Abstract: A method of making metallic iron in which a compact, containing iron oxide such as iron ore or the like and a carbonaceous reductant such as coal or the like, is used as material, and the iron oxide is reduced through the application of heat, thereby making metallic iron. In the course of this reduction, a shell composed of metallic iron is generated and grown on the surface of the compact, and slag aggregates inside the shell. This reduction continues until substantially no iron oxide is present within the metallic iron shell. Subsequently, heating is further performed to melt the metallic iron and slag. Molten metallic iron and molten slag are separated one from the other, thereby obtaining metallic iron with a relatively high metallization ratio.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a process for forming a razor blade. The process includes the steps of: a) providing a substrate, b) forming a wedge-shaped sharpened edge on the substrate that has an included angle of less than thirty degrees and a tip radius of less than 1,000 angstroms, c) placing the substrate in a vacuum chamber, d) placing a first solid target in the vacuum chamber, e) providing a gas to be ionized in the vacuum chamber, and f) generating ions from the first solid target by applying a negative voltage to the first solid target in pulses, the ions forming a thin film coating on the wedge-shaped sharpened edge on the substrate.

Abstract: A container opener providing a plurality of elements for opening various containers is disclosed. The opener is lightweight and has a one-piece construction that typically fits in a user's hand and pocket. The opener includes a handle portion, a mid-portion for containing a first element for opening containers, a distal end containing a second opening element and a third element placed on one side of the elongated opener.

Abstract: A wheel stud installing and removing system includes a C-frame; a forcing screw configured to communicate with the C-frame to move laterally through the C-frame; a swivel mounted on an end on the forcing screw; an adapter receiver mounted on an opposite end of the C-frame from the forcing screw, and configured to receive at least one of either a stud installing adapter and a stud removing adapter. A method of moving a stud includes: inserting one of either an installing adapter or a removing adapter into an adapter receiver on a C-frame; aligning a longitudinal axis of the adapter with a longitudinal axis of the stud; aligning the longitudinal axis of the stud with a longitudinal axis of a forcing screw; and turning the forcing screw.

Abstract: In a housing of a power tool is formed a hook-receiving portion, with openings facing leftward and rightward, through which a substantially U-shaped hook having a left hook leg and a right hook leg is movable among a left protruding position in which the left hook leg protrudes leftward from the hook-receiving portion, a right protruding position in which the right hook leg protrudes rightward from the hook-receiving portion, and an accommodating position in which the left and right hook legs are both accommodated in the hook-receiving portion. Also provided in the housing is a retaining mechanism by which the hook is retainable in one of the positions of the left protruding position, right protruding position, and accommodating position.

Abstract: A powered wrench driven by a fluid motor using a gear to gear system. The fluid motor causes a primary gear to turn, which directly engages a second gear attached to a workpiece and rotates that workpiece in response to operation of the fluid motor. The fluid motor can be located spaced from the handle of the wrench or in the handle of the wrench. An extension can also be included to extend the reach of the wrench.

Abstract: A torque sensor insertion tool is provided for installing a torque sensor disposed on an axle and a torque sensor deinsertion tool is provided for removing a torque sensor unit disposed on the axle. These tools are designed to avoid applying an excessive tension force or an excessive compression force that will distort the torque sensor unit during installation and removal of the torque sensor unit disposed on the axle. Basically, the tools contact the torque sensor at two axially spaced apart points and support the torque sensor unit both internally and externally during installation and removal. The torque sensor insertion tool basically has an axle attachment structure, a tubular sensor supporting structure and a tubular sensor moving structure. The torque sensor deinsertion tool basically has an outer member, an inner member and a nut member.

Abstract: A tool is provided for driving fasteners that includes a torque limiting mechanism therein. The torque limiting mechanism includes a first frictional engagement member disposed on the drive shaft for the tool that is engaged by one or more second frictional engagement members disposed on one or more sides of the first frictional member. The second frictional engagement members are biased into engagement with the first member by biasing members disposed within the handle that can be adjusted in order to provide more or less of a biasing force to control the frictional engagement of the second member with the first member and thereby control the torque limiting function of the torque limiting mechanism. In addition, a drive shaft is also engaged with a ratcheting mechanism that enables the tool to drive a fastener into a suitable substrate in only a single direction.

