Abstract: A fuel processor for rapid start and operational control. The fuel processor includes a reformer, a shift reactor, and a preferential oxidation reactor for deriving hydrogen for use in creating electricity in a plurality of H2—O2 fuel cells. A heating and cooling mechanism is coupled to at least the shift reactor for controlling the critical temperature operation of the shift reactor without the need for a separate cooling loop. This heating and cooling mechanism produces or removes thermal energy as a product of the temperature of the combustion of air and fuel. Anode effluent and cathode effluent or air are used to control the temperature output of the heating mechanism. A vaporizer is provided that heats the PrOx reactor to operating temperature.

Abstract: The present invention distinguishes door closing actions between the one effected when an object leaves a prescribed area (i.e. the door closing action resulting from “signal discontinuation due to the exit of an object”) and the one effected when an object remains stationary within the area for a certain period of time (i.e. the door closing action resulting from “forced signal discontinuation in the presence of a stationary object”). Regarding the latter case, the present invention protects a person who stops in the area, by setting the door to close at a low speed and/or issuing a vocal warning. This door closing action can reduce the risk of hitting the person with the door.

Abstract: A window shade comprises a lower rail, two upright posts, an upper rail, and a plurality of rail members. The upright posts are connected uprightly with two sides of the lower rail. The upper rail is connected with free ends of the upright posts. Each of the rail members has a main body, a through hole, and a rod. The through hole penetrates two side ends of the main body. The rod is disposed in the through hole such that two ends of the rod are jutted out of the through hole to be connected between the two upright posts. The rail members are parallel to one another and are connected between the two upright posts.

Abstract: A door operator having a door hanger comprising a pair of double trolley assemblies disposed for linear movement within a hanger rail, wherein each trolley assembly further comprises two rollers mounted substantially opposite one another and engaging roller cavities within said hanger rail. Said door hanger is integrated with the drive system or is mounted independently of the drive system for replacement of the door hanger of the prior art or in new application requiring such independency between the door hanger and drive system.

Abstract: Apparatus for storing energy provided when a door is displaced so as to subsequently enable the energy thereby stored to be released to assist in the release of a pawl from a latch bolt of a latch mechanism, the apparatus comprising energy storage means and release means to selectively release the energy once stored.

Abstract: The present invention is a physical barrier for sealing an orifice in a panel member. The physical barrier includes a carrier that has one or more locating pins mounted on it. The pins are adapted to located the carrier in the orifice. The physical barrier also includes a sealing material attached to the carrier. The present invention also includes a method of installing the physical barrier into an orifice of a panel member.

Abstract: Coated abrasive particle for use in vitreous bond matrices, which particle is coated with between 1 and about 50 coating layers. Each coating layer ranges in thickness from between about 0.1 and 50 microns. Each layer has the composition, MCXNYBZOW, where, M represents one or more of Ti, Si, V, Cr, Zr, Nb, Mo, Hf, Ta, W, Re or a rare earth metal, and w, x, y, and z, each range from between 0 and 3. The outermost coating layer has a concentration of oxygen that is higher by a factor of at least about 2 than the layer in direct contact with the abrasive particle.

Abstract: The present invention provides a process for producing particles suitable for use as abrasives in chemical-mechanical polishing slurries. The process according to the invention includes mixing at least one crystallization promoter such as Ti[OCH(CH3)2)]4 with at least one cerium compound and at least one solvent, and subjecting said mixture to hydrothermal treatment at a temperature of from about 60° C. to about 700° C. to produce the particles. Particles formed in accordance with the present invention exhibit a large crystallite size, and can be used to polish silicon-containing substrates to a high degree of planarity at a relatively high rate.

Abstract: Asphalt composition ridge cover formed from an approximately rectangular sheet of asphalt composition roofing material. The sheet of asphalt composition material is bent around a radius along a longitudinal centerline. The roofing material may be bent by pressing the roofing material into a resilient pad with a tool having the radius. The roofing material may include an accordion folded section to support an overlapping ridge cover. The accordion folded section may include a relief for the bend around a radius.

