Abstract: A closed cavity piston assembly includes a piston body, a separately formed piston cap sealingly joined to the body, and an elongated stem integrally formed with one of the piston body or the cap. In one embodiment, the stem is integrally formed with the piston body. In another embodiment, the stem is integrally formed with the piston cap and slidably journaled in and sealed to a hole in the bottom of the piston body. The cap of the piston assembly also has a surface for engaging a slipper. In either case, a fluid passageway extends through the stem, body, and cap of the piston assembly. The passageway is remote from the side wall of the piston body and fluidly isolated from the main interior cavity of the hollow piston body once the cap and body are sealingly joined together. The piston assembly can be pivotally attached to a slipper that has its own fluid passageway, which registers with the passageway in the cap, to provide fluid for slipper lubrication and balance.

Abstract: A device and method for sensing the status of a non-volatile magnetic latch. A cross-coupled inverter pair latch cell is employed for the data sensing. During the ‘Sense’ cycles, the inputs to the latch cell are from Giant Magneto-Resistive effect devices, each located in its respective inverter pair. The magneto-resistive storage devices have complimentary resistance states written into them. A switch, connected to the inverter pairs, is used to reset and initiate a regenerative sequence. Whenever the switch is turned on (reset) and off (regenerate), the latch cell will sense a potential imbalance generated by the magneto-resistive storage devices with complimentary resistance. During regeneration, the imbalance will be amplified and eventually the inverter pairs will reach a logic high or logic low state. The latch can be used as a memory circuit, however, upon loss of power the memory is retained. The state of the circuit is retained inside of GMR components.

Abstract: A specific type of hydraulic fan drive system is provided for engine drive machines, such as on road and off road machines, such as buses, construction equipment, agricultural equipment, and so on. The hydraulic fan drive systems turn a cooling fan (39) which provides airflow to cool the engine on such machines. This system uses a proportional pressure reducing valve (34) (or combination of valves providing a pressure reducing function) between the pump (12) and the fan motor (38). This valve (34) or (combination of valves) controls the pressure drop across the fan motor (38) based on a control signal from an electronic controller (50). The valve allows as little or as much flow to pass as is required to maintain this pressure drop at the load (the fan motor (38)).

Abstract: A clutchless automatic transmission comprises a hyper-overdrive for connecting first and second drive transmitting members, and a planetary transmission for varying the speed and direction of the output shaft with respect to the second drive transmitting member. The planetary transmission includes (1) multiple forward transmitting gearsets for changing the speed transmitted by the second drive transmitting member into a speed ratio of at least three, (2) a backward transmitting gearset for changing the direction of rotation, (3) plural hydraulically driven brake members for selectively braking a carrier of the forward transmitting gearset or a carrier of the backward transmitting gearset, and (4) a transmission lever for driving the brake members based upon an electric signal. The planetary transmission meshes continuously with the input power source without a clutch. The configuration is simple and compact. A speed change can be accomplished easily with an electric signal.

Abstract: A foam marking system is provided with separate tanks for water and foam concentrate. A water pump and a concentrate pump deliver water and concentrate from the respective tanks to a mixing chamber at a pre-selected ratio. The water pump is controlled by a master control, while the concentrate pump is controlled by a slave control depending from the master control. The master control generates and output signal which is sent to both the water pump and the slave control, such that the slave control and concentrate pump operate as a function of the master control and water pump, so that the selected mix ratio can be maintained, regardless of the output level of the foam from the system. A foam generation chamber connected to the mixing chamber and to an air source generates foam when the foam solution is mixed with air.

Abstract: A method of reblending aggregate includes delivering aggregate of various sizes to the classification tank having a plurality of stations with primary and secondary discharge valves. The tank is then calibrated to determine raw feed analysis, discharge rates and the flow multipliers needed to develop a mathematical model of the tank. Inputting the calibration information data and the desired production specification into a computer allows the tank to be operated and controlled with appropriate adjustments in discharge rates and valve percent settings at each station. This method provides more accurate control than the existing min-max control methods. The apparatus for this method includes the tank, a pumping device, and a computer interconnected with a PLC and electrohydraulic mechanisms for valves at each tank station such that both the discharge rate from each station and the valve percent settings of the individual valves at each station are variable and controllable.