Abstract: Used tires are chopped up in a punch press which progressively punches out areas of each tire lying flat in the press. The tire fragments are conveyed from the press to a collection container. An elevator mechanism may receive four tires stacked vertically, each used tire therein successively fed into the press by a feed mechanism receiving each tire from the elevator mechanism. An on-site enclosure houses all of the components and a container of collected fragments which is accessed for removal through a door in the enclosure.

Abstract: A circular saw stand (2) for effecting cuts with a hand-held circular saw (4), includes a device (6) for securing the circular saw stand (2) on a work table (10), a locking device (12) for adjustably defining a region (14) for receiving a to-be-cut workpiece (16) and having two clamping elements one of which is connected with the securing device (6) and another one is located opposite the one clamping element and displaceable relative thereto, and a guide device (42) forming a guide plane for a bearing plate (40) of the circular saw (4) and supported on one of the clamping elements.

Abstract: Drive unit with a rotating saw blade which is hinged inside of a protective hood, for connection to a robot, shaped by an enclosure that can be connected to the robot in which a shaft is positioned, by means of which the saw can be powered under intermediate connection to a gearbox. The saw blade is held between two firmly connected internal rings which are arranged on both sides of the saw blade and contain it, as well as being connected to each other. The rings are rotatably mounted within non-rotating external rings that are connected to the protective hood. The device that is formed by the saw blade, the internal rings and the external rings is fastened in a removable way to a drive hub that is powered by the gearbox.

Abstract: A method for operating a transverse machining roller of a transverse machining device, which is driven by means of a drive unit and is for the rotary machining of a product web that is transportable in a transport direction, in order to produce machined sections of product web of different formats, having the following steps: selection of a desired format for the sections of product web, preparation of a number of motion rules for controlling a rotary movement of the transverse machining roller in a control unit, for the desired format, production or calculation of a movement of the transverse machining roller on the basis of motion rules prepared in the control unit and/or at least one parameter of the drive unit and/or at least one instruction of a user.

Abstract: A quick release device for a saw blade guard assembly in a circular saw includes a mounting block having two spaced sidewalls, a mounting groove defined between the two sidewalls for receiving a spreader, and two through holes respectively defined through the sidewalls and in communication with the mounting groove and a locating hole. At least one movable engagement member is movably disposed in the through hole of the mounting block. A locking member having two spaced locking blocks mounts onto the mounting block. Each of the locking blocks has a retaining wall portion for engaging the at least one movable engagement member and forcing the at least one movable engagement member to be held in the locating hole of the spreader.

Abstract: There is provided a sheet processing apparatus capable of preventing the roll sheet cut by the cutting device from falling over to the sheet processing apparatus and improving the conveyance capability of the roll sheet when the long size roll sheet is made. Long size roll sheet is fixed at three spots, wherein the three spots are the top edge portion of the roll sheet receiving portion, the top edge portion on the downstream side of the regulatory member, and the bottom edge portion of the projecting portion. The bottom edge portion of the projecting portion is constructed to be always located inside a circular arc which starts from a center O with a maximum radius R of the roll sheet, wherein the circular arc passes the top edge portion of the roll sheet receiving portion and the top edge portion on the downstream side of the regulatory member.

Abstract: A disk-shaped rotary blade of a slitter blade assembly has a cutting edge and a first beveled surface facing a drum-shaped rotary blade of the slitter blade assembly and progressively spaced from the drum-shaped rotary blade toward the cutting edge. The disk-shaped rotary blade also has a second beveled surface facing a workpiece to be cut off and progressively spaced from the cutting edge away from the workpiece.

Abstract: A disk-shaped rotary blade of a slitter blade assembly has a cutting edge and a first beveled surface facing a drum-shaped rotary blade of the slitter blade assembly and progressively spaced from the drum-shaped rotary blade toward the cutting edge. The disk-shaped rotary blade also has a second beveled surface facing a workpiece to be cut off and progressively spaced from the cutting edge away from the workpiece.

