Abstract: A bearing cage assembly is disclosed that includes two sub-assemblies. Both cage sub-assemblies include a shell half formed from plastic, and defining a plurality of rolling element pockets and openings. Each sub-assembly also includes a frame half formed from metal, and including a rim and a plurality of crossbars. The shell halves are overmolded with the frame halves. The first cage sub-assembly and the second cage sub-assembly are connected to each other via insertion of the crossbars into the openings of the other sub-assembly, such that free ends of the crossbars engage the other rim.

Abstract: A bearing cage assembly including two different cage halves formed from different materials is disclosed. The first cage half includes a first rim and a first plurality of arms extending from the first rim. The second cage half includes a second rim and a second plurality of arms extending from the second rim. The first cage half and the second cage half are fastened to each other via engagement between a plurality of first retainers of the first cage half with the plurality of second retainers of the second cage half.

Abstract: A hybrid bearing cage, suitable for high-speed applications, includes a plastic ring and a metal stiffener. Rollers, such as balls, are retained in roller retainers in the plastic ring. The roller retainers are joined by links. The metal stiffener has an annular portion and a plurality of radial extensions that extend over the links, reducing deflection and stress concentrations in the plastic ring due to centrifugal forces.

Abstract: A cage and ball sub-assembly, including: an axis of rotation; a cylindrical plastic cage including a circumferentially disposed cage surface, a plurality of indentations extending from the circumferentially disposed cage surface into the cylindrical plastic cage in a first radial direction, and a plurality of pockets, each pocket circumferentially disposed between a respective pair of indentations included in the plurality of indentations; a metal insert including a plurality of support tabs, each support tab embedded in the cylindrical plastic cage, and including a circumferentially disposed portion and a flange extending from the circumferentially disposed portion in a second radial direction; and a plurality of balls disposed within the plurality of pockets. A circular arc, centered on the axis of rotation and orthogonal to the axis of rotation, passes through in sequence: a ball; the cylindrical plastic cage; the first flange of a support tab; and the cylindrical plastic cage.

Abstract: A tiered bearing assembly including first and second pluralities of tapered rolling elements and a common center ring arranged between the first and second pluralities of tapered rolling elements with a Z-shaped profile in cross-section is provided. A taper direction of the first plurality of tapered rolling elements is opposite to a taper direction of the second plurality of tapered rolling elements.

Abstract: A cage for a rolling bearing assembly with optimized contact surfaces to reduce friction between the cage and the adjacent contact surfaces is disclosed. The rolling bearing assembly includes a radially inner bearing ring including a radially inner race defined on a radially inner rolling element facing surface, a radially outer bearing ring including a radially outer race defined on a radially outer rolling element facing surface, and a plurality of rolling elements supported to roll between the radially inner race and the radially outer race. The cage includes a first rim including a first rolling element guide surface facing a plurality of rolling elements. A first outer surface facing away from the first rolling element guide surface includes a first outward projection. In another embodiment two bearing assemblies are provided, and each of the bearing assemblies includes a cage with optimized contact surfaces.

Abstract: An improved cage element for a cage arrangement in a rolling bearing assembly including rolling elements is provided. The cage element includes a cylindrical middle portion, a first end portion including a first concave outer surface shaped to support a rolling element, and a second end portion including a second concave outer surface shaped to support the rolling element. The first and second end portions are arranged on opposite ends of the cylindrical middle portion, and the first and second concave outer surfaces have identical curvatures.

Abstract: An improved cage element for a cage arrangement in a rolling bearing assembly including rolling elements is provided. The cage element includes a cylindrical middle portion, a first end portion including a first concave outer surface shaped to support a rolling element, and a second end portion including a second concave outer surface shaped to support the rolling element. The first and second end portions are arranged on opposite ends of the cylindrical middle portion, and the first and second concave outer surfaces have identical curvatures.

Abstract: A rolling bearing assembly is provided that includes an inner bearing ring adapted to receive a radially outer surface of a shaft and an outer bearing ring adapted to be supported on a radially inner surface of a housing. A plurality of rolling elements are supported between the inner ring and the outer ring. The inner ring defines an inner race on which the plurality of rolling elements run, and the outer ring defines an outer race on which the plurality of rolling elements run. A recess is formed on at least one of a radially inner surface of the inner bearing ring or a radially outer surface of the outer bearing ring. A spring is arranged at least partially in the recess and biases at least one of the inner bearing ring or the outer bearing ring against a respective one of the shaft or the housing.

Abstract: A system and method is provided for monitoring, tracking and/or coordinating the movement of items and/or equipment aboard a vessel. More particularly, a system and method is provided for controlling material flow, planning, reporting, scheduling, and inventory tracking of items throughout a vessel. The system comprises a computer infrastructure configured to receive item identification from remote sources and provide transporting instructions based on the item identification and predetermined criteria to operators for movement of cargo within a vessel. The system also includes at least one external device configured to at least receive the transporting instructions from the computer infrastructure.