Abstract: A motive vehicle comprises a frame, a front wheel, two rear wheels, a seat, a handle, a headset, and a pedal device. A front sprocket is coupled to the pedal device and a rear sprocket is connected to a differential. The motive vehicle is powered by human pedaling. The differential communicates with the rear wheels to allow the vehicle to turn on a zero turn radius. The wheels are attached to the frame with an attachment apparatus that allows for easy detachability. The seat is also detachable and adjustable. Brake cams are attached to the frame, and engage the rear wheels when the bike is pedaled backwards. An alternative embodiment comprises a multiple operator motive vehicle, wherein a rear vehicle with two wheels is coupled to a front vehicle having three wheels. Further, another two-wheeled follower unit may be coupled to the first rear vehicle for a greater number of riders. Additional attachments may also be made.

Abstract: A lift axle is pivotally mounted to the frame of a vehicle for selectively providing additional flotation for the vehicle. A pair of frame brackets are secured to the frame members of the vehicle and have horizontally disposed mounting plate portions adjacent the lower ends thereof which have transversely extending bolt slots formed therein. First and second trailing arm mounting brackets are positioned below the first and second frame brackets, respectively, and have bolt openings provided in an upper mounting plate portion thereon to enable bolts to adjustably secure the trailing arm mounting brackets to the frame brackets. The lift axle suspension system is operatively connected to the mounting brackets. The connection of the first and second mounting brackets with respect to the first and second frame brackets permits the lift axle assembly to be mounted on frame members having varying distances therebetween and having varying frame thicknesses.

Abstract: A hose retainer is provided to maintain a hose in a gooseneck shape. The retainer includes opposite rings which retentively engage portions of the hose adjacent the gooseneck. The retainer is molded or stamped from plastic so as to have a flat one-piece construction. A tab is provided on the retainer and is adapted to be received in a slot on the back of a washing machine to hold the hose close to the machine during shipping and storage.

Abstract: A breech plug having an elongated body with external threads that is threadably mounted adjacent to the rearward end of the bore of a barrel of a conventional muzzle-loading rifle. The body having both forward and rearward ends with a circular depression in the forward end and surrounded by an annular rim. The circular depression having a tapered bottom surface that slopes inwardly and rearwardly and terminates in the center portion in communication with a center bore that extends longitudinally along a center axis of the body. Within the circular depression are a pair of intersecting grooves that extend across the depression. The grooves have outer ends that extend from the outer edge of the rim inwardly and rearwardly across the tapered bottom surface to the center portion in communication with the center bore of the body to permit an ignition flame emerging from the center bore to move forwardly and outwardly through the grooves to the inner diameter of the bore of the barrel to ignite a propellant.

Abstract: A method of making an &agr;-lactalbumin enriched whey protein product is described. The method involves the treatment of a whey protein product with an acid to lower the pH of the whey protein product to 4.0 or below. This pH-lowering step allows the &agr;-lactalbumin molecules to be concentrated more efficiently.

Abstract: A hay bale carrier has a horizontal U-shaped wheel supported frame. The frame is comprised of separate parallel arms, with the arms being connected by a forward cross beam. A hollow tongue extends forwardly from the frame and has an elongated tongue member slidably mounted therein with its forward end protruding from the forward end of the tongue. A post structure is pivotally secured to the cross beam and has at least one bale penetrating bar secured thereto and extending in a rearward direction. A first pulley is located on the upper end of the post structure, a second pulley is located on the forward end of the tongue, and a third pulley is located rearwardly of the tongue. An elongated cable has one end secured to the tongue and is thence threadable about the first, second and third cables with a second end secured to the tongue member.

