Abstract: A dock light for mounting in a void in the side of a floating dock. The light has a housing with a floor, sidewalls, lens and lid defining a chamber. The chamber houses a power source, such as a battery and photovoltaic cell, and a light source, such as a light emitting diode (LED). The lid is removably mounted to the sidewalls, and is flush with, or set beneath, the top surface of the dock when in an operable position. The lens extends from the void at a side opening when the dock light is in an operable position, and is flush with, or set beneath, the side surface of the dock. The light shines from the side of the dock, and is powered by collecting energy from the sun, thereby requiring little to no maintenance. The dock light is protected by the surrounding surfaces of the dock.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for compressing gas refrigerant using two different compressors operated alternatively in a series or parallel mode for obtaining two different compression ratios and thereby provide efficient operation for both a relatively lower suction pressure and a relatively higher suction pressure. This system avoids an unbalanced mass flow rate when the compressors are operated in series by unloading a downstream one of the compressors. When operated in the series mode, refrigerant is bypassed back to a suction inlet of the downstream compressor during a portion of a compression stroke of the downstream compressor for equalizing the mass flow rate through the two compressors.

Abstract: A circuit for controlling at least two power switches that are series connected between a source of electrical power and an electrical load, for energizing the load in response to a signal at a control input. The circuit includes a programmed controller having an input as the control input and a voltage sensor circuit connected to sense the voltage between the power switches and apply a voltage signal to a controller input. It may also have a sensor for sensing the current through the switches and applying a current signal to the controller. The controller inputs the voltage between the switches or the current through the switches to provide a sensed first value. It compares the sensed first value to an expected first value that exists if both switches are turned off. One of the two switches is turned on if the sensed first value is equal to the expected first value.

Abstract: An overload protection device (1) with a primary section (4) for the coupling of the overload protection device (1) with a drive device (2) and with a secondary section (6) for coupling of the overload protection device (1) with an operating section (7). The primary section (4) and the secondary section (6) can be turned around a rotation axis (8), with respect to one another, around a rotation angle phi. A spring element (5), which is interposed between the primary section (4) and the secondary section (6) is formed in such a way that the spring element (5) counteracts a rotation of the primary and secondary sections (4, 6). The invention is characterized by a spring element (5) that extends concentrically around the rotation axis (8) in an angular range of at least 180°.

Abstract: The invention relates to the determination of the gas pressure in an evacuated thermal insulating board (9) having an insulating core (1) covered by a film (2). The inventive device comprises an assembly, which is integrated between the insulating core and the covering film of the thermal insulating board and which has a body that acts as a heat sink (3) (Al, Co, Fe, ceramic), and the body's thermal conductivity and thermal capacity relative to volume are greater than those of the insulating core. Said assembly also comprises a test layer (4) (0.3 mm nonwoven fabric made of plastic and glass fibers), which is arranged between the heat sink and the covering film and has a defined thermal conductivity that changes according to the gas pressure inside the evacuated thermal insulating board. From the exterior, a sensor device is applied to or pressed against the test device, which is placed inside the evacuated thermal insulating board and which is covered by the covering film.

Abstract: A compression molding apparatus and method for the manufacture of abrasive layers for abrasive tooling which provides a compression mold space defined between an inflexible wall surface and a flexible wall surface. The apparatus and method of the present invention is particularly well suited to making annular or hollow cylindrical shaped abrasive layers of novel configurations during a single mold cycle useful for grinding wheel and the like, as well as other shapes such as laps, wherein the flexible wall expanded with fluid pressure provides a highly uniform distribution of pressure against the surface of the mold composition being formed. In an annular configuration, the flexible wall is used to radially direct pressure against a molding composition disposed in an annular configuration wherein the axial length of the annular mold shape formed may be many times greater than priorly obtained by the prior art means.

Abstract: An apparatus for producing portions severed from a poultry breast of controlled size and weight having a rotary mounted product holder including a generally cylindrical outer surface provided with at least one product cavity for receiving a first portion of a poultry breast for travel along an arcuate path defined by the outer surface of the product holder. A pressing means including an arcuate surface selected to generally mate with a portion of the arcuate path of travel of said cavity is mounted a selected distance from the path of travel of said cavity for engaging the portion of poultry breast to urge and hold the first portion into the cavity. A cutting member is disposed generally tangentially relative to the path of travel of the cavity between the surface of the pressing means and the outer surface of the product holder to engage the poultry breast and separate the first portion of said poultry breast contained in the cavity from the remaining portion thereof.

Abstract: A piston position sensing circuit for sensing the instantaneous position of a piston of a free piston Stirling machine or a compressor mechanically connected to a reciprocating member of a linear electric motor or alternator. A source of a high frequency, alternating, electrical signal applies a high frequency signal to the winding circuit of the linear alternator or motor. A filter circuit is connected to the winding circuit and passes electrical signals at the frequency of the high frequency source and blocks signals at the operating frequency of reciprocation. A peak detector circuit is connected to the filter circuit and detects the peak of the filter circuit output signal to provide an instantaneous peak magnitude that is proportional to the instantaneous piston position.

