Abstract: An upright suction cleaner having a base, a body pivotally mounted on the base, a suction device, and a dirt separation system. The dirt separation system has a first and second dirt separators. the first of which may include an air-pervious shroud having a plate extending from it. An airflow path extends from the base, through the separation system, and into the suction device. A dirt collecting system is mountable to the body, and includes a first chamber to receive dirt separated by the first dirt separator, and a second chamber to receive dirt separated by the second dirt separator. The chambers are adjacent one another when mounted to the body. A tube forming part of the airflow path between the dirt separation system and the suction device is selectively mountable adjacent the dirt collecting system. An elevator assembly is provided to attach the dirt collecting system to the body.

Abstract: A dry eraser is disclosed including an eraser body having an upper region and a lower region, a layer of erasing material having a top portion and a bottom portion, the top portion affixed to the lower region of the eraser body, at least one socket on the upper region for accommodating at least a portion of a writing utensil, and a magnetic member operatively engaged to the eraser body between the top portion of the layer of erasing material and the upper region of the eraser body.

Abstract: An upright vacuum cleaner with a cyclonic airflow path includes a floor-engaging base unit, a body unit pivotally mounted to the base unit and a motor/fan assembly mounted on one of the base unit or body units. A dirt collecting enclosure is also mounted on the body unit and includes a first large chamber and a second smaller chamber. A filter unit is disposed in the first large chamber. Dirt laden air is introduced into the first large chamber in a tangential manner so as to impart a cyclonic action to the airflow. The filter in the first large chamber is effective for removing larger particles of debris from the airflow. The remaining airflow is communicated to the second chamber where smaller particles of debris are removed. Airflow from the second smaller chamber is then communicated through a cyclonic chamber disposed above and transverse to the dirt collecting enclosure to a third chamber where a second filter is disposed.

Abstract: A vacuum cleaner having a base unit, a body unit pivotally mounted to the base unit, a suction generating device, and first and second dirt separation members. The first dirt separation chamber includes an inlet to receive airflow from the base unit, an outlet, a filter between the inlet and outlet, and a collection chamber having a bottom disposed below the first filter and a sidewall extending upwards from the bottom. The filter has a surface extending in a first direction, and the surface is adapted to pass the airflow radially therethrough. The second dirt separation member includes a cyclone body, an inlet to receive airflow from the first chamber outlet, and an outlet to convey airflow to the suction generating device. This outlet includes a cyclone outlet tube located within and at a first end of the cyclone body and extending in a second direction. A dirt outlet is located opposite the first end of the cyclone body. Another collection chamber is connected to the dirt outlet.

Abstract: A fuel-fired water heater has main and pilot burners disposed in its combustion chamber. All of the primary combustion air utilized by the main and pilot burners during firing thereof is supplied thereto via an enclosed path extending to the burners from outside of the combustion chamber. A burner clogging detection system is operative to shut down further combustion, upon sensing a condition of the pilot burner flame indicative of a predetermined degree of pilot burner clogging, prior to the main burner being clogged to an unacceptable degree by particulate matter entrained in incoming combustion air being delivered to the main burner. The pilot burner may be mounted on the main burner in a variety of locations thereon.

Abstract: A safety device for a fixed wing aircraft includes a strip positioned around propeller blades. In one alternative, the strip has a circular shape and a cross-sectional airfoil shape wherein the strip is coupled with any one of a trailing edge of the fixed wing and a leading edge of the fixed wing. In another alternative, the safety device includes a light coupled -with the strip or integrated in a surface of the strip. In yet another alternative, the safety device for the fixed wing aircraft includes a propeller having blades that rotate and a strip positioned around at least a part of a rotational path of outer tips of the blades when rotating.

Abstract: A component for a hull-type seaplane is disclosed. The component includes a first sponson-shaped element that provides buoyancy in water. The component further includes a first planar element coupled on one end with the first sponson-shaped element and coupled on another end to a hull on one side of the seaplane, wherein the first planar element allows a passenger to stand on it. In one alternative, the component further comprises a second sponson-shaped element that provides buoyancy in water and a second planar element coupled on one end with the second sponson-shaped element and coupled on another end to the hull on another side of the seaplane, wherein the second planar element allows a passenger to stand on it.

