Abstract: A truck bed cargo stabilizer and organizer portable apparatus is provided for storing, stabilizing and organizing items placed in the bed of a pickup truck. The truck bed cargo stabilizer and organizer apparatus is comprised of a hollow structure for a bed of a truck having an upper portion and a lower portion forming a T-shape with a generally flat upper surface which includes a plurality of bucket receiving cylinders and a toolbox receiving cavity.

Abstract: A sea water pump (130) for a marine propulsion system includes a housing (130) having a generally cylindrical pumping chamber (134) defined by a generally cylindrical sidewall (136) extending axially between opposite end walls (138 and 140). A multi-vaned rotary impeller (44) in the chamber is driven by an impeller shaft (28) extending axially into the chamber through one of the endwalls (40). An intake port (146) at the other endwall (140) has a first branch (148) providing radial flow (170, 172) into the chamber, and a second branch (154) providing axial flow (178) into the chamber. A discharge port (158) has a first branch (160) receiving radial flow (174, 176) out of the chamber, and a second branch (166) receiving axial flow (180) out of the chamber.

Abstract: An exhaust pressure pulsation control apparatus for a marine propulsion system has a front ring and a reflector disk located downstream of the front ring. There is a space between the front ring and the reflector disk that is sufficiently large so that the mixture of water and water cooled exhaust passing through the apparatus does not have a significant pressure drop. The apparatus attenuates pressure pulsations in the exhaust system, thereby significantly reducing water ingestion through the exhaust system into the engine. The apparatus does not create significant exhaust back pressure, and typically increases engine maximum power output.

Abstract: Disclosed are puffed multilayered R-T-E breakfast cereal pieces and methods of preparation. In preferred embodiments, the cereal pieces have at least three cereal layers. The bulk density ranges from about 0.06 to 0.15 g/cc. The methods for fabricating the present multilayered R-T-E cereal pieces comprise: A) preparing at least three separate sheets of cooked cereal dough(s), B) layering the sheets with pressure to form a laminated sheet, C) forming individual pieces from the laminated sheet, D) drying the pieces to 9% to 13% moisture, and E) high intensity microwave puffing the pieces to form R-T-E cereals with multiple layers. The high intensity microwave field is characterized by a field strength of about 150 to 350 V/cm.

Abstract: A dried food foam product comprising: (A) about 5% to 70% by weight (dry basis) of the foam product of a flavor characterizing ingredient; (B) sufficient amounts of an undenatured proteinaceous whipping agent sufficient to provide the foam product to a density of 0.1 to 0.6 g/cc (dry weight basis) having a heat setting temperature; (C) about 0% to 55% by weight (dry basis) of the product of a nutritive carbohydrate sweetening agent; and (D) about 0.5% to 7% by weight moisture.

Abstract: High intensity microwave heating methods for heat setting food foams are provided. The methods comprise the step of subjecting a quantity of edible foams to a brief exposure to high intensity (>110 V/cm) microwave field for about 5 to 30 seconds. The high intensity microwave heating heat sets the foam to provide a stable structure. Thereafter, the heat set structures are then dried using low temperature dried to desired moisture contents ranging from about 1% to 6%. The microwave heat set foam pieces exhibit a homogeneous (i.e., without voids or irregularities) texture and a crisp, light eating quality. The edible foam products exhibit extended bowl lives and find particular suitability for use as additives to ready-to-eat cereal products. Preferred embodiments comprise high levels of fruit puree solids which by virtue of the short heat setting and low temperature drying steps exhibit high natural flavor levels.

Abstract: Microwave methods for puffing thick ready-to-eat cereal flake pieces are provided in full or partial substitution for conventional toasting and puffing methods. The methods comprise the step of subjecting a thick (>0.025 inch) cereal base piece to a brief exposure to a high intensity (>125 V/cm) microwave field for about 5 to 25 seconds. The microwave puffed cereal pieces exhibit superior puffed volume and a lighter texture compared to finished products toasted and puffed by known methods. The present methods are particularly suitable for puffing thicker flakes fabricated from whole grain, e.g., whole wheat based cooked cereal doughs.

Abstract: The combination solenoid valve and shuttle valve (60, 160A-D, 260A-D) comprises a shuttle valve (50, 150) which is slidingly and sealingly received at or adjacent an end of the solenoid valve (40, 140). The shuttle valve (50, 150) includes a stepped interior opening (54, 154) which sealingly receives the end of the solenoid valve (40) or a valve part (140A), such that slidable movement of the shuttle valve (50) causes an insert (55, 55A, 155) within the interior opening (54, 154) to seat sealingly over either a solenoid insert seat (41C) or insert seat (141C) of the valve part (140A) in order to isolate pressure chambers (12A, 12B; 112A, 112B; 212A, 212B) of a master cylinder/hydraulic booster (12, 112, 212A, 212B) from a wheel brake (16, 116A-D, 216A-D).

Abstract: The closed circuit, pump-back adaptive braking system (10, 110, 210, 310, 410) includes a slave isolation valve mechanism (30, 30', 30", 130, 330, 330') which has a valve member (34, 34', 34", 134, 334, 334') that permits master cylinder (12) generated hydraulic braking pressure to oppose pressure received from the pump (23) of the braking system (10, 110, 210, 310, 410) in order to prevent displacement of the valve member (34, 34', 34", 134, 334, 334') when the pump (23) is not operating. When the pump (23) of the system (10, 110, 210, 310, 410) is operating, the valve member (34, 34', 34", 134, 334, 334') is displaced to isolate substantially the master cylinder (12) from an electrically actuated valve mechanism (40, 40') during operation of the adaptive braking system (10, 110, 210, 310, 410).

