Abstract: A forward-reverse switching device for a vehicle includes a planetary gear set and a one-way clutch coupled to any two rotating elements among first, second and third rotating elements, each corresponding to any one of a ring gear, a carrier and a sun gear, of the planetary gear set. The first rotating element is coupled to a driving force source. The third rotating element is coupled to a drive wheel. Rotation of the second rotating element is prohibited to rotate the third rotating element in a direction opposite to the rotational direction of the first rotating element. The first to third rotating elements are integrally rotated to rotate the third rotating element in the same direction as the first rotating element. The one-way clutch is engaged when the rotational speed of the third rotating element exceeds the rotational speed of the first rotating element.

Abstract: A novel, energy efficient process of producing jet fuel is disclosed herein. The process is based on utilizing a medium chain fatty acid source such as cuphea oil, which precludes the need for high-energy fatty acid chain cracking to achieve the shorter molecules needed for jet fuels and other fuels with low-temperature flow requirements. In an embodiment, a process for producing a jet fuel comprises providing a medium chain fatty acid source. The method also comprises cleaving the one or more medium chain fatty acid groups from the glycerides to form glycerol and one or more free fatty acids. The method further comprises decarboxylating the one or more medium chain fatty acids to form one or more hydrocarbons for the production of the jet fuel.

Abstract: Apparatus and methods are described for assisting a requestor to identify and reserve a resource that meets the need of the requestor's request. For example, a request can be augmented using augmentation data, such as current position and requestor preferences, and resources are located and ranked according to their match against the augmented request. A person who is the requestor may engage in another attention demanding task, such as driving a car, while resources well matched to preferences are located. Preference data may be determined from social network data, a preference file, and/or other sources.

Abstract: An internal combustion engine system includes: an internal combustion engine; a valve regulating exhaust gas flow rate to an intake system; an exhaust gas recirculation system opening the valve to recirculate the exhaust gas to the intake system; an intake air flow rate detecting device detecting air flow rate introduced into the engine; and a controller, when fuel injection is stopped, controlling the engine to start the fuel injection at a rate obtained by adding a first flow rate to a reference flow rate for a stoichiometric air-fuel ratio based on the detected air flow rate when the valve opening degree is lower than a predetermined degree, and controlling the engine to start the fuel injection at a rate obtained by adding a second flow rate, larger than the first flow rate, to the reference flow rate when the valve opening degree is no less than the predetermined degree.

Abstract: The invention relates to a roller press having two rollers rotatably supported in a frame. In order to mount or dismount the rollers, at least one head piece of the frame can be removed from its operating position by being displaced outwards in the transverse direction. Such an embodiment is distinguished by inexpensive manufacture of the roller press and a time-saving mounting and dismounting of the rollers.

Abstract: The present invention discloses a reactivity-based self-stratifying coating composition. The coating composition can include a polyol, silsesquioxane, a polyester polyol, and a crosslinker that form a mixture within a solvent. The polyol can be selected from a fluorinated polyether, a fluoroethylene-alkyl vinyl ether and/or a combination thereof. The silsesquioxane can be an epoxy functional silsesquioxane having a formula of (R)6(C6H11O2)2(SiO1.5)8 where R can be selected from hydrogen, methyl, ethyl, propyl, butyl, pentyl, hexyl, cyclopentyl, cyclohexyl, benzyl, phenyl, and isomers thereof. In some instances, the epoxy functional silsesquioxane can be a di-epoxy silsesquioxane.

Abstract: Systems and methods are disclosed for sensing forces, moments, temperature, inclination, acceleration and other parameters associated with prosthetic limbs. The system is capable of measuring forces in three designated axes, and moments about the same designated axes, for a total of six possible degrees of freedom. The system can be readily fitted onto a conventional prosthetic limb with no, or relatively minor, modification thereto. A plurality of sensor arrays are disposed on a support member, each array including a plurality of strain gauge sensors, each sensor outputting an electrical signal responsive to loading imposed on the support member through the prosthetic limb. Electronic circuitry in communication with the gauges is operative to receive the electrical signals from the strain gauges and provide a signal useful in the form, fit or function of the prosthetic limb.

Abstract: The present invention relates to an apparatus for rejecting images in a receiver. The apparatus of the present invention relates to an apparatus for rejecting image signals in a receiver of a direct conversion structure and comprises a signal mismatch compensation unit configured to detect gain error and phase error between an In-phase (I) signal and a Quadrature (Q) signal received through the receiver, to reject image signals existing in the I and Q signals, and to output a result. The signal mismatch compensation unit detects the gain error and the phase error using an adaptive step method of reducing the step size of the gain error and the phase error step by step whenever the gain error and the phase error are converged. According to the present invention, high image rejection ratio is achieved and the adaptation time taken to obtain a high image rejection ratio is reduced simultaneously.