Abstract: The present staircase (S′, S″) includes a permanent framing (200, 300) made of metallic stringers (208), one of which being typically secured to a half-timbering (F). Vertically extending step supports (210) are secured along the stringers (208) and each include upper and front flanges (254) adapted to be secured respectively to a tread (204, 304) and to a riser (206, 306) of each step (202, 302) of the staircase (S′, S″). Various support systems, including a corner post (312) and brackets (328, 332, 338) mounted thereto, are provided for supporting various horizontal (226c) and angled (208b, 208d) structural components of the framework (300) of the staircase (S″) when the staircase (S″) is L-shaped or U-shaped thereby including a turn in the staircase with flaring steps (103, 104, 105), and also possibly a landing (110).

Abstract: A glass holder is formed of a pair of holder pieces, namely the first and second holder pieces, an attaching structure for attaching the glass holder including the first and second holder pieces to another member, and a hot-melt resin. The second holder piece faces the first holder piece with a glass therebetween, and the attaching structure is formed in at least one of the first and second holder pieces. The hot-melt resin is attached to at least one of the first and second holder pieces to bond the glass to the glass holder.

Abstract: A composite structural member with a longitudinally extending structural haunch. The composite structural member comprises a plurality of longitudinally extending girders with molded sections disposed thereon. The molded section comprises a molded deck portion having a plurality of longitudinally extending structural haunches extending downwardly therefrom. Each haunch is disposed on a corresponding girder. The haunches are molded around shear connectors attached to the girders. The resulting structure has greater strength properties than a corresponding prior art structure having no haunch, the same deck thickness and substantially the same overall height and girder weight.

Abstract: A method of resisting corrosion in concrete containing metal elements is provided. It includes introducing into fresh concrete, containing metal elements, at least one compound capable of sequestering chloride ions. The method may also involve employing a compound which is capable of establishing a corrosion resistant oxide layer on the metal reinforcing elements. The invention also includes certain compounds which may be employed in the method as well as concrete structures containing the compounds. In another embodiment of the invention, concrete structures may be rehabilitated by providing an overlay containing a compound of the type which will contribute to corrosion resistance either through chloride ion sequestering or creating barriers around metal structural elements with the overlay being provided in situ or as a preformed member and with possible use of a slurry in combination with an overlay segment.

Abstract: A laminated shingle is provided, having lighter and darker granule portions visible from the front, at different planes; the front-most or anterior plane generally having granules of lighter shading and the more rearward or posterior plane generally having darker granules. The darker granules in the more posterior plane are visible from the front of the shingle to provide visually sharp, precise delineation between zones of lighter and darker shading. The shingles may be of multi-layer construction with suitable adhesives securing the layers together. The darker granules may be visible from beneath the lower edge(s) of the anterior shingle, to provide a shadow line effect. Alternatively, or in addition thereto, the darker shingle zones from the more posterior plane may be visible through tab-separating slots of the lighter shaded anterior shingle portion.

Abstract: A floor grid system including a number of interconnectable tiles is provided. The tiles are interconnected with one another to form a floor surface through the use of locking assemblies extending between the tiles. The assemblies can be formed entirely on the tiles, or can include separate connectors engageable with the assemblies on adjacent tiles to interconnect the tiles and form the floor surface.

Abstract: In one implementation of the present invention, corrugated metal deck panels are attached to concrete structural beams to form a precast panel.

Abstract: A floor pad module is formed along its four edges with specially designed first and second dovetails and corresponding dovetail grooves, so that the floor pad module could be reversed without affecting its free connection to another floor pad module via engagement of the dovetails with the dovetail grooves. This enables the floor pad module to be manufactured with two different colors shown at a front and a reverse side thereof, and a consumer may connect a plurality of the floor pad modules to form a large area of floor pad showing differently colored patterns simply by reversing some of the floor pad modules in the same one pack without the need of purchasing two or more packs of monochromatic floor pad modules.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a retaining wall block that is resistant to damage and wear caused by the environment it is placed into. The deterioration resistant block is generally a hollowed frame or shell of a deterioration resistant material that is lightweight and is configured to accept and retain any type of filling material. The filling material provides weight and stability to the retaining wall block and also provides weight, stability and security to a retaining wall constructed of such blocks.

Abstract: An artificial stratified stone construction (10) for producing building components (21) and the method employed in the manufacture of the building components (21). The artificial stratified stone construction (10) includes a slab (20) having a plurality of different colored layers (22) of cured concrete such that the exposed sides of each of the building components (21) will expose the variable stratified color and thickness layers (22) which constitute the finished product.

