Abstract: A boat dock bumper assembly configured for mounting on a boat dock and protecting a boat against damage from impacts with a side surface and a lower surface of the dock. The bumper assembly includes a clamp frame, an upper jaw, and a bumper. The upper jaw is movably coupled to the clamp frame for clamping a boat dock between the upper jaw and a lower jaw of the clamp frame. The bumper is joined to the clamp frame and has an upper portion and a lower portion. The upper and lower portions of the bumper may be integral or separable. The bumper is configured to absorb impacts from collisions between the boat and the dock. A method of protecting a boat against damage from impacts with a side surface and a lower surface of a boat dock using the bumper assembly.

Abstract: A fuel system includes a fuel reservoir configured to be located within the fuel tank such that the fuel reservoir defines a fuel reservoir volume which is a subset of a fuel tank volume; a fuel pump configured to pump fuel from within the fuel reservoir volume to the fuel consuming device through a fuel supply line; a jet pump configured to 1) receive excess fuel, through a fuel return line, which had been supplied to the fuel consuming device through the fuel supply line and 2) aspirate fuel into the fuel reservoir volume from the fuel tank volume; and a valve which allows fuel flow in both directions between the fuel return line and the jet pump when a differential pressure across the valve is greater than or equal to a predetermined threshold.

Abstract: A fuel system includes a fuel reservoir configured to be located within the fuel tank such that the fuel reservoir defines a fuel reservoir volume which is a subset of a fuel tank volume; a fuel pump configured to pump fuel from within the fuel reservoir volume to the fuel consuming device through a fuel supply line; a jet pump configured to 1) receive excess fuel, through a fuel return line, which had been supplied to the fuel consuming device through the fuel supply line and 2) aspirate fuel into the fuel reservoir volume from the fuel tank volume; and a valve which allows fuel flow in both directions between the fuel return line and the jet pump when a differential pressure across the valve is greater than or equal to a predetermined threshold.

Abstract: A fuel system for a partitioned fuel tank includes a fuel pump assembly, a fuel jet pump device, a high pressure conduit, and a low pressure conduit. The tank defines a first chamber and a second chamber. The fuel pump assembly is disposed in the first chamber, and includes a motorized fuel pump. The jet pump device is disposed in the second chamber, and defines a low pressure passage adapted to draw fuel from the second chamber, a high pressure passage, and a mixing passage adapted to receive and mix fuel flowing from the low and high pressure passages. The high pressure conduit extends between the first and second chambers, and is in communication between an outlet of the fuel pump and the high pressure passage. The low pressure conduit extends between the first and second chambers, and is in communication between the mixing passage and the first chamber.

Abstract: A method of selectively matching at least one diameter of a valve spool or piston of a spool valve to at least one diameter of a valve bore in an automatic transmission valve body reduces hydraulic fluid leakage in the valve body. The method includes the steps of fabricating a spool valve having at least one spool or piston, measuring a diameter of the at least one spool or piston and identifying the spool valve as belonging to certain size class, fabricating a valve body having a plurality of machined bores, measuring the diameter of at least one portion of a bore and, based on this measurement, installing a spool valve of the appropriate size class in the bore of the valve body.

Abstract: An active electromechanical armature assembly for a transmission is provided. The active electromechanical armature assembly improves fuel economy by storing transmission fluid in areas away from rotating components during hot operation. During other conditions the transmission fluid is kept in the sump. The active electromechanical armature assembly includes a moveable armature or plunger. Movement of the plunger controls the opening and closing of an opening that communicates between the sump and the side or front cover of the transmission.

Abstract: Substantially pure porcine proteins having chemoattractant activity for neutrophils and methods for preparing the proteins are provided. These proteins are useful within compositions for enhancing neutrophil chemotaxis, such as in promoting the formation of granulation tissue. The proteins may also be used within methods for developing inflammatory and anti-inflammatory agents.

Abstract: Apparatus is disclosed for applying ultraviolet light reactive ink to several surfaces of egg cartons, and for rapidly drying the ink thereon by ultraviolet light so that the cartons can be immediately stacked and without subjecting the articles to heat damage during drying. A conveyor moves the unfolded egg cartons along a predetermined path at a selected predetermined rate of speed. Printing means apply ink to the cartons. Heat-emitting ultraviolet lamps dry the ink. Fluid motors move the lamps between a position close to the cartons and a position away from the cartons. A control responsive to the rate of speed of carton movement maintains the lamps in the close position to dry the ink when the cartons move at the predetermined rate of speed and move the lamps away from the cartons to continue the ink drying but to prevent heat damage when carton speed decreases. In one embodiment, a single drying unit is located downstream of several printing stations.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for denesting cartons including a carton denester for receiving a stack of cartons, such as pulp egg cartons, and for separating the cartons so that they can be conveyed to carton handling apparatus. The carton denester includes a relief plate which is supported at an inclined relationship and which receives a stack of cartons against its inclined surface. The carton denester further includes a feed screw assembly connected to the lower end of the relief plate and generally perpendicular to it to support the bottom of the stack of cartons. The feed screw assembly includes a pair of rotatable feed screws which are received on opposite sides of the stack of cartons and which include helical grooves to receive the flanges of the bottom carton of the stack and to cause the bottom carton to be pulled away from the remainder of the stack upon rotation of the feed screws.