having fore and aft ends, a seatback frame joined to the bun frame adjacent the aft end of the bun frame, and a headrest pivotally attached with the seatback frame along a pivotal axis generally perpendicular to the fore and aft direction whereby, upon a rear vehicle impact, the headrest moves in a forward direction toward the head of a vehicle seat occupant.

Abstract: Steam is generated in a small enclosure disposed within a large tank. Water is separately heated in the enclosure and in the tank. The enclosure is in direct communication with the tank. Steam generated within the enclosure is connected to a dispensing nozzle for use in connection with food and beverage products.

Abstract: Apparatus is disclosed for use in brewing single cup quantities of a beverage such as coffee. A frame supports a vertically movable open-bottom cylinder and a piston within the cylinder. A base assembly is reciprocal horizontally between the brewing position and a discharge position. In the brewing position, a brewing cavity is disposed beneath and sealed with the cylinder. Actuation of various components through a predetermined repetitive cycle is controlled by a motor driven camshaft.

Abstract: A housing such as a dispensing canister is constructed of a plurality of modules removably interconnected together. The lowermost module has a screw for dispensing granular material and an agitator driven by the screw.

Abstract: The canister is provided with a screw for dispensing granular material from an outlet port in the canister. An agitator is rotatably supported for rotation about an axis generally perpendicular to the axis of rotation of the screw. The agitator has teeth on its outer periphery which mesh with the screw flights of the screw.

Abstract: A valve which comprises components which can be assembled and disassembled by hand and which can discharge a relatively large volume of hot water in a few seconds.