Abstract: A high efficiency combined cycle internal combustion and steam engine includes a cylinder with a combustion chamber outward of a piston, a cylinder cap slideably mounted within the piston and a steam expansion chamber inside the piston. The cap can be heated to reduce condensation of steam. Steam remaining when a steam exhaust valve closes can be recompressed prior to admitting the next charge of steam. One valve or a pair of steam inlet valves connected in series act in cooperation to help maximize efficiency. The amount of steam admitted each stroke is regulated by shifting the phase of one steam admission valve of a pair to vary their overlap for determining the steam mass admitted each cycle. Other valves balance steam displacement with the steam generator output to use steam more efficiently.

Abstract: A two-stage collapsing device includes a base having a passage with first and second slots defined in an inner periphery thereof. A first locking member and a second locking member are movably received in the two slots. The first and second locking members each include a latch to be engaged with a hole of the runner. A button is connected to the base and the second locking member is fixed to the button. A U-shaped member is pivotably connected to the inside of the button and two legs of the U-shaped member can push the first locking member inward to release the runner when opening the umbrella. During the first stage of collapsing the two legs of the U-shaped member are pivoted away from the two distal ends of the first locking member, so that even if the button is pressed, the umbrella does not open.

Abstract: An extendable frame work vehicle offering enhanced versatility, safety and effectiveness. The vehicle includes an adjustable frame with front and rear portions that extend or retract with respect to each other. The front portion is supported by a first pair of wheels and said rear portion is supported by a second pair of wheels. Each wheel is independently driven and steered. The vehicle also includes an engine mounted on the rear portion of the frame. Incorporated into the vehicle is an electro-hydraulic assembly which enables extension and retraction of the adjustable frame. The assembly includes a sensor-responsive microprocessor controller, at least one hydraulic pump, at least one hydraulic drive motor and at least one valve network.

Abstract: Compositions of cross-linked polyvinylpyrrolidone (PVP) are disclosed that are generally in the form of an elastic, hydrophilic, water-insoluble viscous cohesive mass of material that has many important medical uses including uses as a filler for implants. The present invention also involves a process for producing such compositions.

Abstract: Safety ladders to provide egress from water to a dock or boat or the like are disclosed. Safety ladders in accordance with the present invention are mountable to a structure, upwardly collapsible to a first storage configuration, and downwardly extendible to a second climbing configuration.

Abstract: A method for inhibiting formation of adhesions following abdominal surgery which involves application of an anti-static fatty acid ethoxylated amide (Cocamide DEA) in a matrix that is placed in the peritoneal cavity at the conclusion of an abdominal surgery and which releases this anti-adhesive chemical over a predetermined time in a range from about five to seven days. Tests conducted on laboratory rats established that the method reduced the incidences of adhesions from 100 percent (100%) in a test model to near zero percent (0%) in the treated animals. In an alternative embodiment, Andrographalide was delivered through a drug pump with similar results. In still another embodiment, an effective amount of Rapamune was delivered, via a pump, into the abdominal cavity, again with similar results.

Abstract: A multi-purpose attachment for work vehicles comprises a unique bucket shape and tine arrangement permitting the attachment to be used when performing a variety of jobs at a job site. The attachment may also include a thumb that can be extended over the open front of the bucket, retracted and even folded when not in use.

Abstract: Flighting for screw conveyors of improved construction and resulting in better wear characteristics and carrying capacity is provided through the use of cold roll manufacturing and a roller which forms the flighting with a shape which moves some of the material being conveyed away from the outside peripheral edge of the flighting and thereby distributes wear over a larger portion of the surface of the flighting.

Abstract: A fan shaft seat structure including a shaft bushing and a heat dissipation member. The shaft bushing has an open end, a closed end and a, connection section. A receiving space is defined between the open end and the closed end. The connection section extends from the closed end in a direction reverse to the receiving space. The heat dissipation member has a first face and a second face. The first face is flush with a first end of the connection section in contact with the closed end of the shaft bushing. The second face is flush with a second end of the connection section. The shaft bushing is integrally connected with the heat dissipation member to increase heat dissipation area and save working time and manufacturing cost as well as achieve better heat dissipation effect.

Abstract: A luminary has a central lamp, an emergency lamp and a control box. The emergency lamp is ring-shaped and mounted around a light-emitting end of the central lamp and has a base and a circuit board. The circuit board has an LED set and a cable set connected to the LED set. The control box is electrically connected to cable set of the circuit board, adapted to connect to an AC power and has a battery. The control box drives the LED set when an outage of the AC power occurs. Since emergency illumination is provided by the emergency lamp and is independent of normal illumination provided by the central lamp, battery power for emergency illumination can be kept from being quickly consumed by the central lamp that is usually power-consuming.

