Abstract: A parking brake actuator for a disc brake caliper having at least one service piston. The parking brake actuator includes a tapered collet having an axial bore for receiving the service piston; a release piston, said release piston in axially alignment with the service piston and said tapered collet, said release piston having an internally disposed taper for co-acting with the taper of said tapered collet; and a biasing means, said biasing means structured and arranged to apply a force to said release piston sufficient to place the parking brake actuator in an actuated condition.

Abstract: A crankshaft having an axis of rotation is disclosed. The crankshaft includes a main throw having a web, a main pin extending from the web that is coaxial with the axis of rotation and an aperture in the web. The crankshaft also includes a crank throw having a web, a crank pin extending from the web, a central aperture positioned in the web that is coaxial with the axis of rotation. The crank pin is positioned in the aperture of the main throw and a connecting rod is positioned on the crank pin. The crankshaft includes various features for distribution of oil to components.

Abstract: A trailer signal converter includes a plurality of inputs, including a first towing vehicle turn light signal, a second towing vehicle turn light signal, and a trailer brake signal. The trailer brake signal is a pulse-width modulated signal. The trailer signal converter selectively drives the turn and stop light signals on the trailer based on the input signals. In a three-wire system, the signal converter is configured to receive a brake signal input and a brake light input and selectively drive the trailer stop light signals.

Abstract: A seal includes a polymeric jacket defining a seal surface and an inner cavity extending within the polymeric jacket along a length of the polymeric jacket. The seal further includes a spring extending within the inner cavity and including a plurality of laser cut spring elements. The seal can be disposed between a static component and a rotatable component.

Abstract: A hitch ball assembly includes a hitch ball supported on a housing, a bore within the hitch ball and housing, and a pin rotatable with respect to the hitch ball and housing. The pin is configured to engage a trailer coupler and rotate therewith. An angle sensor measures rotation of the pin to determine rotational movement of the trailer.

Abstract: There is provided a room-temperature-curable polyorganosiloxane composition that provides a cured product having little decrease in hardness at high temperature and high humidity, and is excellent in adhesiveness to various base materials. The composition is a two-part room-temperature-curable polyorganosiloxane composition including a main agent composition (A) and a curing agent composition (B). The main agent composition (A) contains, at a predetermined ratio, (c) polyorganosiloxane having a resin structure represented by an average unit formula: (R13SiO1/2)p[Si(OH)xO(4?x)/2]q. The curing agent composition (B) contains (e) a trifunctional or tetrafunctional silane compound or a partial hydrolysis condensate thereof and (f) an amino group-containing silicon compound.

Abstract: A light trapping photovoltaic cell comprising a plurality of cells connected with walls wherein the cells have a plurality of generally straight vertical walls and a bottom region adjacent the generally vertical walls. The bottom region of the cells is pitched toward the center of the bottoms. The light trapping cells provide a structure that allows for improved absorption of incident light. Optionally, a light trapping photovoltaic cell may further comprise a hydrophobic protective layer such as, for example, may be provided by a plurality of nano-sized bumps on the surfaces of the cell walls. Additionally, the cells may exhibit other properties including, for example, deicing, anti-fouling, and self-cleaning.

Abstract: A torque limiting assembly is disclosed and can include a generally cylindrical bearing and a tolerance ring disposed around the generally cylindrical bearing. The torque limiting assembly is configured to be installed between and rotatably couple an inner and an outer component. The torque limiting assembly is configured to rotate with respect to at least one of the inner and outer components when a threshold torque, T, is exceeded.

Abstract: An image display sealant dam composition including (A) a polyorganosiloxane having a mercaptoalkyl group bonded to a silicon atom; (B) an aliphatic unsaturated group-containing polyorganosiloxane including an aliphatic unsaturated group-containing linear polyorganosiloxane (B1) and optionally including a branched polyorganosiloxane (B2) having SiO4/2 units, R?3SiO1/2 units and R?2SiO2/2 units, and optionally further having. R?SiO3/2 units, at least three R? groups per molecule of the branched polyorganosiloxane (B2) are aliphatic unsaturated groups; (C) a photoreaction initiator; (D) an aliphatic unsaturated group-containing silane compound; and (E) a fumed silica having a BET specific surface area of 180 to 500 m2/g.