Abstract: A vibration-reducing device is applied to a scroll saw. The scroll saw includes a body, a U-frame, a block and an actuating device. The U-frame is coupled to the body, and the block and a shaft of the actuating device are eccentrically fastened to each other, and the actuating device is mounted to the body. The vibration-reducing device includes a connector and a pivot arm pivotally coupled to the body. The connector includes a third end rotatably connected to the block, and a fourth end rotatably connected to the pivot arm. When the shaft is rotated, the motion of the center of gravity of the pivot arm in a vertical direction is opposite to the motion of the center of gravity of the U-frame.

Abstract: To provide a tuning peg element for a stringed musical instrument having a wooden peg box, a conical fixing part is provided, by means of which the tuning peg element is fixable to the peg box in rotatable manner without further auxiliary means and which is of solid construction and is made of a non-fibrous material at least in a region of contact with the peg box.

Abstract: A strap lock is provided. The strap lock includes a sleeve, a slider and a spring. The slider fits within the sleeve and moves from a locked position to an unlocked position. The spring biases the slider into a locked position. The sleeve may be attached to a strap end having a keyhole such that the slider covers a portion of the keyhole when in a locked position and uncovers the keyhole when in an unlocked position.

Abstract: An improved method and apparatus for safely and securely holding and manipulating a musical instrument for construction or repair, the apparatus for which consists of a base, a pedestal upstanding from the base having an associated vertically adjustable post, an instrument support assembly including an instrument support plate mountable thereon; a holder mounted atop the pedestal for holding the instrument support assembly; clamps for attaching an instrument to the instrument support assembly; a pivot for supporting the instrument support assembly about a vertical axis; a pivot for rotating the instrument support assembly about an axis normal to the face of the support plate; and a gear for rotating the instrument support assembly about a horizontal axis.

Abstract: A metal shell is composed of a trunk portion and a pair of reinforcing portions provided at opening ends of the trunk portion. The trunk portion is formed of a metallic cylinder, the reinforcing portion is formed of a metallic ring having the same diameter as that of the cylinder, and the ring is joined to at least an opening end of the cylinder.

Abstract: A drum includes a shell, a counterhoop and a head. The shell is cylindrical and provided with a combining member to engage with an engaging member of the counterhoop, and the head is sandwiched tightly between the shell and the counterhoop, with no need of any other parts to keep the head stretched tight so as to save time and cost for its manufacture.

Abstract: Embodiments of the invention provide an apparatus for connecting drum pedals for a musical drum set. In one embodiment, an apparatus for connecting two drum pedals of a drum set comprises an outer tube having a proximal end and a distal end, the distal end of the outer tube being coupled with a first drum pedal; an inner rod having a proximal end and a distal end, the proximal end of the inner rod being slidably received through the proximal end of the outer tube, the distal end of the inner rod being coupled with a first drum beater; and a quick-release mechanism configured to releasably engage the outer tube with the inner rod. The quick-release mechanism includes a resilient engagement member that resiliently engages the outer tube with the inner rod and that is manually operable to disengage the outer tube from the inner rod.

Abstract: A device for practicing percussion instrument technique includes a shaft portion and a feedback portion. The feedback portion is movable relative to the shaft portion and provides feedback to the user when an appropriate technique is used by the user of the device.

Abstract: A method of graphically representing the musical notes in an octave in parallel to the visible light spectrum, by means of one or more color codes comprising colors in a spectrally sequential order and repeating the code throughout the different octaves, and a series of apparati designed to apply said method, as a note locator, to any type of musical instrument where exactly one auditory tone is modified in pitch by exactly one manipulation of the instrument, including all stringed, keyboard, and melodic percussion instruments.

Abstract: The present invention is directed toward an instructional methodology that is used in teaching novice or beginner status individuals how to play a musical instrument. The current methodology has been found to be particularly advantageous in teaching the use of stringed instruments such as guitars. More particularly, the instructional system uses a series of repetitive sequencing steps in order for a pupil to understand the positions on the instrument as well as to grasp a fundamental understanding of chord arrangements and musical scales.

