Abstract: The present invention is a solid fuel fire starter having a wicking element made of corrugated cardboard with an exposed top end for ignition by a flame source, a non-combustible housing surrounding the wicking element, the housing defining an open end for exposing the top end of the wicking element; and a paraffin wax reservoir within the housing integrally molded with the wicking element so that the wicking element conveys the paraffin wax by capillary action up into a flame.

Abstract: This gearbox assembly (50) for a lawnmower (10) includes a gearbox housing (56) having a horizontal input shaft (62) and a vertical output shaft (64). A lawnmower deck (12) is disposed below the gearbox housing (56) and a spindle housing (55) is mounted to the lawnmower deck (12) and the spindle housing includes a passage (57) communicating with the gearbox housing (56). The output shaft (64) extends below the gearbox housing (56) and into the spindle housing (55). The input shaft (62) has a bevel gear (76) which meshes with a bevel gear (78) on the output shaft for driving (74). The output shaft (64) includes spaced bearings (70 and 72) within the gearbox housing (56) and a bearing (74) within the spindle housing (55). Brackets (28 and 30) are attached between the gearbox housing (56) and the lawnmower deck (12) and the spindle housing (55) is attached to the lawnmower deck (12) separately from the gearbox housing (56).

Abstract: A collapsible shelter assembly includes plurality of legs with each of the legs having an upper, a lower end and an axis. A truss system links each pair of legs together and defines a perimeter. Rods are adapted for supporting a cover and brackets are adapted for attaching the rods to the legs. Each of the brackets has a base adapted for attachment to the upper end one of the legs and a coupler mounted to the base for attaching one of the rods. Each bracket is configured so that at least one of the base and the coupler is rotatable relative to the leg axis.

Abstract: A machine vision vehicle wheel alignment system for acquiring measurements associated with a vehicle. The system includes at least one imaging sensor having a field of view and at least one optical target secured to a wheel assembly on a vehicle within the field of view of the imaging sensor. The optical target includes a plurality of visible target elements disposed on at least two surfaces in a determinable geometric and spatial configuration. A processing unit in the system is configured to receive at least two sets of image data from the imaging sensor, with each set of image data acquired at a different rotational position of the wheel assembly around an axis of rotation and representative of at least one visible target element on each of the two surfaces, from which the processing unit is configured to identify said axis of rotation of the wheel assembly.

Abstract: A Remote Area Monitoring System (RAMS) for detecting movement in a disallowed direction through a passageway (P). The RAMS monitors two volumetric spaces that are established by the system, both of which spaces are defined with respect to depth, width, and height. Both a warning zone and an alarm zone are defined for each space. The warning zone protects against inadvertent incursion into the protected spaces; while the alarm zone protects against intentional intrusions thereinto by movement in the disallowed direction. The RAMS automatically monitors both zones and does not require human vigilance to detect and warn of an incursion or intrusion. Human traffic, in both directions through the zones, is monitored; as well as the movement of objects. Movement of humans is detected using a sensor (16) employing machine vision technology including multiple overhead modules (12) linked together so to cover the passageway through which pedestrians travel.

Abstract: An integrated wheel end which includes a movable clutch ring for selective engagement between an engaged and disengaged position for transferring driving torque from a drive shaft to the wheel end. The integrated wheel end incorporates a clutch ring abutment feature or travel limiter configured to position the movable clutch ring relative to a coupler on the wheel end during assembly with the drive shaft.

Abstract: An ironing board cover assembly has a cover sized and shaped to fit an ironing board. The cover folds into a compact arrangement for storage and unfolds into a expanded arrangement to secure to the ironing board. A pouch attached to the cover, receives the cover when the cover in the compact arrangement. When installed on the ironing board, the pouch receives ironing accessories.

Abstract: A method of cooling shaft bearings of a high speed rotating machine is provided. In various embodiments, the method includes utilizing a primary cooling circuit of the machine that is structured and operable to cool a drive package of the machine to cool condenser ends of each of a plurality of heat pipes absent an auxiliary cooling system structured for cooling the heat pipe condenser ends. Each heat pipe including a respective evaporator end disposed proximate the shaft bearings to absorb heat generated by the bearings during operation of the machine.

