Abstract: An airflow system for a solid-ink melter tank is disclosed, which prevents clogging of drop tube supplying solid ink to the solid-ink melter tank. An inlet may provide airflow as well as solid ink to the melter tank and an outlet maintained at a temperature higher than temperature of the inlet, promotes a convective air current. The inlet may be coaxial with the drop tube or is present as a separate opening in the solid-ink melter tank. The outlet can be taller, externally insulated, and fabricated with a thermally conductive material as compared to the inlet. The heated outlet promotes expulsion of hot air from the solid-ink melter tank and prevents heating of drop tube, which leads to drop tube clogging by partially melting the solid ink.

Abstract: Devices and methods for sensing wear of a component are described. A wear-sensing device has a wear component and a wireless sensor disposed within the wear component. The sensor generates a signal, detectable by a detector, for confirming the presence of the sensor. Further, the claimed invention includes a positioner for precisely positioning the sensor within the wear component. Also, an authentication module is present for authenticating the sensor.

Abstract: System for directing media from one an input media path to one of multiple output paths using a rotary diverter. The rotary diverter is a cylinder mounted for rotation at a crossover point, where input media paths and output media paths cross. The rotary diverter includes a funnel-shaped section longitudinally cut through the cylinder, the sides of the funnel-shaped section lying at an acute angle. A relatively narrow output end of the funnel-shaped section lies toward the apex of the angle, and a relatively wide input end lies opposite the apex. The input end is thus configured to receive media, and the output end is configured to output media. The rotary diverter can accept input media from one input media path, or from several paths, given the wide input section.

Abstract: A power assist system for a motor vehicle subsystem having a component support structure is described. The power assist system comprises a fluid reservoir, a pump having an inlet for receiving a fluid from the reservoir and a pump securing structure including at least one aperture. The system additionally includes at least one fastener. The reservoir fluid outlet is directly coupled to the pump inlet and the at least one fastener secures the reservoir mounting structure by passing directly through the pump mounting structure and attaching to the motor vehicle component support structure.

Abstract: A steering mechanism is provided, including a rack, a rotatable support member, and an automatically-adjustable support member. The rack includes a rack gear portion and the pinion includes a pinion gear portion coupled with the rack gear portion. The rotatable support member is positioned with respect to the rack or the pinion such that rotation of the rotatable support member adjusts an overlap distance between the rack gear portion and the pinion gear portion. The automatically-adjustable support member automatically urges together the rack and the pinion along an urging direction. The urging direction remains substantially constant throughout the rotation of the rotatable support member within a desired angular range.

Abstract: A rack and pinion steering system including a rack slidably supported within a housing that engages in a pinion gear. A yoke assembly, including a yoke member engaging the rack, operates to guide the rack and maintain engagement of the rack and pinion during operation of the steering system. A retainer member holds a yoke plug, used in the yoke assembly, in position and also seals the yoke assembly to provide a sealed interface that protects the internal components of the steering system from water and other contaminants.

Abstract: An accessory rail assembly mountable on a weapon. The rail assembly is formed of first and second mount units, formed to fit around the weapon. The internal profile of the mount units matches the external profile of the weapon in at least one desired location. Also, the mount units have engagement devices arranged to mutually secure the units to one another, thereby exerting force on the weapon stock, such force being limited in direction to a direction parallel to the vertical dimension of the weapon.

Abstract: A method for modeling a geological domain in a computer system, in which the computer system includes data processing and data storage modules, one or more user input devices and a display device, in which the system first receives data relating to faults within the domain. Then there is created a surface plot for each fault described in the data, each surface plot being extended to divide the domain in two portions, and the surface plots are combined into a fault network containing all faults described in the data and displayed on the display apparatus. The network display is modified in response to user input, including the first step of rotating the display about its horizontal and vertical axes as desired to inspect the same. Then the system receives manual truncation commands and truncates indicated fault portions responsive to the same.

Abstract: A wheelable cooler includes a cooler body and a pair of wheelgear assemblies. The cooler body is generally boxlike in form, and the wheelgear assemblies include a U-shaped handle, with extension arms extending from a crossbar. The wheelgear assemblies also include fender assemblies, each including a fender body that carries a wheel. A mounting member extends from the fender body at a selected angle, with a handle extension arm is slidably carried in each mounting member. The handle is movable between a retracted position in which the extension arms are inserted into the mounting members, and an extended position in which the extension arms are only partially inserted into the mounting members. Detent assemblies lock the extension arms in the retracted and extended positions. A support rod joins the fender assemblies, extending through each fender assembly and carrying the cooler body.

Abstract: A composite array consists of plate-like elements or solid bodies interconnected by endless filaments. The front and rear surfaces of each element are provided with grooves, the grooves being divided in two groups, with grooves of each group running parallel with one another. The filaments lie within the grooves and are not attached to the elements. The filaments are arranged upon the elements so that each filament, upon reaching a lateral side of an element, is led into a groove on the opposite surface of the array. If the lateral side lies at the outmost edge of the array, the grooves are of different direction, while at lateral sides forming a line of contact, the grooves run in the same direction. On one or both surfaces of the elements, markings, numbers, letters, text or pattern elements may be found, for differentiating and determining the elements' positions.