Abstract: A system for controlling landing gear of an aircraft is disclosed. The apparatus includes a sensor for sensing water, wherein the sensor is coupled to the landing gear and a retracting device for retracting the landing gear when the sensor senses a body of water. In one alternative, the aircraft is an amphibious aircraft and the sensor senses electrical conductivity. In another alternative, the retracting device comprises a hydraulic system for deploying and retracting the landing gear, wherein the hydraulic system retracts the landing gear when the sensor senses a body of water. In yet another alternative, the retracting device comprises a locking mechanism that locks the landing gear to the aircraft, wherein the locking mechanism unlocks the landing gear so as to detach it from the aircraft when the sensor senses a body of water.

Abstract: An upright vacuum cleaner with a cyclonic airflow path includes a floor-engaging base unit, a body unit pivotally mounted to the base unit and a motor/fan assembly mounted on one of the base unit or body units. A dirt collecting enclosure is also mounted on the body unit and includes a. first large chamber and a second smaller chamber. A filter unit is disposed in the first large chamber. Dirt laden air is introduced into the first large chamber in a tangential manner so as to impart a cyclonic action to the airflow. The filter in the first large chamber is effective for removing larger particles of debris from the airflow. The remaining airflow is communicated to the second chamber where smaller particles of debris are removed. Airflow from the second smaller chamber is then communicated through a cyclonic chamber disposed above and transverse to the dirt collecting enclosure. to a third chamber where a second filter is disposed.

Abstract: A composite article, for example a blading member of a gas turbine engine, comprising a plurality of stacked layers of in-plane reinforcing fibers bonded together with a matrix resin is provided with enhanced resistance to impact cracking, material loss and/or delamination through use of a plurality of spaced apart reinforcing pins disposed into the article at an angle to the stacked layers, in one form disposed in a selected article region generally to resist strain energy generated during operation of the region. In another form, enhanced resistance is provided through the combination of a matrix resin including properties comprising a tensile strain property of at least 5% and a K1c toughness of at least about 850 psi·inch1/2, and a plurality of spaced apart reinforcing pins disposed into the article at an angle to the stacked layers.

Abstract: A motor and brushroll mounting system for a cleaning device. The mounting system includes a motor, an agitator, a drive system, and a bracket. The motor has a rotary driving component adapted to rotate about a drive axis centerline, and a motor housing. The agitator has a rotary member having a driven component and at least one agitator, and at least one fixed member. The rotary member is rotatably held by the fixed member such that it is rotatable about a driven axis centerline. The drive system operatively connects the driving component and the driven component. The bracket is attached at a first end to the motor housing and at the second end to the at least one fixed member, and extends substantially directly therebetween to substantially prevent relative translation between the drive axis centerline and the driven axis centerline. A cleaning device nozzle and an alignment bracket are also provided.

Abstract: A dry eraser is disclosed including an eraser body having an upper region and a lower region, a layer of erasing material having a top portion and a bottom portion, the top portion affixed to the lower region of the eraser body, at least one socket on the upper region for accommodating at least a portion of a writing utensil, and a magnetic member operatively engaged to the eraser body between the top portion of the layer of erasing material and the upper region of the eraser body.

Abstract: An upright vacuum cleaner with a cyclonic airflow path includes a floor-engaging base unit, a body unit pivotally mounted to the base unit and a motor/fan assembly mounted on one of the base unit or body units. A dirt collecting enclosure is also mounted on the body unit and includes a first large chamber and a second smaller chamber. A filter unit is disposed in the first large chamber. Dirt laden air is introduced into the first large chamber in a tangential manner so as to impart a cyclonic action to the airflow. The filter in the first large chamber is effective for removing larger particles of debris from the airflow. The remaining airflow is communicated to the second chamber where smaller particles of debris are removed. Airflow from the second smaller chamber is then communicated through a cyclonic chamber disposed above and transverse to the dirt collecting enclosure, to a third chamber where a second filter is disposed.

Abstract: Probes comprising an immobilised Phosphatidic Acid attached onto a solid support are described, for example, as shown in formula I and V: (a) the linker consists of aryl, heteroaryl, alkyl with possible heteroatoms and/or unsaturations, preferably chains of (CH2)n, with n=8-20, most preferably n=11; (b) the heteroatom X maybe O, S, or most preferably NH; (c) the functional group (FG) is a carbonyl from a carboxylate (thiolo)ester, or, most preferably an amide; (d) the R-substituent carries an aryl, alkyl group, or a combination, preferably R=CmH2m+1, m=8-20, m=16 optimal; (e) the ion M represents any cation, preferably Na+, NH4+; (f) unsaturations are allowed, such as in an arachidonyl side chain and (g) =solid support with attachment to functional group, where: R=aryl, alkyl group, or a combination, preferably R=CmH2m+1, m=8-20, m=16 is optimal.

