Abstract: The present invention provides a pillar of a vehicle body structure for supporting the roof of an automotive vehicle. The pillar includes an outer panel having a side panel attached to an inner panel. The pillar further includes a first and second reinforcing member. The first reinforcing member has a planar surface and a first reinforcing edge. The second reinforcing member also has a planar surface and a second reinforcing edge. The first reinforcing member is spaced apart from the second reinforcing member, and the first and second reinforcing edges abut against respective side panel and inner panel portions so as to transmit load between the outer panel and the inner panel and reduce deformation of the outer panel under a predetermined load.
Type:
Grant
Filed:
December 1, 2009
Date of Patent:
July 24, 2012
Assignee:
Toyota Motor Engineering & Manufacturing North America, Inc.
Inventors:
Megan Kathleen Mackenzie, Deanna Marie Vargo, Paul Edward Harmon
Abstract: In a startup operation of an internal combustion engine, the internal combustion engine is started by supplying fuel to only a first cylinder group formed of a portion of cylinders, from among a plurality of cylinders that make up the internal combustion engine, when a startup condition of the internal combustion engine has been satisfied, and then fuel starts to be supplied to a second cylinder group formed of the remaining cylinders after the internal combustion engine has started. Meanwhile, in a stopping operation of the internal combustion engine, the internal combustion engine is stopped when a shutoff condition of the internal combustion engine is satisfied, by first stopping the supply of fuel to the second cylinder group and then stopping the supply of fuel to the first cylinder group after the supply of fuel to the second cylinder group has been stopped.
Abstract: A power output apparatus for outputting power to a drive shaft includes a control unit that controls an internal combustion engine to perform an idle operation at a predetermined rotation speed, executes idle control amount learning, in which an idle control amount serving as a control amount obtained during the control is learned in accordance with establishment of a predetermined learning condition, within a range in which a rotation speed of the drive shaft is lower than a first speed, when the idle control amount learning is incomplete, and executes again the idle control amount learning within a range in which the rotation speed of the drive shaft is lower than a second speed, which is lower than the first speed, when the idle control amount learning is complete.
Abstract: The subject matter of the invention is an electric thermostat fitting control switch (10) for actuating the fitting. The switch (10) can be mounted in a bore (4) in a lining element, for example of a washstand or wall. The switch (10) is held in the bore (4) by the holder designed as a pad (30) firmly secured in the bore (30a) of the lining element.
Abstract: A root feeder for watering feeding and enhancing the air flow to the roots of a plant when the root feeder is at least partially buried in soil adjacent to the root system, the feeder including body panels folded from flat stock and locked together to form a body having an interior volume and a plurality of apertures providing for circulation of air and/or water and nutrients through the body to the roots of the plant.
Abstract: An example quantum dot (QD) device comprises a QD layer on a substrate, and may be fabricated by aerosol deposition, for example by mist deposition. An example approach includes providing a liquid precursor including QDs dispersed in a liquid carrier, generating a mist of droplets of the liquid precursor, directing the droplets towards the substrate so as to form a liquid precursor film on the substrate, and removing the liquid carrier from the liquid precursor film to form the quantum dot layer on the substrate. Example devices include multi-color QD-LED (light emitting diode) displays, and other devices.
Type:
Grant
Filed:
March 28, 2008
Date of Patent:
July 17, 2012
Assignee:
The Penn State Research Foundation
Inventors:
Jian Xu, Jerzy Ruzyllo, Karthikeyan Shanmugasundaram, Ting Zhu, Fan Zhang
Abstract: A headliner assembly configured to retain a visor to the headliner. The headliner has an outer surface opposite an inner surface, and a visor rod aperture. The visor rod aperture is in communication with the inner and outer surface. The headliner assembly including a clip configured to retain an end portion of the visor rod. The clip is disposed on the inner surface of the headliner. The headliner assembly further includes a base having a first portion configured to retain the clip and a second portion. The outer edge of the second portion extends a predetermined distance from the first portion so as to create a moment in equal magnitude of the moment experienced by the clip when the visor rod is installed.
Type:
Grant
Filed:
October 29, 2009
Date of Patent:
July 17, 2012
Assignee:
Toyota Motor Engineering & Manufacturing North America, Inc.
Abstract: An apparatus is provided for storing and dispensing a product. The apparatus includes a rigid outer casing adapted to receive a cartridge that is partially covered with a support membrane and has a weakened area capable of rupturing when pressure is applied to the cartridge. The support membrane extends over the weakened area and bursts as the cartridge expands into an expansion chamber or the weakened area ruptures. The support membrane provides support to the front end of the cartridge and resistance during insertion of the cartridge so that the cartridge is ‘primed’ and ready to dispense its contents by a user when necessary.
Abstract: The invention relates a method for transporting sediments in dammed bodies of water, especially in hydraulic power plants, said sediments being deposited because there are no erosion processes as a result of the absence of a current. According to the invention, the sediment deposits are picked up in the sedimentation zone of the reservoir and are transported to the erosion zone near the discharge element/s of the reservoir such that the sediments are transported into current water by the erosion processes of the effluent water caused by the current.
