Abstract: An impact nozzle that atomizes fuel and minimizes liquefication at a supercharger intake manifold comprises a body defining an enclosed channel having proximal and distal ends, a means for attaching a jet to the proximal end, and a pedestal spanning the distal end. An impact pin extending proximally from the pedestal is spaced distally from the distal end of the channel. The impact pin may be mounted to a central longitudinal member having four contoured sides each having a maximum thickness at its distal end and a minimum thickness at its proximal end, the minimum thickness occurring along one of four straight edges that define a rectangular end of the central longitudinal member to which the impact pin is attached, and each border between any two contoured sides forming a sharp contoured edge for evenly dispersing atomized fuel.

Abstract: A flexible plastic fishing lure has an integral retainer that is configured proximal to a front end of the fishing lure and has at least one retainer barb. The integral retainer is a harder and tougher material than the plastic used in the body of the fishing lure and is configured to seat over the jig-head barb to prevent the flexible plastic fishing lure from sliding down along the jig-head. The integral retainer has at least one retainer barb that more effectively holds the flexible plastic to the integral retainer. The integral retainer may have extension tabs that extend out radially and in some cases extend out from the flexible plastic body. The integral retainer may also have an aperture that extend along the length of the integral retainer and may be used to inject the flexible plastic into a mold.

Abstract: A fire detection device and method therefor are able to provide automatic activation so as to extinguish a fire. The fire detection can be rapid and temperature-based. In one embodiment, a heat collector can be provided to enhance thermal responsiveness. Activation of the fire detection device can be electrically induced to release an extinguishing agent at the fire. The activation can be protected such that it is durable and unaffected by vibrations.

Abstract: In embodiments, a welding apparatus includes an automated wire feed mechanism to output wire at a wire feed rate, where the wire is to provide a welding arc to a weld site. The wire feed rate is based at least in part on selected power to be provided to the weld site. Additional embodiments are described and claimed.

Abstract: An electric solenoid valve, methods for operating and/or actuating the solenoid valve, valve system diagnostics, and applications for use are described. The valve may be designed to actuate in a manner so as to control liquid flow into and/or through a device, such as a spray nozzle. By altering the characteristics of the electrical signal transmitted to the solenoid valve, the instantaneous pressure across the valve and duration of fluid flow through the valve can be controlled with a single actuator. Controlled cyclic durations of flow may be implemented to regulate the exact timing of flow through the valve. Alternatively, cyclic durations may occur with a pulse-width modulation technique in which the duty cycle regulates average flow rate through the valve.

Abstract: A painting device is provided with: a bell-shaped cup for discharging paint; a housing for holding the cup so as to be freely rotatable; and first tip openings disposed on the outside in the radial direction on the base end side of the tip side outer peripheral edge of the cup and throwing paint onto a workpiece by spraying shaping air in the direction of the tip. When a tangent line that is tangent to the tip side outer peripheral edge of the cup from a first tip opening is drawn in a front view of the painting device, the first tip opening sprays shaping air at an inclination more to the inside in the radial direction of the cup than the tangent line.

Abstract: Spray nozzle systems and methods of use are described herein. The spray nozzle system may include a stationary tube, a rigid rotor, and a sub-medium supply source. The stationary tube may be in fluid communication with a pressurized air source. The substantially rigid rotor is in fluid communication with the pressurized air source. The substantially rigid rotor includes a substantially rigid conduit that is in fluid communication with the passages of the stationary tube and the rotor. A portion of the conduit is substantially arched such that an outlet of the conduit is offset a radial distance in a radial direction from the rotor axis. Pressurized air ejected from the outlet produces directional components of the pressurized air in the direction of rotation about the rotor axis; and during use, the pressurized air rotates the rotor and sucks sub-medium from the sub-medium supply source into the stationary tube passage.

Abstract: A turbine pinwheel has blades mounted with the outer edges curved to respond to the wind transverse to the axis like a vertical axis turbine while the blades inner edges are twisted to respond to the wind parallel to the axis like a horizontal axis turbine. With two rotor subassemblies mounted on the same shaft the pinwheel spins the same direction regardless of the direction of the wind in relation to the pinwheel axis. Each rotor subassembly may be made from a single sheet of material cut to a specific shape and formed to create the pinwheel blades and blade supports.

Abstract: An envelope (10) for use with a vacuum cleaner, the envelope (10) comprising flexible material arranged to provide a fluid path there-through, and further comprising a coupling arranged to couple the envelope (10) to a structural member for in use maintaining the fluid path open by supporting the envelope (10) against external pressure, wherein the envelope (10) is arranged in use to isolate, from the fluid path, the structural member that supports the envelope (10).

Abstract: A tank for containing e-liquid in an electronic cigarette assembly is disclosed. The tank comprises a cap and a body. The cap is connectable to the body through a screw thread with a specified handedness, and the body is connected to a battery assembly through a second screw thread with an opposite handedness to the screw thread of the cap. A construction of the tank ensures than when opening the cap, the body is not inadvertently unscrewed from the battery, and likewise when removing the body from the battery the cap is not inadvertently unscrewed from the body, thus preventing unintended e-liquid spillage and improving ease of removal of the cap and the body.

Abstract: A corrugating machine for forming a flexible paper drinking straw by forming annular corrugations in a tube, including a plurality of corrugating elements and means for moving the tube against the corrugating elements. Each of the corrugating elements is spaced apart from each other in both a lateral direction and a forward direction. The corrugating machine includes an assembly spool and a drum mounted to a side of the assembly spool for rotation about a common axis. A mandrel is mounted to the drum for reciprocation into and out of the spool assembly, to carry the tube against the corrugating elements mounted in an arc defined about the common axis.

