Abstract: A composite baluster includes an elongated core made of wood, and a plastic outer shell molded over and enclosing the core. A bottom end of the core projects outward and downward from a bottom end of the outer shell. A wooden end piece is connected to and covers the bottom ends of the core and outer shell. The end piece has a top end face recessed to form a cavity for receiving the bottom end of the core. The top end face of the end piece abuts against the bottom end of the outer shell.

Abstract: An improved method and apparatus for anchoring tensioning members in a concrete structure and the like wherein there is provided a wedge support member having wedge-receiving pockets coaxially aligned with the anchor seats in an anchorage block permitting the anchorage wedges to first be inserted into the pockets not allowing the tensioning members to slip during tensioning. This method is used in post-tensioning of monostrand cable. The apparatus anchors the tensioning members by installing wedges into their respective wedge seats. A magnetic tip is utilized to hold the wedges in place while a slide hammer provides and transmits the energy to forcibly insert the wedges.

Abstract: A constructing method for underground continuous double-row walls and a structure of continuous double-row walls includes a plurality of steps. The steps are used to prepare guide walls, to dig ditches, to check verticality, to remove dirt and mud on the bottom of the ditches and to wash end plates, to prefabricate wall units of continuous double-row walls, and to place wall units in the ditches until the continuous wall is finished. The structure of a wall unit includes two base plates, two frameworks having plural auxiliary frames vertically between the two base plates, plural lateral bars fixed laterally with each auxiliary frame, plural net members fixed between two auxiliary frames, plural steel bars fixed between every two auxiliary frames, outer mold plates fixed on the outer sides of the framework, and concrete poured in the space between the mold plates and the net members.

Abstract: A building panel includes a central core and a pair of opposed coating surfaces formed integrally with the core. The method of forming the building panel includes the application of a flowable, settable coating material to respective surfaces of at least two baffles (100), placing the baffles in a substantially parallel, spaced interrelationship, at least substantially filling the space between the two baffles (100) with a settable core material prior to setting of the core material, and allowing the core material and coating material to set.

Abstract: The invention provides an easy to use and inexpensive to manufacture facia board rack for temporarily holding a facia board in position for attachment to a building. The rack is a single member formed in such a way that it may be mounted to the side of a building to provide a ledge which projects therefrom upon which a facia board may be supported during the installation of the facia board. An optional riser member may be used with the rack to adjust the depth of a channel in the rack. The holder may be used either before or after the roof deck of the building is installed.

Abstract: An enclosure door for an insulated space includes an insulated door member that is hingedly mountable to a door frame of an insulated enclosure. A release latch is attached to the door frame for opening the door member. Further, a protective member is affixed in covering relation to at least a portion of an inner face of the door member and is operable to open the door member upon experiencing an impact thereupon. In a particular embodiment, the protective member is affixed to each of a pair of facing door members, each operable to open both door members upon experiencing an impact thereupon.

Abstract: A generally planar, structural insulated panel for building construction includes a pair of outer facings disposed on opposed surfaces of a plastic foam core. One of the outer facings is of a gypsum or cementous composite for use on the panel's inner surface, while the other outer facing is of oriented strand board (OSB) or other conventional building material which forms the panel's outer surface. Disposed between and laminated to the inner surface of the gypsum or cementous composite facing and the plastic foam core by a conventional bonding agent is a sheet of paper impregnated with urethane or polyisocyanurate plastic. The impregnated sheet of paper serves as a vapor barrier near the panel's inner surface to prevent moisture from permeating from the warm interior of the structure through the plastic foam insulation to the outside.

Abstract: A cushioning conversion system comprising a cushioning conversion machine, a packaging surface, and a dispenser. The cushioning conversion machine includes a conversion assembly which converts a sheet-like stock material into cushioning pads. The dispenser includes a receptacle in which the pads are placed in a vertical stack as they are produced by the cushioning conversion machine. The receptacle is positioned above the packaging surface when the pads are selectively withdrawn therefrom to package items on the packaging surface. The cushioning conversion system allows the accumulation of a plurality of cushioning pads for selective withdrawal without the packaging person having to bend over, without sacrificing valuable packaging surface space, and/or without substantially increasing the system's footprint.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a sealing tool for sealing a package trough with a covering film, which tool consists of a bottom part, side parts oriented transversely and side parts oriented parallel to the direction of package trough feed, wherein at least one side part oriented parallel to the direction of feed is fixed in its spatial position in relation to the machine frame whereas the other parts of the matrix can be displaced vertically downwards.