Abstract: A plurality of blocks of waveform data are stored in a memory, which also stores, for each of the blocks, synchronizing information representative of a plurality of cycle synchronizing points that are indicative of periodic specific phase positions where the block of waveform data should be synchronized in phase with another block of waveform data. Two blocks of waveform data (e.g., harmonic and nonharmonic components) are read out from the memory, along with the synchronizing information. On the basis of the synchronizing information, the readout of two blocks of waveform data is controlled using the synchronizing information. There is stored, for each of the blocks, at least one piece of synchronizing position information indicative of a specific position where the block should be synchronized with another block, and the readout of the individual blocks of waveform data is controlled so that the blocks are synchronized with each other using the synchronizing position information.

Abstract: A similarity assessment apparatus is provided for assessing a performance sound based on a model performance sound. In the apparatus, a probability density function generating unit divides data of a performance sound into a sequence of frames each having a predetermined temporal length, and generates a probability density function of a fundamental frequency for each frame of the performance sound. A probability density function providing portion provides a probability density function of a fundamental frequency for each frame of the model performance sound. A similarity assessment unit compares the generated probability density function of a frame of the performance sound with the provided probability density function of a frame of the model performance sound so as to assess a similarity between the performance sound and the model performance sound.

Abstract: A music reproduction device for recommending music suitable for a taste of a user is provided. When the music reproduction device reproduces music, a motion of the user is measured. A range of a tempo in which a tempo of music is matched with a tempo of the motion of the user is determined as a range of a preferred tempo of the user. Pieces of music to be recommended for the user are selected based on the determined range of the tempo. Thus, it is possible to accurately recommend pieces of music suitable for the taste of the user without an additional input for generating a recommendation list by the user.

Abstract: The invention relates to a method for automatic generation of melodies where from one step to a following a new parameter value is generated that is sent to a unit emitting sound. The parameters comprise a new note pitch, a new window width, a life span for the window width, a window offset and a life span for the window offset. The new note pitch is selected according to a given probability distribution within the interval of note pitches given by the note pitch in a previous step, the window width and the window offset.

Abstract: The electronic musical system comprises a keyboard that has a plurality of keys to designate the pitch, a key operation detector for detecting the operating state of the keyboard, set operator that can switch to the parameter setting state, parameter value input port to input the parameter values, pressed key count detector to detect the number of pressed keys, parameter setting program for setting the parameter value according to the pressed keys detected by the key operation detector. If one key being pressed is detected, then the parameter values are set to the value of the pressed key. If, however, multiple keys being pressed are detected, then the parameter values are set to the value of the multiple pressed keys and parameter output port outputs the parameter values that were set by the parameter setting program. The electronic musical instrument allows the user to intuitively set the parameter values with a effortless operation.

Abstract: Methods and apparatus, including computer program products, for shaping amplitude contours of musical notes. A method for shaping amplitude contours of musical notes in time of particular pitch and duration includes processing musical notes to modify a contour of an amplitude shape curve of each note differently in accordance with its relationship to its succeeding note, the processing including calculating an initial amplitude shape curve, modifying a first portion of the calculated initial amplitude shape curve to be more convex or more concave, and independently modifying a second portion of the calculated initial amplitude shape curve to be more convex or more concave, the resulting modifications improving a timbre quality.

Abstract: A box installed in an instrument with a cut out where a pick up coil can be instantly slid in and out or side to side. The coils are slid into the box unit which has a slice in it to allow the coils to be slid side to side along a path of the strings to achieve different tonal effects.

Abstract: Fabric and methods of forming thick 3-D woven preforms wherein substantially orthogonal yarn systems are manipulated in each direction to provide predetermined thickness and cross-sectional shapes.

