Abstract: A system for ultrasonic consolidation of fiber reinforced thermoplastics, comprising a first component that is either an inner non-resonant mandrel or an inner sonotrode; a second component that is either an outer non-resonant mandrel or an outer sonotrode, wherein the first and second components are configured to receive fiber reinforced thermoplastic materials therebetween, wherein the inner sonotrode and the outer sonotrode are both configured to direct ultrasonic energy into the fiber reinforced thermoplastic materials, wherein the outer sonotrode produces radial displacement against the inner non-resonant mandrel, or wherein the inner sonotrode produces radial displacement against the outer non-resonant mandrel, or wherein the inner sonotrode produces radial displacement against the outer sonotrode, or wherein the outer sonotrode produces radial displacement against the inner sonotrode, and wherein the radial displacement generates compressive stress within the fiber reinforced thermoplastic materials th

Abstract: An ultrasonic welding system, comprising at least one sonotrode configured to ultrasonically weld a part or component having a complex geometry, wherein, the at least one sonotrode has a shape generally corresponding to the shape of the part or component to be welded, and wherein the sonotrode includes an input face; an energy input located on the input face; an output face positioned opposite the input face; and a body positioned between the input face and the output face; and wherein the at least one sonotrode has a non-uniform distribution of mass.

Abstract: A dispenser for dispensing a carbonated beverage comprising soda and at least one additive, the carbonated beverage dispenser comprising a compensator, the compensator comprising: an outer body defining a compensator chamber, an inlet, and an outlet, an inner body arranged within the compensator chamber and between the inlet and the outlet, wherein a gap is defined between the inner body and the outer body for regulating the flow rate of soda passing between the inlet and the outlet, and a control element configured to receive a user input from a user and to control the size of the gap in dependence on said user input, wherein, for a given user input, the control element moves the inner body relative to the control element to a first extent and the outer body relative to the control element to a second extent, the first extent being non-equal to the second extent.

Abstract: A system for consolidating materials, comprising a sonotrode configured to direct ultrasonic energy into materials to be consolidated, wherein the materials to be consolidated have both a glass transition temperature and a melting temperature; a non-rigid consolidating material in proximity to the sonotrode, wherein the non-rigid consolidating material and sonotrode define a region therebetween for receiving the materials to be consolidated, and wherein the non-rigid consolidating material has a glass transition temperature that is higher than the glass transition temperature of the materials to be consolidated and a melting temperature that is higher than the melting temperature of the materials to be consolidated.

Abstract: Described herein includes a puncture mechanism for a beverage appliance or machine that can be configured to puncture a pod containing a beverage medium (e.g., a flavoring agent). The puncture mechanism can be configured to induce lateral movement of one or more engagement members to securely hold a beverage pod. The puncture mechanism can be configured to induce relative axial movement between an anvil and the secured beverage pod to puncture a seal of the beverage pod.

Abstract: An assembly for an induction sensing tone ring is provided. A brake rotor includes a circular pocket. A tone ring is received in the circular pocket of the brake rotor. The brake rotor has a plurality of locating tabs, with each locating tab having a slope surface. The tone ring has a plurality of retaining tabs, with each retaining tab being received between two locating tabs of the brake rotor. A retaining ring is fitted in each locating tab slope surface of the brake rotor to press fit against the retaining tabs of the tone ring.

Abstract: Described herein includes a puncture mechanism for a beverage appliance or machine that can be configured to puncture a pod containing a beverage medium (e.g., a flavoring agent). The puncture mechanism can be configured to induce lateral movement of one or more engagement members to securely hold a beverage pod. The puncture mechanism can be configured to induce relative axial movement between an anvil and the secured beverage pod to puncture a seal of the beverage pod.

