Abstract: Hydrogen-processing assemblies, components of hydrogen-processing assemblies, and fuel-processing and fuel cell systems that include hydrogen-processing assemblies. The hydrogen-processing assemblies include a hydrogen-separation assembly positioned within the internal volume of an enclosure in a spaced relation to at least a portion of the internal perimeter of the body of the enclosure.
Type:
Grant
Filed:
May 18, 2007
Date of Patent:
July 5, 2011
Assignee:
Idatech, LLC
Inventors:
William A. Pledger, Vernon Wade Popham, R. Todd Studebaker, Kyle Taylor
Abstract: Children's ride-on vehicles having powered window mechanisms, and window mechanisms for such vehicles. The window mechanism includes a window drive assembly that selectively drives movement of a window member relative to the vehicle body. In some embodiments, the window drive assembly includes a window motor assembly and a window linkage to couple the output of the window motor assembly to the window member. In some embodiments, the window member includes a receiving region coupled to the window linkage. In some embodiments, the window mechanism includes a window support assembly that maintains the window member in a predetermined orientation relative to the vehicle body.
Type:
Grant
Filed:
April 24, 2007
Date of Patent:
June 28, 2011
Assignee:
Mattel, Inc.
Inventors:
Ronald M. Asbach, David M. Bapst, Kurt J. Huntsberger, Jacob J. Clark
Abstract: Dry cleaning and fabric-treatment compositions, methods and articles incorporating the same that are suitable for use in drying machines, such as hot air drying machines found in households, apartments, and laundromats, which are normally adapted to dry wet garments and the like from a washing machine. In some embodiments, the composition includes at least one organic solvent, with the at least one organic solvent forming the greatest weight percentage of the active components in the composition. In some embodiments, the composition also may include water and/or at least one surfactant, emulsifier, perfume, and/or application-specific composition. In some embodiments, the article includes a dispenser from which the composition is selectively dispensed onto a dry garment or other object to be cleaned. In some embodiments, the dispenser includes an internal chamber containing the composition, and the composition is dispensed onto objects prior to placing the objects in a drying machine.
Abstract: A control system and method for a fuel processing system. The control system automates the operation of a fuel processing system by monitoring operating parameters and automatically controlling the operation of the system responsive to the monitored parameters, predefined subroutines and/or user inputs.
Type:
Grant
Filed:
August 9, 2010
Date of Patent:
May 10, 2011
Assignee:
Idatech, LLC
Inventors:
David J. Edlund, Thomas G. Herron, William A. Pledger
Abstract: Children's ride-on vehicles having a drive assembly that is selectively configured between a plurality of drive configurations, such as responsive to user inputs via user input devices, and a ground detection system that is adapted to detect when at least one of a plurality of wheels loses contact with the ground surface. The ground detection system may be adapted to restrict the plurality of drive configurations responsive thereto. This restriction may be automatic responsive to loss of contact of the at least one of the plurality of wheels with the ground surface, and it may be made regardless, or independent, of user inputs that otherwise would select and/or enable one of the restricted drive configurations.
Type:
Grant
Filed:
August 31, 2009
Date of Patent:
May 10, 2011
Assignee:
Mattel, Inc.
Inventors:
William R. Howell, John Rhein, Gerald P. Sitarski, Richard A. Zirnheld, Jeffrey W. Reynolds
Abstract: Improved blow-molded wheels, methods for producing the same, and children's ride-on vehicles including the same are disclosed. The blow-molded wheels may include a blow-molded body that has a tread surface, first and second sidewalls and an axis. The body may be configured to rotate about the axis. The tread surface may extend circumferentially around the body and may extend between the first and second sidewalls. A first region of the tread surface may be disposed between the first sidewall and a part line of the blow-molded body. A second region of the tread surface may be disposed between the first region and the part line. A first radial distance from the axis to the first region may exceed a second radial distance from the axis to the second region by at least a first predetermined threshold.
Type:
Grant
Filed:
October 12, 2009
Date of Patent:
May 10, 2011
Assignee:
Mattel, Inc.
Inventors:
Albert L. Arendt, James R. Carducci, Christopher F. Lucas
Abstract: Hydrogen-producing fuel processing assemblies, including steam reforming fuel processing assemblies, startup assemblies for use therein, and methods of operating the same. In some embodiments, the startup assemblies include a startup reforming region that is upstream from a primary, or second, hydrogen-producing reforming region. In some embodiments, the startup reforming region and primary reforming regions are both steam reforming regions. In some embodiments, the startup assembly further includes at least one of a vaporization region and a startup heating assembly. In some embodiments, the startup heating assembly is an electrically powered heating assembly, and the fuel processing assembly further includes a (primary) heating assembly that combusts a byproduct stream from the fuel processing assembly to produce a combustion exhaust stream.
Type:
Grant
Filed:
May 21, 2007
Date of Patent:
May 10, 2011
Assignee:
Idatech, LLC
Inventors:
Vernon Wade Popham, Curtiss Renn, Mesa Scharf, Kyle Taylor
Abstract: A recording medium storing information indicating that linking is applied immediately after the defective area, distinguishing a linking type which occurs in a general incremental recording mode from a linking type which occurs after the defective area. Defective areas are detected and registered in a predetermined area (recording management data (RMD) area) before user data is recorded or while user data is being recorded in the recording medium having a plurality of continuous basic recording units, such as a digital versatile disc-rewritable (DVD-RW) in which recording and reproducing can be done repeatedly. Linking is not only applied in an incremental recording mode or in a restricted overwrite recording mode, but linking is also applied to an area immediately after the defective area which is registered in the defect list, increasing reliability of the user data.
