Abstract: The invention provides a method of manufacturing a component formed of an aluminum alloy for use in an automotive vehicle application, for example those requiring high strength, light-weight, and a complex three-dimensional shape. The method begins by providing a blank formed of an aluminum alloy which is already solution heat treated and tempered, and thus has a temper designation of about T4. The method further includes heating the blank to a temperature of 150° C. to 350° C., preferably 190° C. to 225° C. The method next includes quickly transferring the blank to a hot or warm forming apparatus, and stamping the blank to form the complex three-dimensional shape. Immediately after the forming step, the component has a temper designation of about T6, but preferably not greater than T6, and thus is ready for use in the automotive vehicle application without any post heat treatment or machining.

Abstract: A refrigerant leak detection and mitigation system/method for use in heating, ventilation, and air conditioning (HVAC) systems that incorporates a refrigerant gas sensor (RGS), sensor signal conditioner (SSC), alarm status indicator (ASI), and digital control processor (DCP) is disclosed. The RGS detects ambient refrigerant gas (ARG) and indicates this as a refrigerant sensor voltage (RSV) to the SSC. The DCP and SSC form a closed control loop (CCL) in which the SSC electrical characteristics are adjusted by the DCP such that the RSV is continuously and dynamically recalibrated to account for background refrigerant gas levels, changes in ambient air conditions, RGS manufacturing tolerances, and other field-specific operational conditions that impact the RGS detection capabilities. The DCP is configured to log alarms to the ASI if a RGS refrigerant leak is detected and optionally shutdown one or more HVAC system components such as a specific air handler leaking refrigerant.

Abstract: A burner assembly having a blower housing, a blower to supply air to the burner assembly, a blast tube having a longitudinal axis, a fuel source to supply fuel to the burner assembly, a center tube that is substantially parallel to the longitudinal axis and conveys air and fuel to a center tube burner end opening, a plurality of premix tubes, each of which is substantially parallel to the longitudinal axis and conveys air and fuel to a premix tube burner end opening, a diffuser that is disposed in the center tube near the center tube burner end opening, a nozzle that is disposed in the center tube substantially perpendicular to the diffuser. The center tube air and fuel mixture is fuel rich and the premix tubes air and fuel mixture is fuel lean. A method for burning the center tube air and fuel mixture and the premix tubes mixtures.

Abstract: A waterproof menstrual pad having an outer portion to contact a woman's underwear and an inner portion to contact a groin area of the woman, the waterproof menstrual pad including an absorbent portion disposed at a center portion of an inner surface of the inner portion to absorb blood, and an outer-edge waterproof lining disposed along an outer edge of the inner surface of the inner portion to prevent water from entering the inner surface.

Abstract: A return bend ringing apparatus includes a ring station configured to receive a pair of rings and a pair of pins configured to move between a retracted position and an extended position. Each pin includes a tapered end and a shoulder. The pins in the retracted position are configured not to engage the rings, and the pins in the extended position are configured to engage the rings with each pin extending through one of the rings. A gripper is configured to grip and move a return bend into an engagement position in which the return bend engages the shoulder of each pin.

Abstract: A system for reducing far-field noise produced by well operations includes a passive sound barrier shielding an area, in which the well operations are performed, in an open-air environment. The system further includes a sound sensor to receive near-field noise from the well operations. The system further includes an analysis module, coupled to the sound sensor, to generate an anti-noise signal. The system further includes active anti-noise generators, coupled to the analysis module, to generate anti-noise, based on the anti-noise signal, that destructively interferes with noise from the well operations outside of the passive sound barrier at a predetermined distance from the passive sound barrier. The analysis module generates the anti-noise signal based on the near-field noise, the predetermined distance, and adjustable positions and orientations of the active anti-noise generators.

Abstract: A method for reducing noise produced by well operations includes obtaining a list of equipment performing the well operations in an open-air environment. The method further includes obtaining a mapping between engine rotations-per-minute (“RPM”), load, and noise produced by a combination of the equipment. The method further includes selecting a set point comprising gear number and engine speed, respectively for each engine, that minimizes the noise produced for the combination of the equipment based on the mapping. The method further includes adjusting each engine driving the well operations to operate at the respective set point.

Abstract: A support member is for a door assembly of a mailbox. The mailbox includes an enclosure member and a panel member coupled to the enclosure member. The door assembly has a door member coupled to the panel member. The support member includes a body portion structured to be coupled to the door member; and a flange portion extending outwardly from the body portion.

Abstract: A die casting apparatus for manufacturing metal parts for automotive vehicle applications is provided. The die casting apparatus includes upper and lower dies presenting forming surfaces and a mold cavity therebetween. A replaceable insert and sub-inserts provide portions of the forming surfaces of the dies in areas most prone to wear and erosion. The replaceable inserts and sub-inserts can be removed and replaced during high volume production, without having to replace the entire die. A wear and/or heat resistant coating can be applied to the inserts and sub-inserts to further increase service life. A plurality of cooling channels can also be formed in the inserts and sub-inserts to improve cycle time and quality of the parts.

Abstract: A special fish tank system to commercially raise and to sell salt-water fish which uses tidal changes to replenish the seawater and remove stale water from the fish raising environment. This system also known as fish-farming or mariculture is for the raising of fish as a food product. It includes a water tight tank, a protective berm to keep out unwanted high waters and storms, a cover, a truck approach, an influent pipe that runs from the bottom of the ocean to the tank an elevation drop wherein the high tide permits and replenishes new seawater to the tank through tidal shifts and an effluent pipe with a cage to contain the fish. Optional water filtering devices including a bacteria remover, an electro coagulation machine, and a Seawater Reverse Osmosis Systems (SWRO) are anticipated.