Abstract: A disc brake assembly is provided that includes a camshaft extending from a slack adjuster. A disc brake rotor and a brake caliper bridge having an outer plate and an inner plate are provided. A brake caliper carrier is provided with an outer brake pad contained by the brake caliper carrier and an inner brake pad contained by the brake caliper carrier. A cam carrier having two openings is provided along with a pusher plate having a first surface in contact with the cam and a second surface in contact with the inner brake pad. A first and a second slide pin each extend through an opening in the cam carrier and an opening in the pusher plate and an opening in the inner plate of the brake caliper bridge and into the brake caliper carrier. A cam is mounted onto the camshaft such that rotation of the camshaft will rotate the cam, and the brake caliper bridge inner plate having a surface in contact with the cam.

Abstract: A disc brake assembly is provided that includes a camshaft extending from a slack adjuster. A disc brake rotor and a brake caliper bridge having an outer plate and an inner plate are provided. A brake caliper carrier is provided with an outer brake pad contained by the brake caliper carrier and an inner brake pad contained by the brake caliper carrier. A cam carrier having two openings is provided along with a pusher plate having a first surface in contact with the cam and a second surface in contact with the inner brake pad. A first and a second slide pin each extend through an opening in the cam carrier and an opening in the pusher plate and an opening in the inner plate of the brake caliper bridge and into the brake caliper carrier. A cam is mounted onto the camshaft such that rotation of the camshaft will rotate the cam, and the brake caliper bridge inner plate having a surface in contact with the cam.

Abstract: An assembly for an induction sensing tone ring is provided. A brake rotor includes a circular pocket. A tone ring is received in the circular pocket of the brake rotor. The brake rotor has a plurality of locating tabs, with each locating tab having a slope surface. The tone ring has a plurality of retaining tabs, with each retaining tab being received between two locating tabs of the brake rotor. A retaining ring is fitted in each locating tab slope surface of the brake rotor to press fit against the retaining tabs of the tone ring.

Abstract: An assembly for an induction sensing tone ring is provided. A brake rotor includes a circular pocket. A tone ring is received in the circular pocket of the brake rotor. The brake rotor has a plurality of locating tabs, with each locating tab having a slope surface. The tone ring has a plurality of retaining tabs, with each retaining tab being received between two locating tabs of the brake rotor. A retaining ring is fitted in each locating tab slope surface of the brake rotor to press fit against the retaining tabs of the tone ring.

Abstract: An attachment method an assembly for an induction sensing tone ring is provided comprising a rotating part, the rotating part having a circular pocket. A spring is provided that is received in the rotating part circular pocket. A tone ring is received in the tone ring circular pocket on top of the spring. The rotating part has a plurality of retaining ledges, with each retaining ledge extending radially inward into the rotating part circular pocket from a wall of the rotating part forming the pocket. Each retaining ledge forms a retaining groove. The tone ring has a plurality of locating tab assemblies, each locating tab assembly being received in one of the retaining grooves of the brake rotor circular pocket.

Abstract: An attachment method an assembly for an induction sensing tone ring is provided comprising a rotating part, the rotating part having a circular pocket. A spring is provided that is received in the rotating part circular pocket. A tone ring is received in the tone ring circular pocket on top of the spring. The rotating part has a plurality of retaining ledges, with each retaining ledge extending radially inward into the rotating part circular pocket from a wall of the rotating part forming the pocket. Each retaining ledge forms a retaining groove. The tone ring has a plurality of locating tab assemblies, each locating tab assembly being received in one of the retaining grooves of the brake rotor circular pocket.

Abstract: A means for attaching a camcorder to a telescope which allows the camcorder to be moved with the telescope to follow celestial bodies and record events such as eclipses. The means provides a rigid mounting bar, an adjustable sliding connector mounted on the bar, a bracket to align a camcorder at an angle to the optical tube and an adjustment rail attached to the bracket. The adjustment rail allows the camcorder to be aligned with the eyepiece of the telescope and to be withdrawn to change the eyepiece without altering the alignment of the camcorder and eyepiece.

Abstract: A tape construction having a pressure sensitive adhesive coating on both sides of a backing, and a release liner covering one adhesive surface thereon. Wherein the release liner has an extended portion to facilitate its removal and wherein the extended portion has a wave-shaped outer edge to facilitate its identification.