Abstract: An improved dry grind method and system of alcohol and/or biochemical production for increasing the yield and/or purity of protein and/or oil in facilities that produce alcohol (e.g., ethanol) from corn or other cereal grains. In one embodiment, the method includes membrane filtration of a liquid portion from a high protein slurry that has been separated into the liquid portion and a high protein wet cake portion initially derived from a whole stillage byproduct. The liquid portion may be cooled in a heat exchanger to a temperature suitable for a desired membrane filter. Solids, dissolved proteins, and oils are separated by the membrane and concentrated in a retentate stream. Low molecular weight dissolved solids pass through the membrane as permeate. The proteins and oil from the retentate are returned to prior separation equipment that produced the high protein slurry and will be separated by said equipment increasing protein and/or oil yields and/or purity.

Abstract: A paint application system for an object in a paint submersion operation. The paint application system includes at least one clamp configured to be coupled to the object, and an auxiliary vibration apparatus coupled to the at least one clamp. The auxiliary vibration apparatus is configured to introduce sympathetic vibrations into the object in the paint submersion operation.

Abstract: A paint application system for an object in a paint submersion operation. The paint application system includes at least one clamp configured to be coupled to the object, and an auxiliary vibration apparatus coupled to the at least one clamp. The auxiliary vibration apparatus is configured to introduce sympathetic vibrations into the object in the paint submersion operation.

Abstract: A motion detector actuated camera for taking pictures of birds or other small thermally discernable objects utilizes a plurality of filters to detect the speed of certain bird movements within the field of view of the camera to actuate the camera when a bird is in the field of view and capture images while the bird moves about the field of view.

Abstract: A lockout valve operable to control fluid between two components is provided. The lockout valve includes a housing having a flow passage, an intake port, an outtake port, and an exhaust port selectively in communication with the flow passage. The lockout valve further includes a slide slidably mounted to the housing between an open position and a closed position. The slide includes a vent disposed and a through port extending through the slide. When the slide is in the open position, the through port is disposed between the intake port and the outtake port, providing a passage for fluid. When the slide is in the closed position, the vent is fittingly disposed between the intake port and the outtake port so as to prevent fluid from flowing downstream the lockout valve and to allow fluid pressure downstream the lockout valve to escape through the exhaust port.

Abstract: A motion detector actuated camera for taking pictures of birds or other small thermally discernable objects utilizes a plurality of filters to detect the speed of certain bird movements within the field of view of the camera to actuate the camera when a bird is in the field of view and capture images while the bird moves about the field of view.

Abstract: A system that enables enhanced air flow to the air intake of an internal combustion engine having a turbocharger is disclosed. The air induction system includes a plenum or expansion chamber located within the area directly in front of the inlet of the turbocharger. Alternatively, the air induction system may include a diffuser and/or an expansion chamber for reducing the velocity of the air flow within the clean air duct in an area directly in front of the inlet of the turbocharger.

Abstract: A lockout valve is provided having a valve body with an inlet conduit, a central chamber and an outlet conduit, to form a continuous passageway. The lockout valve also includes a slide mechanism slidingly disposed in valve slide channel to operatively control fluid flow through the passageway between an open position, an intermediate position and a closed position. The slide mechanism includes a plurality of flow apertures to restrict flow through the passageway. The front side of the slide mechanism includes a detent slot and the back side of the slide mechanism includes a longitudinally extending override slot having an upper portion positioned opposite the detent slot to form a continuous opening, and a lower portion that does not form a continuous opening. The valve further includes a detent mechanism for overriding the intermediate position of the slide mechanism including a detent override lever with a finger member extending from an edge of the detent override lever.

