Abstract: The present disclosure provides apparatus and method for supplying uninterrupted flow of solid-ink pellets to an image-forming device. The apparatus includes a container for retaining solid-ink pellets, and a selectably-inflatable bladder disposed within the container. Further, the apparatus includes a tube communicating the bladder with a pressure supply.

Abstract: A hanger assembly for a wire shelf includes at least one bracket configured to releasably couple to wire members of the wire shelf. The bracket includes a hook-shaped end portion that defines a channel for receiving a first one of the wire members and an elbow portion that defines a bend for receiving a second one of the wire members to thereby releasably couple the bracket to the wire shelf. The bracket may further include a second end portion opposite the hook-shaped end portion and a U-shaped portion defined between the elbow portion and the second end portion such that the second end portion extends generally back towards the elbow portion and the hook-shaped portion. A rod may be coupled to the bracket. Also disclosed are saddles for coupling to the brackets and receiving a rod, and a rod joiner for coupling between rods.

Abstract: A shelving unit includes a wire shelf having multiple wire members arranged to form a platform, at least one bracket configured to releasably couple to wire members of the wire shelf, and a rod coupled to the bracket. The bracket includes a hook-shaped end portion and an elbow portion. The hook-shaped end portion of the bracket defines a channel that opens toward the elbow portion for receiving a first one of the wire members, and the elbow portion of the bracket defines a bend for receiving a second one of the wire members to thereby releasably couple (e.g., snap fit, etc.) the bracket to the wire shelf. The shelving unit may also include a stop for inhibiting movement of hangers along the rod and past the stop, and/or a connector for coupling the shelving unit to a rod of another shelving unit for allowing movement of hangers between the rods.

Abstract: A shelving unit includes a wire shelf having multiple wire members arranged to form a platform, at least one bracket configured to releasably couple to wire members of the wire shelf, and a rod coupled to the bracket. The bracket includes a hook-shaped end portion and an elbow portion. The hook-shaped end portion of the bracket defines a channel that opens toward the elbow portion for receiving a first one of the wire members, and the elbow portion of the bracket defines a bend for receiving a second one of the wire members to thereby releasably couple (e.g., snap fit, etc.) the bracket to the wire shelf. The shelving unit may also include a stop for inhibiting movement of hangers along the rod and past the stop, and/or a connector for coupling the shelving unit to a rod of another shelving unit for allowing movement of hangers between the rods.

Abstract: The present disclosure provides apparatus and method for supplying uninterrupted flow of solid-ink pellets to an image-forming device. The apparatus includes a container for retaining solid-ink pellets, and a selectably-inflatable bladder disposed within the container. Further, the apparatus includes a tube communicating the bladder with a pressure supply.

Abstract: The present disclosure provides apparatus and method for supplying uninterrupted flow of solid-ink pellets to an image-forming device. The apparatus includes a container for retaining solid-ink pellets, and a selectably-inflatable bladder disposed within the container. Further, the apparatus includes a tube communicating the bladder with a pressure supply.

Abstract: A centrifugal supercharger is provided. One embodiment of the supercharger comprises a two-piece housing wherein a parting area is substantially aligned with a rotational axis of a drive or impeller shaft. Another embodiment comprises a sleeve, or intermediate member disposed substantially between the housing and a bearing assembly(s) located within the supercharger housing. Another embodiment comprises a disengagement device located between the supercharger impeller and the engine. The disengagement device allows selective disengagement of the impeller from the engine. This Abstract is provided for the sole purpose of complying with the Abstract requirement rules that allow a reader to quickly ascertain the subject matter of the disclosure contained therein. This Abstract is submitted with the explicit understanding that it will not be used to interpret or to limit the scope or the meaning of the claims.

Abstract: An inertial navigation system includes a housing mountable to a vehicle and a sensor assembly located within the housing. The sensor assembly includes at least one accelerometer or gyroscope operable to measure an amount of movement of the sensor assembly. In addition, at least one adjustable mount attaches the sensor assembly to the housing and is adjustable to change its stiffness, and thus its natural frequency, based on a signal initially generated by the sensor assembly, processed by a processor, and then received through a feedback control loop. In one embodiment, the adjustable mount may take the form of a piezoelectric device. In another embodiment, the adjustable mount may take the form of a magnetorheological fluid device.

Abstract: A conically-shaped, magneto-rheologically responsive shock and vibratory isolator. The isolator includes a conically-shaped magneto-rheological elastomer component attached to opposing faces of a first and second mounting plate. Within the magneto-rheological elastomer component is a magneto-rheologically responsive fluid contained within an elastomer jacket. By its conical shape and magneto-rheological elastomeric composition, the isolator is capable of both adjusting its response to shock and vibratory disturbances of varying frequency, while maintaining an identical response along any axis (isoelasticity).

Abstract: A carrier bead collection assembly in a xerographic printer is disclosed. The carrier bead collection assembly may include a tray defining a cavity for retention of carrier beads, wherein the tray is located below a slot in a media transport surface in the xerographic printer and is removable so that it may be cleaned, and a magnet that is disposed beneath the tray, wherein the magnet attracts carrier beads that reside on the media transport surface such that as a result of the attraction, the carrier beads come to rest in the tray.

Abstract: An apparatus for electrically shielding electronic components is provided. The apparatus includes a circuit board having a first surface with a plurality of electronic components mounted on the first surface, the first surface having a first region and a second region. The circuit board comprises a ground plane and a trace on the first surface coupled to at least one electronic component in the first region and coupled to at least one electronic component in the second region. The circuit board also comprising a strip of conductive material on the first surface, the strip of conductive material forming a perimeter around the first region of the circuit board, the strip of conductive material coupled to the ground plane, the strip of conductive material defining at least one gap wherein the trace is oriented through the at least one gap. Additionally, a first filtering device is coupled to the trace on a first side of the gap.