Abstract: A carton opening assembly for a continuous motion packaging machine directs opposed carton engaging plates perpendicular to opposite side walls of a collapsed carton moving through the opening assembly. A vacuum is applied to the opposed carton side walls when the assemblies engage the carton. One or both of the opposed carton engaging assemblies are retracted to filly open the carton, which is then transferred to a conveyor that transports the carton to the next workstation of the packaging machine. The carton opening operation is accomplished while tracking the carton movement through the carton opening assembly.

Abstract: A container assembly having a container, an insert and a cap. The container has a sidewall extending upwardly to a rim which circumscribes an opening in the top of the container. The insert is located in the opening in the top of the container and is formed of a substantially thin sheet of material. The insert includes an annular lip engaging the rim of the container, a body projecting downwardly from the lip into the container and a tab projecting laterally from the lip away from the body of the insert. The body of the insert has a downwardly extending sidewall which diverges away from the sidewall of said container as it progresses downwardly with the sidewall of the body terminating at a bottom wall. The lip of the insert is sealed to the rim of the container. The cap for the container seats over the opening and includes a downwardly depending skirt.

Abstract: A collapsible bag which is adapted to have another bag stacked thereon when the collapsible bag is filled with material. The collapsible bag includes a main body, a bottom portion, and a top portion. The main body defines a plurality of vertical sections to provide columnar support for holding the bag upright when the vertical sections are substantially filled with material. The bottom portion depends from the main body and includes at least one bottom seal for closing the bottom portion, wherein the bottom portion defines a substantially planar base. The top portion extends from the main body at an end opposite the bottom portion. The top portion includes a top seal for closing the top portion. The top portion defines an interior space within the bag between the top seal and an imaginary fill line.

Abstract: A stage and thread assembly is disclosed for use in a high speed envelope packing apparatus. The assembly receives from the side, a single envelope with flap open. The assembly precisely aligns and positions the envelope in a pre-stage area via a plurality of entry ramps, continuously running belts, and back stops, correcting any misalignment. Once positioned in the pre-stage area, the apparatus stages the envelope in a position above the thread roller of the high speed packing apparatus so that the envelope can be threaded on the packing plate for insertion of material into the envelope. The staging of the envelope is achieved via a plurality of rollers including, d-rollers, flipper rollers, and stage rollers. The envelope is staged in a direction perpendicular to the direction of entry of the envelope.

Abstract: Broadly, one aspect of the present invention is an articulated combine having increased on-board grain storage capacity (e.g., 1,200 bushels) and which is composed of a forward unit having an operator's cab, an engine, a grain harvesting assembly, a grain transfer assembly, and being devoid of an on-board grain bin; and a rearward unit jointedly attached to the forward section and having, steerable and powered wheels, an on-board grain bin for receiving grain from the forward section grain transfer assembly, and a grain off-loading assembly. The grain transfer assembly, joint, and grain off-loading assembly and controls, form other aspects of the present invention.

Abstract: Bale collector having a mobile frame for connecting behind a bale delivery device, such as a baler, by which round bales can be deposited at desired points on the land. The bale collector provides a storage place for a single round bale, a non-return element for preventing rolling back of the bale from the rear and a tilt control element connected between the frame and the rear bearing part for tilting a rear end of the rear bearing part between an upper position of a collecting state and a lower position of an unloading state.

Abstract: A lawn mower comprising a deck mounted on at least one castor wheel assembly characterized in that there is provided a locking mechanism capable of holding the at least one castor wheel assembly in the direction it is travelling when the locking mechanism is operated. The locking mechanism comprises a braking surface and a braking element such as a brake band or pad which is movable between a first, or disengaged position where the braking surface is rotatable relative to the braking element to allow the castor wheel assembly to swivel about a substantially vertical axis, and a second, or engaged position where the braking element engages and holds the braking surface. The locking mechanism is manually operable by an operator standing behind the lawn mower and holding the handle thereof.

Abstract: A weed trimmer or whacker which has an improved drive belt system. The cutting blades carried by a pulley driven belt have dual cutting edges, so the belt can be reversed after one side of the blades becomes dull. The reversal of the belt allows the other cutting edge to be used, thus effectively doubling the useful life of the belt. The drive system has either a V-shaped belt or a timing belt to reduce the probability of dislodging the belt from about the pulleys, when the cutting blades impinge upon an obstacle.

