Abstract: Roller vane pump, in particular suited for pumping fluid in a continuously variable automatic transmission of a motor vehicle, provided with a pump housing accommodating a substantially cylindrical carrier, which is rotatable about a central axis, and a cam ring encompassing the carrier in the radial direction, whereby a radial clearance between the carrier and the cam ring varies along a circumference of the carrier, and with a pump shaft extending co-axial with said central axis through the carrier, characterised in that there is provided in the pump housing a bearing bush having an essentially cylindrical central bore through which the pump shaft extends.

Abstract: An improved system and method is provided for operating a parallel entrainment fluidized bed gasifier system. A first aspect of the present invention relates to a method for reducing ash agglomeration in a parallel entrainment fluidized bed gasifier/combustor system by adding a quantity of MgO to the feedstock used in the gasifier/combustor system. A second aspect of the present invention relates to an apparatus and method for reducing erosion at piping bends in fluidized particulate piping systems which utilizes sand retention cavities positioned to receive and retain a portion of the fluidized particulate. A third aspect of the present invention relates to an apparatus and method for facilitating the flow of sand and char fragments from a first compartment to a second compartment while minimizing the flow of gases between the first and second compartments.

Abstract: A self-illuminating book having an integral light source and at least one page having a portion thereof “notched out”, or “cut out”, to receive at least a portion of the light source therethrough, thereby enabling light from the light source to illuminate the page and other portions of the book and to improve lighting conditions for reading or viewing of the book. Preferably, the light source is attached to the inner surface of the book's back cover and is transitioned between on and off positions by depressing and subsequently releasing a lens cover thereof, thereby allowing a person having minimal dexterity to easily turn the light source on or off as necessary.

Abstract: An improved temperature control device for maintaining the temperature of the contents of a beverage receptacle. The device is designed to keep a contained two-liter bottle cold for long periods of time. The device includes an annular column formed from insulating material encased within a durable sheath. The annular column defines a cylindrical container for placement of the two-liter bottle. A cover is included enclosing the two-liter bottle within the container. The cover is also formed from an insulating material and enclosed within a durable sheath. An outer wrap surrounds the cover and container, hingedly attaching the cover to the container so that the cover is removably securable. The outer wrap additionally includes a zipper, enabling the nylon wrap to be opened or closed, fastening the cover to the cylindrical container. The device also includes a variety of carrying straps that are removable from the outer wrap for ease and convenience.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to an improved cooking appliance, method of use and the product cooked in accordance with the invention. The invention includes a computerized controller for use with a cooking appliance, such as a deep-fat fryer. The invention employs a series of diagnostics in order to implement cooking compensations that insure consistent, well-cooked food in an industrial setting. The invention thus addresses various factors that can significantly affect the preparation of foods in a fryer, oven or the like. The invention accounts for variations in: cook time initiation; oil temperature stratification; batch size and unit size; cooking oil life; and cooking appliance performance.

Abstract: The invention describes a method and an apparatus removing a plurality of die-cut products from an operating area of a die-cutting apparatus having multiple dies. The die-cut products are simultaneously picked up at a pick-up point in the operating area. Then they are simultaneously moved to a delivery point outside the operating area. At the delivery point, the die-cut products are released simultaneously. The operations of picking up moving and releasing are carried out in such a manner that the die-cut products at the delivery point are situated at substantially at the same position with respect to one another as those which they adopt at the pick-up point.

Abstract: An installation for generating energy comprises a compressor assembly for compressing air, having a low-pressure compressor, which is connected to a high-pressure compressor via a primary air path. Furthermore, a compressor turbine assembly is provided for the purpose of driving the low-pressure compressor and/or the high-pressure compressor. The installation also has a combustion device for burning a suitable mixture of compressed air and a fuel, and a power turbine with a rotatable shaft for releasing mechanical energy. An exhaust-gas pipe system is connected to the exhaust-gas outlet of the power turbine.

Abstract: Optimization of a cellular network is facilitated by an apparatus that performs drive test measurements of a cellular network to identify co-channel interference. The co-channel interference is identified by measuring the signal strengths at various locations within a cell sector and analyzing the recorded information. A key aspect of the invention is synthesizing the received signals to identify the cellular transmitters originating the signals. If signal energy is detected from more than one cellular transmitter on a single frequency, the co-channel interference is identified. This process is particular well suited within a GSM cellular system by detecting the transmission of forward control channel messages and using the information within the forward control channel messages to identify the origination cellular transmitters.

Abstract: A ball catching tool includes an outer leather member and an inner leather member inserted in the outer leather member. The inner leather member is formed by coupling a palm-side inner leather portion and a back-side inner leather portion to each other, and has a plurality of thumb and finger portions receiving the thumb and the fingers respectively. An interdigital extensional member is mounted on at least one portion between the bases of the finger portions. Thus, the extensional portion is provided between the bases of desired ones of the thumb and finger portions of the inner leather member for increasing the interval between the bases.

