Abstract: According to one aspect, a grip for drumsticks is provided. The grip comprise a substantially cylindrical sleeve that slips onto a drumstick comprising a tip end and a handle end. The sleeve comprises a first opening and a second opening on opposite ends of the sleeve and is capable of slipping onto either the tip end or the handle end of the drumstick via either the first opening or the second opening of the sleeve. In an embodiment, the sleeve comprises a flexible material such as polyurethane foam material or a nitrile rubber material.

Abstract: The number of chords belonging to a first chord group is decreased to less than the number of chords belonging to a second chord group. In a first detection mode, when a first determining unit determines that a state of key depressed does not correspond to any chord in a first chord group, a previously selected chord is continuously determined. Accordingly, even if a chord detection is performed on a change of melody point by point, the number of chords substantially detected is decreased. This decreases the number of changes in accompaniment, thus stabilizing a playback of the accompaniment.

Abstract: A standard electronic module for an electric stringed musical instrument is provided. The standard electronic module is mounted within the main body of the electric stringed musical instrument in a module cavity in the back of the electric stringed musical instrument. The standard electronic module comprises two printed circuit boards, a main printed circuit board and a connector circuit board, wherein the standard electronic module provides rapid exchange of the main printed circuit board without changing the wiring harness of the electric stringed musical instrument, which is directly connected to the connector printed circuit board.

Abstract: A footswitch controller for an electric stringed musical instrument is provided. In one embodiment, the footswitch controller comprises a foot pedal assembly, base assembly, bottom plate assembly, battery pocket assembly, and compound assembly. The footswitch controller does not directly alter the input sound, but upon activation by a user sends a signal to the digital signal processor within the electric stringed musical instrument to alter the sound.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to an armor system that protects vehicle occupants from lands mines or improvised explosive devices. In the preferred embodiment, the armor system has an arc member, a membrane, reactive blocks, and a reactive block enclosure. The armor system is designed to dissipate, neutralize, and redirect explosion energy, fragments and shrapnel, thereby ensuring the safety of the vehicle occupants.

Abstract: An axial piston machine includes a housing part, a drive shaft, which is mounted in the housing part, and a cylinder drum, which is connected to the drive shaft in a rotationally fixed manner and which accommodates a plurality of pistons. Each of the pistons bound a working chamber and are supported on a swashplate. The working chambers can be connected in alternation to a high-pressure channel and to a low-pressure channel, which extend in the housing part. An insert part is rigidly inserted into the housing part. A control surface of the insert part is directly opposite the cylinder drum. The insert part has a high-pressure channel section and a low-pressure channel section, which have approximately kidney-shaped opening areas in the control surface. The other openings of the high-pressure and low-pressure channel sections opposite the opening area in the control surface are formed radially on the insert part.

Abstract: A motor assembly for a pneumatic tool includes: a motor cylinder coaxially secured in a tubular inner housing, which is coaxially secured in a tubular outer housing and has an inlet passage defining a longitudinal axis, including a valve seat, and defining forward and reverse passages that communicate with a motor chamber and extend through the valve seat, and an exhaust port that communicates with the motor chamber, and a throttle passage defined between the inner and outer housings; a motor rotor supported within the motor chamber and rotatable in a forward or reverse direction; and a rotary valve coaxially disposed in the inner housing, supported by the valve seat, and rotatable about the longitudinal axis between forward and reverse positions.

Abstract: A vacuum lock having a main body portion, a cylinder and a piston is described. The cylinder is disposed within the main body portion and has an opening. The cylinder has one or more sealing rings disposed on an inside surface and an air vent opposite the opening. The vacuum lock can further include a piston adapted to fit in the cylinder and guides. The vacuum lock can also include a valve coupled to the air vent.

