Abstract: A valve configured for use with a fuel cell in both a disengaged position, in which the valve has not established fluid communication with the fuel cell, and an engaged position, in which the valve has established fluid communication with the fuel cell. The valve includes a body having a first formation for maintaining the disengaged position, and a second formation for maintaining the engaged position.

Abstract: Electrostatic attraction serves as a glue between a piezoelectric actuator and a flexible wall of the fluid chamber. A single actuator which can be shared among channels, provides the effort to drive ink out of the nozzle. The electrostatic field can be switched on and off; and so, individual channels are selectively clamped to the actuator only when those channels are to eject drops.

Abstract: A fastener system that includes a fastener with a longitudinally extending shank with a head on one end thereof, where the head has a first pattern formed thereon, and a cap that is configured and arranged to be seated upon the head, where the cap includes a second pattern formed on an interior surface thereof. This second pattern is adapted to cooperate with the first pattern, whereby rotational forces applied to the cap are transferred to the fastener via contact between the first and second patterns. Furthermore, the second pattern is defined by a closed figure that includes a plurality of outermost circumferential points located along a circle, with adjacent points being separated by a pattern distance that is greater than the length of an imaginary straight line drawn directly between the adjacent points. Several different configurations are available for the second pattern.

Abstract: A chemical anchoring adhesive includes first and second parts each having a highly viscous, putty-like consistency. The first and second parts are joined directly to each other along an interface. The first part includes a resin, and the second part includes a curing agent. The anchoring adhesive does not require separate encapsulation of one or both parts, and can be formed and cut to desired sizes and quantities at any stage before insertion into a borehole.

Abstract: A bracket (10) constructed from a single metal blank (20) is generally L-shaped and includes a first arm (16) for attachment to a member (12) requiring reinforcement and a second arm (18) for snap-on affixation to a pillar (14). The arms interconnect via a connecting portion (40). A pair of tabs (36,38) on the second arm (18) each include a cantiliver spring (50) which locks to the pillar (14) when the tabs are received within the pillar slots (64, 66,70, 72). Typically, two brackets (10) are used to secure a fender (12) to a pillar.

Abstract: A car seat tether restraint system having an anchor with a fastening portion and a leg with a foot extending from a mounting side thereof, a resilient locking flange extending from the mounting side of the anchor in an opposite direction as the foot, a body panel having a locking flange recess on one side thereof and an aperture therein, the leg disposed in the aperture with a portion of the body panel disposed between the mounting side of the anchor and the foot, the locking flange disposed in the locking flange recess.

Abstract: A fastener driving system and a fastener holding tool therefor having a shank and a resilient retainer with a bore therethrough coupled to a first end portion of the shank. A first end of the resilient retainer and a portion of the resilient retainer bore protrudes axially beyond the first end of the shank. In some embodiments, an annular chamfer is disposed on the resilient retainer between a first end and the bore thereof. The system includes a fastener having a shaft with a head formed on a trailing end portion thereof. The fastener head diameter is greater than the retainer bore diameter of the resilient retainer protruding axially beyond the first end of the shank to engage and retain the fastener.

Abstract: A self-cutting expansion anchor and system having a sleeve member with a plurality of expandable sections disposed about a shaft, the expandable sections having an end portion disposed toward a generally conical portion of the shaft, a heat hardened cutting portion protruding from at least some of the expandable sections of the sleeve member, the hardened cutting portions and the corresponding expandable sections are unitary members, and a threaded sleeve member having a driving end disposed about the threaded shaft toward a driving end of the sleeve.

Abstract: An impulse ink jet print head including a compliant chamber and a check valve coupled between an ink supply and an ink chamber. The compliant chamber attenuates pressure disturbances of short duration. The check valve prevents the reverse flow of ink and depriming of the print head.

Abstract: A roofing plate for securing a roofing membrane to a roof includes a top surface, a bottom surface and a generally oblong peripheral edge having two major sides and two minor sides. An opening is located generally centrally on the plate in a central portion for receiving a fastener for securing the plate to the roof, and a plurality of gripping formations are formed on the peripheral edge for preventing slippage of the roofing membrane relative to the plate. Also included are a pair of first rib portions which project from the top surface respectively along at least each of the two major sides between the peripheral edge and the central opening, and a pair of transverse ribs which project from the top surface for enhancing torsional stability and reinforcing the central portion of the plate.

Abstract: As formed from a predetermined length of carbon steel wire, such as AISI C 1062 steel wire or high-manganese carbon steel wire, in sequential forming, rolling, and austempering steps, a pin for axial, non-rotational penetration into a steel, concrete, or masonry substrate has a head, a tapered shank, a point having a tip, and a transition zone between the tapered shank and the head. The head has an outer diameter at least about 2.6 times greater than the initial diameter of the predetermined length wire. The smaller end of the tapered shank has a diameter about 0.6 times the initial diameter thereof. The larger end of the tapered shank has a diameter about 0.7 times the initial diameter thereof. The point is joined unitarily to the smaller end of the tapered shank and conforms except at the tip, which is rounded, substantially to a tangent ogive, which is tangent to the tapered shank.