Abstract: Apparatus for connection to a metallic structure, the apparatus comprises a transformer rectifier unit operable to output a DC current for cathodic protection of a metallic structure, and a modulator unit connected to receive a DC output from the transformer rectifier unit. The modulator unit is arranged for connection to a metallic structure, and is operable to produce a modulated current which is applied to such a metallic structure when the apparatus is in use, such that the metallic structure is detectable by a wireless locating device. The modulator unit is operable to be controlled remotely.

Abstract: An apparatus comprises a metamaterial including a first conducting layer, a second conducting layer, and a dielectric layer located between the first conducting layer and the second conducting layer. Each conducting layer has holes formed therethrough, for example as an array of holes formed through the metamaterial. The holes are configured so that the metamaterial has a gradient refractive index at an operational wavelength. The operational wavelength may be an IR or visible wavelength. The apparatus may be an optical element, and for example may have the functionality of a lens or prism through the gradient refractive index. Interfaces may be parallel planar interfaces.

Abstract: A construction for an automotive vehicle having a generally vertically extending pillar positioned adjacent a door opening as well as a laterally extending cross member having one end aligned with the pillar adjacent its bottom. A gusset has one end secured to one end of the cross member and a second end secured to the pillar. A crush box is attached to the pillar and includes at least a portion aligned with the second end of the gusset to provide a controlled pillar deformation resulting in a constant force-deformation loading of the gusset during a side impact.

Abstract: A trim panel having a clip retention feature is provided. The trim panel is mounted to a support structure of an automotive vehicle by a clip. The clip includes a first flange at one end of the clip and a second flange spaced apart from the first flange. The trim panel includes an inner surface facing a passenger compartment of the automotive vehicle and an opposite outer surface facing the door. A housing having an attachment wall extends from the outer surface towards the door. The attachment wall includes an aperture and a slot extending from the aperture to an edge of the attachment wall for receiving the portion of a clip located between a first flange and second flange. A retention step extends from a bottom side of the attachment wall to restrain the clip within the attachment wall due to contact between an edge of the first flange and the retention step.

Abstract: A bottom bar apparatus for a door curtain includes a bottom bar mountable on a lower end of the curtain and two bar connectors for slidably connecting opposite ends of the bar to guide members mounted along sides of the door opening. The apparatus includes two pivot mechanisms each joining a respective one of the bar connectors to a respective end of the bar. Each mechanism includes a pivot shaft and a shaft receiver into which the shaft extends. One of the shaft and the receiver is connected to a respective one of the bar connectors and the other is mounted on the bottom bar. At least one stop device is arranged to limit pivotal movement of the bar and each is mounted on one of the group consisting of the pivot mechanism and the bar connector. Pivotal movement of the shaft is restricted when the curtain is subject to windload.

Abstract: In a frictional engagement apparatus that includes a clutch drum, separator plates, a clutch hub, and friction plates, a plurality of concave portions that dip inward in the plate thickness direction and a plurality of convex portions that protrude outward in the plate thickness direction are formed on an edge of the separator plates and/or a an edge of the friction plates, with each convex portion being arranged between two adjacent concave portions. Ridge lines of the concave portions and the convex portions pass through positions away from a center point of the separator plates and/or the friction plates.

Abstract: A combination suitcase and baby carrier having a housing and a handle movable between a storage position and an extended position. The handle is also pivotal between a first position in which the handle is coplanar with the bottom and a second position in which the handle lies in a plane oblique to the plane of the housing bottom. A rear wheel support bracket having at least one rear wheel is pivotally mounted to the housing adjacent the end of the housing between a collapsed position in which the rear wheel is contained within the housing, and an operational position in which the rear wheel protrudes outwardly and downwardly from the housing bottom. A front wheel also extends outwardly from the bottom of the housing so that the housing can be supported by both the rear and front wheel. A housing top may then be open and movable against the handle to form a seat back for a baby carrier.

Abstract: Disclosed is a synthesis method for synthesizing in a short time and selectively a microcrystal of a polymer complex having three three-dimensionally and regularly arranged channels. Specifically disclosed is a synthesis method of a polymer complex crystal wherein (1) a metallic solution, which is a mixture of zinc halide(II) and a solvent A that can dissolve the zinc halide, is mixed with (2) a ligand solution, which is a mixture of a tridentate ligand that has three coordination sites coordinated to zinc of the zinc halide and a solvent B that can dissolve the tridentate ligand, to be a single-phase solution, thereby synthesizing a microcrystal of a polymer complex having a three-dimensional coordination network formed by coordinating the tridentate ligand to the zinc and having channels that are three-dimensionally and regularly arranged in the three-dimensional coordination network.

Abstract: Provided is a light blocking display device of an electric field driving type, including a barrier layer (150) including a plurality of driving holes (151) and having a first surface and a second surface, driving bodies (101) which are inserted into the driving holes (151) and have charges, a pixel electrode (120) formed on the first surface of the barrier layer (150), and a common electrode (22) formed on the second surface of the barrier layer (150), wherein the area of a cross section parallel to the first and second surfaces of the driving holes (151) is gradually changed from the first surface to the second surface.