Abstract: A method of controlling a pneumatic actuator for actuation of a pneumatically actuated device. The actuator comprises a piston and a pneumatic cylinder, the piston is arranged to move axially within the pneumatic cylinder. The piston is moved as a function of a pressure in a pressure chamber of the pneumatic cylinder, and the pressure in the pressure chamber is adjusted by a control unit which controls at least a valve and/or a pressure regulator and/or a pressure generating device. A pilot control component, for the control, is determined as a function of at least a sliding friction force and/or at least a static friction force of the pneumatic actuator.

Abstract: A diaphragm device that supports a diaphragm with sandwiching an annular attaching portion, in an axis direction, provided at outer circumference of a flexible film by the support member having a diaphragm mounting portion, wherein at least three protrusions are provided at an outer circumference of the annular attaching portion, and each of the at least three protrusions equally protrudes in a radial direction, and wherein when the annular attaching portion is compressed in the axis direction, each of the at least three protrusions contacts with an inner circumference of the diaphragm mounting portion which faces an outer circumference of the annular attaching portion.

Abstract: An integrated mecatronic structure for a manipulator assembly with one or more degrees of mobility controlled by one or more actuators can impart to the manipulator assembly a motion activated by control means connected to actuation means, and can include at least one flexible unit consisting of at least one flexible element attached to at least one actuator. The actuator is a volume-change actuator associated with a closely related or local dedicated power unit, including a tank and/or an element for converting the supplied power into another form of energy, able to make the manipulator assembly portable.

Abstract: In various embodiments, dead space and associated coupling losses are reduced in energy storage and recovery systems employing compressed air.

Abstract: A method and system are described for on-board treatment of an exhaust stream containing CO2 emitted by a hydrocarbon-fueled internal combustion engine (ICE) used to power a vehicle in order to reduce the amount of CO2 discharged into the atmosphere which include: a.

Abstract: A system and method for controlling oxidation of sulfites in a slurry. The system includes a tank having an inlet for receiving a slurry used in wet flue gas desulfurization. The tank also includes an inlet for receiving a gas. The inlet for receiving the gas is configured so that at least a portion of the gas received in the tank is dispersed through at least a portion of the slurry received in the tank. A sensor is configured to measure a sulfite concentration S1 of the slurry received in the tank. In some embodiments, the sensor is a sulfite analyzer. In other embodiments, the sensor is a virtual analyzer. The system includes a controller. Software executing on the controller generates a signal indicative of an adjustment of a flow rate of gas into the tank based at least in part on the sulfite concentration S1.

Abstract: A process and an apparatus are described, which remove acid gas from a gas stream in a manner that generates a product gas stream at a higher temperature while consuming less energy than the existing technology. The process requires maintaining a positive product gas temperature differential. The apparatus enables the positive gas temperature differential to be maintained by manipulating the absorber column operating conditions and/or the solvent chemistry to increase the amount of absorption and reaction in the absorber.

Abstract: A method and system for expanding, separating, and compressing a multi-phase fluid. An expander receives and expands the multi-phase fluid to generate a lower-pressure fluid which can more efficiently be separated in a separator. Expanding the fluid also drives a main shaft adapted to drive at least the separator and a compressor coupled thereto. The separator receives the lower-pressure fluid, separates any higher-density components from the lower-density components disposed therein, and provides a substantially dry gas to the compressor to be re-compressed and discharged from the system.

Abstract: A gas purification process for treating a gas stream includes supplying the gas stream to at least one membrane unit to produce a permeate stream and a retentate stream. The retentate stream contains a lower concentration of at least one of water, hydrogen sulfide, or carbon dioxide as compared to the gas stream. The retentate stream is supplied to a molecular sieve unit to remove hydrogen sulfide to produce a treated gas product stream.

Abstract: Systems and methods for cooling and/or separating a component from a fluid are disclosed herein. Such systems and methods can include one or more of a separator (e.g., a dehumidifier), a chiller, and/or an expirator, each of which can include a selective transfer membrane. Such systems and methods can be used for a wide variety of applications including, for example, cooling and/or dehumidifying air.