Abstract: An upright vacuum cleaner with a cyclonic airflow path includes a floor-engaging base unit, a body unit pivotally mounted to the base unit and a motor/fan assembly mounted on one of the base unit or body units. A dirt collecting enclosure is also mounted on the body unit and includes a first large chamber and a second smaller chamber. A filter unit is disposed in the first large chamber. Dirt laden air is introduced into the first large chamber in a tangential manner so as to impart a cyclonic action to the airflow. The filter in the first large chamber is effective for removing larger particles of debris from the airflow. The remaining airflow is communicated to the second chamber where smaller particles of debris are removed. Airflow from the second smaller chamber is then communicated through a cyclonic chamber disposed above and transverse to the dirt collecting enclosure, to a third chamber where a second filter is disposed.

Abstract: A composite article, for example a blading member of a gas turbine engine, comprising a plurality of stacked layers of in-plane reinforcing fibers bonded together with a matrix resin is provided with enhanced resistance to impact cracking, material loss and/or delamination through use of a plurality of spaced apart reinforcing pins disposed into the article at an angle to the stacked layers, in one form disposed in a selected article region generally to resist strain energy generated during operation of the region. In another form, enhanced resistance is provided through the combination of a matrix resin including properties comprising a tensile strain property of at least 5% and a K1c toughness of at least about 850 psi·inch1/2, and a plurality of spaced apart reinforcing pins disposed into the article at an angle to the stacked layers.

Abstract: An upright vacuum cleaner with a cyclonic airflow path includes a floor-engaging base unit, a body unit pivotally mounted to the base unit and a motor/fan assembly mounted on one of the base unit or body units. A dirt collecting enclosure is also mounted on the body unit and includes a first large chamber and a second smaller chamber. A filter unit is disposed in the first large chamber. Dirt laden air is introduced into the first large chamber in a tangential manner so as to impart a cyclonic action to the airflow. The filter in the first large chamber is effective for removing larger particles of debris from the airflow. The remaining airflow is communicated to the second chamber where smaller particles of debris are removed. Airflow from the second smaller chamber is then communicated through a cyclonic chamber disposed above and transverse to the dirt collecting enclosure, to a third chamber where a second filter is disposed.

Abstract: A beverage dispenser with an improved component configuration for enhancing serviceability as well as increasing both the beverage dispensing capacity and the quantity of beverage dispensed at a cooler temperature while maintaining a compact size. The beverage dispenser includes a housing defining a cooling chamber having a cooling fluid contained therein, a water line, a product line, a rechill line substantially submerged within the cooling fluid, a carbonator within the cooling chamber coupled with the water line and a carbon dioxide gas source, dispensing valves mounted on the housing and coupled to the product lines and to at least one of the rechill line and the water line to deliver a beverage, and a refrigeration unit for cooling the cooling fluid. The refrigeration unit includes an evaporator coil substantially submerged within the cooling fluid.

Abstract: A beverage dispenser with an improved component configuration for enhancing serviceability as well as increasing both the beverage dispensing capacity and the quantity of beverage dispensed at a cooler temperature while maintaining a compact size. The beverage dispenser includes a housing defining a cooling chamber having a cooling fluid contained therein, a water line, a product line, a rechill line substantially submerged within the cooling fluid, a carbonator within the cooling chamber coupled with the water line and a carbon dioxide gas source, dispensing valves mounted on the housing and coupled to the product lines and to at least one of the rechill line and the water line to deliver a beverage, and a refrigeration unit for cooling the cooling fluid. The refrigeration unit includes an evaporator coil substantially submerged within the cooling fluid.

Abstract: A beverage dispenser with an improved component configuration for enhancing serviceability as well as increasing both the beverage dispensing capacity and the quantity of beverage dispensed at a cooler temperature while maintaining a compact size. The beverage dispenser includes a housing defining a cooling chamber having a cooling fluid contained therein, a water line, a product line, a rechill line substantially submerged within the cooling fluid, a carbonator within the cooling chamber coupled with the water line and a carbon dioxide gas source, dispensing valves mounted on the housing and coupled to the product lines and to at least one of the rechill line and the water line to deliver a beverage, and a refrigeration unit for cooling the cooling fluid. The refrigeration unit includes an evaporator coil substantially submerged within the cooling fluid.