Abstract: An auxiliary engine generates electricity through an alternator, to charge the vehicle battery and selectively run an electric motor for air conditioning when the vehicle's primary engine is not operating. Operation of the electric motor produces rotation of the drive shaft of the vehicle's air conditioning compressor, the output shaft of the electric motor being connected via a centrifugal clutch, and a drive belt on a pulley integral to the clutch, to a pulley bolted directly to the drive shaft of the compressor. There is no use made of the vehicle's existing electromagnetic clutch at the compressor location, i.e. it remains disengaged when the auxiliary system is operating, and is engaged only when air conditioning is called for in normal vehicle operation, i.e. when the primary engine is running. The electricity generated by the auxiliary engine can also be used to operate other accessories, if desired, such as lighting, televisions, VCRs, refrigerators and other like accessories.

Abstract: A folded fin heat sink assembly and a method of fabricating a folded fin heat sink assembly for use as a cooling solution in micro-electronics and/or telecommunication applications. The heat sink assembly is formed by placing a sheet or paste of Sn—Zn solder upon a copper base plate, placing one or more aluminum folded fin assemblies on the solder sheet or paste, heating the base plate, the folded fin assembly and the solder to a temperature exceeding the liquidus temperature of the solder and allowing the solder to flow, and cooling the solder to form a soldered joint between the base plate and the folded fin assembly.

Abstract: The cup has a lid portion extending up from one side of the cup, configured to flip down into the body of the cup, along a first score line, going from convex to concave, so as to close the otherwise open top of the cup. Flaps extend preferably from the lid portion near its lateral intersections with the cup body outwardly from the cup, or alternatively from the cup body in the same area, but inwardly. In either case, the flaps overlie what might otherwise be a small gap between the lid and the cup body in that area. This reduces any possibility for liquid to escape via that small gap. In the case of the flaps extending outwardly from the lid, the flaps also tend to act as stops against excessive downward rotation of the lid, and provide an easy way to lift the lid to open the cup, if desired.

Abstract: The method and apparatus for manufacturing of folded-fin heat sink assemblies provide laser welding of the folded-fin assembly to the base, core or other heat-absorbing mass, at selected locations, prior to brazing or otherwise bonding. This ensures proper positioning of the folded-fin assembly relative to the heat-absorbing mass, and proper spacing between adjacent fins.

Abstract: A material shaping machine has a frame, a work-piece holder and a tool holder, for rotatably holding a tool. A computer performs real-time tool path calculations based upon stored mathematical representations of a desired work-piece surface and stored mathematical representations of an actual tool geometry, by calculating a desired position of a tool cutting edge relative a measured position of the tool cutting edge and a measured position of the work-piece, and adjusting a distance between the desired tool cutting edge and the measured position of the tool cutting edge in a first direction, so that the tool cutting edge reaches the desired position. Manipulation means provide a relative movement of the work-piece and the tool cutting surface in a second direction and a third direction. The manipulation means are operated outside the computer control. Sensors determine the position of the work-piece relative the cutting surface of the tool and send the position data to the computer.

Abstract: A holder having a quick-connect mechanism actuated by inserting a single- or double-ended tool bit, the tool bit engaging means to force deflection of retaining means, where the retaining means actuate means for engaging the tool bit, and released by manual operation of the retaining means, whereby the tool bit is pushed out from the holder so that the user can operate the tool bit holder using one hand only.

Abstract: The two boom members and hydraulic cylinders of a knuckle boom tree harvesting machine are so arranged and proportioned that with a single control movement during reaching and retracting actions the working tool head is made to travel in an approximately horizontal path. The cylinders and control valve are so connected that during horizontal reaching action load-supporting pressurized oil from a collapsing cylinder is not required to be dumped to the reservoir in the conventional heat generating manner, but is rather shunted directly to an extending cylinder where it continues to do useful load support work. Energy waste to hydraulic oil heat and fuel consumption is significantly reduced. Although these advances have been particularly developed for disc saw felling and stroke delimbing of trees they can also be applied to other knuckle boom applications where horizontal reaching is a major function.