Abstract: A bioactive composition includes a hydrogel matrix. At least one protein is immobilized in the hydrogel matrix. The digestive protein has a half-life at least 1000 times longer than the half-life of a free digestive protein counterpart.
Type:
Grant
Filed:
May 9, 2008
Date of Patent:
July 17, 2012
Assignees:
Toyota Motor Engineering & Manufacturing North America, Inc., Toyota Motor Corporation, Regents of the University of Minnesota
Abstract: A multi-channel wireless speaker system to be used with ceiling fans wherein the audio source generator can be one of many medias, not limited by the following: television, stereophonic, monophonic, video game, home theater, public address system or security system. The audio source generator sends an audio signal to the transmitter that in turn relays the audio signal to the wireless receiver located in the ceiling fan housing member. The ceiling fan housing member includes speakers, and a light source if desired. The speakers produce an omni directional sound due to their unique positioning within the ceiling fan. The wireless speaker system is powered by the existing voltage available to the ceiling fan, so no new wiring is required to install the speaker system. The speaker settings are manipulated via a remote control.
Abstract: A shower vanity for use with a wall having spaced apart framing members. The vanity includes a housing dimensioned to be recessed between two adjacent framing members in the wall and the housing is attached to the framing members by fasteners. The housing includes an open front forming a cavity dimensioned to contain bathing products. Two mirrored doors are slidably mounted to the housing which cover the housing front when closed and provide access to the bathing products when opened.
Abstract: A specimen supporting and labeling system including the provision of at least one electronic device. A volume defining bin holds a plurality of specimens and supports the electronic device. A pedestal charging base seats within a recessed underside associated with the bin, with a first plurality of contact locations communicated along an upper face of the charging base. A second plurality of contact locations communicates along a bottom face of the bin associated with the recessed underside. The bin further incorporates an interior architecture extending from the second contact locations and communicates a charge originating from the base to the electronic device.
Abstract: A birdbath fountain includes a water reservoir and recirculating system. Water for the fountain is pumped from the reservoir, with the excess water from the bowl being returned to the reservoir, thereby allowing for a bowl which remains full or at a consistent depth for a longer period of time, including periods of dry or windy weather conditions. In the preferred configuration, the bowl has a depth defined by an outer raised rim and an inner raised rim. A water-containing reservoir having a depth greater than the depth of the bowl resides within the inner raised rim. An electrically operated submersible pump disposed in the water-containing reservoir is operative to pump water from the reservoir to the fountain head, after which the water returns to the bowl. At least one notch in the inner raised rim provides a fluid path from the bowl back to the reservoir, thereby keeping the water level of the bowl substantially constant.
Abstract: A vehicle between-seat airbag apparatus is provided that is capable of properly deploying an airbag stowed at a vehicle rear end side of a center console. A vehicle far-side airbag apparatus (10) is provided with: a far-side airbag (20) that is stowed in a corner portion (16B) at a vehicle rear end side and upper end side of a center console (16) that is disposed between seats arranged in a vehicle lateral direction, the far-side airbag (20) receiving a gas supply and being inflated; and an airbag door (40) that causes the far-side airbag (20) that receives the gas supply and is inflated to deploy in the vehicle front direction and upward with respect to the corner portion (16B), by supporting the far-side airbag (20) from the vehicle rear direction.
Abstract: A head assembly for an internal combustion engine includes an electromagnetic valve actuation system. The head has an intake or exhaust passage defined therein. A valve is disposed in the passage and is operable to selectively open and close the passage. The head has a cooling passage defined therein for passage of a cooling fluid. An electromagnetic actuator has a piston in mechanical communication with the valve and a coil in fluid communication with the cooling passage. The electromagnetic actuator is operable to move the valve between a closed and an open position.
Abstract: An artificial joint implant in use with a bone and including a three dimensional shaped body have an exterior configured and joint defining face. An annular shaped recess is formed within a seating location of the implant for securing the body over a sectioned end of the bone. A stem extends from the body inwardly within the bone and exhibits at least one support for engaging an inner bone surface and in order to maintain the implant in secured fashion to the bone.
Abstract: A strong structural body is formed by integrating a side wall portion in the form of inverted V and a plate-shaped bottom wall portion. Plate-shaped side wall portions of the side wall portion in the form of inverted V are integrated with respective manifold arrays, whereby the two manifold arrays are linearly connected by the plate-shaped bottom wall portion.
Abstract: A hip implant assembly including a spherical shaped ball and an elongated stem. An annular defining rim separates the ball from the stem and abuts, in a maximum inserting condition, over an exterior reconditioned surface of the femur and upon inserting the stem within an interior passageway formed within the femur. A cup shaped support seats the ball in a universally articulating permitting fashion via a flexible and resilient ligament which extends from the ball and is received within a recess passageway of the cup. The cup also includes a mounting surface with a central projecting portion which is in turn resistively fitted within an undercut defined recess formed in the ilium bone in communication with a base surface of the reconditioned acetabulum socket.