Abstract: A powder actuated fastening tool including a charge advance apparatus for advancing a powder charge strip relative to a barrel of the tool, wherein the charge advance apparatus includes a rotatable ratchet having teeth for engaging receptacles formed in the powder charge strip, and a charge advance member coupled to a trigger of the tool, wherein the charge advance member acts on the rotatable ratchet to rotate the ratchet in response to actuation and/or release of the trigger, such that the rotation of the ratchet causes advance of the powder charge strip relative to the barrel.

Abstract: A powder actuated fastening tool including a charge advance apparatus for advancing a powder charge strip relative to a barrel of the tool, wherein the charge advance apparatus includes a rotatable ratchet having teeth for engaging receptacles formed in the powder charge strip, and a charge advance member coupled to a trigger of the tool, wherein the charge advance member acts on the rotatable ratchet to rotate the ratchet in response to actuation and/or release of the trigger, such that the rotation of the ratchet causes advance of the powder charge strip relative to the barrel.

Abstract: A powder actuated fastening tool including a charge advance apparatus for advancing a powder charge strip relative to a barrel of the tool, wherein the charge advance apparatus includes a rotatable ratchet having teeth for engaging receptacles formed in the powder charge strip, and a charge advance member coupled to a trigger of the tool, wherein the charge advance member acts on the rotatable ratchet to rotate the ratchet in response to actuation and/or release of the trigger, such that the rotation of the ratchet causes advance of the powder charge strip relative to the barrel.

Abstract: A powder actuated fastening tool including a charge advance apparatus for advancing a powder charge strip relative to a barrel of the tool, wherein the charge advance apparatus includes a rotatable ratchet having teeth for engaging receptacles formed in the powder charge strip, and a charge advance member coupled to a trigger of the tool, wherein the charge advance member acts on the rotatable ratchet to rotate the ratchet in response to actuation and/or release of the trigger, such that the rotation of the ratchet causes advance of the powder charge strip relative to the barrel.

Abstract: A home and vehicle energy system having an electricity generator that generates electricity from a combustible fuel, a detachable electricity supply conduit for the transfer of electrical energy between the home and the vehicle in at least one direction, a detachable heat supply conduit for the transfer of heat between the electricity generator and the home, a vehicle electricity store that allows the vehicle to sustain motion via its electric drive motors when detached from the home; and a controller that regulates the generation of electricity by the electricity generator and the flows of heat and electricity.

Abstract: A powder actuated fastening tool including a charge advance apparatus for advancing a powder charge strip relative to a barrel of the tool, wherein the charge advance apparatus includes a rotatable ratchet having teeth for engaging receptacles formed in the powder charge strip, and a charge advance member coupled to a trigger of the tool, wherein the charge advance member acts on the rotatable ratchet to rotate the ratchet in response to actuation and/or release of the trigger, such that the rotation of the ratchet causes advance of the powder charge strip relative to the barrel.

Abstract: A reinforcement module can include a first endplate having notches, a second endplate having notches, a spacing member in contact with the first endplate and the second endplate, and wires looped around at least one of the notches of the first endplate and around at least one of the notches of the second endplate.

Abstract: A home and vehicle energy system having an electricity generator that generates electricity from a combustible fuel, a detachable electricity supply conduit for the transfer of electrical energy between the home and the vehicle in at least one direction, a detachable heat supply conduit for the transfer of heat between the electricity generator and the home, a vehicle electricity store that allows the vehicle to sustain motion via its electric drive motors when detached from the home; and a controller that regulates the generation of electricity by the electricity generator and the flows of heat and electricity.

Abstract: An expander for a heat engine, the expander being capable of converting a high pressure gaseous working fluid to useful work, the expander including: •high pressure working fluid supply means; •at least one reciprocating piston reciprocating in a cylinder between top-dead-centre (TDC) and bottom-dead-centre (BDC) with a long dwell time at TDC; •a working fluid inlet valve that opens and closes to introduce, while open, high pressure working fluid from the working fluid supply means into an expansion chamber in the cylinder at or near TDC; •power transfer means that transfers work done on a piston by the working fluid to a form of useful work output; and •an exhaust valve to release expanded working fluid from the expansion chamber to a volume of low pressure working fluid; wherein piston travel is small during transition of the inlet valve from open to closed and from closed to open.

Abstract: A reinforcement module can include a first endplate having notches, a second endplate having notches, a spacing member in contact with the first endplate and the second endplate, and wires looped around at least one of the notches of the first endplate and around at least one of the notches of the second endplate.

Abstract: A heat engine includes a boiler, an injector for injecting working fluid into the boiler, a retainer for releasing the hydraulic fluid for movement away from a start position once working fluid vapour pressure in the boiler reaches a predetermined level, a returner for returning the hydraulic fluid to its start position following expansion of working fluid vapour in the boiler, resulting in reciprocating hydraulic fluid motion, and an exhaust valve to release expanded working fluid vapour from the boiler. The vapour pressure increase in the boiler causes a change of state from liquid to gas of a least a portion of the injected working fluid, followed by a substantially constant pressure heating of the working fluid, giving rise to a change of state from liquid to gas of substantially all of the remaining injected working fluid.