Abstract: An organizer liner is provided for use in a vehicle cargo compartment. The liner has a flexible bottom preferably conforming generally to the shape of the cargo compartment floor, and one or more of rear, side and front rigid elements, preferably at least some of which generally conform to walls of the cargo compartment. The rigid elements preferably include storage means such as cup holders, trays, bins, insulated coolers, soda or water/milk jug holders, storage boxes with or without lids, or storage wells. Optional partition dividers may be provided. The dividers may include at least one long reinforced divider between opposite walls of the liner, and optionally at least one short divider between the long divider and a wall of the liner, or between two long dividers.

Abstract: A water de-salination and ice slush producing system separates potable water and brine from sea water in a reverse osmosis apparatus. A chiller tube produces ice slush from the sea water mixed with waste brine. The chiller tube has an outer housing and a first cylindrical wall, defining a first cooling space together with the outer housing. A first cooling conduit is inside the first cooling space, for circulating a coolant to cool down the first cylindrical wall. A second cylindrical wall defines an ice generating space together with the first cylindrical wall.

Abstract: A musical instrument string changing kit has a box with a lid and a tool receiving portion. Tools are stored in shaped recesses in the tool receiving portion, and a secret compartment is arranged on an inside of the lid.

Abstract: A tool case with an additional storage space, which is accessed from the inside of the tool case. The storage space may be fitted with various pre-assembled snap-in storage modules to provide the user with the flexibility of storing a wide variety of items in a wide variety of ways, depending on the user's needs. For example, the compartment may be fitted with a snap-in module comprising a series of rotating storage containers according to the preferred embodiment of the invention. Alternatively, the snap-in modules can comprise a series of sliding drawers, or a single rotating storage container, or any other tool or component holder. In the invention, a rectangular opening is defined within the inner surface of the box portion of the tool case. Interior walls project upwardly from the edge of the opening to preferably define a storage space which accommodates a snap-in module.

Abstract: The disposable cup has a bottom insert, and a substantially truncated conical body having an integral lid and a cup opening. The lid is movable between a raised position and a closed position, possibly via a semi-closed position. The lid has a free edge, with a liquid passage opening allowing liquid passage when the lid is in said closed position. The lid is foldably joined to the body along an arcuate first score line. The lid further has second score lines arranged at respective ends of the free edge, the second score lines connecting the free edge and the first score line so that, when the lid is pushed towards the cup opening, the lid flips into a position inside the cup opening, the movement of the lid being substantially aided by the folding of the lid along the second score lines.

Abstract: A mobile shredding system is used mounted on a vehicle. The system has a hopper, for receiving material to be shredded, a shredder communicating with the hopper, and a holding space for shredded waste into which the shredder feeds shredded material. A bin lifting mechanism with at least one chain onto which a carriage is attached is mounted on a side of the vehicle. The carriage has an engagement mechanism for attaching a bin and the chain is movable by means of a drive mechanism from a lowered position, in which the carriage is adjacent the ground on which the vehicle is standing, and a raised position, in which the carriage is adjacent an inlet of the hopper and the contents of the bin are emptied into the hopper via the inlet. The carriage has a weight measuring mechanism such as a load cell incorporated therein to measure the weight of the bin when the bin is attached to the engagement mechanism. The system further has a weight indicating display, and also a electronic storage of the measured bin weight.

Abstract: Two-piece drill bits and methods of manufacturing same provide a preferably hexagonal shank, and a drill portion having a proximal end inserted into an axial hole in a distal end of the shank. In a preferred embodiment, at least part of the area adjacent the proximal end of the drill portion is knurled. Alternative embodiments have wings, polygons, tapers or other irregular shapes, or combinations of same. A variety of means may be employed to mechanically capture the drill portion in the shank.