Abstract: A method and apparatus are provided for reducing quench water required by a wet electrostatic precipitator. The apparatus includes a wet electrostatic precipitator and an evaporator in flow communication with the wet electrostatic precipitator to evaporate at least one portion of bleed water discharged from the wet electrostatic precipitator into steam. The method includes directing at least one portion of bleed water discharged from the wet electrostatic precipitator to an evaporator and directing at least one portion of flue gas from a boiler to the evaporator. The energy of the at least one portion of flue gas is used to evaporate the at least one portion of the bleed water into steam. The steam is directed to the wet electrostatic precipitator. The at least one portion of flue gas is directed from the evaporator to the wet electrostatic precipitator.

Abstract: An improved air purification adsorbent is disclosed. The air purification adsorbent comprises titanium dioxide (TiO2) impregnated with zinc chloride (ZnCl2). The adsorbent may be used in air purification systems for removing ammonia from air streams. The nanocrystalline (amorphous) structure of the adsorbent results in a higher density of surface defects, higher surface area, and higher reactivity which, when combined with the synergistic effect of ZnCl2 and the nanocrystalline TiO2, provides a significantly longer breakthrough time of ammonia as compared with breakthrough time from unimpregnated nanocrystalline TiO2, the commercial (crystalline) TiO2 impregnated with ZnCl2, pure ZnCL2, and other commercially available adsorbents of ammonia. Other embodiments are described and claimed.

Abstract: A particulate form carbon pyrolyzate adsorbent, having the following characteristics: (a) CO2 capacity greater than 105 cc/gram at one bar pressure and temperature of 273° Kelvin; (b) CO2 Working Capacity greater than 7.0 weight percent; (c) CO2 heats of adsorption and desorption each of which is in a range of from 10 to 50 kJ/mole; and (d) a CO2/N2 Henry's Law Separation Factor greater than 5. The carbon pyrolyzate material can be formed from a polyvinylidene chloride-based polymer or copolymer, or other suitable resin material, to provide an adsorbent that is useful for carbon dioxide capture applications, e.g., in treatment of flue gases from coal-fired power generation plants.

Abstract: An air filter cartridge has filter media and a gasket arrangement with a perimeter gasket member against the downstream flow face and a side gasket member adjacent to at least a partial extension of a first side panel. The side gasket member includes no portion against second, third, and fourth side panels of the air filter cartridge. The air filter cartridge can be used in a dust collector having a tubesheet and a frame arrangement extending from the tubesheet. The perimeter gasket member seals against the frame arrangement and the side gasket member seals against the tubesheet.

Abstract: A method for cleaning and checking a particle filter of a motor vehicle is provided. In a first step soot particles which have collected in the particle filter are burnt oil. In a second step ash located in the particle filter is blown, out using compressed air. A cleaning device for a particle filter of a motor vehicle is also provided.

Abstract: A method of cleaning a filter element includes directing a jet of pressurized gas from a nozzle onto a filter element, with the jet having a non-round cross-sectional shape that is a same general cross-sectional shape as the opening in a tube sheet holding the filter element. The nozzle has a channel for the pressurized gas that is obstruction-free.

Abstract: An dust collection filter unit 100 has a pleated filter 105 formed by folding a filter material, and a frame body 106 for which the pleated filter 105 is attached to the inside thereof, and in addition to these, has a support structure for the pleated filter 105. The support structure is provided inside the frame body 106, to support a plurality of folded portions of the pleated filter 105, thereby maintaining the shape of the pleated filter 105.

Abstract: A conformal filter is disclosed having a plurality of sorbent beds oriented perpendicular to an inner side surface of the filter which conforms to an adjacent surface, such as a wearer's face when attached to a respirator. The inner side of the filter may approximate the curved shape of an interfacing surface. Because the sorbent beds are oriented perpendicular to the inner side surface, a conformal configuration can be achieved without bending the sorbent beds and while keeping constant bed residence time throughout the entire cross-sectional area of the air flow, thus enforcing even air distribution. Reduced bed depth is also achieved through this configuration which consequently reduces the overall pressure drop through the filter. Other embodiments are described and claimed.