Abstract: A novel system for constructing smooth-faced metal framing and novel tracks and connectors therefore. The system, tracks and connectors of the present invention utilize known metal framing or wall studs that demonstrate a U-channel configuration having a base, sidewalls and marginal lips that extend inward from the sidewalls. A variety structurally related connectors are described capable of interconnecting metal framing performing all framing functions including, without limitation, floor and ceiling joists, top and bottom plates, roof rafters, roof rims, window sills, trusses, headers and wall studs. The connectors lock into place within the stud or track and are secured from the inside using fasteners applied into the non-surface aspects of the stud or track. The specially configured tracks are essentially studs modified to include recess channels through which fasteners may be applied to secure the track to track connectors.

Abstract: The modular molding system of the present invention comprises a plurality of modular molding sections for covering the joint formed between a vertical wall and a ceiling to create a crown molding. The sections, preferably formed of a thin plastic vacuum-molded material, include an angled faced portion and a horizontal alignment portion interconnected with the angled face portion. The molding sections include a first straight end and a second angled end. The angled ends are used for forming coped corner moldings, the angled end of one section contacting the face of another section at a right angle. A desired length of linear molding is formed by overlapping the straight end of a first section over the angled end of a second section. This process can be repeated to form a molding of desired length. The molding sections are flexible to abut to an uneven surface of a vertical wall. The horizontal alignment portion carries an adhesive which allows the molding to be adhered to a ceiling.

Abstract: A packaging machine for making substantially air-tight bags at high speed. The machine includes a film drive and pinch roll pair, a pair of film pull belts, and a pair of zipper drive rollers for pulling plastic film and zippered strip through the machine. The machine can produce recloseable bags with zipperlocks by including zippered strips and a zipperlock applicator and feed and apparatus selectively releasing the tension from the zippered drive rollers.

Abstract: A post processing cap applicator for applying a cap to a closure spout after erection, spout attachment, filling and sealing of a carton accommodates custom caps. Cartons are conveyed through the applicator in a first forward direction. A cap supply is configured to dispense caps and to position an edge of a cap in a path defined by movement of the closure spout through the applicator. The closure spout engages the edge of the cap. The applicator includes a rotating, torque-applying element and a drive operably connected to the torque-applying element. The drive is operable in a first direction to tighten the cap onto the spout to a predetermined torque and, once the predetermined torque is reached, to stop tightening the cap. A method for post processing cap application is also disclosed.

Abstract: A process for pallet packaging includes steps of maintaining the pallet stationary, and subjecting a spool supplying the packing film to a movement around the pallet of rectangular trajectory, whereby in each cycle or turn of the spool four segments of rectilinear displacement are defined therefor related one to another through orthogonal inflections, and whereby the pressure of the film is maintained constant throughout the wrapping, avoiding risks of the same being torn. The spool is mounted on a headstock in association directly or indirectly with the free extremity of the multiple articulated arm of a robot, with an operating program developed for the aforementioned movements.

Abstract: An apparatus for wrapping groups of products with plastic film comprises: a platform that rotates about a vertical axis and supports a group of products which, as the platform rotates, are wrapped with the film to form a package; a reel, from which the film is unwound, which rotates about a vertical axis and which can move up and down in such a way as to wrap the group in height as the platform rotates; a unit for gripping and tearing the film mounted outside the profile of the platform and designed to intercept and grip at least one portion of the film located between the group and the reel (4) once the group has been wrapped, in such a way that, acting in conjunction with a partial rotation of the platform, it tears the film at that portion to form an end or trailing free edge of film torn off by the gripping and tearing unit.

Abstract: A method of covering a pot with a plant cover, the plant cover at least comprising a base portion, and optionally having a skirt or a detachable upper portion. The plant cover has a heat shrinkable bonding material which can be heat shrink to secure to plant cover about the pot.