Abstract: An accessory system for a laptop computer is disclosed which includes a framework adapted to be attached to a top display system of a laptop computer. The accessory system includes an extendable device-carrying arrangement having laterally adjustable holders that retract into the framework when not in use and can be extended beyond the framework to hold items when desired. An auxiliary electronic power port connection provides an auxiliary power source for lighting and battery charging device. The system includes an attachment arrangement capable of attaching the system to the display screen section of a laptop computer.

Abstract: A cooling fan with oil-impregnated bearing includes a base portion, a bearing, a fan hub, and a coil assembly. The base portion has a forward extended bearing housing, into which the bearing is tightly fitted with a colloidal material applied between them. The fan hub is mounted on and around the bearing housing, and has a rearward extended rotary shaft extended through a centered shaft hole of the bearing. An oil receiving space is formed on a wall of the shaft hole at a predetermined position. The coil assembly is externally tightly fitted around the bearing housing with a colloidal material applied between them. With the colloidal material, the bearing and the coil assembly can be associated with the bearing housing without detriment to the effective porosity of the bearing and the dimensional precision of the bearing housing. The oil receiving space also prevents the lubricating oil from leaking out.

Abstract: A nonvolatile storage device includes a casing, a circuit substrate, a latch and a driving piece. The outer surface of the casing is provided with a slot. The slot is connected with a push button switch. The circuit substrate is fixed in the casing. The circuit substrate is provided with a connecting interface made according to the standard of serial advanced technology attachment, a control unit and a nonvolatile memory unit. The connecting interface protrudes outside the casing. The control unit and the connecting interface are electrically connected with the nonvolatile memory unit. One end of the latch is fixed to the outside of the connecting interface with a portion thereof suspended. The driving piece is provided in the casing. One end of the driving piece is fixed to the push button switch, and the other end of the driving piece presses the suspended portion of the latch selectively.

Abstract: The invention is to provide a restraining device of an optical disk drive in which a traverse is disposed. A transmission unit rotates a roller to, load/unload a disc, and drives a slider to move the roller. The transmission unit includes the restraining device moving with the roller. When the optical disk drive carries a disc, the slider moves to release the traverse and push down the roller to move the restraining device away from the vibration range of the traverse. When the optical disk drive does not carry a disc, the slider moves to restrain the traverse and release the roller to move the restraining device close to the front end of the traverse. The vibration range of the traverse is restrained to protect the gear teeth from damage.

Abstract: A screwdriver holder has a base and a holding bar. The base has a protrusion, a bottom board, a hanging seat and at least one hanging hole and may have multiple insert holes. The protrusion protrudes from the bottom board. The hanging seat is formed on or protruded along an edge of the bottom board. The at least one hanging hole is defined through the hanging seat. The multiple insert holes of the base are defined through the protrusion and the bottom board. The holding bar has a bottom surface or a side surface attached to the protrusion. The holding bar may have multiple pairs of aligned insert holes or multiple insert holes aligned with the insert holes of the base.

Abstract: A wireless cardiogram signal diagnostic instrument includes a band, a signal transmitting device, two sets of connecting pieces, and a conductive assembly. The band has two opposite mounting portions separated by a distance. The two mounting portions are provided with the conductive assembly having a first conductive piece and a second conductive piece. The signal transmitting device is provided with a third conductive piece. The two sets of connecting pieces each have a first connecting piece that is conductive provided on the mounting portion of the band and a second connecting piece that is conductive provided on the signal transmitting device. The first connecting piece is correspondingly assembled with the second connecting piece, so that the signal transmitting device can be detachably assembled on the band. Via the above arrangement, the instrument can be worn on a user's chest to collect and measure the variation values of cardiogram voltages.

Abstract: A single-bearing fan structure includes a fan frame having a bearing cup with a bearing received therein, the bearing cup having a radially inward protruded lip portion formed at a first end to abut on a top of the bearing, and a groove internally formed at a second end; a blade hub having a rotary shaft fixedly connected thereto with a distal end of the rotary shaft inserted into the bearing; a retainer engaged with the groove; a first elastic element fitted around the rotary shaft and located between the blade hub and the bearing; and a second elastic element received in the bearing cup and located between the bearing and the retainer. The first and second elastic elements and the bearing respectively axially and radially support the blade hub, enabling the fan structure to operate stably and have extended service life.