Abstract: An implement, such as, for example, a broom or mop for cleaning, includes a handle and a cleaning feature connected to the handle. The implement also includes a light connected to the implement, a power source of the implement connected to the light, and a switch of the implement for turning on and off the power source for illuminating the light. The power source is, for example, a battery. The power source, switch and light are electrically connected internally within the implement, and the switch is exposed for manual switching and the light is exposed for illuminating an area serviced by the implement. Alternately, the switch is automatically triggered by a servicing occurrence.

Abstract: A handheld implement, such as, for example, a brush, detailer, applicator, or the like, includes a housing and a work element connected to the handle. The implement also includes a light, a power source connected to the light, and a switch for turning on and off the power source for illuminating the light. The work element is concealable in the housing when the implement is not in use, and can be extendable from the housing when the implement is in use. The light, via switching the light on or off, selectively illuminates a surface on which the work element of the implement is employed or operates. The work element is, for example, bristles, and the light is a low power bulb or LED.

Abstract: A retention tab unit is disclosed comprising a retention tab configured for attaching an inflatable curtain to a vehicle. The retention tab unit has an energy absorption mechanism that facilitates confinement of the retention tab in an initial configuration wherein the retention tab is not taut. Once the inflatable curtain is deployed, the energy absorption mechanism is configured to release the retention tab from its initial configuration and allow it to be forced into a deployed configuration wherein the retention tab tautly extends from the vehicle.

Abstract: A system for cleaning includes a handle, a head connected to the handle, and a stand incorporated with the head. The stand selectively supports the system in upright position with the head directed to the ground and the handle directed upward. The system also includes an implement, for example, bristles, connected to the head. The stand is retractable in conjunction with the head to selectively retain the stand from interference with the implement when the system is used for cleaning. The stand is extendable in conjunction with the head to extend the stand beyond the implement, such as bristles, and retain the system in upright freestanding position for storage and the like when not in use for cleaning.

Abstract: A system and method is provided to reduce particulate and NOx emissions from diesel engines through the use of a duel-fuel fumigation system. The system injects a gaseous-fuel flow into the air intake stream of a diesel engine. This results in more complete combustion within the engine as well as reduced diesel fuel usage, which each work to reduce emission outputs of the engine. As presented, the system is operative to meter the gaseous-fuel flow into the diesel engine based on one or more engine parameters such as, for example, exhaust gas temperature, exhaust oxygen levels, engine speed and/or engine load. Monitoring one or more engine parameters allows fine-tuning the flow of gaseous fuel into the engine and thereby prevents loss of engine power at high-end loads while maintaining favorable emission outputs over substantially the entire operating range of the engine.

Abstract: A system (200) for securing and positioning structural members (20, 30) to supporting walls (10) of a building includes at least one mounting member (205) secured to a surface portion of a supporting structure (10). The mounting member (205) has a plurality of structural member receiving spaces 218 formed thereon for receiving the structural member (20, 30) therein. The mounting member (205) includes a longitudinally extended base plate (210) having a plurality of spaced through openings (212, 214, 215, 219, 234) formed therein. The base plate (210) has a plurality of folded portions (222) formed therein. Each folded portion (222) defines a double walled protuberance (220) extending from a surface of the base plate (210). At least a portion of the double walled protuberances (220) are arranged in pairs disposed in opposing spaced parallel relationship to define a corresponding number of the receiving spaces (218) between each respective pair of double walled protuberances (220).

Abstract: In a parallel computing environment comprising a network of SMP nodes each having at least one processor, a parallel-aware co-scheduling method and system for improving the performance and scalability of a dedicated parallel job having synchronizing collective operations. The method and system uses a global co-scheduler and an operating system kernel dispatcher adapted to coordinate interfering system and daemon activities on a node and across nodes to promote intra-node and inter-node overlap of said interfering system and daemon activities as well as intra-node and inter-node overlap of said synchronizing collective operations. In this manner, the impact of random short-lived interruptions, such as timer-decrement processing and periodic daemon activity, on synchronizing collective operations is minimized on large processor-count SPMD bulk-synchronous programming styles.

Abstract: A system and method is provided to reduce particulate and NOx emissions from diesel engines through the use of a duel-fuel fumigation system. The system injects a gaseous-fuel flow into the air intake stream of a diesel engine. This results in more complete combustion within the engine as well as reduced diesel fuel usage, which each work to reduce emission outputs of the engine. As presented, the system is operative to meter the gaseous-fuel flow into the diesel engine based on one or more engine parameters such as, for example, exhaust gas temperature, exhaust oxygen levels, engine speed and/or engine load. Monitoring one or more engine parameters allows fine-tuning the flow of gaseous fuel into the engine and thereby prevents loss of engine power at high-end loads while maintaining favorable emission outputs over substantially the entire operating range of the engine.

Abstract: A system for baking includes a generally concave pan having an upper opening and a generally concave lid engageable with the pan to cover the upper opening. The pan and the lid each have a substantially uniform and thin thickness. If the pan and lid are aluminum, the thickness is on the order of about 1.4 mm to about 2 mm. If the pan and lid are stainless steel, the thickness is about 0.4 mm to about 0.7 mm. When the lid is engaged with the pan, an enclosure is formed that provides fast heat transfer through the enclosure walls and also provides ready internal heat circulation achieving convective heating inside the enclosure. The pan can have a fixed handle, and the top can have a fixed implement groove or attachment. The top engages the pan via locating at least one detent inside the pan outer edge with at least one notch in a rim of the top. The system is re-useable for cooking multiple times. The pan of the system can serve as a serving dish.

Abstract: A system for cleaning includes a handle and a head having a cleaning surface. The head is connected to the handle and is extendable to selectively widen or narrow the cleaning surface. A gear is fixedly connected to the handle and rotatingly connected to the head, so that twist of the handle rotates the gear. A first series of extension gears operably connect to the gear, and a second series of extension gears also operably connect to the gear. Rotation of the gear via the handle, rotates the first series and the second series. A first head extension is operably connected to the first series, such that rotation of the first series swings the first head extension into laterally aligned extension of the head. A second head extension is operably connected to the second series, such that rotation of the second series swings the second head extension also into laterally aligned extension of the head.

Abstract: A novel multi-layer stretch film comprising at least 7 layers and having excellent mechanical properties and stretch film performance, comprising two outer, or skin layers that have moderate to high controlled cling and low blocking characteristics, and at least five internal layers to assist in producing mechanical strength and stretchability. The resins used in the film composition include polypropylene (PP), ethylene propylene copolymers, low density polyethylene (LDPE), linear low density polyethylene (LLDPE), medium density polyethylene (MDPE), high density polyethylene (HDPE), metallocene-catalyzed polyethylene (mPE), very low density polyethylene (VLDPE), and/or ultralow density polyethylene (ULDPE). The resins also may be blended to achieve a desired range of physical or mechanical properties of the final film product.

Abstract: In a tunable ferrimagnetic resonator circuit, apparatus and method for tuning the circuit by manipulation of the position of the YIG spheres with respect to their associated coupling loops and the magnetic field. Each YIG sphere can be moved in three axial directions or rotated for alignment with the magnetic field while the circuit is under test, without the need for removal of any parts and without visual observation. Once the sphere has been positioned, it is automatically retained in that position without the need to be encapsulated in epoxy. The tuning process can be repeated or the circuit can be retuned at any time. The tuning apparatus can be coupled to external tooling which is manually manipulatable. Limits are included in the external tooling to prevent the spheres from touching other portions of the circuit.