Abstract: Apparatus and methods are presented herein for protecting electronic components from damage during transport or “drop testing.” A packaging system of the present invention includes a novel cover tape bonded to a carrier tape, which cover tape includes a foam layer attached thereto on its underside. The foam layer prevents excessive movement of the electronic components within the cavities, thereby protecting the leads and other parts of the components from damage. The method for protecting the components in the cavities of the carrier tape includes attaching the foam layer on the underside of the cover tape before sealing the cover tape on the carrier tape. When the cover tape is bonded to the carrier tape with the components placed in the cavities, the foam layer prevents excessive movement of the components therein.

Abstract: A method and machine for producing a rigid packet of cigarettes from a flat, substantially rectangular blank; the blank has two main longitudinal crease lines, and a number of transverse crease lines defining, between the two main longitudinal crease lines, central panels having respective lateral wings; the flat blank is fed to a prefolding station where the lateral wings of at least one of the central panels are folded about the respective main longitudinal crease lines; and the blank is subsequently restored to the flat configuration before being fed to a follow-up folding station.

Abstract: In some preferred embodiments of the media packaging apparatus and method according to the present invention, a plurality of stations are positioned adjacent to a conveyor. A disc case enters a feed path preferably from an empty disc case receptacle, is conveyed to a disc case opening station where a wedge separates the lid from the housing of the case, is then conveyed to a media disc insertion station where a media disc is inserted in the case, and is then conveyed to a case closing station where the case is closed. Other additional stations are possible such as an additional item insertion station or a disc case unloading station. The functions performed at the various stations can alternatively be performed at the same location along the conveyor. In some embodiments, the present invention is equipped with a drive system that can be operated in the absence of power.

Abstract: The present invention is concerned with a roll-baler of a construction, in which the rotational movement of its rear chamber of the bale chamber for its opening and closing is done smoothly, while its lock mechanism is designed to be simple, so that the bale-shaping material of a short length may be fed into the bale chamber 4 through its inlet port “a”.

Abstract: An access port for a house vacuum system that is equipped with a removable trap is described. The access port can be constructed by the components of a port body of elongated, cylindrical shape, which may have either an annular cross-section or a rectangular cross-section; a port cover that is pivotally connected to a floor panel by a hinge; a debris trap of elongated, cylindrical shape that is removable mounted inside the port body; a vacuum hose access port that is provided in the port cover; and a cover for the vacuum hose access port pivotally connected to the port cover by a hinge. The access port may also be made into a portable unit that can be moved from vacuum port to vacuum port in a cleanroom environment.

Abstract: Device for the ventilation of a transmission case (11) that is normally intended to hold liquid lubricant for transmission components and includes a residual internal volume of air inside the transmission case that is connected to the atmospheric pressure by way of a passage. With the aim of reducing the quantity of dirt particles than can get into the transmission case by way of the said passage, the passage includes a first section (27) with a certain flow area and a second section (26) with, by comparison, an at least approximately 50% larger flow area. The first section (27) is situated between the atmosphere and the second section (26). A compressed air source (I8) is connected to the passage between the internal volume of the transmission case (11) and the first section (27).

Abstract: A ceramic honeycomb filter comprising a ceramic honeycomb structure having porous partition walls defining a plurality of flow paths for flowing an exhaust gas through the porous partition walls to remove particulates from the exhaust gas, the predetermined flow paths among the flow paths being sealed at their ends, a catalyst being carried by the porous partition walls, the porous partition walls having a porosity of 60-75% and an average pore diameter of 15-25 &mgr;m when measured according to a mercury penetration method, and the maximum of a slope Sn of a cumulative pore volume curve of the porous partition walls relative to a pore diameter obtained at an n-th measurement point being 0.

Abstract: A lawn mower having an engine shaft for rotatably driving a set of cutting blades, and also adapted to selectively drive a built-in. The edging unit being selectively engaged to said engine shaft by a clutch type mechanism. A means for adjusting the relative height between a front caster-type wheel and the lawn mower frame. A handle extending from the lawn mower frame that is pivotally attached to allow pivotal rotation relative to the frame about two substantially perpendicular rotational axis and a selective locking means for releasably locking the handle in a predetermined position.

Abstract: This is a large rotatable cutter head primarily useful in masticating vegetation ranging from grasses to large trees. The inventive cutter head is typically mounted on an articulating arm on a tractor or tread-based vehicle. Depending upon the size of the arm and its maneuverability, the cutter head may be used to cut and grind vegetation variously from the ground surface to many feet off the ground. The rotatable cutter head assembly includes a number of rotating cutters mounted inside the periphery of the assembled drum and that spin freely outside the diameter of that drum and, upon contact with vegetation, rotate into the drum assembly. The invention includes combinations of the cutter head with the support vehicle or articulating arm and methods of using the cutter head.

