Abstract: A turbocharger thrust bearing assembly, which maintains a constant relationship between the thrust faces, for example by use of gimbal or spherical segment geometry. Spherical geometry, while more difficult to manufacture than that of a flat thrust bearing, provides a more constant relationship between the thrust pads and thrust washers than is possible with a typical flat thrust bearing. As a consequence of this more constant relationship the thrust bearing operates with less oil flow, which ultimately may reduce vehicle emissions.

Abstract: The present invention is directed toward a hybrid bearing which will have the advantages of ball bearings as well as hydrodynamic oil films. The present invention is a hybrid bearing assembly for a turbocharger unit, having an inner race track with a series of grooves, and one or more roller balls located in the grooves of the inner race track. There is also an outer race track having a series of grooves for receiving the one or more roller balls, where the outer race track circumscribes the inner race track. The hybrid bearing also includes a sleeve made from an established tribological material located inside the inner race track, with a shaft located inside the sleeve. A hydrodynamic oil film is located between the sleeve and the shaft, wherein the hydrodynamic oil film allows the shaft to spin at greater speeds than the inner race track.

Abstract: A compact low-profile clamp for clamping objects comprises a toothed band formed into a closed loop having a first end and a second end and a head that holds the band in a closed loop and comprises a first and a second side-by-side passageways that also include teeth. The second end of the band is secured in a second passageway. The band is then passed around the object to form a loop and the first end of the band is pushed into the first passageway; the teeth hold the band in the closed loop. A chamber located at one end of the first passageway has an opening that is accessible from the outside to enable the first end of the band to be pulled to tighten the band.

Abstract: A turbocharger thrust bearing assembly, which maintains a constant relationship between the thrust faces, for example by use of gimbal or spherical segment geometry. Spherical geometry, while more difficult to manufacture than that of a flat thrust bearing, provides a more constant relationship between the thrust pads and thrust washers than is possible with a typical flat thrust bearing. As a consequence of this more constant relationship the thrust bearing operates with less oil flow, which ultimately may reduce vehicle emissions.

Abstract: A method of provisioning an unknown computer system is disclosed. The method includes detecting a computer system to be provisioned, determining that the computer system is unknown to a configuration management system, and identifying a global identifier and a digital certificate to be used to provision the computer system. The method further includes communicating the global identifier and the digital certificate from a network based boot strap server or from boot strap media to the computer system prior to loading an operating system onto the computer system.

Abstract: The present invention is a turbocharger unit (10) incorporating variable turbine geometry. The unit (10) has a turbine for receiving exhaust gases from an engine having a turbine wheel (14) located inside a turbine housing (12), and an intermediate housing (24) connected to the turbine housing (12), having a recessed portion (28). A spring member is located in the recessed portion (28), and a heat shield (32) for receives apply force from the spring member. There is also a cartridge (36) for providing variable turbine geometry located between a first disk (34) and a second disk (40) in the turbine housing (12); the second disk (40) is held in contact with the turbine housing (12) by a contoured sleeve (26). The apply force received by the heat shield (32) from the spring member transfers through the first disk (34), the cartridge (36), and the second disk (40), locating the cartridge (36) in proximate relationship to the turbine wheel (14).

Abstract: A fastener for holding or clamping at least one object is provided that comprises: a band (10) formed into a closed loop, said band having a first end and a second end and teeth (18) on its outer surface; and a head (12) that holds the band in a closed loop and comprises a first and a second passageway (20, 22). The second end of the band is secured in a second passageway (20) by teeth (24) that engage with the teeth of the band. The band is then passed around the object to form a loop and the first end of the band is pushed into the first passageway (22) that also includes teeth that engages the teeth on the band and prevents the band from being pulled out of the first passageway. A chamber (34) is located at one end of the first passageway (22) and has an opening in the outer face of the head.

Abstract: A circuit board assembly that makes use of a low-temperature co-fired ceramic (LTCC) substrate, and a process for producing the assembly. The substrate contains at least first and second regions formed by a plurality of first ceramic layers and at least one second ceramic layer, respectively, that are superimposed and bonded to each other. Conductor lines are present on at least some of the first ceramic layers so as to be between adjacent pairs of the layers. Electrically-conductive vias electrically interconnect the conductor lines on different first ceramic layers, and a surface-mount IC device is mounted to the substrate. The first ceramic layers are formed of electrically-nonconductive materials, while the one or more second ceramic layers contain thermally-conductive particles dispersed in a matrix of electrically-nonconductive materials, such that the one or more second ceramic layers are more thermally conductive than the first ceramic layers.

Abstract: In accordance with the present invention, there is provided a food container assembly that includes a plurality of pre-packaged rigid containers, each containing an amount of food, that are vertically stacked within a tubular receptacle having oxygen (and optionally moisture) barrier properties. Each container (1) includes: (i) a bowl (11) having a closed bottom (14), an inner surface (17) defining a bowl interior (20), and an upper rim (23) defining an open top (26); (ii) a sleeve (29) having an outer surface (32) and a lower edge (35), and extending downwardly from upper rim (23) of bowl (11); (iii) an amount of food (44) residing within bowl interior (20); and (iv) a removable polymer film (47) sealingly engaging upper rim (23) of bowl (11), thereby sealing open top (26) of bowl (11) and containing food (44) within bowl interior (20). The plurality of containers (1) are arranged in a vertical stack (e.g., 2 or 3) having an outer edge (53).

