Abstract: A filter for industrial coating filtration systems that has a housing made up of a peripheral wall extending around a preferably rigid and pleated support backing with filtration media, which peripheral wall may be tapered. The housing is preferably made of a suitably rigid material. The support backing has openings so that gas can flow through without substantial resistance. Filtration media is mounted to or adjacent the support backing, end caps are attached to the ends of the support backing to maintain the pleated configuration, and the assembly is inserted into the housing. Tabs may extend from the support backing into slots in the end caps, and filtration material may be attached to the end caps to reduce or avoid unfiltered air passing through. Additional filtration material may be mounted to the opposite end cap sides to filter air passing between the end caps and the housing.

Abstract: A material, and filters and other structures exposed to flowing gas that have the material therein, which removes VOCs, such as formaldehyde, from the gas. The material is a porous sorbent impregnated by a metal oxide, such as manganese oxide (MnOx) nano particles. The sorbent may be activated carbon, and the manganese oxide may catalyze formaldehyde to water and carbon dioxide while the carbon may adsorb formaldehyde, both mechanisms of which remove the VOC from the air to prevent or reduce inhalation of the same by humans. The material may be combined with an untreated sorbent or sorbent treated with ionic alkaline salts.

Abstract: A photovoltaic cell includes a semiconductor element (20) formed from a direct semiconductor and a transparent biasing agent (28) overlying a first portion of the front face (22) of the semiconductor, the biasing agent producing a first depletion region (30) in the semiconductor element. A collector (40) directly contacts a second portion of the front face. The collector produces a second depletion region (44) in the semiconductor element. The collector (40) is out of direct conductive contact with the biasing agent (28) but in proximity to the biasing agent. A continuous region at least partially depleted of majority carriers extends between the first and second depletion regions at the front face of the semiconductor element. The continuous region may include overlapping portions of the first and second depletion regions (30,44), or may include an additional depletion region (160) formed by a charged dielectric (147).

Abstract: A ratchet binder having a main tube with internal threads at opposed open ends. The ratchet binder having a pair of semicircular threaded shafts threadably received in the opposed open ends such that when the shafts are connected by hooks to a chain and prevented from rotation, the rotation of the tube by a ratcheting mechanism causes the shafts to simultaneously move inward relative to the tube increasing tension on the opposed hooks to secure a load. A barrel divider is disposed between the shafts to keep the threads on the semicircular shafts engaged with the threads on the inside of the tube.

Abstract: A retaining mechanism for a clevis hook assembly with an axial device that provides a retaining mechanism for a load pin. The axial device is disposed inside a first opening behind the load pin. The axial device may provide a retention mechanism to obstruct the load pin when the load pin is inserted into the first opening of one of the pair of opposed members and extends across a space into the first opening in the other opposed member.

Abstract: A filtration media that may be mounted in a frame and placed in a central heating, cooling and/or ventilation system. The media has symmetrical characteristics such that, when mounted in the frame, the resulting filter may be mounted with either one major surface of the filtration media receiving the air flow or the opposite major surface receiving the air flow. Regardless of how the filter is oriented, the performance of the filter is the same due to the symmetrical characteristics of the filtration media mounted therein.

Abstract: A linear actuator with an integrated variable frequency drive. The linear actuator includes an AC motor. A screw assembly with an output shaft is mechanically coupled to the AC motor. An extension tube is provided with a front mount. The extension tube is configured and arranged to be driven in translatory motion in either direction by the screw assembly. A cover tube encloses the extension tube and screw assembly. An actuator housing is operatively associated with the screw assembly and the AC motor. The actuator housing has a removable cover. A bracket is attached to the inside surface of the removable cover. The VFD is mounted within the actuator housing. The VFD may be mounted on the bracket adjacent to the inside surface of the removable cover. The removable cover may facilitate heat transfer out of the actuator housing.

Abstract: A filtering apparatus having a housing with lateral, upstream and downstream walls, and a top plate disposed at a significant angle to incoming overspray air to accelerate and guide the particulate-laden air. The angle of the top plate directs the air upstream and away from the filters so the larger solids impact the top plate and wall and adhere, removing paint from the air. Larger solids too massive to turn while accelerating through an opening into an entry chamber collect on the upstream sidewall and the highly filtered air flows toward filter units disposed downstream of the entry opening. Lighter solids that flow downstream are removed by the filtration media. An overhang of the angled top plate reduces flow into the filter units of collected solids.