Abstract: A centrifugal spinning machine having at least one spinning station (10), each of which has one rotatable spinning centrifuge (14), one yarn guide (18) that can be supplied with a fibrous spinning strand (26′), and one drive device (38) for generating an axial motion between the yarn guide (18) and the spinning centrifuge (14). The yarn (26) is guided in the yarn guide (18) to travel through the rotational axis of a rotor 46 of the drive device (38).

Abstract: A double-covered yarn based on a spandex core having a heat set of at least 50% and two sheath yarns wound in the same direction, a process for the preparation of such yarn and fabrics produced therefrom, are provided.

Abstract: An open-end spinning device (1) with a forwardly-opening vacuum-loaded rotor housing (2), a high speed spinning rotor (3) rotating in the rotor housing and with a fiber conduit plate (4) for closing the rotor housing. The fiber conduit plate (4) has a replaceable conduit-plate adapter (10) forming the mouth area of a fiber guide conduit and a yarn withdrawal jet. The conduit plate adapter (10) is detachably fixed in a receptacle (7) of the fiber conduit plate (4) only in a frictionally connected manner by means of a magnetic coupling (15) which can be easily and rapidly detached when necessary yet is reliable and exact during operation and assembly.

Abstract: A combination power station with power/heat cogeneration. The combination power station includes at least one gas turbine driven by combustion gases from a combustion chamber and at least one steam turbine working in a water/steam circuit. The water/steam circuit converts water into steam in a first apparatus by hot combustion gases emerging from the at least one gas turbine. The steam is supplied to the at least one steam turbine. A separate heat transfer medium is arranged in a heat exchange relationship with a heat consumer and is heated in a second apparatus by thermal energy extracted from the water/steam circuit at a plurality of extraction points each having a different temperature. The combination power station includes means for selectively connecting the second apparatus to the plurality of extraction points depending upon a thermal output and an inlet temperature required by the heat consumer.

Abstract: A support structure for a gas turbine engine includes a support arm (214, 216) extending between a low pressure shaft (202) and a rotor. The support arm includes a fuse (220) having a low failure point. A high pressure stub shaft (270) axially and radially supports the low pressure shaft (202) after fuse failure. An axial gap (A) between a portion of the low pressure shaft and the stub shaft permits movement of the low pressure shaft after fuse failure. A radial gap (B) between the stub shaft (270) and the low pressure shaft (202) allows radial deflection of the low pressure rotor system after fuse failure.

Abstract: A hybrid-composite gas turbine exhaust nozzle compression link is formed as an elongated hollow tubular cylindrical shell having an axis of elongation. In cross section taken perpendicular to the axis of elongation, the shell has a structure of an inner rim of an inner-rim titanium-base alloy, a reinforcing layer having reinforcing fibers such as silicon carbide fibers extending parallel to the axis of elongation and embedded in a matrix titanium-base alloy, and an outer rim of an outer-rim titanium-base alloy. The titanium-base alloys are typically of the same nominal composition. Attachment fittings are present at each end of the shell.

Abstract: A first combustion mode in which an amount of an EGR gas within a combustion chamber is higher than that of the EGR gas when a generated amount of soot reaches a peak and substantially no soot is generated. A second combustion mode in which the amount of the EGR gas within the combustion chamber is lower than that of the EGR gas when the generated amount of soot reaches the peak are selectively performed. A catalyst is disposed within an engine exhaust passage wherein a temperature of the catalyst is adjusted so as to be within a predetermined range.

Abstract: A method for determining the fullness or the quality of a catalytic converter that stores gases in a storage medium includes the steps of measuring a change in at least one physical property of the storage medium that changes with the storage process, and determining the fullness or the quality of the catalytic converter.

Abstract: A compression ignition type engine, wherein a first combustion where the amount of the inert gas in the combustion chamber is larger than the amount of inert gas where the amount of production of soot peaks and almost no soot is produced and a second combustion where the amount of inert gas in the combustion chamber is smaller than the amount of inert gas where the amount of production of soot peaks are selectively switched between. The second combustion is performed after the engine operation is started until a catalyst arranged in the engine exhaust passage has become activated and, the first combustion is performed after the catalyst has become activated.