Abstract: A low pressure aluminum casting apparatus includes a pair of steel dies each presenting a molding surface and a heat transfer surface. Copper heat sink blocks are disposed on the heat transfer surfaces to remove heat from the steel dies. Steel contact plates and steel spacer plates can be disposed between the heat sink blocks and the steel dies to optimize cooling. In addition, a portion of each contact plate can be spaced from the steel die to reduce cooling. The steel dies include conventional cooling passages for conveying cooling fluid, and the heat sink blocks, contact plates, and spacer plates also include cooling channels for conveying cooling fluid.

Abstract: A low pressure aluminum casting apparatus includes a pair of steel dies each presenting a molding surface and a heat transfer surface. Copper heat sink blocks are disposed on the heat transfer surfaces to remove heat from the steel dies. Steel contact plates and steel spacer plates can be disposed between the heat sink blocks and the steel dies to optimize cooling. In addition, a portion of each contact plate can be spaced from the steel die to reduce cooling. The steel dies include conventional cooling passages for conveying cooling fluid, and the heat sink blocks, contact plates, and spacer plates also include cooling channels for conveying cooling fluid.

Abstract: A return bend ringing apparatus includes a ring station configured to receive a pair of rings and a pair of pins configured to move between a retracted position and an extended position. Each pin includes a tapered end and a shoulder. The pins in the retracted position are configured not to engage the rings, and the pins in the extended position are configured to engage the rings with each pin extending through one of the rings. A gripper is configured to grip and move a return bend into an engagement position in which the return bend engages the shoulder of each pin.

Abstract: A lightning protection and safety rail system comprising a number of bases, vertical posts, horizontal rails, caps, mounting brackets, and lightning cables. The bases anchor the system to an elevated surface. The vertical posts extend upward from the bases. The horizontal rails extend between the vertical rails. The caps are positioned at tops of the vertical posts. The lightning cables are connected to the caps via the mounting brackets and are configured to be connected to an electrical ground. Lightning current travels from the caps, through the lightning cables, and to the electrical ground. Lightning current may also pass through the horizontal rails to a lightning cable attached to another cap.

Abstract: A low pressure aluminum casting apparatus includes a pair of steel dies each presenting a molding surface and a heat transfer surface. Copper heat sink blocks are disposed on the heat transfer surfaces to remove heat from the steel dies. Steel contact plates and steel spacer plates can be disposed between the heat sink blocks and the steel dies to optimize cooling. In addition, a portion of each contact plate can be spaced from the steel die to reduce cooling. The steel dies include conventional cooling passages for conveying cooling fluid, and the heat sink blocks, contact plates, and spacer plates also include cooling channels for conveying cooling fluid.

Abstract: The invention relates generally to structural steel components for automotive vehicles, and methods for manufacturing the structural components. The method includes heating a workpiece to at least 900° C. to form austenite in the steel material, hot forming the workpiece, and quenching the formed workpiece to transform the austenite to martensite. The method next includes tempering at least one portion of the quenched workpiece, wherein the tempering step includes simultaneously applying thermal energy and a magnetic field to the workpiece. During the tempering step, the martensite of the steel material transforms to a mixture of ferrite and cementite precipitates. The portions of the steel material subject to the thermomagnetic tempering are also typically free of pearlite and spheroid particles. The remainder of the workpiece is protected during the tempering step to maintain a hard zone including the martensite.

Abstract: A simple, reusable, adjustable nasal dilator is disclosed for improved breathing by the user. The dilator includes first and second elastic bands to which nose clips are attached. The nose clips are used for engaging with the side walls of the user's nostrils, and optionally have nose pads for increased comfort level during use. The two bands of the dilator work together to pull the user's nostrils open, thereby providing force and tension to dilate the nasal passages of the user. The nasal dilator can be worn during sleep periods to improve breathing and sleeping, as well as other times the user wishes to improve air flow through the nasal passages.

Abstract: A low pressure aluminum casting apparatus includes a pair of steel dies each presenting a molding surface and a heat transfer surface. Copper heat sink blocks are disposed on the heat transfer surfaces to remove heat from the steel dies. Steel contact plates and steel spacer plates can be disposed between the heat sink blocks and the steel dies to optimize cooling. In addition, a portion of each contact plate can be spaced from the steel die to reduce cooling. The steel dies include conventional cooling passages for conveying cooling fluid, and the heat sink blocks, contact plates, and spacer plates also include cooling channels for conveying cooling fluid.

Abstract: A support member is for a door assembly of a mailbox. The mailbox includes an enclosure member and a panel member coupled to the enclosure member. The door assembly has a door member coupled to the panel member. The support member includes a body portion structured to be coupled to the door member; and a flange portion extending outwardly from the body portion.

Abstract: A system-on-chip (SoC) includes multiple hardware modules that are implemented on a substrate. The hardware modules include a plurality of hardware and software security features and the SoC provides one or more external interfaces for accessing the security features. A validation module, implemented in the boot code of the SoC for example, manages security certificates to control access to the plurality of security features. Each security certificate includes one or more unique identifiers corresponding to one or more hardware modules in the SoC and access control settings for one or more security features of the one or more hardware modules. The security certificate additionally includes a certificate signature signed by a secure key.