Abstract: A self-aligning coupling device for installation in a channel having an open end and a pair of substantially parallel side walls. The device includes an elongate connecting portion having a longitudinal axis, a channel abutment portion, and at least one laterally projecting lug. In use, the coupling device is installed in the channel with the channel abutment portion located at least partially within the channel and the laterally projecting lug located outside the open end of the channel. The channel abutment portion is formed such that when aligned in a first angular position within the channel it abuts the side walls of the channel to prevent rotation of the device in a first rotational direction about said longitudinal axis, while allowing rotation in a second, opposed rotational direction. The lug is formed such that in said first angular position it extends beyond at least one of the side walls of the channel.

Abstract: A self-aligning coupling device for installation in a channel having an open end and a pair of substantially parallel side walls. The device includes an elongate connecting portion having a longitudinal axis, a channel abutment portion, and at least one laterally projecting lug. In use, the coupling device is installed in the channel with the channel abutment portion located at least partially within the channel and the laterally projecting lug located outside the open end of the channel. The channel abutment portion is formed such that when aligned in a first angular position within the channel it abuts the side walls of the channel to prevent rotation of the device in a first rotational direction about said longitudinal axis, while allowing rotation in a second, opposed rotational direction. The lug is formed such that in said first angular position it extends beyond at least one of the side walls of the channel.

Abstract: The invention relates to a reciprocating engine and a working fluid inlet system therefore. The engine includes at least one cylinder with a reciprocating piston therein and a variable volume expansion chamber capable of receiving a working fluid via an inlet valve. The inlet system includes a pilot valve having an open condition and a closed condition. In the open condition, the secondary fluid passes therethrough to act on the inlet valve. The system also includes an actuating means for controlling the condition of the pilot valve. The inlet valve is adapted to open in response to the action of the secondary fluid. The engine may also include exhaust means, possibly by porting in the piston and a cylinder wall. The working fluid may be used as the secondary fluid.

Abstract: The present application includes a vehicle mirror which includes an approach light in the attachment assembly. The approach light is a single light source positionable in relation to predetermined inputs for directing light to various areas, depending on the inputs. Additionally, an intercom system is provided for communication between the interior of the vehicle and exterior of the vehicle, by way of the vehicle mirror. Also, a remote sensor is utilized to set predetermined memory positions of interior vehicle components such as seats, steering columns and brake pedals. This allows customization of the interior components upon an individual's approach to the vehicle.

Abstract: An adjustable clamp assembly (600) includes an elongated connection member (640) and a gear assembly (650). The gear assembly includes a rotatable first gear member having an axis of rotation substantially perpendicular to a longitudinal axis of the connection member (640). The gear assembly also includes a second gear member cooperatively engaged with the first gear member. The clamp assembly further includes a first clamp member (630). The elongated connection member (640), the gear assembly (650) and the first clamp member (630) are arranged such that rotation of the first gear member results in a linear motion of the first clamp member (630) parallel to the longitudinal axis of the connection member (640).

Abstract: An adjustable clamp assembly (600) includes an elongated connection member (640) and a gear assembly (650). The gear assembly includes a rotatable first gear member having an axis of rotation substantially perpendicular to a longitudinal axis of the connection member (640). The gear assembly also includes a second gear member cooperatively engaged with the first gear member. The clamp assembly further includes a first clamp member (630). The elongated connection member (640), the gear assembly (650) and the first clamp member (630) are arranged such that rotation of the first gear member results in a linear motion of the first clamp member (630) parallel to the longitudinal axis of the connection member (640).

Abstract: A mirror parking mechanism for a vehicle exterior rear view mirror that rotates a mirror head to a parked position. It comprises a mirror mounting bracket (14), a mirror head (11) that is pivotally connected to the mirror mounting bracket (14) so that the mirror head (11) can rotate from a deployed position where the outermost portion of the mirror head (11) is positioned closer to the vehicle. A detent (22, 23) acts between the mirror mounting bracket (14) and the mirror head (11) that changes from a locked position where the mirror head (11) is held with respect to the mirror mounting bracket (14) to a disengaged position where the mirror head (11) is able to rotate with respect to the mirror mounting bracket (14). A spring (25) acts against the detent (22, 23) to hold it in a locket position a gear wheel (35) is secured with respect to the mirror head (11), and a worm drive (30) having a shaft (29) is journaled in bearings in the mirror mounting bracket (14).

Abstract: The present application includes a vehicle mirror which includes an approach light in the attachment assembly. The approach light is a single light source positionable in relation to predetermined inputs for directing light to various areas, depending on the inputs. Additionally, an intercom system is provided for communication between the interior of the vehicle and exterior of the vehicle, by way of the vehicle mirror. Also, a remote sensor is utilized to set predetermined memory positions of interior vehicle components such as seats, steering columns and brake pedals. This allows customization of the interior components upon an individual's approach to the vehicle.

Abstract: The invention relates to a reciprocating engine and a working fluid inlet system therefore. The engine includes at least one cylinder with a reciprocating piston therein and a variable volume expansion chamber capable of receiving a working fluid via an inlet valve. The inlet system includes a pilot valve having an open condition and a closed condition. In the open condition, the secondary fluid passes therethrough to act on the inlet valve. The system also includes an actuating means for controlling the condition of the pilot valve. The inlet valve is adapted to open in response to the action of the secondary fluid. The engine may also include exhaust means, possibly by porting in the piston and a cylinder wall. The working fluid may be used as the secondary fluid.