Abstract: The combination solenoid valve and sump assembly comprises a solenoid valve (40, 140, 240, 340, 440) located within a stepped bore (16) of a modulator body (15) of an adaptive braking system (10). The solenoid valve (40, 140, 240, 340, 440) includes a slidable shuttle valve (50) disposed sealingly at an end thereof, and the sump (80, 180, 280, 380, 480) is disposed coaxially relative to the solenoid valve. A movable piston (70) engages sealingly both the solenoid valve (40) and a portion of the stepped bore (16) in a first embodiment, and is biased by a spring (73, 74) located concentrically relative to the windings (41) of the solenoid valve (40). The stepped bore (16) communicates with a pump (14) which, along with a master cylinder (20), provides fluid pressure to appropriate portions of the stepped bore (16).

Abstract: Methods for toasting a puffed ready-to-eat cereal base are provided to increase the toasted flavor thereof. The methods comprise the step of subjecting the cereal base to a brief exposure to a high intensity (>125 V/cm) microwave field for about 5 to 45 seconds. The microwave toasted cereal pieces exhibit superior flavor resulting from "interior" toasting of the cereal base.

Abstract: Disclosed are methods for treating a ready-to-eat cereal base fabricated from an oat containing cereal composition to increase the stability of the product. The methods comprise the step of subjecting the cereal base to a high intensity microwave field (>150 V/cm) for about 5 to 45 seconds. The treated cereal pieces exhibit superior stability and also improved flavor resulting from "interior" toasting of the cereal base.

Abstract: Microwave methods for toasting an unpuffed ready-to-eat cereal base are provided in full or partial substitution for conventional toasting methods. The methods comprise the step of subjecting a wet cereal base piece to a brief exposure to a high intensity (>125 V/cm) microwave field for about 5 to 25 seconds. The microwave toasted cereal pieces exhibit superior flavor resulting from "interior" toasting of the cereal base.

Abstract: A method for tempering cooked cereal pellets or pieces for ready-to-eat cereals or cereal based snack half product is provided. The method involves the step of exposing the cereal pellets or pieces to a high intensity microwave field for a brief time sufficient to improve moisture distribution therein but without causing the pellets or pieces to puff. A high intensity microwave field has a field strength of >90 V/cm in free space. Exposure times range from about 15 to 30 seconds depending upon the initial temperature and moisture content of the pellets. The microwave tempered cereal pellets or cereal based snack half products can thereafter be conventionally processed to form finished cereal products. The finished cereal products exhibit superior physical and organoleptic attributes such as volume, improved texture, uniformity and for R-T-E cereal embodiments, also longer bowl life.

Abstract: A brake system wherein an input from an operator operates a first master cylinder (12) produces first and second hydraulic fluid pressures. Flexible conduit (22 and 24) carries the first and second hydraulic fluid pressures to an actuator (26) for a hydraulic power booster (28). A plunger (58) in the actuator (26) reacts either to the first hydraulic fluid pressure or the second hydraulic fluid pressure by moving to operate the hydraulic power booster (28). Operation of the hydraulic power booster (28) provides an input force to develop first and second operation fluid pressures in a second master cylinder (30) to effect a brake application.

Abstract: An anti-lock braking system includes a master cylinder for supplying pressurized fluid to the vehicle brakes and a pump which operates during anti-lock control to supply fluid during brake pressure build cycles. A braking circuit includes decay valves and build valves to control communication of fluid pressure to the vehicle brakes in response to commands generated by an electronic control unit. A braking source control valve responds to signals generated by the electronic control unit to switch communication of fluid pressure to the braking circuit between the master cylinder and the pump.

Abstract: The combination accumulator and variable volume sump (50) comprises a housing (52) having therein a stepped bore (56). An H-shaped piston and a U-shaped piston (60, 80) are diaposed within the stepped bore (56), the first piston comprising an accumulator piston (60) and defining with the housing (52) and stepped bore (56) a first chamber (70) containing therein pressurized medium. The second piston (80) defines with the housing (52) and stepped bore (56) a second chamber (90) containing therein pressurized fluid. Open ends of the U-shaped pistons (60, 80) are received one within another, and a spring (95) is disposed between interior openings (62, 82) of pistons (60, 80) to bias them apart. The housing (52) has a pair of openings (54, 59) for communicating pressurized fluid, one opening (54) communicating with the second chamber (90) and the other opening (59) communicating with the stepped bore (56) in order to communicate pressurized fluid to the first piston (60).

Abstract: An anti-lock braking system which incorporates a pressure modulator disposed between a master cylinder and one or more wheel cylinders of the vehicle. The pressure modulator includes an electrically operated pump for pumping fluid from the rear cylinders back to the master cylinder and a pressure responsive isolating valve for isolating the wheel cylinders from the master cylinder in response to operation of the pump. The system is particularly well suited for application to the rear wheels of the vehicle.

Abstract: A piston vacuum pump includes a housing (40) which is extruded from aluminum to form a bore (42) for movably receiving a piston (44). The piston is made from a plastic material to define a sealing interface with the aluminum housing in the absence of additional sealing rings and lubricants. The extruded housing is also provided with an opening (64) to receive an input member (90) and to provide for fluid communication through the pump.

Abstract: Disclosed herein is a method for treating raw coal with ozone in aqueous suspension to modify the surface of the coal particle and release the ash constituents thereby permitting a more thorough separation of coal from ash by conventional means. The process also provides a mixture which is easily dewatered.