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: A motor vehicle lamp assembly having a light source for emitting light and a source enclosure having a light transmissive portion for transmitting light from the light source to an illumination zone. The enclosure is affixed with a material which covers a selected region of the light transmissive portion of the enclosure. The material is electrically energized to alter an amount of light transmitted from the light source to the illumination zone. A drive circuit electrically coupled to the material energizes the material to control a light output from the lamp assembly.

Abstract: In a frame for an over the highway or off-highway truck or tractor, the frame includes a first and second frame rail and a composite cross-member comprising a first sheet, a second sheet and a core material sheet positioned between the first and second face sheet. The first and second face sheets being made of metal and plastic and the core material being made of any one of wood, plastic, honey-comb, foam and nomex. The first sheet, second sheet and core material sheet are all bonded together to form a cross-member. The cross-member is then mounted to frame rails to construct a truck or tractor frame.

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: A system for routing an elongated line of an over the highway tractor having a connector for powering a component of a trailer. An elongated line, such as an electrical cable or an air hose, has a first mating connector that mates with a connector on the tractor that provides access to a source of air under pressure or electrical energy. The elongated line also includes a second mating connector that mates with a connector on a trailer. First and second releasable hooks are connected to the elongated line along the length of the line. The first and second hooks are secured to mounting points on the tractor to properly route the cable when the second connector is connected to the trailer and when the second connector is not connected to the trailer.

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: A centrifugal pump having an adjustable clean-out assembly (60), the position of which determines the face clearance between a wear plate (72) and an impeller (20). The clean-out assembly includes an end cover (63) that threadedly mounts a plurality of adjustment assemblies. The adjustment assembly includes an adjuster (104) that defines a through bore for slidably receiving a retaining stud (66) that extends from the pump housing. Each adjuster includes an abutment surface (108) which engages a pump surface and which establishes the face clearance between the wear plate and the impeller. Each adjuster includes a hex-shaped head which is engageable by an associated locking member (120) secured to the end cover. Each locking member includes a locking collar (120a) having 18 teeth which allows the collar to engage the hex-shaped head of the adjuster in 18 different postions.

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: Seating apparatus 10 including a seat 12 and a support arrangement 22. The support arrangement 22 comprises legs 24, 26 pivotally mounted on opposite sides of the seat 12. The legs 24, 26 are selectively movable between a ground engaging position wherein the seat 12 is supported above the ground, and a stowed position in which the legs 24, 26 of the support arrangement 22 lie against the sides of the seat 12. The apparatus 10 can be used for a multitude of purposes, for example a car seat, a high chair and as a rocking chair.

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.