Abstract: A Stirling engine-equipped cogeneration system is capable of utilizing thermal energy, without waste, and of offering high thermal usage efficiency at every stage of the thermal energy utilization process.

Abstract: A method and system is provided to access one or more historical incident databases, for example, CDC, CPSC, DTI, AAPCC and the like, for standardizing the potentially differing categories and coding among the databases. The standardizing includes recoding of the categories by providing a unified set of categories reflective of similar categories found among the one or more databases, if any. Submission of search queries allows users to obtain unified data across the databases so that incident history statistics for one or more products tracked by commonly available databases may be easily acquired. The resulting reports and statistics may be used by various entities to understand historical incidents from multiple perspectives including, for example, injury and fatality statistics as a function of age group, type of injury, time periods, diagnosis, injury outcome, severity, and the like. Data may be presented in standardized formats or in any of the native database formats.

Abstract: A commutator motor includes a stator and a rotor, and the stator includes a stator yoke and a field magnet. The field magnet is fixed onto the inner peripheral surface of the substantially cylindrical stator yoke. The stator yoke is configured by coaxially stacking a plurality of plate-like annular bodies, and the annular bodies are fixedly connected to each other by caulking at a caulking portion disposed on the annular body. In manufacture, the length of the stator yoke in the axial direction can be arbitrarily changed with the thickness of the annular body in the axial direction as a minimum unit. In case of manufacturing various stator yokes that are different in the axial length, the necessity of replacing a manufacturing machine is eliminated, thereby providing a commutator motor having the stator yoke which is low in the manufacturing costs.

Abstract: To provide a universal battery charger with low power consumption during a standby condition and a rush current suppressing capability at the time of commencement of charging, a voltage slightly larger than a battery voltage is produced and applied to the battery. Thereafter, the highest voltage is produced and applied to the battery to charge the same. When the battery is unloaded from the battery charger, the lowest voltage is produced to save power consumption.

Abstract: A third-party billing system and method permits consumers to conduct e-commerce transactions (including microtransactions) securely and anonymously by providing billing and personal information to the third party billing system rather than to merchants. A consumer initiates a transaction by placing an order for a product. The consumer then authorizes the transaction by transmitting an authorization code to a billing computer. The authorization code identifies the consumer billing account to which the transaction is to be charged. The authorization code can also authenticate the consumer through use of a PIN. Multiple consumers can charge transactions to one billing account, in which case each consumer can be assigned a different PIN with restrictions that limit that consumer's use of the account. The billing computer then verifies the authorization code and transmits an approval code to the merchant computer.

Abstract: Systems and methods for disposing of waste material are disclosed, in which a cross-belt magnet configuration is employed to separate ferromagnetic substances from waste material. For some embodiments, the system includes a first conveyor belt, a magnet, and a second conveyor belt. The first conveyor belt is configured to carry waste materials in a first direction. The magnet is located in proximity to the first conveyor belt such that the first conveyor belt is within range of the attractive force of the magnet. The magnet attracts the ferromagnetic substances. The second conveyor belt is interposed between the magnet and the first conveyor belt. The second conveyor belt is positioned non-parallel to the first conveyor belt, and is configured to carry the attracted ferromagnetic substances in a second direction, which is non-parallel to the first direction.

Abstract: Disclosed is a method for dislodging a mold from a casting formed within the mold. The mold may be removed from the casting by scoring the mold and applying a force sufficient to cause the mold to fracture and break into pieces. Additionally, the mold may be fractured by either explosive charges placed in the mold pack or by high energy pulsations directed at the mold. Once the mold is fractured and broken into various pieces it may then be dislodged from the casting.

Abstract: A system and method for providing auxiliary power to a large diesel engine allowing shutdown of such large engine in all weather conditions. An auxiliary power unit made up of a secondary engine coupled to an electrical generator is provided. An automatic control system shuts down the primary engine after a period of idling and the auxiliary power unit provides electrical power for heating and air conditioning. In cold weather, the auxiliary power unit maintains the primary engine coolant and lube-oil warm to facilitate engine restart. The coolant system is kept warm using a heat exchanger and electrical heaters. The lube-oil system is kept warm using a recirculating pump and electrical heaters. In warm weather, the auxiliary power unit provides electrical power for air conditioning and other hotel loads. The auxiliary power unit isolates the primary engine batteries during operation and provides electrical power for hotel and non-vital loads.