Abstract: A photovoltaic cell includes a semiconductor element (20) formed from a direct semiconductor and a transparent biasing agent (28) overlying a first portion of the front face (22) of the semiconductor, the biasing agent producing a first depletion region (30) in the semiconductor element. A collector (40) directly contacts a second portion of the front face. The collector produces a second depletion region (44) in the semiconductor element. The collector (40) is out of direct conductive contact with the biasing agent (28) but in proximity to the biasing agent. A continuous region at least partially depleted of majority carriers extends between the first and second depletion regions at the front face of the semiconductor element, The continuous region may include overlapping portions of the first and second depletion regions (30,44), or may include an additional depletion region (160) formed by a charged dielectric (147).

Abstract: A hook assembly including a spring-biased safety latch that provides for installation of the latch onto the hook without spring tension. A fastener is configured to slide along an elongate slot when the latch is moved in translatory motion relative to the fastener. The fastener is configured to be inserted into the assembly in a first position while the tension on a biasing member is released. The first position is configured to allow the latch to rotate inward past the tip of the hook. The fastener is configured to move into a second position where it engages with a nut 53 that when installed is positioned in the portion and blocked by at least one shoulder such that the fastener is no longer able to slide in the slot preventing translator motion of the latch relative to the fastener.

Abstract: A filter for industrial coating filtration systems. The filter has a housing made up of a peripheral wall extending around the periphery. The housing is preferably made of a suitably rigid material. A preferably rigid support backing is mounted within the housing. The support backing has a planar configuration with openings formed through it so that gas can flow through without substantial resistance. The preferably planar sheet of which the support backing is made is pleated. The pleated support backing defines a series of panels, each of which is angled to a next adjacent panel. Filtration media is mounted to the support backing, end caps are attached to the ends of the support backing to maintain the pleated configuration, and the assembly is inserted into the housing, which can have end flaps to seal using tape or adhesive.

Abstract: A filter for industrial coating filtration systems. The filter has a housing made up of a peripheral wall extending around the periphery. The housing is preferably made of a suitably rigid material. A preferably rigid support backing is mounted within the housing. The support backing has a planar configuration with openings formed through it so that gas can flow through without substantial resistance. The preferably planar sheet of which the support backing is made is pleated. The pleated support backing defines a series of panels, each of which is angled to a next adjacent panel. Filtration media is mounted to the support backing, end caps are attached to the ends of the support backing to maintain the pleated configuration, and the assembly is inserted into the housing, which can have end flaps to seal using tape or adhesive.

Abstract: A system for automatically switching between a high speed and a low speed state for rotating the drive shaft of a manual hoist.

Abstract: A photovoltaic cell incorporating a semiconductor element (10) composed entirely of a single conductivity type. A biasing agent (26) having a work function different from that of the semiconductor element overlies a face of the element and produces a band bending and thus an electric field in a space charge region. Electrodes are in contact with the semiconductor element within the space charge region. Carriers generated by light absorbed in the semiconductor element are accelerated toward the electrodes by the field.

Abstract: A collapsible HVAC filter that includes pleated filtration media having side members mounted on opposite sides of the filtration media. The filtration media collapses to reduce filter volume. Supports maintain spacing between the side members when the filtration media is expanded. The supports may extend into openings on the upstream and downstream sides of each of the side members. The collapsed filter occupies little space relative to the expanded filter, and can be expanded to form a completed filter with little effort required by the end user.

Abstract: A photovoltaic cell incorporating a semiconductor element (10) composed entirely of a single conductivity type. A biasing agent (26) having a work function different from that of the semiconductor element overlies a face of the element and produces a band bending and thus an electric field in a space charge region. Electrodes are in contact with the semiconductor element within the space charge region. Carriers generated by light absorbed in the semiconductor element are accelerated toward the electrodes by the field.

Abstract: An animatronic doll is disclosed. The doll, includes multiple motors, one or more of which controls conjoined movements of various parts of the doll and one or more of which controls individual parts of the doll. The doll may include a speaker for causing the duck to vibrate and/or it may include various sensors for user and environmental interaction.

Abstract: A selectively removable skin for a doll is provided. The skin may include a plush material which has at least one seam. The shape of the material may be essentially the same shape as the doll and be configured to fit snuggly on the doll so that if the doll moves, the skin does not shift on the doll. There may be an the opening which may be selectively closed by a fastener. There may also be at least one elastic portion coinciding with the neck of the doll. There may also be a locking mechanism that selectively secures the skin to the doll.

Abstract: An animatronic doll is disclosed. The doll, includes multiple sensors, one or more of which receives input which causes the doll to perform various functions such as moving, vibrating, playing music, eating, interacting with a mobile app or interacting with another doll. The doll also includes various modes which may be effected or selected based on input from one or more sensors. One of the sensors may include an rfid reader which reads cards that instruct the doll to emulate a particula emotion.