Abstract: A sole designed for attachment to an article of footwear, made of a hard polymer outsole connection plate affixed to a flexible polymer outsole that has a series of threaded imbed anchors housed therein for the attachment of various designs of interchangeable cleats. The cleats reside in detents formed on planar channels across the width of the outsole and extend above a series of tapered raised pads formed on the bottom face of the outsole.

Abstract: A system for automating the growing of crops, such as grapevines. Combinations of data from sensors local to a vineyard, and from optional remote stations and sensors, is combined with a control system to accurately control the dispensing of water and chemicals such as insecticides, disease prevention fungicides and fertilizers. The materials are dispensed through a multiple channel conduit which allows conflicting, or incompatible, types of materials to be transported through a common assembly. Sensors are attached to the conduit so that the placement of sensors can occur simultaneously with the laying of the conduit. This approach also ensures correct placement and spacing of the sensors with respect to each plant, or plant area, to be monitored and treated.

Abstract: Devices that have integrated cooling structures for counterflow, two-phase cooling and systems thereof are provided. In one example, a first structure can comprise a first cooling channel. The first cooling channel can have a first value of width that increases as the first cooling channel extends from a first side of a heat transfer area towards a second side of the heat transfer area. Also, a second structure can comprise a second cooing channel. The second cooling channel can have a second value of width that increases as the second cooling channel extends from the second side of the heat transfer area towards the first side of the heat transfer area.

Abstract: An upper plate on which a substrate is placed is cooled or heated by a thermal processor. The temperature of the thermal processor is adjusted by a temperature adjuster. The temperature of the upper plate is detected. A control value that is to be applied to the temperature adjuster in order to maintain the temperature of the upper plate at a set value is calculated as a control arithmetic value on the basis of the detected temperature. When the control arithmetic value decreases to a value less than a second threshold value, a first control that applies the control arithmetic value to the temperature adjuster is performed. When the control arithmetic value increases to a value not less than a first threshold value, a second control that applies a control set value higher than the control arithmetic value to the temperature adjuster is performed.

Abstract: A washing device for a portable toilet includes a portable toilet lifting member that pivotally elevates a portable toilet from a substantially vertical position and rotates the portable toilet until disposed in a substantially horizontal position in a portable toilet washing enclosure. An access door of the portable toilet is unlocked and allowed to open when the portable toilet is horizontally positioned in the portable toilet washing enclosure. A portable toilet access aperture is orientated to enable internal washing members for the portable toilet that are disposed inside the portable toilet washing enclosure to discharge a liquid within an internal chamber of the portable toilet to ultimately clean the internal chamber and a toilet tank inside the internal chamber. The portable toilet washing enclosure also includes external washing members for washing external walls and a base portion of the portable toilet.

Abstract: An air-conditioning system includes a plurality of liquid desiccant in-ceiling units, each installed in a building for treating air in a space in the building. Dedicated outside air systems (DOAS) for providing a stream of treated outside air to the building are also disclosed.

Abstract: A heat pipe structure includes a first plate, a second plate and a plurality of wick structures. The second plate is connected to the first plate to form a chamber. The wick structures are disposed in the chamber, and the distribution shape of the wick structures is approximately the same as the shape of a portion of the chamber. The chamber is formed by at least one coupling portion and three or more extending portions. The coupling portion communicates with the extending portions, and the contour of the connected first and second plates is different from that of the chamber.

Abstract: The Sprain Arrestor is an orthotic wedge made of cut and shaped industry standard multidurometer tri-laminate material which by its size and shape and placement inside the shoe offers an inexpensive alternative to bulky bracing and or elastic minimally supportive bandages and wrappings which can restrict circulation. Its use is totally dependent upon the need of the user.

Abstract: A portable electromagnetic wave drying apparatus is provided for the in-situ reduction of moisture in structural members within a wood frame construction. The apparatus comprises at least one electromagnetic wave generation assembly and an electromagnetic wave applicator. Also provided is an electromagnetic wave treatment method for the in-situ reduction of moisture content in a structural member within a wood frame construction. The method comprises contacting a portion of the structural member with electromagnetic waves for a period of not more than 30 minutes and then allowing the structural member to rest for a period of not more than 90 minutes. The apparatus and method are useful in the remediation of wood frame structures that have been exposed to flood waters.

Abstract: A cooler grows in size and its structure becomes complicated in a phase-change cooler if it is intended to cool a plurality of heating elements; therefore, a phase-change cooler according to an exemplary aspect of the present invention includes a heat-conducting board configured to be thermally connected to a cooling object; heat receiving means for storing a refrigerant and receiving heat of the cooling object through the heat-conducting board; radiation means for radiating heat, condensing and devolatilizing a vapor-phase refrigerant arising from vaporization of the refrigerant in the heat receiving means; and connection means for connecting the heat receiving means and the radiation means.