Abstract: A yarn wetting apparatus, especially for a two-for-one twisting spindle assembly, and a two-for-one twisting spindle assembly having a yarn wetting apparatus disposed on the upper end of its spindle hollow axis, are provided. The yarn wetting apparatus comprises a reservoir, a porous wetting body which extends to the reservoir and has a capillary capacity, and a yarn passage opening which tapers in the direction of the spindle hollow axis of the two-for-one twisting spindle assembly, wherein the inner end of the yarn passage opening is in communication with the reservoir via at least one wetting agent back flow channel.

Abstract: An arrangement for an open-end rotor spinning comprises a spinning rotor which is radially supported with a rotatable shaft in a wedge-shaped gap of two supporting disc pairs and axially in a step bearing housing. The shaft can be pulled out from its support from the operator's side of the arrangement and inserted again into the support. For the purpose of cleaning the gap between the back supporting disc pair and the front face side of the step bearing housing, a tube is provided having an entry opening at the operator's side of the arrangement and leading to the area of the step bearing housing and aligned against the shaft with an opening.

Abstract: The present invention provides apparatus and methods for integrating structural members inside the body of a propulsion vehicle with tankage used to store fluid propellant and the like. Propulsion vehicles may be made lighter, more compact, cheaper, and easier to manufacture by using pressurized membranes of the tankage to accomplish other structural purposes. More specifically, tanks may be integrated with thrust structures to transfer thrust loads from the engine to the main body of the vehicle. Alternatively, the tanks may be integrated with the vehicle engine. Also, one tank may be integrated with one or more other tanks to form a single pressure vessel with multiple interior chambers. Tankage may additionally be combined with more than one of the foregoing to save additional weight and space. Methods of manufacturing a metallic integrated tank assembly include weld fabrication, machining, spinning, hydroforming, casting, forging, plating, metal deposition, or some combination thereof.

Abstract: A more accurate method for determining a NOx storage efficiency of an exhaust gas aftertreatment device is presented. The method teaches determining NOx storage efficiency as a function of available LNT NOx storage capacity, which is calculated based on a ratio of an instantaneous value of an amount of NOx stored in the device and total device storage capacity at present operating conditions. Using this method prevents overfilling of the device and inefficient purging, thus improving emission control and fuel economy.

Abstract: A target air-fuel ratio KCMD for an exhaust gas upstream of a catalytic converter is sequentially determined to converge the output VO2/OUT of an O2 sensor downstream of the catalytic converter to a target value VO2/TARGET, and the amount of fuel supplied to an internal combustion engine is controlled to converge the output KACT of an air-fuel ratio sensor to the target air-fuel ratio KCMD. While the amount of fuel supplied to the internal combustion engine is being thus controlled, the value of a deterioration linear function &sgr; whose variable components are represented by time-series data of the output VO2/OUT of the O2 sensor is determined. A central value of the square &sgr;2 of the value of the deterioration linear function &sgr; is determined as a deterioration evaluating parameter. A deteriorated state of the catalytic converter is evaluated on the basis of the value of the deterioration evaluating parameter.

Abstract: Method for checking the conversion capacity of a catalytic element for converting ozone where the catalytic element is provided as a vehicle radiator with a catalytic coating and the method of checking uses ozone sensors upstream and downstream of the radiator. The check is only carried out if predetermined enable conditions are satisfied. Only then are the values emitted by the sensors recorded and compared with one another. A variable which represents an uncorrected value for the quality of the conversion capacity is derived from this comparison. This variable is weighted as a function of at least one operating parameter of the vehicle. The weighted variable is compared with a predetermined threshold value, and, if the threshold value is exceeded, it is concluded that the conversion capacity of the radiator is insufficient.

