Abstract: A method and apparatus for sealing the end of a burner tube including the step of forming a bore near the end of the burner tube and inserting a cone-shaped plug element into the bore until a circular periphery of the plug element abuttably engages a step defined by the stepped bore. The circular periphery of the plug element has a diameter that is greater than an inside diameter of the step formed by the stepped bore. A force is then applied to the plug element tending to cause its circular periphery to expand radially outwardly until the circular periphery sealingly engages the inside of the stepped bore. The sealing method and apparatus allows various processing steps to be performed on the tube, such as bending, drilling, painting and punching to be performed prior to sealing the end of the tube.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for implementing alerts on a browser running on a portable handheld device is disclosed. The method generates an asynchronous notification action from the server and in response transmits an alert containing a message indicating availability of HTML pages that describe the nature of the alert. The alert is received at a node on a network and translated into the original message. An alert receipt acknowledgment is transmitted to the server. Access to the alert HTML page is provided through a URL containing the appropriate query strings necessary to present the appropriate HTML page. The invention also discloses a wireless local area network (WLAN) adapter associated with a wireless network that receives paging signals from a server on the network and returns an acknowledgment signal back to the server. The invention also discloses a client/server based method of delivering messages initiated by a client.

Abstract: A burner having an elongate, generally tubular sheet metal body having an inlet end, a closed distal end and a tubular segment extending between the ends. The inlet end is formed to define a gas orifice holder which is adapted to mount a gas orifice element. The inlet end is further formed to define at least one primary air opening arranged to admit primary air from a source of primary air. Rows of flame ports are defined in the tubular segment and are arranged to create a desired predetermined flame pattern. When used as a fireplace burner the flame ports may be slot-like in construction and include tabs which determine the effective size of the ports. In a fireplace application, flame ports located below a crossover log, are eliminated and/or formed of reduced size, thus providing a flame of lower height and/or less intensity, thus substantially eliminating sooting.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for testing tires in a repeatable manner. Testing steps are performed in a manner that minimizes impact on the tire characteristics being measured. In one aspect, tire rotation reversal is performed at a zero crossing of a first harmonic of radial load variation exerted on a load carriage by the tire. In another aspect, load carriage retraction is performed so that the tire is unloaded when the tire stops rotating.

Abstract: Apparatus and method for placement of workpieces such as silicon wafers in relation to an integrated circuit fabrication tool. A robotic arm mounted in relation to the tool moves workpieces in and out of the tool. A spacer has an exposed spacer surface facing away from the tool. The relative position of this exposed spacer surface is adjustable with respect to the tool. A movable cassette support supports one or more workpieces and is placed in abutting relationship with the spacer surface. It is onto this cassette support surface that a conveyor system such as an overhead transport delivers cassettes containing workpieces such as wafers for subsequent treatment by the tool.

Abstract: An exemplary embodiment of the invention concerns a process for forming an elongated strip for use in making two tone muntin bars. An elongated strip of muntin bar material is provided that has been treated on at least a portion of one side to define an exposed surface of a completed muntin bar fabricated from the muntin bar material. An elongated strip of covering material is also provided for controlled application onto a specified portion of a surface of the muntin bar material. The elongated strip of covering material includes an adhesive for adhering the covering material to the muntin bar material. The muntin bar material and the covering material are brought into contact with each other thereby causing the covering material to overlie and adhere to the muntin bar material.

Abstract: Apparatus and method for providing a heated cleaning fluid to a vehicle surface. The apparatus has an inlet port for receiving an amount of fluid; an outlet port for dispensing an amount of heated fluid; a heating element that heats up fluid passing from the inlet to the outlet; and a control circuit for energizing at least a portion of the heating element with a voltage to heat the fluid passing from the inlet to the outlet.

Abstract: An ion beam implanter includes an ion beam source for generating an ion beam moving along a beam line and an implantation chamber wherein a workpiece is positioned to intersect the ion beam for ion implantation of a surface of the workpiece by the ion beam. The ion beam implanter further includes a workpiece support structure coupled to the implantation chamber and supporting the workpiece. The workpiece support structure includes a first rotation member rotatably coupled to the implantation chamber and overlaying an opening in the implantation chamber. The workpiece support structure further includes a second rotation member rotatably coupled to the first rotation member and having a rotating shaft that protrudes through the first member and an axis of rotation offset from an axis of rotation of the first rotation member.