Abstract: This invention, as a unit, is a training adjustable combination sight, primarily intended to be mounted on a vehicle of smaller vessel for close-in defence of these against air and ground attacks. In its entirety, aside from the required sight sensors (16-18) situated in an intentionally elevatable sensor housing (4), the combination sight entails a weapon (8) that is controlled by the sensors. The sight sensors (16-18) included in the combination sight can also be utilized for fire control of exterior weapons located elsewhere as well as for gathering purely surveillance data.

Abstract: A personal protection device comprising a shield having two planar sides, oppositely disposed to one another, wherein the shield is fabricated of a ballistic resistant material, a window interconnected in the shield, an access port disposed on the shield, two handles, each disposed on a planar side, wherein the two handles allow a user to hold the shield in either the right or left hand without extension across the user's body while maintaining the position of the shield in front of the user's body.

Abstract: The Highly Survivable Urban Utility Vehicle (HSUUV) provides a novel way to balance the concerns of armor, mobility and cost. Prior art distributes armor to protect all areas of the vehicle evenly, thereby distributing the maximum armor weight capacity evenly. The HSUUV provides armored protection in levels, which vary depending on the location of the armor and that location's ballistic threat. Entrance to the HSUUV is located in location(s) other than the traditional side door(s) so as to provide additional armored protection in the area receiving the greatest ballistic threat. Using the HSUUV, soldiers can safely and quickly enter areas that they otherwise would have had to fight and sustain casualties to enter. The vehicle will give United States forces an unprecedented amount of flexibility, allowing for better strategic and tactical decisions.

Abstract: A spring-return, pneumatic actuator includes a casing having therein a cylinder chamber, a housing chamber and a spring chamber and equipped therein with a piston reciprocating by means of air supplied and discharged from an air supply and exhaust vent on a primary side of the piston, a piston rod joined to the piston, a conversion mechanism for converting a reciprocating motion of the piston into a rotary motion, a spring undergoing a snap action by means of the reciprocating motion of the piston and a communication space chamber formed via a communication part to have a predetermined volume from a secondary side to the spring chamber. The cylinder chamber has the piston and the piston rod built-in, the housing chamber has the conversion mechanism built-in and the spring chamber has the spring built-in.

Abstract: A piston is equipped with a skirt that has a sliding surface provided with an oil repellent resin layer. A solid lubricating resin layer and the oil repellent resin layer are exposed on the sliding surface. On the sliding surface, the oil repellent resin layer extends at an incline with respect to the centerline of the sliding surface in a circumferential direction of the piston.

Abstract: A piston for an internal combustion engine has annular cooling passage arranged in the vicinity of the piston crown and radially on the outside, which, in those regions of the pin bosses which lie close to the boss holes, has boss cooling passages which are connected to the cooling passage and are intended for improved cooling of the pin bosses.

Abstract: A position-detecting sensor to which a mounting mechanism for a position-detecting sensor is applied is equipped with a holder capable of accommodating a sensor element in which a magnetic sensor or the like is disposed, and includes a flange on a lower end of the holder, which is inserted through a sensor mounting groove of a cylinder apparatus. The flange is formed in a plate shape, having a narrow portion and a widened portion that differ in width dimension. After insertion thereof through the sensor mounting groove such that side surfaces of the narrow portion are made parallel with the sensor mounting groove, the holder is turned, whereby the widened portion engages within and is retained respectively by a pair of recess portions in the sensor mounting groove.

Abstract: A gas purification apparatus capable of removing fine particles of substantially any size without lowering the efficiency of gas supply. A loader module of a substrate processing apparatus includes a fan filter unit for producing a downward flow of atmospheric air in the internal space of a transfer chamber. The fan filter unit includes a fan for generating an atmospheric air flow, a filter of mesh structure for trapping and removing particles mixed in the atmospheric air flow, an irradiation heater disposed between the fan and the filter, and a high temperature part disposed in the atmospheric air flow and higher in temperature than the filter.