Abstract: A filter assembly for use with a respirator may include a conformal filter having a body with at least one filter bed, an input end, and an output end recessed within the body and having an integral threaded connector having external threads adapted to thread onto a respirator inhalation connector, and a threaded connector piece removably mounted to the integral threaded connector of the conformal filter.

Abstract: In a device (1) for making a beverage on the basis of interaction between a beverage extract and an extracting fluid, which comprises an openable and closeable chamber (50) for receiving and accommodating a quantity of the beverage extract, and heating/cooling means (30) for setting the temperature of the extracting fluid, arranged upstream of the chamber (50), a beverage making process can be performed with extracting fluid that is exactly at a desired temperature. During heat-up or cool-down phases of the heating/cooling means (30), the extracting fluid is transported to another position than the chamber (50) where the beverage making process is supposed to take place. For the purpose of determining an appropriate path of the extracting fluid in every possible situation, valve means (60) are applied, which are switchable under the influence of a change of the flow rate of the extracting fluid.

Abstract: The present invention concerns a beverage preparation machine (1) having a tank (2) for containing a food-grade fluid, said tank comprising: (i) a reservoir body with side, bottom and top walls, (ii) at least one filling opening, (iii) at least one dispensing opening comprising a dispensing valve for establishing a fluid connecting between said machine and said tank, said tank having a weight WE when less than 5% of its total volume is filled, and a weight WF when at least 5% of its total volume is filled with fluid, said valve being reciprocally movable between a first position where the tank has a weight WE and the valve is open and a second position where the tank has a weight WF and the valve is closed characterized in that said machine comprises a switch disposed in the vicinity of at least one wall of the tank (2), so that: —when the tank has a weight WF said tank is in a first position so that it contacts said switch, and —when the tank has a weight WE said tank is in a second position, away from said

Abstract: A machine (1) for preparing a beverage from at least one ingredient (2) comprises: an ingredient processing module (30); an ingredient passage (40) for inserting an ingredient from outside such machine into the ingredient processing module; and a cover (10) forming a user-handle that is manually movable between a position covering the ingredient passage and a position uncovering the ingredient passage. The cover (10) is manually slidable, in particular translationally slidable, from the covering to the uncovering positions and/or vice versa.

Abstract: The invention relates to a barbecue accessory comprising a chicken roaster for preparing poultry, in particular chicken, arranged vertically on a barbecue. The barbecue accessory comprises a chicken roaster formed from a poultry holder and a base plate, and a roasting hood extending over the chicken roaster and surrounding, at least partially the roaster. A gap, through which the hot gases coming from the barbecue penetrate into the roasting hood, is provided between the hood and the base plate of the chicken roaster when in the ready-to-use state.

Abstract: A continuous system for the heat treatment of divided solids, combined with a gas-solid reaction for the debacterization especially of food products, such as herbs, spices, powders. The system includes a unit for supplying the product a debacterization unit having a fluidized bed moving the particles by means of vibration associated with a feed of steam or other gas, a cooling drying unit, and a packaging unit. The debacterization unit comprises a vibro-fluidised stepped bed for enabling the transport of the product that is carried out successively according to a generally horizontal first transport phase, and at least one second vertical transport phase during which steam or another gas is injected, acting in such a way as to decontaminate the product as it moves from the horizontal phase to the vertical phase and to the following horizontal phase.

Abstract: Disclosed is a portable, passive-convection oven having a base containing a heat-distributing plate. A grill-plate is placed over the heating plate and a lid put on top. The lid, grill-plate and base each have a handle. A circular hole in the bottom of the base is sized to fit over a domestic stove heating element. A catchment rim running along the perimeter of the hole prevents liquid spilling into the hole. The convection plate has a convex heating surface elevated above the hole by a gap that allows heated air to flow up over the top of the heating surface. The heating surface extends out over the catchment rim. The grill-plate is positioned above the heat surface, and has a number of holes through it that allow heated air to rise through it and heat the items that are being cooked while supported by the grill-plate.