Type:
Grant
Filed:
December 23, 2008
Date of Patent:
April 19, 2011
Assignee:
Samsung Electronics Co., Ltd.
Inventors:
Kyung-geun Lee, Jung-wan Ko, Young-yoon Kim, In-sik Park, Yoon-ki Kim
Abstract: A system for preventing overinflation of an inner tube is disclosed. In some embodiments, the system may include a wheel; and a tube-bursting region of the wheel, wherein the tube-bursting region is configured to facilitate bursting of an associated inner tube when the associated inner tube is pressurized above a predetermined maximum pressure. A tire system also is disclosed. In some embodiments, the system may include a wheel; and a tube-bursting region of the wheel, wherein the tube-bursting region is configured to facilitate bursting of an associated inner tube when the associated inner tube is pressurized above a predetermined maximum pressure. A children's ride-on vehicle also is disclosed. In some embodiments, the vehicle may include a wheel; and a tube-bursting region of the wheel, wherein the tube-bursting region is configured to facilitate bursting of an associated inner tube when the associated inner tube is pressurized above a predetermined maximum pressure.
Abstract: Improved blow-molded wheels, methods for producing the same, and children's ride-on vehicles including the same are disclosed. The blow-molded wheels may include a blow-molded wheel body that is configured to rotate about an axis and has a tread surface that extends circumferentially around the wheel body and may have a circumferential profile that is defined as the locus of points at which the radial distance from the axis to the tread surface is greatest at each position around the circumference of the tread surface. The radial distance from the axis to the circumferential profile may change from a first radius to a second radius that is larger than the first radius at a plurality of spaced-apart positions along the circumferential profile. The method for producing the blow-molded wheels may include providing a mold with pinch-off rings that have an opening configured to form the circumferential profile.
Type:
Grant
Filed:
August 23, 2006
Date of Patent:
March 15, 2011
Assignee:
Mattel, Inc.
Inventors:
Christopher F. Lucas, John Rhein, Gerald P. Sitarski, Steven R. Drosendahl
Abstract: Hydrogen-producing fuel cell systems with load-responsive feedstock delivery systems, and methods for regulating the delivery of feedstock to the hydrogen-producing region of a fuel cell system. The fuel cell systems include a control system that is adapted to monitor and selectively regulate the rate at which the feedstock is delivered to a hydrogen-producing region of a hydrogen generation assembly. The control systems, and corresponding methods, include feed-forward and feedback control portions that cooperatively regulate the rate at which the feed stream is delivered to the hydrogen generation assembly responsive at least in part, if not completely, to the fuel cell stack's demand for hydrogen gas and the rate at which the produced hydrogen gas is consumed by the fuel cell stack.
Abstract: Devices and methods for accelerating the combustion of non-gas cooking fuels used in barbequing. The devices include a starting fuel for preparing, or starting, a cooking fuel, such as charcoal briquettes, for use to cook food. The starting fuel is contained in a kindling chamber beneath an upper chamber containing the cooking fuel. A powered air delivery mechanism may provide an airflow to the fuels to increase combustion and heating thereof. In some embodiments, the device is a breach-loading device. In some embodiments, the air delivery mechanism is battery-powered. The device may be configured to provide, and/or may be automated to provide, different operating states responsive to the degree of ignition and/or combustion of the fuels in the device. In some embodiments, the device is adapted to automatically be transitioned between forced-air and natural-draft operating states, which may be controlled responsive to sensed operating parameters of the device.
Abstract: Systems and methods for installing a vehicle-body accessory on a corresponding vehicle body include a vehicle-body accessory and an intermediate structural member configured to be positioned between the vehicle-body accessory and the corresponding vehicle body. The intermediate structural member includes one or more of a plurality of discrete projections and/or a plurality of discrete depressions for securing the structural member to the body and body accessory, such as with adhesive, spanning the projections and/or depressions. In some embodiments the structural member at least generally conforms to an internal recess, or channel, in the vehicle-body accessory. In some embodiments, the structural member includes at least one, optionally removable, alignment tab to facilitate proper installation of the intermediate structural member on a vehicle body.
Abstract: Methods for operating a fuel cell system under reduced load conditions. The fuel cell system includes a control system for regulating the power produced by the fuel cell system. The fuel cell system further includes a fuel cell stack adapted to produce electrical power from a feed. In some embodiments, the fuel cell system includes a fuel processing assembly adapted to produce the feed for the fuel cell stack from one or more feedstocks. The control system regulates the power produced by the fuel cell system to prevent damage to, and/or failure of, the system. The methods include selectively diverting at least a portion of the feed from delivery to the fuel cell stack if an applied load is less than the currently available power output of the fuel cell system.
Type:
Grant
Filed:
December 21, 2005
Date of Patent:
December 7, 2010
Assignee:
Idatech, LLC
Inventors:
David J. Edlund, Thomas G. Herron, Craig F. Holmes