Abstract: A bulk dispenser includes a dispensing chamber having an open upper end. A storage chamber is fitted within the dispensing chamber and includes a dispensing opening spaced above the bottom of the dispensing chamber. A valve is within the dispensing opening and is movable from a closed position preventing fluid from leaving the storage chamber to an open position permitting fluid to flow through the dispensing opening into the dispensing chamber. A spring biases the valve to its closed position.

Abstract: The apparatus and method for retaining a vertical stack or stacks of vendable items in a vending machine includes a column having sidewalls and a front and back. The back is substantially blocked to retain vendable items vertically at the back of the column. The front of the column is substantially blocked to maintain vertical the vendable items in the front of the column. The front of the column can be substantially unblocked for access through the front of the column to other parts of the column. In one form, a door or retainer can be positioned so that it is closed and latched across the front of the column but releasable and openable to substantially expose the front of the column.

Abstract: A temporary joist hanger for use in the construction of a deck extending outwardly from the side of a building comprising a generally flat, horizontally disposed upper end portion having a generally flat, vertically disposed base portion extending downwardly from the outer end thereof. A generally flat side wall portion extends transversely from one of the side edges of the base portion. A joist support extends from the side wall portion for temporarily supporting one end of a joist therein. The joist support is selectively vertically adjustably mounted on the side wall portion to accommodate joists of different widths. The method of constructing a deck utilizing the temporary joist hanger is also described.

Abstract: A mechanism for ejecting a cutting blade from a knife assembly in a meat skinning machine includes a shoe with a supporting surface for the blade and a releasable clamping assembly for clamping the cutting blade to the supporting surface. The clamping assembly includes a clamp and releasable fasteners. Together the shoe and clamp form an elongated open slot adjacent to the blade when clamped together by the fasteners. A pair of ejectors extend into the slot and are slidably mounted with respect to the shoe and the clamp so as to engage the blade. The ejectors can be pushed into the blade to eject the blade when the clamp is released. The ejectors are rigid elongated rods longitudinally spaced along the edge of the blade opposite the cutting edge. The ejector rods include a guide bulb thereon, with cam surfaces thereon to engage and lift the clamp when moved rearwardly to lift the loosened clamp from the blade.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for maintaining a constant speech envelope using automatic gain control, wherein the level of the audio signal is monitored. If increasing, a first level of gain increase is applied to the gain signal. If decreasing, a second level of gain decrease is applied to the gain signal, the second level being less than the first level. By applying a lower level of change to the gain signal when it is seen as decreasing, a more constant speech envelope is obtained during gaps and interstices in the analog signal that are common in speech.

Abstract: The present device provides a baggage tag attachable to the handle of a piece of baggage for displaying indicia of the identification and destination of a passenger owning the baggage. The tag has a first or base ply and a second tear resistant ply or liner. The underside faces of the base ply and tear resistant liner are arraigned for engagement with one another. An adhesive is disposed between the base ply and the liner for releasably sealing them together. It is preferred that a release coating be applied to the underside face of the liner. This allows the removal of the liner from the adhesive layer, allowing the adhesive to remain with the base ply. The base ply and liner each have cuts proximate one end thereof defining a claim stub. Upon removal of the claim stub, a length of the underside face of the base ply adjacent the base ply cut is exposed with the adhesive permitting the to tag ends to be secured around a bag handle.

Abstract: The method and formula for tinting glass described herein employs a transparent acetate lacquer. The transparent acetate lacquer is derived from a base of cellulose acetate dissolved in an appropriate solvent. Preferably, additional ingredients are added to the formula to provide a lacquer that is easy to apply and which provides superior adhesion to the glass. The method of this invention includes applying a transparent acetate lacquer to glass and allowing the lacquer to dry. Application of the lacquer may be conducted by any conventional method including spraying and brushing. When dried, the lacquer provides excellent tinting properties.