Abstract: An endodontic tool is provided to facilitate the removal of the smear layer and to enhance deep lateral cleaning of a root canal system. The tool includes a sonic driven activator which is made from a strong, flexible, non-metallic, and non-cutting material. The activator can be smooth. A snap-on coupler is adapted to attach the tool to a driver via a snap on action and without the use of tools. The driver will vibrate, sonically or ultrasonically, the flexible activator within a root canal of a tooth. The tool can be provided with fluid passages which allow for irrigating reagents to be delivered through the activator and into the root canal space during endodontic procedures.

Abstract: A vane-type camshaft adjuster has a side plane that is arranged perpendicular to the center axis of the camshaft adjuster. A coil spring abuts the side plane and is connected between a rotor and stator to maintain the rotor at a certain angular position relative to the stator. In order to create a vane-type camshaft adjuster, the righting moments of which are adjusted in a particularly accurate manner, the coil spring has a rectangular profile, wherein a spring section is angled through the side plane such that the coil spring is supported relative to the stator or the rotor in a pivot-proof positive fitting manner.

Abstract: A trailer hitch having an adjustable hitch bar for coupling with a tow vehicle and a front member coupled with the adjustable hitch bar. A rear member couples with a trailer frame and a yoke couples between the rear member and the trailer frame. Converging links connect between the front member and the rear member, whereby the angular position between the front member and the rear member can be varied. The converging links effectively move the pivot point between the tow vehicle and trailer forward of the hitch assembly.

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: In a preferred embodiment, pairs of oscillating wind paddles are mounted in the lee of a wind turbine of the lift type. An oscillating wind paddle assembly has an upper pair of paddles moving between a first position at substantially right angles to the direction of wind and a second position substantially parallel to the direction of the wind and mounted on arms extending to either side of a shaft to which they are connected through a one-way clutch, and a lower pair of paddles moving between a position at substantially right angles to the direction of the wind and a second position substantially parallel to the direction of the wind and mounted on arms extending to either side of the same shaft to which they are connected through a one-way clutch, one of the paddles being a drive paddle and the other a recovery paddle, the two pairs of paddles being out of phase with respect to one another.

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 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: 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: 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.