Abstract: A remote area monitoring system is configured to detect movement in a disallowed direction through a space. The system monitors two volumetric spaces that are established by the system, both of which spaces are defined with respect to depth, width and height. In one embodiment, the system includes one or more stereoscopic sensors for capturing image information of the space, a processor processing the image information to detect movement of humans or objects in a disallowed direction through the space, and an alarm indicator. The system may also include workstation configured to display and store the image information. The workstation may have multiple levels of access, such as basic user, supervisor and technician level access. The workstation may display a log of alarm or related events and permit selection of events and viewing of image information associated with the events.

Abstract: A bromination process includes contacting fly ash with liquid bromine to increase the mercury adsorbing ability of the fly ash. The resultant brominated fly ash can be used to adsorb mercury in a high temperature combustion gas.

Abstract: An epicyclic gear system (A) includes a sun gear (2), a ring gear (4) located around the sun gear, planet gears (6) organized in two arrays between the sun and ring gears, and a carrier (8) having walls (14) located beyond the planet gears and flexpins (24) that project from the walls into the planet gears. Each flexpin includes an inner pin (30) provided with a flange 36 that is secured to the wall from which the inner pin projects, thus cantilevering the inner pin from the wall, and a sleeve (32) that is cantilevered from the opposite end of the inner pin and extends back over the inner pin, thus providing a double cantilever. Between the sleeve of the flexpin and the planet gear for that flexpin is a double row tapered roller bearing (26). The planet gears on the one array may be offset angularly with respect to the planet gears of the other array.

Abstract: This invention relates to the fabrication of large area nanoimprint molds having complex patterns with minimal or no use of direct-writing, such as electron beam lithography, ion, laser beam, or mechanical beam lithography. This can be accomplished by forming a pattern of simple nanoscale features and converting the simple features into more complex nanoscale features by a process comprising shadow deposition. The process may also include steps of uniform deposition, etching and smoothing depending on the shape of the complex features.

Abstract: A strength and conditioning device and method of conditioning. A conditioning device for a sport using a hand held implement having a grip portion comprises a handle shaped like the grip portion, the handle having a first end and a second end. A weight is positioned on the second end such that a center of mass for the conditioning device is less than about 13 inches from the first end of the handle. A bias assembly is removably attached to the weight such that the bias assembly resists movement of the weight during at least some motion of the handle.

Abstract: A displacement, strain, and/or force sensor assembly (10, 110) has a mounting structure (12) with an anisotropic stiffness to facilitate the measurement of displacements, strains, and/or forces along the X-axis, while minimizing errors due to undesired displacements, strains, and/or forces along the Y- and Z-axes, and rotations about the X-, Y-, and Z-axes. A pedestal (30, 130) configured to respond to axial displacements along the X-axis is centrally disposed on the X-axis of the mounting structure (12), and a displacement or strain sensor (38) is coupled to the pedestal (30) to provide a measure of the displacements, strains, and/or forces. Contact pads (14, 114) are formed on opposite ends of the X-axis of the mounting structure, to enable the displacement and/or strain sensor assembly to be secured to an application structure.

Abstract: The invention relates to a high security film, optionally in the form of a slit thread or a micro tape, which is then inserted into high security paper such as a bank note paper and the like during the paper making process. The invention envisages a novel method of producing such a high security film using a print transfer method, wherein one or more security features are incorporated on one or more indicia including letters, optionally graphics, during such a production process, using multiple printing stations and lamination.

Abstract: The present invention is a culling device that comprises a cable element, a retainer element and a floating element. When in use, the device is attached to a fish by way of the retainer element, which may be a clip, hook or other suitable element. The cable element is the link between the retainer element and the floating element. The floating element provides buoyancy to the device as a whole, and serves the purpose of indicating the weight of the fish to which the device is attached. The present invention further comprises a kit, the kit potentially including a plurality of devices, a scale, or some combination thereof. The present invention further comprises a method of using a device or kit. The present invention further comprises embodiments where a device disclosed herein is used on an animal other than a fish.