Abstract: A threaded fastener having a threaded shaft with a head disposed on a portion thereof and a deflectable flange protruding outwardly from the shaft at or near the head. The deflectable flange has a generally concave surface facing toward a leading end of the fastener shaft. A protuberance is disposed on the shaft and spaced apart axially from the generally concave surface of the deflectable flange to limit compression of a fixture clamped between the fastener head and a work surface.

Abstract: A magazine for a coiled strip of nails useable in nailing tools, combinations thereof and methods therefor, having generally a magazine tray with an inner post having a recessed axial slot formed therein, and a nail plate having an outer post extending therefrom. The outer post is reciprocatingly disposed about the inner post, and a pin disposed through the outer post is biased so that an enlarged head thereof is biased into a recess of the axial slot to axially fix the nail plate relative to the inner post.

Abstract: A two-piece magazine for strips of nails in nailing tools, combinations thereof and methods therefor including first and second magazine portions each having an elongated side wall with front and rear end portions. The first magazine portion includes a first lower portion with a tongue protruding therefrom, and the second magazine portion includes a second lower portion with a groove. The tongue is disposable and frictionally retainable in the groove to assemble the first and second magazine portions. The first and second magazine portions are formed preferably at least partially by extrusion and partially in one or more stamping operations.

Abstract: A lock nut having a body member with a threaded axial bore and a washer having an axial opening coupled to a bottom end portion thereof so that the opening of the washer is aligned substantially with the threaded axial bore. The washer has one or more fingers with threaded finger tip portions partially defining the opening thereof. The threaded finger tip portions of the washer are in-phase helically with the threaded axial bore of the body member. A recess is disposed between the washer and the body member, and a protruding portion of the washer extends from the bottom end portion of the body member.

Abstract: The present invention involves a porous rigid filter including a plurality of concentric filtration elements having internal flow passages and forming external flow passages there between. The present invention also involves a pressure vessel containing the filter for the removal of particulates from high pressure particulate containing gases, and further involves a method for using the filter to remove such particulates. The present filter has the advantage of requiring fewer filter elements due to the high surface area-to-volume ratio provided by the filter, requires a reduced pressure vessel size, and exhibits enhanced mechanical design properties, improved cleaning properties, configuration options, modularity and ease of fabrication.

Abstract: A method for joining metal-matrix composites (MMCs) by using high power x-rays as a volumetric heat source is provided. The method involves directing an x-ray to the weld line between two adjacent MMCs materials to create an irradiated region or melt zone. The x-rays have a power density greater than about 10.sup.4 watts/cm.sup.2 and provide the volumetric heat required to join the MMC materials. Importantly, the reinforcing material of the metal-matrix composites remains uniformly distributed in the melt zone, and the strength of the MMCs are not diminished. In an alternate embodiment, high power x-rays are used to provide the volumetric heat required to weld metal elements, including metal elements comprised of metal alloys. In an alternate embodiment, high power x-rays are used to provide the volumetric heat required to weld metal elements, including metal elements comprised of metal alloys.

Abstract: A method for preparing an acid catalyst having a long shelf-life is provided comprising doping crystalline iron oxides with lattice-compatible metals and heating the now-doped oxide with halogen compounds at elevated temperatures. The invention also provides for a catalyst comprising an iron oxide particle having a predetermined lattice structure, one or more metal dopants for said iron oxide, said dopants having an ionic radius compatible with said lattice structure; and a halogen bound with the iron and the metal dopants on the surface of the particle.

Abstract: A filtered cathodic arc deposition method and apparatus for the production of highly dense, wear resistant coatings which are free from macro particles. The filtered cathodic arc deposition apparatus includes a cross shaped vacuum chamber which houses a cathode target having an evaporable surface comprised of the coating material, means for generating a stream of plasma, means for generating a transverse magnetic field, and a macro particle deflector. The transverse magnetic field bends the generated stream of plasma in the direction of a substrate. Macro particles are effectively filtered from the stream of plasma by traveling, unaffected by the transverse magnetic field, along the initial path of the plasma stream to a macro particle deflector. The macro particle deflector has a preformed surface which deflects macro particles away from the substrate.

Abstract: A single cell unit of a solid oxide fuel cell that is individually fabricated and sintered prior to being connected to adjacent cells to form a solid oxide fuel cell. The single cell unit is comprised of a shaped anode sheet positioned between a flat anode sheet and an anode-electrolyte-cathode (A/E/C) sheet, and a shaped cathode sheet positioned between the A/E/C sheet and a cathode-interconnect-anode (C/I/A) sheet. An alternate embodiment comprises a shaped cathode sheet positioned between an A/E/C sheet and a C/I/A sheet. The shaped sheets form channels for conducting reactant gases. Each single cell unit is individually sintered to form a finished sub-assembly. The finished sub-assemblies are connected in electrical series by interposing connective material between the end surfaces of adjacent cells, whereby individual cells may be inspected for defects and interchanged with non-defective single cell units.