Abstract: A crank trigger distributor assembly and method for sealing the crankcase from leaking vacuum through the distributor installation hole. A crank trigger distributor assembly and method for minimizing and/or preventing crankcase leakage, while being adjustable and adaptable to engine blocks or intake manifolds of various manufacturers. A crank trigger having a distributor stem, a collar located on the distributor stem, and at least one sealing element, the at least one sealing element incorporated within the collar. A crank trigger distributor assembly and method for adjusting rotor tip phasing without touching the distributor hold-down, as the cap itself can be adjusted.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a process for providing a low-chloride hydrolyzate comprising contacting an acid or base hydrolyzed substrate of a chlorosilane direct process residue with nitric acid to provide a hydrolyzate with a chloride content of less than about 1.8% by weight. The process of present invention is especially useful in cement kilns and smelter operation.

Abstract: A ball launching system includes a ball launcher with a removable ball pod and sleeve assembly that retains balls prior to injection. An interchangeable ball pod with a chamber corresponding to the ball diameter, fits into a pod sleeve and comprise the ball pod and sleeve assembly. The ball launcher further includes a housing with a moveably disposed piston that engages with the ball thereby launching it. The housing also includes a thru hole through which the piston may travel to externally indicate its position within the housing. The ball launching system also includes a control system having control inputs, which may be located remote to the ball launcher. By applying a pre-determined sequence of control inputs, the piston may engage with the balls retained in the ball pod and sleeve assembly to force the balls to be launched from the ball launcher.

Abstract: A signal converter and method of converting a signal are provided. The converter includes a power supply, microcontroller and current sensor. The microcontroller is connected to a power supply and is configured to receive inputs from a vehicle and output signals to loads of a second vehicle. The sensor is connected to the microcontroller to monitor current flow at the loads. The output channels are configured to stagger activity on the output signals. The microcontroller reduces the duty cycle of the output signals if the current flow rises above a first threshold and resumes the output signal to full strength once the current flow falls bellow a second threshold. The method includes receiving an input signal, sending an output signal, measuring current flow, measuring temperature, reducing the power of the output signal, and restoring the output signal.

Abstract: An image display sealant dam composition including (A) a polyorganosiloxane having a mercaptoalkyl bonded to a silicon; (B) an aliphatic unsaturated group-containing polyorganosiloxane including an aliphatic unsaturated group-containing linear polyorganosiloxane (B1), and a branched polyorganosiloxane (B2) having SiO4/2 units, R?3SiO1/2 units and R?2SiO2/2 units, and optionally having R?SiO3/2 units, at least three R? groups per molecule of the branched polyorganosiloxane (B2) are aliphatic unsaturated groups, the proportion of the number of the aliphatic unsaturated groups in (B2) to the total number of the aliphatic unsaturated groups in (B) is more than 50% and not more than 95%; (C) a photoreaction initiator; (D) a silane compound; and (E) an MQ resin having a weight average molecular weight of 2,000 to 2,500,000 and/or an MDQ resin having a weight average molecular weight of 2,000 to 1,000,000.

Abstract: The present disclosure relates to aerosol delivery devices that may include components configured to convert electrical energy to heat and atomize an aerosol precursor composition. An outer body may at least partially enclose the components. An illumination source may be configured to output electromagnetic radiation. For example, a light emitting diode may output light. A waveguide may be configured to receive the electromagnetic radiation from the illumination source and provide illumination at an outer surface of the outer body. The waveguide may include an energy conversion material configured to alter a wavelength of the electromagnetic radiation outputted by the illumination source to change a color of, or otherwise affect, the illumination. The illumination may also be dynamically adjusted. The waveguide may define the outer body, or the waveguide may be received with a separate outer body. Related methods are also provided.

Abstract: The invention provides an improved instrument for automation of solid phase extraction chemistries typically used in biotechnology labs. The instrument includes a mechanism for transferring samples dissolved in a liquid from initial containers to reaction columns that are used to perform solid phase extractions. Samples, reaction columns and collection containers are in microtiter plate format or tubes that are on 18 millimeter centers. The transfer system is automatically cleaned after use in preparation for the next use. A dispense manifold is used to dispense various reagents into the reaction columns. Pressure differential is used to move reagents through reaction columns. A sliding cover is used to divert the reagent exiting reaction columns to waste or allowing collection of sample as it exits outlets of reaction columns. Samples are automatically collected in microtiter plates or in individual tubes or vials.