Abstract: A propeller assembly is provided for mounting on a rotatable propeller shaft having a terminal end. The propeller assembly includes a housing structure extending along a longitudinal axis and having first and second ends. The housing structure includes an inner surface defining a cavity and an opening in the second end in communication with the cavity. A bushing assembly has first and second ends and includes an outer surface engageablc with the inner surface of the housing structure. An adaptor has first and second sides and is adapted for receipt on the propeller shaft. The adaptor has an enlarged portion having a diameter greater than a diameter of the opening in the second end of the housing structure. A nut is receivable on the terminal end of the propeller shaft. The nut is threadable on the propeller shaft to a tightened configuration wherein the nut engages the adaptor and maintains the propeller assembly on the propeller shaft.

Abstract: A propeller assembly is provided for mounting on a rotatable propeller shaft of a watercraft. The propeller assembly includes a hub structure having a plurality of circumferentially spaced blades projecting therefrom and an inner surface defining a passage. An adaptor is receivable in the passage of the hub structure. The adaptor a plurality of key pairs extending along the outer surface thereof the adaptor which define slots for receiving inserts therein. An inner portion of the first side of each insert forms mating relationship with first portion of the first sidewall of a first key of a corresponding key pair and an inner portion of the second side of the insert forms a mating relationship with the first portion of the second sidewall of a second key of the corresponding key pair with the insert received in the corresponding slot.

Abstract: A propeller assembly is provided for mounting on a rotatable propeller shaft of a watercraft. The propeller assembly includes a hub structure having a plurality of circumferentially spaced blades projecting therefrom and an inner surface defining a passage. An adaptor is receivable in the passage of the hub structure. The adaptor a plurality of key pairs extending along the outer surface thereof the adaptor which define slots for receiving inserts therein. An inner portion of the first side of each insert forms mating relationship with first portion of the first sidewall of a first key of a corresponding key pair and an inner portion of the second side of the insert forms a mating relationship with the first portion of the second sidewall of a second key of the corresponding key pair with the insert received in the corresponding slot.

Abstract: Methods of fractionating lignocellulosic biomass using hydrotropic solid organic acids are provided. Also provided are methods of forming lignin particles, furans, sugars, and/or lignocellulosic micro- and nanofibrils from the liquid and solid fractions produced by fractionation process. The fractionation can be carried out at low temperatures with short reaction times.

Abstract: Methods of fractionating lignocellulosic biomass using hydrotropic solid organic acids are provided. Also provided are methods of forming lignin particles, furans, sugars, and/or lignocellulosic micro- and nanofibrils from the liquid and solid fractions produced by fractionation process. The fractionation can be carried out at low temperatures with short reaction times.

Abstract: Methods of fractionating lignocellulosic biomass using hydrotropic sulfonic acids are provided. Also provided are methods of forming lignin particles, furans, sugars, and/or lignocellulosic micro- and nanofibrils from the liquid and solid fractions produced by fractionation process. The fractionation can be carried out at low temperatures with short reaction times.

Abstract: Methods for integrating the production of carboxylated CNCs and carboxylated CNFs from cellulose are provided. Carboxylated CNCs, carboxylated cellulosic solid residues (CSRs) in the form of cellulose fibers (CF) and/or cellulose microfibrils (CMFs), and carboxylated CNFs fabricated using the methods are also provided. The methods are based on the acid hydrolysis of a cellulosic material using weak solid organic acids to produce carboxylated CNCs and CNFs with thermal stabilities that are higher than the thermal stabilities of the cellulosic materials from which they are derived.

Abstract: Methods for integrating the production of carboxylated CNCs and carboxylated CNFs from cellulose are provided. Carboxylated CNCs, carboxylated cellulosic solid residues (CSRs) in the form of cellulose fibers (CF) and/or cellulose microfibrils (CMFs), and carboxylated CNFs fabricated using the methods are also provided. The methods are based on the acid hydrolysis of a cellulosic material using weak solid organic acids to produce carboxylated CNCs and CNFs with thermal stabilities that are higher than the thermal stabilities of the cellulosic materials from which they are derived.

Abstract: A method of forming a board suitable for use as container flooring uses bamboo and fast-growth low-density wood. The method includes the step of overlaying thin layers of high-density bamboo composites on surfaces of a core layer which can be the composite of wood veneer and wood strand-based composite, or wood veneer and bamboo stripe sheet composite. The benefits of bamboo and wood materials are combined to produce a bamboo-wood composite board having sufficient mechanical and physical strength and durability for use as container flooring.

Abstract: A board suitable for use as container flooring uses bamboo and fast-growth low-density wood. Thin layers of high-density bamboo composites are used to overlay on surfaces of a core layer which can be the composite of wood veneer and wood strand-based composite, or wood veneer and bamboo stripe sheet composite. This invention combines the benefits of bamboo and wood materials to produce a bamboo-wood composite board having sufficient mechanical and physical strength and durability for use as container flooring.