Abstract: A control system and method for controlling an engine (10) of an automotive vehicle having a catalyst (34) is set forth herein. The control system maintains the efficiency of the catalyst by monitoring the catalyst state and driving the catalyst state to a target point. A first oxygen sensor (50) generates a first oxygen signal. A second oxygen sensor (52) downstream of the catalyst generates a second oxygen signal. A controller (12) is programmed to perform the steps of determining a catalyst state having a maximum value, a minimum value, and a target point therebetween; determining a commanded air-fuel ratio to drive the catalyst state to the target point; and operating the engine with the commanded air-fuel ratio.

Abstract: An exhaust gas purifying system for an internal combustion engine mounted on an automotive vehicle. The exhaust gas purifying system comprises an exhaust gas component concentration regulating device disposed in an exhaust gas passageway of the engine, for regulating concentrations of gas components in exhaust gas discharged from the engine such that the concentrations of carbon monoxide and hydrogen are respectively not more than 2.0% by volume and not less than 0.5 by volume and such that a volume concentration ratio of [hydrogen/carbon monoxide] is not smaller than 0.5, in rich and stoichiometric conditions of exhaust gas. Additionally, a NOx adsorbing and reducing catalyst is disposed in the exhaust gas passageway downstream of the exhaust gas component concentration regulating device, for adsorbing nitrogen oxides in a lean condition of the exhaust gas and reducing the nitrogen oxides into nitrogen in the rich and stoichiometric conditions.

Abstract: This invention relates to a method and apparatus for controlling the air-fuel ratio demanded by a fuel controller in order to maintain optimum performance of a catalytic converter.

Abstract: A piston-pumped EGR system for an internal combustion engine includes first and second stationary regenerators. Alternating flow through the first and second stationary regenerators is controlled by a regenerator directional flow control valve in fluid communication with at least one check valve disposed between the regenerator directional flow control valve and an exhaust manifold of the engine. Flow through the stationary recuperators is controlled so that exhaust gas and cooling bleed flow are alternatingly directed through the stationary recuperators whereby heat is removed from the recirculated exhaust gas prior to reintroduction into an intake manifold and one of the stationary regenerators is cooled by bleed air, which is subsequently discharged into the exhaust manifold of the engine.

Abstract: An electrical energy-generating heat sink system is described herein that provides a convenient and economical method for continuously recharging an energy storage device in electronic devices.

Abstract: A system of combining balanced, independent, self-starting and initially separated internal combustion engines, wherein engines not immediately required for power can be shut down. Shut down engines are disconnected from the running engine or engines, and drive train. This system will dramatically reduce fuel consumption and the amount of exhaust gases. A microprocessor determines vehicle power requirements from engine sensors. Hydraulic pistons under control of the microprocessor bring the individual engine units into and out of engagement with each other. Friction plates and locking pins are provided for coupling the crankshafts at predetermined relative angular positions.

Abstract: In a combustion chamber (1) that consists of a mixing zone (11) and a combustion zone (12) and which works due to self-ignition, fuel (3) and support air (4) are injected laterally at the sidewall (6) of the mixing zone (11) into hot gases (5). By injecting differently controlled fuel/support air mixture jets (7) into different target spaces within the mixing zone (11), the operating range of the combustion chamber (1) can be increased while noxious substances are reduced. The invention relates both to the combustion chamber (1) as well as to the method for operating this combustion chamber (1).

Abstract: A fuel injector for a turbomachine engine, the injector comprising an injector body having pressurized fuel admission means, a first valve mounted downstream from the pressurized fuel admission means and arranged to admit fuel into the injector body, a second valve mounted downstream from the first valve and capable of opening in order to meter at least a fraction of the fuel admitted into the injector body for utilization means for using the fuel, the metered fuel flow rate to the utilization means being a function of flow sections formed through the second valve, the injector further comprising a diaphragm placed between the pressurized fuel admission means and the first valve so as to set the rate at which fuel is admitted into the injector body at a determined value.

Abstract: A dynamic pressure probe includes a holder body having a first passage therein adapted to receive a pressure signal, a pressure sensor including at least a pressure sensing portion located within a sleeve seated within a pressure sensor housing portion, the sleeve engaged with a wall of the housing portion; the pressure sensor including a diaphragm having one face exposed to a pressure chamber within the sleeve between the pressure sensor and the wall; wherein an aperture in the wall of the housing connects the pressure chamber to the first passage; and wherein the first passage continues axially beyond the aperture in a flow direction an acoustic damping coil wound about a vertical axis.