Abstract: Tray (10, 10?) for a chafing dish (100) of the type comprising a base (11, 11?) for coupling to a heat source (101, 102, 103), side containment walls (12, 12?) and an upper opening (13, 13?) for directly receiving dishes or a further dish tray (104), characterised in that said tray (10, 10?) comprises at least two independent areas (16, 16?, 17) for containing water (15) which can be selectively filled so as to selectively allow a high humidity warming, should both said at least two areas (16, 16?, 17) be filled with water (15), a controlled humidity warming, should at least one of said at least two areas (16, 16?, 17) be not provided with water (15), and a dry warming, should both said at least two areas (16, 16?, 17) be not provided with water (15).

Abstract: A dryer barrel basket may include a body with a mesh surface. The dryer barrel basket may also include a door positioned proximate a bottom portion of the dryer barrel basket. The dryer barrel basket may further include a hinge which may be sized and configured to allow the door to rotate between an open and closed position. In addition, the dryer barrel basket may include a locking mechanism that is configured to secure the door to the mesh body in a closed position and allow the door to be disposed in an open position using an opening mechanism.

Abstract: A method for treating a product suitable for human consumption, for example, a meat product, such as slaughtered poultry or parts thereof, in which a large number of products are successively supplied, optionally in groups, to an inspection station in which each product is subjected to a visual inspection to detect a defect on the respective product. If a decision is made to provide a specific additive-addition treatment to a product, the product is supplied to an additive-addition station, where the product is subjected to an additive-addition treatment and an additive is added to at least one part of the outside of each product or the inside of each product.

Abstract: A device and method for shelling nuts. The device may be attached to a belt sander. The device includes a hopper into which the nuts are initially placed. Two large threaded fasteners on the central portion are used to adjust the system for the size of nut being shelled. A bracket placed behind the central portion attaches the device to the sander. The rotating belt brings the nut down to a lower opening formed to be just smaller than the shell of the nut being shelled. As the shell of the nut is caused to pass through this opening, the shell cracks. The nut with the cracked shell now impacts on one or more strike plates. These impacts further propagate the cracks formed in the shell so that the fragmented shells fall away from the nut. The nut and the cracked shells fall into the collection bag.

Abstract: An improved belt tensioning system for an agricultural round baler that increases belt tension to reduce slippage between the belts and the driving rolls during the initial stage of a bale forming cycle when the bale chamber is empty and as the belts are beginning to be rolled. The system includes an accumulator that is pressurized by the tensioning system as a bale is being formed. The accumulator pressure may then be directed to a hydraulic cylinder included in a bale density system to increase tension in the belts after a completed bale is ejected and the bale chamber is being reset for the next bale.

Abstract: An improved belt tensioning system for an agricultural round baler that allows temporarily bypasses a bale density, belt tension increasing system while the baler tailgate is moved out of a closed position thereby allowing the tailgate to be opened without encountering resistance from the belts and the belt tensioning system. Bypass operation is coordinated with the tailgate position so that the bypass is not activated when such activation would frustrate operation of the belt tensioning system. In balers equipped with a belt tensioning pre-tensioning system, the bypass operation is further coordinated with the pre-tensioning system to maintain proper pre-tension function.

Abstract: A method of decorating by pad printing for applying a decorative pattern (2) on the wall (3) of a previously-shaped part (4) to be decorated, such as a glass bottle, including a preparation step a) during which a liquid marker substance (5) of any viscosity is deposited in the imprint (11, 111) of a pad-die (10, 110) that is marked by an indentation of shape that is substantially complementary to the shape of the existing wall (3) of the part (4) to be decorated, which substance may be an ink or an enamel, and then a marking step b) during which the pad-die (10, 110) is moved towards the part (4) so as to bring the wall (3) of the part into contact with the bottom of the imprint (11, 111), so as to deposit the decorative pattern (2) on the wall (3) by transferring the marking substance (5) from the imprint onto the wall for decorating and marking objects.