Abstract: A propeller assembly is provided for mounting on a propeller shaft of a watercraft. The propeller assembly includes a housing structure having a plurality of blades projecting radially therefrom. A bushing assembly translates rotational movement of the propeller shaft to the housing structure. The bushing assembly includes a spindle having an inner surface that meshes with the outer surface of a propeller shaft and a resilient bushing molded over the spindle. A plurality of spaced, longitudinally extending keys extend along the outer surface of the spindle. In the event that the propeller blades become fixed during operation of the watercraft, the keys fragment from the outer surface of spindle so as to disengage the spindle from the housing structure. In such manner, damage to the engine and to the drive system of the marine vehicle may be avoided.

Abstract: A propeller assembly is provided for mounting on a rotatable propeller shaft of a watercraft. The propeller assembly includes a housing structure extending along a longitudinal axis. The housing structure includes an outer surface and an inner surface defining a cavity having a polygonal-shaped cross-section defined by at least one corner and at least one sidewall. A bushing assembly is receivable in the cavity of the housing structure. The bushing assembly includes a spindle having an inner surface defining a passageway for receiving the propeller shaft therethrough and an outer surface having a plurality of circumferentially spaced fin pairs extending therealong. Each fin pair includes a first fin extending from the outer surface of the spindle and a second fin extending from the outer surface of the spindle at a predetermined angle to the first fin. The bushing assembly also includes a bushing positioned between the spindle and the inner surface of the housing structure.

Abstract: A low density oriented strand board has an average density of less than about 1.5 times the density of wood species used in the board and a homogenous vertical density profile. Low density OSB may be formed by preheating the wood finish prior to pressing, controlling the moisture content such that the core layer has a higher moisture content than the face layers, or a combination of pre-heating and moisture content control.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a composite container floorboard having a structural strand-based board as the core material and its fabrication method thereof.

Abstract: A propeller assembly is provided for mounting on a rotatable propeller shaft of a watercraft. The propeller assembly includes a housing structure extending along a longitudinal axis. The housing structure includes an outer surface and an inner surface defining a cavity having a polygonal-shaped cross-section defined by at least one corner and at least one sidewall. A bushing assembly is receivable in the cavity of the housing structure. The bushing assembly includes a spindle having an inner surface defining a passageway for receiving the propeller shaft therethrough and an outer surface having a plurality of circumferentially spaced fin pairs extending therealong. Each fin pair includes a first fin extending from the outer surface of the spindle and a second fin extending from the outer surface of the spindle at a predetermined angle to the first fin. The bushing assembly also includes a bushing positioned between the spindle and the inner surface of the housing structure.

Abstract: A propeller assembly is provided for mounting on a propeller shaft of a watercraft. The propeller assembly includes a housing structure having a plurality of blades projecting radially therefrom. A bushing assembly translates rotatational movement of the propeller shaft to the housing structure. The bushing assembly includes a spindle having an inner surface that meshes with the outer surface of a propeller shaft and a resilient bushing molded over the spindle. A plurality of spaced, longitudinally extending keys extend along the outer surface of the spindle. In the event that the propeller blades become fixed during operation of the watercraft, the keys fragment from the outer surface of spindle so as to disengage the spindle from the housing structure. In such manner, damage to the engine and to the drive system of the marine vehicle may be avoided.

Abstract: A low density oriented strand board has an average density of less than about 1.5 times the density of wood species used in the board and a homogenous vertical density profile. Low density OSB may be formed by preheating the wood finish prior to pressing, controlling the moisture content such that the core layer has a higher moisture content than the face layers, or a combination of pre-heating and moisture content control.

Abstract: A low density oriented strand board has an average density of less than about 1.5 times the density of wood species used in the board and a homogenous vertical density profile. Low density OSB may be formed by preheating the wood finish prior to pressing, controlling the moisture content such that the core layer has a higher moisture content than the face layers, or a combination of pre-heating and moisture content control.

Abstract: A board suitable for use as container flooring uses bamboo and fast-growth low-density wood. Thin layers of high-density bamboo composites are used to overlay on surfaces of a core layer which can be the composite of wood veneer and wood strand-based composite, or wood veneer and bamboo stripe sheet composite. This invention combines the benefits of bamboo and wood materials to produce a bamboo-wood composite board having sufficient mechanical and physical strength and durability for use as container flooring.

Abstract: A low density oriented strand board has an average density of less than about 1.5 times the density of wood species used in the board and a homogenous vertical density profile. Low density OSB may be formed by preheating the wood finish prior to pressing, controlling the moisture content such that the core layer has a higher moisture content than the face layers, or a combination of pre-heating and moisture content control.