Abstract: Method and apparatus for making a contoured muntin bar. A supply of sheet material having a finished surface on at least one side in the form of a coiled ribbon is unwound and fed along a strip path of travel to a punch station. At the punch station a ribbon punching mechanism punches the ribbon at a precisely predetermined locations along the ribbon to form one of a plurality notch patterns that define a portion of a contoured muntin bar. Downstream along the travel path from the punch station the ribbon is fed through a forming station having a succession of forming rolls that define a succession of forming roll nips to bend the ribbon and form a generally closed cross-sectional tube. The rolls form a number of bending stages to produce a muntin bar tube having a contoured shape with raised sides to provide an attractive appearance to a muntin grid.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for adaptively damping relative motion between the wheels and the frame of a heavy duty truck having a frame suspended on wheels by a suspension system. An air spring is disposed between the frame and at least one of the wheels having a primary reservoir for holding air and a piston adapted to act upon the air in the reservoir to compress the air and thereby provide support for the frame. An auxiliary reservoir holds air and can be placed in fluid communication with the primary reservoir to increase an effective volume of air upon which the piston acts. A control valve selectively places the auxiliary reservoir in communication with the primary reservoir based on vehicle operating parameters. The control valve can be actuated mechanically by forces acting on the wheels or by a controller that controls the valve based on wheel torque and road roughness.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for detecting uncoupling of a trailer outside a planned uncoupling area. A global positioning system determines the location of the trailer. A vehicle computer coupled to the global positioning system is used to determine whether the trailer has been uncoupled outside a planned uncoupling area.

Abstract: A tape dispenser for precisely applying decorative tape for creating the appearance of a bevel onto a glass surface. The tape dispenser includes a frame, a tape spool rotatably mounted to the frame, a drive roller rotatably mounted to said frame for controlling a length of such tape unwound from said tape spool, a platen having an angular front end portion that causes a liner to separate from the tape, and a rewind spool rotatably mounted to the frame. The tape spool, drive roller, platen and rewind spool define a path of travel from the tape spool, around the drive roller, around the front end portion of said platen, to said rewind spool.

Abstract: An engine with an integral actuator for a vehicle having an implement needing control. The engine includes a crank shaft, and a pump in a housing and an actuator that extends from the housing. The pump is operably connected to the crank shaft to produce a flow of fluid, such as oil, from the pump to the actuator. A valve is operably connected to the pump or the actuator to selectively move the actuator.

Abstract: A rotary knife having a ring blade that defines a closed loop cutting surface for cutting material which the ring blade contacts during rotation. Materials cut using the blade such as meat cut from a carcass or trimmed from a piece of meat are suctioned away from the blade. The material is drawn into a blade housing which supports the ring blade. A housing body has a wall that defines a housing interior into which material separated by the cutting surface of the ring blade moves as it is cut. The blade housing body defines a bearing surface that is defined by a wall of the housing body that supports the ring blade and allows the ring blade to rotate with respect to the blade housing. Alternate coupling designed of the housing body allow the blade housing to be coupled to a suction tube for withdrawing meat from the interior of the blade housing.

Abstract: An improved pedestal for a flooring system of the type which utilizes prefabricated base panels installed in side by side relationship to support a series of upstanding pedestals positioned in a geometric pedestal array is disclosed. The pedestals support further panels which define chases. Working floor panels are mounted atop caps which form tops of the pedestals. In one embodiment the caps each thread into a threaded bore in a pedestal body for leveling adjustments. Novel feet project downwardly from the pedestal bodies to provide positive locks with the base panels.

Abstract: A tunnel boring including a rotatable head is disclosed. The head has a cutting face transverse to a head axis of rotation. A plurality of cutters are mounted in the face each on an associated one of a plurality of hubs. The hubs mounted for rotation about a respective hub axes. Each such respective hub axis is in an imaginary plane intersecting another imaginary plane including the head axis. Each of the cutters has a cutting edge symmetrical about another imaginary plane which is skewed with respect to the respective hub axis of the associated hub.