Abstract: Using zeolites as the active adsorbent, adsorbent laminates have been fabricated with various sheet supports. These adsorbent laminates have been successfully operated for oxygen enrichment at high PSA cycle frequencies, such as upwards of at least 150 cycles per minute. Methods for making suitable adsorbent laminates are described. The methods generally involve forming a slurry comprising a liquid suspending agent, an adsorbent and a binder. Laminates are made by applying the slurry to support material or admixing support material with the slurry. The slurry can be applied to support material using a variety of techniques, including roll coaters, split roll coaters, electrophoretic deposition, etc. One method for making laminates by mixing support material with the adsorbent slurry comprises depositing the slurry onto a foraminous wire, draining the slurry material, and pressing the material to form a ceramic adsorbent paper. Spacers can be formed on adsorbent laminates to space one laminate from another.

Abstract: A method of purifying an exhaust gas by means of an “adsorption unit (adsorption columns (7a, 7b)) including an adsorbent layer packed with precoated mesoporous active carbon” capable of alternately switched operations of adsorption and desorption, wherein prior to the treatment by means of the adsorption unit, a concentration increase is effected by means of a “pre-treatment unit (honeycomb rotor (11) or stationary honeycomb) including an adsorbent layer packed with precoated mesoporous active carbon” for concentrating of any dilute volatile hydrocarbon contained in the exhaust gas. Consequently, there can be provided a method of purifying large amounts of exhaust gas with dilute volatile hydrocarbon concentration, in which without emission of carbon dioxide, any volatile hydrocarbon contained can be recovered with extreme easiness as a liquid. Further, there can be provided a purification method in which “zero emission” is attained with respect to volatile hydrocarbons.

Abstract: The various embodiments of the present invention relate to compositions, apparatus, and methods comprising sorbent fibers. More particularly, various embodiments of the present invention are directed towards sorbent fiber compositions for temperature swing adsorption processes. Various embodiments of the present invention comprise sorbent fiber compositions, apparatus comprising a plurality of sorbent fibers, and methods of using the same for the capture of at least one component from a medium, for example CO2 from flue gas.

Abstract: Disclosed herein are metal-organic frameworks of metals and boron rich ligands, such as carboranes and icosahedral boranes. Methods of synthesizing and using these materials in gas uptake are disclosed.

Abstract: A domestic appliance including an adsorption unit and further including a process air conduit, wherein an adsorption container operates as a heat exchanger for heating a stream of air flowing in the process air conduit and being applied to the adsorption container, with the adsorption unit configured for alternate and reversible operation in a first operating state in which a stream of air flowing in the process air conduit is applied to the adsorption container and which adsorbs adsorptive evaporating in the phase transition container, and in a second operating state in which the adsorbing agent is heated by the heater and the adsorptive is desorbed, with desorbed adsorptive condensing in the phase transition container, the domestic appliance including an assembly operatively associated with the adsorption unit for applying a stream of air flowing in the process air conduit to the adsorption container in the second operating state.

Abstract: An filter assembly comprises a sleeve coupled to an external surface of an electronic device and disposed at least partially over an airflow vent of the electronic device, the sleeve configured to receive insertion of a filter element therein.

Abstract: An air conditioning system includes an air flow pathway extending through a housing from an inlet to an outlet. Air conditioning apparatus is disposed in the airflow pathway between the inlet and the outlet conditioning an air stream passing through the air flow pathway from the inlet to the outlet. A modular electrically stimulated air filter apparatus is carried by opposed, parallel frameworks mounted in series in the air flow pathway between the inlet and the air conditioning apparatus filtering entrapping contaminants in the air stream flowing through the housing from the inlet to the outlet. The opposed parallel frameworks are mounted to opposed supports affixed to the housing.

Abstract: The present invention provides a pressure swing adsorption-type oxygen concentrator for medical use having a flow channel switching device that successively pressurizes and supplies air from an air supply device at a constant timing to adsorb/desorb nitrogen in the air, wherein the flow channel switching device is a rotary distributor valve assembly structure provided with an electric motor, the rotary distributor valve assembly structure being provided with a shaft seal mechanism to perform shaft sealing with an O-ring having Shore A hardness of 45 to 60 degree and further the oxygen concentrator has a mechanism that simultaneously achieves rotary drive transmission following axial offset and angular offset of the rotary shaft of the rotary distributor valve assembly structure and shaft sealing.