Abstract: The present invention is directed toward a hybrid bearing which will have the advantages of ball bearings as well as hydrodynamic oil films. The present invention is a hybrid bearing assembly for a turbocharger unit, having an inner race track with a series of grooves, and one or more roller balls located in the grooves of the inner race track. There is also an outer race track having a series of grooves for receiving the one or more roller balls, where the outer race track circumscribes the inner race track. The hybrid bearing also includes a sleeve made from an established tribological material located inside the inner race track, with a shaft located inside the sleeve. A hydrodynamic oil film is located between the sleeve and the shaft, wherein the hydrodynamic oil film allows the shaft to spin at greater speeds than the inner race track.

Abstract: A turbocharger assembly (100) includes an insert (200) having an outer axially extending lip (204) and an inner axially extending lip (208). The outer lip (204) is radially spaced from the inner lip (208), and the inner lip (208) has a radially outwardly extending tip (212). The inner lip (208) can define an annular drainage channel (216). The insert (200) is positioned in the turbocharger assembly (100) so as to engage a thrust collar (124) and a thrust bearing (140). The insert (200), the thrust collar (124) and the thrust bearing (140) can cooperatively define an oil collection chamber (240). The oil collection chamber (240) is in fluid communication with an oil release interface defined between the thrust collar (124) and the thrust bearing (140).

Abstract: A bearing system for a turbocharger, simple in design and easy to manufacture, having desired rotational dynamics of a three piece bearing design, yet having the superior vibration damping characteristics of a one piece bearing design. The inboard end of each journal bearing includes an axial recess for receiving an outboard end of a cylindrical bearing spacer, thereby axially locating the journal bearings as well as axially and radially locating the bearing spacer.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to a video recorder having user extended and automatically extended time slots. An embodiment of the present invention includes a set-top box having an internal storage device, such as a hard drive where broadcasts are transferred from a broadcast input source to the storage device. The set-top box is connected to an output device such as a television, which displays a graphical user interface (GUI) and an interactive program guide (IPG). The user has the option to extend a chosen time slot, in which a show is scheduled to be transferred to the storage device. A dialog box is used when certain types of shows are selected that commonly require timeslot extensions at the end of the show.

Abstract: Adhesive compositions useful for adhering barrier resins are provided. The adhesives are a blend of ethylene-a-olefin copolymer base resin having hard and soft phases which form a network structure and a functionally modified ethylene-?-olefin copolymer.

Abstract: A circuit board assembly that makes use of a low-temperature co-fired ceramic (LTCC) substrate, and a process for producing the assembly. The substrate contains at least first and second regions formed by a plurality of first ceramic layers and at least one second ceramic layer, respectively, that are superimposed and bonded to each other. Conductor lines are present on at least some of the first ceramic layers so as to be between adjacent pairs of the layers. Electrically-conductive vias electrically interconnect the conductor lines on different first ceramic layers, and a surface-mount IC device is mounted to the substrate. The first ceramic layers are formed of electrically-nonconductive materials, while the one or more second ceramic layers contain thermally-conductive particles dispersed in a matrix of electrically-non-conductive materials, such that the one or more second ceramic layers are more thermally conductive than the first ceramic layers.

Abstract: Pre-inked impression members for hand stamps are made from a gel or premix of thermoplastic resin particles and liquid ink with use of a disposable molding device comprising a matrix board that is recessed in its molding area with cavities to form inked indicia of the impression members and has a peripheral surface area to which is adhered fluid-tight, and entirely about the molding area, an upright rigid wall means comprising a structure of fiberboard, wood, hard resin or other suitable material shaped to a height corresponding to the desired thickness of the impression members. As another feature, during the heating for curing of a layer of premix formed over the molding area of a matrix board, the layer of premix is confined in place by a covering means, applied over it and held under pressure, which comprises, together preferably with overlaid pliable ink-absorbent material, e.g.

Abstract: Pre-inked impression members for hand stamps are made from a gel or premix of thermoplastic resin particles and liquid ink with use of a disposable molding device comprising a matrix board that is recessed in its molding area with cavities to form inked indicia of the impression members and has a peripheral surface area to which is adhered fluid-tight, and entirely about the molding area, an upright rigid wall means comprising a structure of fiberboard, wood, hard resin or other suitable material shaped to a height corresponding to the desired thickness of the impression members. As another feature, during the heating for curing of a layer of premix formed over the molding area of a matrix board, the layer of premix is confined in place by a covering means, applied over it and held under pressure, which comprises, together preferably with overlaid pliable ink-absorbent material, e.g.

Abstract: An air lift pump for wet particulates has a plurality of transport tubes and air injectors disposed in a central column for transporting particulate matter from a lower elevation to a higher elevation. The central column has a closed top and an open bottom. Each tube has a lower, intake end, a lower first air injector and an upper second air injector. Each air injector is comprised of a housing disposed around an air injection section of the transport tube in which is mounted a first or second air jet, respectively. Compressed air is supplied to the first air injector via an air supply line and to the second air injector via an air supply line and the central column.

Abstract: A vessel for steeping grain having a tank (12). A central column (44) is disposed in the center of the tank (12) having transport lines (42) with air lifts (46) on the lower end of the lines for the transporting of grain and steeping fluid from the bottom of the tank to the top of the tank. Air for the air lifts (46) is introduced to the air lifts along line (50). Air is withdrawn from the tank by line 25 and compressed for the line (50) by air compressor (27).

Abstract: This disclosure pertains to a circular lightweight hoop having a hollow circular cross-section, to which is removably attached a flexible wire-like element. One end of the wire-like element is removably fitted to a shaft and thence through a clutch to an output shaft of a motor contained within a portable hand-held housing also containing an operating switch and a battery. The hoop contains a pair of ports fluidly communicating atmospheric air to an otherwise sealed compartment contained within the hoop. A flap panel adjacent one of the ports, directs air into the compartment and out of the remaining port, creating a whistling sound upon the hoop being rotated by the operation of the motor.