Abstract: Disclosed is a roller stamp with a stamp face roller that configures a stamp face, an inner case that fixes the roller with the ability to rotate, an outer case that fixes the inner case on one end and that configures a handgrip, a cap that tightly seals the roller, and a volatile ink that is impregnated on the stamp face of the roller. The disclosed roller stamp can stamp on even a coated paper that does not allow permeation by an ink solvent.

Abstract: Print system, having two substrate roll supports for mounting substrate rolls, a drive assembly arranged to rotate substrate rolls, and a transmission arranged to transmit a torque from the drive assembly to the substrate roll supports so that during use the torque acting on each substrate roll is approximately equal.

Abstract: There is described a cylinder body (10) for orienting magnetic flakes contained in an ink or varnish vehicle applied on a sheet-like or web-like substrate, which cylinder body (10) has a plurality of magnetic-field-generating devices (50, 60) disposed on an outer circumference of the cylinder body (10). The cylinder body (10) comprises a plurality of distinct annular supporting rings (40) distributed axially along a common shaft member (20), each annular supporting ring (40) carrying a set of magnetic-field-generating devices (50, 60) which are distributed circumferentially on an outer circumference of the annular supporting rings (40).

Abstract: A positive-working lithographic printing plate precursor is disclosed which comprises on a support having a hydrophilic surface or which is provided with a hydrophilic layer a heat and/or light-sensitive coating including an infrared absorbing agent, a compound including a blocked isocyanate group and an alkali soluble resin comprising a monomeric unit including a Lewis base moiety.

Abstract: In ablation-type printing plates involving silicone acrylate top layers, curing at high oxygen levels not only substantially reduces or eliminates toning, but does not adversely affect plate durability or printing performance.

Abstract: A directly imageable waterless lithographic printing plate precursor includes at least a heat sensitive layer and a silicone rubber layer formed on a substrate in this order, wherein the heat sensitive layer contains at least a novolac resin, a polyurethane and a light-to-heat conversion material, and also has a phase separation structure including at least a phase containing a novolac resin and a phase containing a polyurethane. The directly imageable waterless lithographic printing plate precursor has high sensitivity and is less likely to cause blister, that is, having wide latitude.

Abstract: A method of blasting plural layers of material in a blastfield that reduces the amount of mechanical excavation required to expose a lower layer of material. The method includes using rows of equally spaced blastholes that pass through all of the layers and additional intermediate rows of blastholes that pass down only through the top layer. Each blasthole is capped with stemming material and includes one or more decks of explosive material and detonators, which air decks or inert stemming separating adjacent explosive decks. The detonators in layer are detonated first in order from row rearwards to throw a substantial amount of the blast material from the layer forwardly of free face onto the floor. In the same blasting cycle and within seconds of the throw blast, explosives materials in layers are detonated in a stand-up blast in which material in layers are broken up but otherwise are minimally displace or thrown forwardly.

Abstract: An improved excavator for use in construction and repair of railroad tracks is provided. The excavator has one set of removable flanged wheels on the backfill blade side of the excavator, and one set of retractable flanged wheels on the side opposite the backfill blade side. The excavator may also include a tow bar or tow bar receiver enabling easy transportation to and from a worksite.

Abstract: This disclosure describes a new liquid product that, when applied to a traffic sign face or other surfaces will protect that surface from damage caused by graffiti, weather, stickers, salt air and other contaminants. When surfaces that have been treated with this invention, most all damage can be prevented eliminating millions of dollars in savings per year and also providing life saving features to motorist because of the added protection to traffic sign faces. Other products, such as film laminates must be applied using special equipment in sign shops but with this invention, the protective barrier can be applied using simple paint rollers to signs in service along the roadway that are in vertical position and keeping the sign within federal standards.

Abstract: A porous ceramic (honeycomb) structure skin coating and a method of producing a porous ceramic structure skin coating which provides a hardshell, strong, acid- and alkali-resistant, chip-resistant ceramic honeycomb structure coating which resists pollution control catalyst from being absorbed into the skin coating.