Abstract: A semi-annular delta-airfoil is designed in conjunction with a fluid turbine rotor blade to provide increased rotor-tip speed, increased coefficient of power, reduced wind shear, reduced noise and increased self-yaw. A dual-winglet rotor blade in combination with a semi-annular delta-airfoil increases the above mentioned benefits by increasing the rotor-blade tip surface-area that is in contact with the area of increased fluid velocity over the semi-annular airfoil. Winglets on the semi-annular delta-airfoil provide self-yaw characteristics.

Abstract: A fire-hose nozzle includes a cylindrical housing having an inlet, an outlet and a water passageway therebetween. Centrally disposed within the passageway is an elongated, rocket-shaped stem having a larger-diameter end near the inlet and a pointed, tapered end near the outlet. Proximal the inlet are circumferentially disposed apertures for injecting ambient air into incoming water to widen the spray pattern through the outlet. Attached to the inlet is a pistol-grip controller for coupling with a conventional fire hose. Therefore, when water is delivered to the housing, the stem disrupts and separates the water stream to decrease hose back pressure, recoil and oscillation.

Abstract: The invention provides a nail foil adornment method and apparatus which cosmetically strengthens, fills, protects and repairs imperfections on natural or artificial nail plates. The adornment apparatus is comprised of two non-thermal flexible adhesives, color or pattern polyester Mylar foil film, opaque polyester Mylar film and clear nail polish. The method is comprised of brushed on transfer adhesive to the bare nail plate which dries clear, level and tacky (sticky). The color or pattern polyester Mylar foil film is digitally pressure transferred onto the nail plates dry tacky (sticky) surface. The used clear film carrier is discarded. The second flexible adhesive is applied to the foiled nail. The adhesive dries clear, tacky (sticky). The opaque polyester Mylar film is digitally transferred onto the nail plate creating a protection layer. The film carrier is discarded. The foiled nail is sealed with clear nail polish to extend wear.

Abstract: A powder scented fishing lure has a substantially uniform dispersion of scent powder throughout the body of the lure. The scent powder is a screened scent powder having no particles greater than about 400 microns. The powder scented fishing lure has a prolonged release of the scent during use and has no substantial reduction in mechanical durability as a result of the addition of the scent powder. The powder scented fishing lure may be in any suitable shape, size and color and enables unique attractant properties over conventional plastic fishing lures.

Abstract: The roof top kit for extinguishing fire embers is a fire resistant structure that is adapted for use with buildings. The roof top kit for extinguishing fire embers is adapted to mount on the roof of the building. The roof top kit for extinguishing fire embers comprises a passive barrier and an active suppression system. The passive barrier is a fire resistant barrier that is mounted on the building such that there is space between the passive barrier and the structure. The passive barrier provides a physical barrier that prevents embers from wild fires from falling directly upon the roof of the structure. The active suppression system saturates the passive barrier in water. The water extinguishes ignitions that may occur from the embers that have landed on the passive barrier.

Abstract: Systems and methods for managing scent in an environment include disposing scent diffusion devices within the environment, wherein the diffusion devices comprise a communications facility that enables transmitting signals to and receiving signals from a non-fragrance dispensing, wide-area network gateway device that receives communication and control functions from a remote computer for distribution to the plurality of scent diffusion devices. A sensor in the environment transmits sensor data to the remote computer. A scent parameter for scenting the environment is received at the remote computer. Diffusion of a liquid from the scent diffusion devices is controlled by the network gateway device the to achieve the scent parameter, wherein controlling includes setting or adjusting an operation parameter of one or more of the scent diffusion devices in response to the sensor data.

Abstract: Systems and methods for managing scent in an environment include receiving data from sensors disposed in an environment regarding an indication that a service is being delivered in the environment and identifying remote atomizing scent diffusion devices disposed in the environment, wherein each scent diffusion device comprises a communications facility that enables transmitting signals to and receiving signals from the remote computer. Based on the indication, an electronic data structure is created defining a physical operational state of the scent diffusion devices, including data specifying at least one of a production of a scent that is intended to be a complement to the service, a fan speed of a fan in the diffusion device that moves particles carrying a scent, and a voltage of a pump of the diffusion device. The diffusion devices are caused to implement the at least one defined operational state.

Abstract: A collapsible cooking oil fire extinguishing device having a shaft with two rigid support arms for support of a fire resistant material. An automatic locking mechanism with a manual pivot mechanism enables changing the device between a collapsed storage position and an expanded usage position. The rigid support arms extend only partially around the perimeter of the fire resistant material, which enables the fire resistant material to tightly cover a cooking oil fire in a vessel with a handle. The pivot mechanism, automatic locking means, and rigid support arms allow the user to exert downward pressure on the burning vessel, thereby creating an airtight seal, cutting off the supply of oxygen and extinguishing the fire. The spring in the automatic locking mechanism is not under compression in the storage position, which increases reliability and prevents malfunction during long periods of time in the storage position.

Abstract: Systems, methods, and devices for protecting a user head are provided. In one example, a computer-implemented method can comprise receiving, by a system operatively coupled to a processor, a set of data detected by one or more sensor embedded within the helmet device. The computer-implemented method can also comprise adjusting, by the system, a pressure condition within a first set of inflatable cells of the helmet device based on the set of data.