Abstract: The present invention provides a belt fastening means that can improve fittability of a shoe and that can equally tighten an upper of the shoe to a wearer's foot without hindering the movement of the foot. A belt fastening means for a shoe includes a first belt member disposed mainly on a lateral side portion of an upper and a second belt member disposed mainly on a medial side portion of the upper. The first and second belt members are located at nearly symmetrical positions with respect to an opening portion. A proximal end portion of the first belt member is connected to a sole on the lateral side and a distal end portion thereof extends over the opening portion. The first belt member extends in a direction nearly perpendicular to a ridge line of an instep portion as viewed from a lateral side of the shoe. A proximal end portion of the second belt member is connected to the sole on the medial side and a distal end portion thereof extends over the opening portion.

Abstract: A variable payload towing vehicle with several storage containers for carrying bulk crop inputs. The storage containers are releasably attached to the vehicle and can be changed based on the type of crop inputs applied and any implements towed by the vehicle. The vehicle is also equipped with high flotation tires or tracks to minimize soil compaction. A delivery system in combination with a control system coordinates the movement of the crop inputs from the vehicle to places located off the vehicle. The vehicle may be equipped with articulated steering and all wheel steering to increase maneuverability.

Abstract: A golf club head (11) has an ellipsoid of inertia (12) with its center at a center of gravity G. When the ellipsoid of inertia (12) is virtually cut with a plane passing through the center of gravity of the golf club head (11) and being parallel to a face surface (11f), a major axis of a plane ellipse (13) appearing on its cut surface forms an angle of &thgr; with an intersecting line (15) of the cut surface and a ground surface (16). The major axis extends upward and away from the ground surface (16) as it approaches a toe part (11t). The angle &thgr; is not smaller than 0.5° and not larger than 9.5°. An aspect ratio a/b defined by a ratio of the length a of the major axis (13d) to the length b of a minor axis (13e) of the plane ellipse (13) is not smaller than 1 and not larger than 4.

Abstract: A folding agricultural implement is disclosed having a frame including an inner section, a pair of intermediate sections, and a pair of end sections. The inner section and the end sections of the frame are equipped with lift wheel assemblies including a ground engaging wheel and a wheel cylinder connected to the ground engaging wheel for selectively raising and lowering the frame relative to the ground. The intermediate sections have no lift wheel assemblies. The joints between the end sections and the intermediate sections are held rigid when the implement is in the working position, but can be folded to move the implement into the transport position. When the implement is folded, the intermediate sections and end sections are first raised together relative to the inner section. After the intermediate sections and end sections reach a generally vertical position, the end sections are then folded downwardly over the inner section.

Abstract: An integrated biomass gasification and fuel cell system wherein the electrochemical reaction in the fuel cell is effected by providing the reactant gases from a gasifier. Fuel gas from the gasifier is directed to the anode of the fuel cell and at least a portion of the exhaust gas from the anode is directed to the combustor. The portion of the exhaust gas from the anode is then combusted to recover residual energy to increase the overall efficiency of integrated biomass gasification and fuel cell system. Also, the oxidant gas from the combustor may be directed to the cathode of the fuel cell.

Abstract: A form-fitting chest protector. In one embodiment, the chest protector includes a pair of detachably secured wing portions. A main portion of the chest protector has a variable thickness and substantially overlies the chest and abdomen of the athlete to absorb impacts to the athlete from a projectile. The wing portions are separate from the main portion, but are detachably secured to the chest protector to permit each wing portion to be adjustable when the chest protector is worn by the athlete. The wing portions facilitate a constant form-fit no matter how the body of the athlete flexes.

Abstract: A rotary aeronautical lifting cell having an annular airfoil, airfoil dividers, and a propulsion mechanism. The airfoil dividers separate the annular airfoil into airfoil sections arranged in circular relationship. Upon rotation of the present aeronautical cell, the airfoil sections provide components of lift and propulsion to transportation vehicles attached thereto.

Abstract: A golf club according to the present invention comprises a face portion (1) and a neck portion (2), and metal flow lines (3) continue from the face portion (1) to the neck portion (2). These metal flow lines (3) extend in a single direction on the face portion (1). A method of manufacturing a golf club according to the present invention comprises steps of bending a rod member subjected to drawing plastic working on an end and forging the rod member after the bending for integrally molding a face portion (1) and a neck portion (2).

Abstract: An eraser for use on an electronic whiteboard with a protrusion area on the erasing surface forming a convex area on the erasing surface for establishing a positive point of contact with the whiteboard; an electronic whiteboard system including such an eraser, a controller for storing data relating to information written on and erased from the whiteboard data, and a filter for preventing the storage of digital data relating to contacts with the whiteboard not attributable to normal writing or erasing actions.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a method and a device for measuring volume flow rates of liquid phase components and gas and determination their volume concentrations in a multiphase mixture along a pipeline. Measurements are executed with an ultrasonic system which includes a set of local acoustic transducers arranged in the interior of the pipeline. Each pair of an emitter and a receiver of the transducer forms a sampling volume of a medium being under control. Volume concentrations of mixture components are determined by timing of passage of acoustic pulses through the sampling volume of the medium. Volume flow rates of the mixture components are calculated by measuring phase velocities and volume concentrations in two pipeline divisions with different cross-section areas located in series at a distance one from the other in flow direction.