Abstract: This invention generally relates to the field of attachment devices and systems, and more particularly, but not by way of limitation, to a device and method for keeping toes inside the straps of open toe style shoes or sandals; minimizing the risk of developing irritations such as corns, callous, and bunions; protecting the toes with preexisting irritations such as corns, callous, and bunions; prevent the feet from sliding in the shoes. The present invention gives a smooth look to the foot and enjoying the ability of wearing open toe style shoes or sandals with a toe support brace on each side of the foot. There are many woman that cannot wear open toe style shoes or sandals due to the imperfections of their feet and toes, now they can.

Abstract: This disclosure provides a heat exchanger that can more efficiently remove the frost attached to the heat exchanger. A configuration of a heat exchanger according to the present invention includes a heat transfer member (e.g., a fin) that performs heat exchange with air, wherein the heat transfer member (e.g., the fin) includes, in a vicinity of an upstream-side edge in an air traveling direction, a plurality of linear protruding portions that are formed in parallel to the edge.

Abstract: A vehicular climate control system may include a coolant subsystem configured to circulate coolant between an engine, a thermal generator, and a cabin heat exchanger, and a controller. The controller may be configured to, responsive to an air inlet temperature of the heat exchanger exceeding a threshold, retard engine spark timing to increase heat generation. The threshold may be defined by a quotient of (i) a difference between a discharge temperature target and the air inlet temperature and (ii) a thermal effectiveness parameter that is based on an air flow rate and a coolant flow rate.

Abstract: The invention provides for protection of life safety, property and the liability thereof, by means of a intrinsically safe unpressurized storage tank water heater while producing hot pressurized water. The design addresses, with effect, convection, radiation, conduction and evaporative heat energy losses. Heat lost returned as usable hot water resulting in ultra-low standing loss. The stationary water medium prevents sedimentation, fouling of the heating element and gases expelled. Being dielectrically isolated, the medium may also be treated to further reduce corrosion. The design allows for a quick recovery rate and provides adjustable volume of hot water, being stackable, stage able, renewable, repairable and recyclable.

Abstract: The present invention comprises device (10) which maintains a modified atmospheric pressure within, uses evaporation and condensation by means of heated or cooled fluid jackets and radiators to move and clean washing fluid and fans to increase and decrease the pressure of the gaseous washing fluid in a manner which causes liquid washing fluid to flow laminar within the extraction chamber. The present invention comprises a modular extraction chamber (42) which when fitted to the device (10) is in permanent communication with a boiling chamber (27) and a condensation chamber (33). These chambers are intermittently in communication with an evaporation chamber (12) and a corresponding clean solvent holding chamber (20). The evaporation chamber and the clean solvent holding tank may, upon completion of the extraction cycle sequester the pressurized washing fluid while the rest of the system is depressurized allowing for quick changeover of source material.

Abstract: An embodiment relates to a heat transfer device including a heat generating device configured to generate heat having predetermined intensity by a user, a cover in contact with a body of the user while covering the heat generating device, and a heat transfer medium provided between the heat generating device and the cover to transfer the heat generated by the heat generating device, wherein the heat transfer medium is a structure that is formed by entangling a single wire having a predetermined length and has a predetermined width and a predetermined height, and is a structure that is compressed in an axial direction when being in contact with the body of the user and thus has a Poisson's ratio of 0.5 or higher. Thus, a structural change in the heat generating device is not required and only a material in contact with the heat generating device is changed, so that generated heat may more rapidly reach the body of the user.

Abstract: This invention consists of a magnet placed behind the pierced ear hole and a decorative piece placed in front of the pierced ear hole, both strung on the wire of a hanging earring. The 2 pieces are slid into place on the wire and then pressed together once in position over the pierced hole. The magnet holds the decorative front in place. They are made to be used with any hanging type of wire earring that a person wants to wear. The front pieces can also be used alone with post earrings to make the ear lobe look more attractive.

Abstract: A weighted hair accessory device is provided, wherein the hair accessory device includes a main body including a first movable arm and a second movable arm, wherein the main body is configured to move between an open and a closed position; a hinge element pivotally connecting a first end of the first movable arm to a first end of the second movable arm; and a securing device having a first latching element located at a second end of the first movable arm and a second latching element located at a second end of the second movable arm, wherein the securing device is configured to releasably secure the main body in the closed position. The hair accessory device is configured to apply weight to a portion of hair in order to straighten and/or prevent shrinkage of the portion of hair during drying, e.g., without the use of chemical substances or heat.

Abstract: The heat storage apparatus of the present disclosure includes a casing, a heat storage material that is located in the casing, a stirrer that is located in the casing, that is in contact with the heat storage material, and that rotates to stir the heat storage material, and a projection that is in contact with the heat storage material, that projects from the stirrer, and that rotates with rotation of the stirrer. The projection is continuously in contact with an inner face of the casing while the stirrer rotates.

Abstract: A marking paint applicator for a portable electronic locator that locates buried cables and pipes via electromagnetic emissions is disclosed. The marking paint application may include an elongated support structure and a trigger mechanism, along with a bracket assembly, a receptacle for holding paint, and an actuating mechanism for selectively controlling release of the paint in response to operator actuation of the trigger mechanism.