Abstract: A tandem roller bearing having circumferential inner and outer races each having first and second contact surfaces with convex profiles is provided. Rolling elements are arranged between the inner and outer races, each of the rolling elements having a concave profile corresponding to the convex profiles of a respective pairing of the first contact surfaces of the inner and outer races or of the second contact surfaces of the inner and outer races. A cage is arranged between the inner and outer races that separates and is guided by the rolling elements. The rolling elements include first and second sets of rolling elements having first and second axes of rotation that are arranged between the first and second contact surfaces of the inner and outer races, respectively. The first and second axes of rotation are inclined in a same direction with respect to a central axis of the inner race.

Abstract: The present invention provides a method of operating a flushing system for efficient waste removal from and cleaning of a toilet bowl. In the disclosed method, a flushing system is provided that includes a pumping means having each of a rim diverter means and a jet diverter means in fluid communication therewith; a sensor means; a control means; a switching means; and a spray means. Activation of the switching means initiates at least a single flush schedule that comprises the steps of initiating operation of the pumping means; opening the jet diverter means for delivery of water to a jet delivery means in fluid communication therewith; subsequently closing the jet diverter means and simultaneously opening the rim diverter means; and directing water from the rim diverter means to a toilet rim in fluid communication therewith for terminal delivery of the water through the spray means.

Abstract: Methods and systems for interconnecting sub-systems and for identifying combinations of multiple technologies.

Abstract: A communication system includes a data concentrator computer, a gateway device for communicating with the data concentrator computer, a first mobile data acquisition device communicating with the gateway device, and a second mobile data acquisition device communicating with the gateway device. The gateway device allows direct communication between the first and second mobile data acquisition devices without communication with the data concentrator computer.

Abstract: Portable transaction terminal includes a processor, an imager configured to produce a digital image of a payment card using a source of continuous light, the imager being operably linked to the processor, and an image recognition module that performs image recognition and that is configured to produce or extract data for a transaction, from the digital image of the payment card, using the processor. The portable transaction terminal is configured to enter the data for the transaction that is produced or extracted, and wherein the data for the transaction is communicated and processed.

Abstract: The invention provides a monitoring and control system comprising a control unit (50) for receiving signals from a variety of detection devices (10, 21, 502) monitoring events pertaining to security. The control unit (50) transmits information related to the reception of such signals to a remote monitoring station (100) that stores and operates automatic evaluation routines to send an alert call to a chosen remote user terminal. The remote user terminal may conveniently be a PC, a PDA, a mobile phone or WAP enabled mobile phone, or a fixed line telephone. In some embodiments of the invention it may be possible to provide the monitoring station (100) with transmitted information including verification of the event. The nature of the event and verification may be determined by the control unit (50) or by the monitoring station (100).

Abstract: The present invention provides a method of operating a flushing system for efficient waste removal from and cleaning of a toilet bowl. In the disclosed method, a flushing system is provided that includes a pumping means having each of a rim diverter means and a jet diverter means in fluid communication therewith; a sensor means; a control means; a switching means; and a spray means. Activation of the switching means initiates at least a single flush schedule that comprises the steps of initiating operation of the pumping means; opening the jet diverter means for delivery of water to a jet delivery means in fluid communication therewith; subsequently closing the jet diverter means and simultaneously opening the rim diverter means; and directing water from the rim diverter means to a toilet rim in fluid communication therewith for terminal delivery of the water through the spray means.

Abstract: Disclosed is a dynamically configurable threat scanning machine management system that utilizes a network to connect threat scanning machines with a central control computer. The central control computer can transmit, among other things, operational software and threat profiles to the threat scanning machines, while the threat scanning machines can transmit, among other things, images and performance data to the central computer. The threat scanning machine management system can be arranged in a hierarchical manner, which enables threat scanning machines at various locations to be connected into regional, national or international control centers for greater management efficiency. The network may be wireless and the control computer may be portable, enabling a supervisor to remotely manage the threat scanning machines while remaining mobile about the facility, or elsewhere.

Abstract: Methods and systems for interconnecting sub-systems and for identifying combinations of multiple technologies.

Abstract: A system and method for detecting contaminants in or on objects, having a movably mounted container for holding objects and having a plurality of perforations and an entrance opening through which objects may be placed into the container. A housing encloses the container and forms a barrier to ambient air. There is a sealable opening for inserting and removing objects from the container. A drive assembly moves the container within the housing to move objects therein for emitting particles which are in or on such object. There is an air stream for moving air through the housing and container to entrain any emitted particles into the air stream and a sensor for sensing contaminants in the air stream and providing a signal when a contaminant is sensed. The container can be a rotatable cage or a vibrating box. In the method, there is a chamber provided which may be sealed with respect to ambient air to create an enclosed atmosphere.