Abstract: A centrifugal supercharger is provided. One embodiment of the supercharger comprises a two-piece housing wherein a parting area is substantially aligned with a rotational axis of a drive or impeller shaft. Another embodiment comprises a sleeve, or intermediate member disposed substantially between the housing and a bearing assembly(s) located within the supercharger housing. Another embodiment comprises a disengagement device located between the supercharger impeller and the engine. The disengagement device allows selective disengagement of the impeller from the engine. This Abstract is provided for the sole purpose of complying with the Abstract requirement rules that allow a reader to quickly ascertain the subject matter of the disclosure contained therein. This Abstract is submitted with the explicit understanding that it will not be used to interpret or to limit the scope or the meaning of the claims.

Abstract: Recoil artillery systems and isolation systems are provided. An isolation system is provided for mounting an inertial navigation system onto an artillery system having a barrel adapted to move along a longitudinal axis during a firing sequence. The system includes an inner cradle, an outer cradle, first and second elastomeric isolators, and a first single axis damper. The first elastomeric isolator is mounted between the inner and outer cradles. The second elastomeric isolator is mounted between the inner and outer cradles. The first single axis damper is aligned substantially parallel with the longitudinal axis and includes a first end and a second end, the first end is mounted to the first inner sidewall, and the second end is mounted to the first outer sidewall.

Abstract: A conically-shaped, magneto-rheologically responsive shock and vibratory isolator. The isolator includes a conically-shaped magneto-rheological elastomer component attached to opposing faces of a first and second mounting plate. Within the magneto-rheological elastomer component is a magneto-rheologically responsive fluid contained within an elastomer jacket. By its conical shape and magneto-rheological elastomeric composition, the isolator is capable of both adjusting its response to shock and vibratory disturbances of varying frequency, while maintaining an identical response along any axis (isoelasticity).

Abstract: A carrier bead collection assembly in a xerographic printer is disclosed. The carrier bead collection assembly may include a tray defining a cavity for retention of carrier beads, wherein the tray is located below a slot in a media transport surface in the xerographic printer and is removable so that is may be cleaned, and a magnet that is disposed beneath the tray, wherein the magnet attracts carrier beads that reside on the media transport surface such that as a result of the attraction, the carrier beads come to rest in the tray.

Abstract: A centrifugal supercharger is provided. One embodiment of the supercharger comprises a two-piece housing wherein a parting area is substantially aligned with a rotational axis of a drive- or impeller shaft. Another embodiment comprises a sleeve, or intermediate member disposed substantially between the housing and a bearing assembly(s) located within the supercharger housing. Another embodiment comprises a disengagement device located between the supercharger impeller and the engine. The disengagement device allows selective disengagement of the impeller from the engine. This Abstract is provided for the sole purpose of complying with the Abstract requirement rules that allow a reader to quickly ascertain the subject matter of the disclosure contained therein. This Abstract is submitted with the explicit understanding that it will not be used to interpret or to limit the scope or the meaning of the claims.

Abstract: An apparatus for electrically shielding electronic components is provided. The apparatus includes a circuit board having a first surface with a plurality of electronic components mounted on the first surface, the first surface having a first region and a second region. The circuit board comprises a ground plane and a trace on the first surface coupled to at least one electronic component in the first region and coupled to at least one electronic component in the second region. The circuit board also comprising a strip of conductive material on the first surface, the strip of conductive material forming a perimeter around the first region of the circuit board, the strip of conductive material coupled to the ground plane, the strip of conductive material defining at least one gap wherein the trace is oriented through the at least one gap. Additionally, a first filtering device is coupled to the trace on a first side of the gap.

Abstract: An inertial navigation system includes a housing mountable to a vehicle and a sensor assembly located within the housing. The sensor assembly includes at least one accelerometer or gyroscope operable to measure an amount of movement of the sensor assembly. In addition, at least one adjustable mount attaches the sensor assembly to the housing and is adjustable to change its stiffness, and thus its natural frequency, based on a signal initially generated by the sensor assembly, processed by a processor, and then received through a feedback control loop. In one embodiment, the adjustable mount may take the form of a piezoelectric device. In another embodiment, the adjustable mount may take the form of a magnetorheological fluid device.

Abstract: Recoil artillery systems and isolation systems are provided. An isolation system is provided for mounting an inertial navigation system onto an artillery system having a barrel adapted to move along a longitudinal axis during a firing sequence. The system includes an inner cradle, an outer cradle, first and second elastomeric isolators, and a first single axis damper. The first elastomeric isolator is mounted between the inner and outer cradles. The second elastomeric isolator is mounted between the inner and outer cradles. The first single axis damper is aligned substantially parallel with the longitudinal axis and includes a first end and a second end, the first end is mounted to the first inner sidewall, and the second end is mounted to the first outer sidewall.

Abstract: A centrifugal blower is provided which incorporates a self-contained air cooling system. The blower includes a drive assembly connected to a drive motor and disposed within a housing having inlet and outlet apertures. A centrifugal compressor is connected to the drive assembly and disposed exteriorly to the housing adjacent to the outlet apertures. Rotation of a drive pulley, including a fan, by the drive motor causes air to enter the housing through the inlet apertures, flow over components of the drive assembly, and exit through the outlet apertures. A spindle assembly having a rigid bearing arrangement is also provided. One or more bearing elements are disposed at opposite ends of a spacer and between a shaft and housing of the spindle assembly. Such rigid pre-loaded bearing arrangement eliminates “unloading” concerns, and allows load sharing between bearing elements.