Abstract: An apparatus for producing multiple portions of meat. A plurality of product mandrels having an open-top recess are mounted on a conveyor for travel along a selected path. The mandrels are selectively rotatable about a vertical axis. Two sets of parallel slots are provided in the mandrel and extend to a depth at least equal to the depth of the recess. Each set of parallel slots is disposed to intersect the other at a selected angle. Each product mandrel is moved through a pair of cutting stations which carry laterally spaced knives extending downwardly. The product mandrel is rotated through an angle which aligns one set of intersecting slots parallel to the knife blades in a cutting station after passing through the other cuffing station. A plurality of laterally spaced cuts are made through the larger piece of meat to produce smaller portions.

Abstract: A vapor recovery apparatus for oil and gas well production that is used in combination with a liquid separator, a sales line and a holding tank includes a compressor, which is drivingly linked to an engine. A first conduit extends from fluid communication with the holding tank to a compressor inlet, while a second conduit extends from a compressor outlet to fluid communication with the sales line. The vapor recovery apparatus also has an electronic controller that is connected to the engine and to a pressure sensor, which is in fluid communication with the gas in the tank.

Abstract: An absorption, heat-transfer system with an operationally interconnected generator, absorber, condenser, and evaporator; at least two separate heat sources for heating the generator; and a controller for controlling the heat sources. The controller, e.g., a programmed microprocessor, receives inputs from the absorption system, the heat sources, and loads and a lookup table and provides outputs to select and control the heat sources and maximize their efficiency. A heat distributor and a heat recover unit enable heat source management and additional energy utilization.

Abstract: The invention is a ramp removably mounted to at least one sidewall of a cargo bed of a vehicle. The ramp can be removed to create a support bridge between the cargo bed and the ground. The cargo bed of the preferred embodiment has four sidewalls, and the ramp is mounted to one sidewall of the cargo bed, preferably by a hinge and locking mechanism. One of the sidewalls of the cargo bed is a tailgate having a groove for accepting a lip on the end of the ramp, while the opposite end of the ramp rests upon the ground. Then a motorcycle, ATV, tractor or other wheeled vehicle can be loaded or unloaded easily, and the ramps are readily available and securely stored.

Abstract: An improved elongated fuel inlet pipe having an opening on one end for inserting a fuel source and a plunger valve at an opposite end for permitting fluid to flow into a tank. The pipe has a plurality of slots in a top sidewall of the pipe, a movable closure over the slots and a spring to bias the collar to a closed position. A gate is mounted inside the pipe and is drivingly linked to the closure by a finger that extends through one of the slots for displacing the closure longitudinally toward the plunger valve when there is an increased pressure applied to the gate for permitting fluid flow through the slot.

Abstract: A machine for cutting poultry wings into segments. Holders convey wings through a guide that positions the first joint between the drumette and midwing. A blade incises the connective tissue after the bones at the joint have been disarticulated by lateral guides that form a tapered corridor. A second joint at the midwing and wingtip is forced into a pocket by one of the lateral guides extending into the second joint. The second joint is severed by a blade extending into the second joint from the side opposite the lateral guide.

Abstract: A bicycle seat post and clamp for mounting in the seat tube of a bicycle frame and clamping to the bicycle seat rails. The seat post has a straight section to insert into the seat tube and a preferably toroidal section that is clamped by the clamp. The clamp includes a cradle with hooks at opposing ends that extend around seat rails, and a strap with hooks at opposing ends to extend around the seat rails in the opposing direction. A screw extends between two legs making up the strap for tightening the strap, thereby decreasing the size of the opening formed by the clamp, thus clamping the clamp to the seat post and the seat rails.

Abstract: An evaporative pad comprising a plurality of layers of highly absorbent slit and expanded wicking papers and at least one layer of slit and expanded non-absorbent material carrying a coating of adsorbent particles bonded to exposed surfaces of the layer of non-absorbent material disposed between a pair of adjacent wicking layers in the pad. The wicking layers and non-absorbent layer coated with adsorbent particles are disposed in parallel overlying relationship to one another and bonded together to form the evaporative pad.

Abstract: A method for manufacturing oriented arrays of ceramic or metal oxide nanostructures, such as titania (TiO2) nanofibers. The nanofibers are formed on the surface of a body that is first sintered at a temperature in the range of about 1,100 to about 1,400 degrees Celsius. Subsequently, the surface is exposed to an H2-bearing gas, such as H2 and N2 in a ratio of about 5:95 at about 700 degrees Celsius for about 8 hours. During heat treatment in the gas phase reaction, sintered titania grains transform into arrays of nanofibers oriented in the same crystallographic direction.