Abstract: A lockout valve is provided having a valve body with an inlet conduit, a central chamber and an outlet conduit, to form a continuous passageway. The lockout valve also includes a slide mechanism slidingly disposed in valve slide channel to operatively control fluid flow through the passageway between an open position, an intermediate position and a closed position. The slide mechanism includes a plurality of flow apertures to restrict flow through the passageway. The front side of the slide mechanism includes a detent slot and the back side of the slide mechanism includes a longitudinally extending override slot having an upper portion positioned opposite the detent slot to form a continuous opening, and a lower portion that does not form a continuous opening. The valve further includes a detent mechanism for overriding the intermediate position of the slide mechanism including a detent override lever with a finger member extending from an edge of the detent override lever.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a component for an internal combustion engine of an automobile having reduced NVH properties. The component has a shell formed with a plastic composite material. The shell defines an inlet port, an outlet port, an outer surface and an inner surface. The inner surface defines an inner cavity to allow air passage to the internal combustion engine. A damping layer is disposed on the outer surface such that damping layer substantially dampens the noise emitted from the component.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a component for an internal combustion engine of an automobile having reduced NVH properties. The component has a shell formed with a plastic composite material. The shell defines an inlet port, an outlet port, an outer surface and an inner surface. The inner surface defines an inner cavity to allow air passage to the internal combustion engine. A damping layer is disposed on the outer surface such that damping layer substantially dampens the noise emitted from the component.

Abstract: An arrangement for reducing noise produced by an engine idle air bypass valve and passage includes positioning an acoustic diverter at the end of the air bypass passage to force the noise away from exterior surfaces of a downstream chamber and toward the internal cavities of the engine such as a cylinder head. The diverter of the present invention reduces noise without causing restriction of air flow through the air bypass passage.

Abstract: An arrangement for reducing noise produced by an engine idle air bypass valve and passage includes positioning an acoustic diverter at the end of the air bypass passage to force the noise away from exterior surfaces of a downstream chamber and toward the internal cavities of the engine such as a cylinder head. The diverter of the present invention reduces noise without causing restriction of air flow through the air bypass passage.

Abstract: A pilot operated and pneumatically driven control valve assembly has a pair of pilot operated and pneumatically driven regulators to control the pressurization and venting of a pneumatic cylinder. The pilots of each regulator are alternately driven by a pair of normally open pilot operated valves each of which is in communication with a separate regulator to control the pressurization of that regulator. The pressure acting on the pilot of each regulator controls the flow of air through the regulator and the subsequent magnitude of the pressure within the pneumatic cylinder. Thus, varying the pressure in the pilot of the regulator varies the resulting pressure in the pneumatic cylinder in proportion to the pilot pressure. The pilot operated valves are alternately driven between open and closed positions to alternately drive the pilots of the regulators.

Abstract: A bonded multi-piece plastic automotive air intake assembly having first and second housing members that include a 3-dimensional mating surface. The first member has a continuous first perimeter edge and the second member has a continuous second perimeter edge. The first perimeter edge has a central tongue portion that extends outwardly from the first edge. The tongue portion has first and second wall surfaces. The second peripheral edge has a groove extending inwardly from the second peripheral edge and mates with the tongue portion. The tongue portion and groove form a U-shaped channel that receives an adhesive therebetween. The adhesive forms a continuous bead that seals the channel between the first and second housing members. A plurality of alignment spacers are positioned between the tongue portion and the groove to align the tongue portion centrally within the groove.

Abstract: A bonded multi-piece plastic automotive air intake assembly having first and second housing members that include a 3-dimensional mating surface. The first member has a continuous first perimeter edge and the second member has a continuous second perimeter edge. The first perimeter edge has a central tongue portion that extends outwardly from the first edge. The tongue portion has first and second wall surfaces. The second peripheral edge has a groove extending inwardly from the second peripheral edge and mates with the tongue portion. The tongue portion and groove form a U-shaped channel that receives an adhesive therebetween. The adhesive forms a continuous bead that seals the channel between the first and second housing members. A plurality of alignment spacers are positioned between the tongue portion and the groove to align the tongue portion centrally within the groove.