Abstract: A control device for a direct injection engine having a catalyst provided in an exhaust passage for converting exhaust gases and an injector for injecting fuel directly into a combustion chamber, includes a temperature state identifier for judging the temperature state of the catalyst, a load condition detector for sensing engine load conditions, and a fuel injection controller for controlling fuel injection from the injector. The fuel injection controller performs quick light-off control operation by causing the injector to inject fuel in one-time injection mode during a compression stroke in a specific low-load operating range of the engine when the catalyst is in its unheated state where its temperature is below its activation temperature, and switching the mode of fuel injection to intake-compression stroke split injection mode in a specific high-load operating range of the engine.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for the removal of carbon particles (soot), odor, gas and particulate from the exhaust of a diesel engine. The method includes a carbon (soot) collector which collects the carbon (soot) and noxious odor which is connected to the catalytic converter of the engine, then enters a heat exchanger for cooling and condensing a major portion of the exhaust into a liquid condensate. The condensate enters a first reactor which neutralizes any acids present in the condensate and passes through an automatic drain into a holding tank. The non-condensed gases flow into a second reactor connected to a holding tank. Gases are reacted in the second chemical reactor with a substance which absorbs the carbon monoxide and nitrogen oxide. The two reactors remove a large quantity of nitrogen oxides and particulate matter. The treated gases then flow into a the soot bath for removal of minute carbon (soot) particles and thence into a vapor remover.

Abstract: A hydraulic jack device has a pump, a handle, a hydraulic cylinder, a rocking arm, and a lifting seat. A hydraulic shaft is inserted through the hydraulic cylinder and connected to the rocking arm. The rocking arm is connected to the lifting seat. The pump has a main body connected to the hydraulic cylinder, a chamber formed in the main body, a piston cylinder, a piston, and a C-shaped ring. The driven rod has a round end and a hollow box end. The driven rod passes through the piston cylinder, a coiled spring, and the piston. The round end of the driven rod is inserted in the chamber. A first and a second oil channels are formed in the hydraulic cylinder.

Abstract: Axial sections of a casing assembly such as that of a rocket are maintained interconnected by latching prongs on which thermally responsive Nitinol rings are positioned. Operational control over the latching prongs is achieved by selection of material properties and dimensions of the Nitinol rings during manufacture thereof.

Abstract: An actuator device has electrical components, which are subjected to electric voltage, located inside a housing near movable mechanical elements. Insulation of the electrical components from the environment is achieved by introducing into the housing an expanding material, specifically a silicone elastomer of a type suitable to reticulate for forming a protective foam.

Abstract: An apparatus for converting thermal energy to mechanical motion including a frame mounted onto an axle above a heat source. A flow circuit including at least three elongate chambers connected by fluid conduits is mounted onto the frame, and one-way valves provided in the flow circuit permit one-way fluid flow within the flow circuit. The heat source heats a motive fluid contained within the chambers beyond its boiling point, which increases the vapor pressure within the heated chamber, thereby forcing fluid out of the chamber and into the chamber immediately downstream in the flow circuit. The increased weight of the downstream chamber creates a torque about the axle, rotating the frame in an upstream direction.

Abstract: A steam turbogenerator set includes a common shaft for a steam turbine and a driven machine with a generator, downstream of which a frequency converter is connected. Electrical power can be fed at a predetermined frequency through the frequency converter into a load network. Bearings of the common shaft are cooled and lubricated with water. Since there is no gearing requiring cooling and lubricating, and control valves for the steam are also driven without oil, the risk of contamination or fire caused by oil is avoided. A method for operation of the steam turbogenerator set is also provided.

Abstract: A method of combusting fuel in the combustor of a gas turbine engine is disclosed which includes injecting fuel and a first predetermined amount of airflow into the combustion chamber to form a fuel-rich, highly mixed, uniform distribution fuel-air spray pattern flowing downstream in the combustion chamber and introducing a second predetermined amount of airflow into the fuel air spray pattern from combustor air inlets positioned at a first predetermined distance downstream from the combustor dome with the first predetermined distance being greater than 0.75 times the dome height and said second predetermined amount of airflow being sufficient to cause rapid mixing and quenching of the rich fuel-air mixture to a lean fuel-air mixture.

Abstract: A fluid manifold (41) comprises two annular chambers (42 and 46) in flow series and having a barrier (45) therebetween. A fluid is fed into the first larger annular chamber (42) and circulates circumferential therethrough before being passed through a plurality of apertures (44) in the barrier (45) to the second smaller annular chamber (46). The fluid circulates circumferentially through the second chamber (46) in the opposite direction prior to its discharge through apertures (50) in a final barrier (48). The apertures (50) in the final barrier (48) decelerate the fluid discharging therefrom to enhance mixing of air with the fluid downstream of the manifold (41).

Abstract: In a method for the diagnosis of an air conditioning system having a condenser, an evaporator, an expansion device and a compressor, the stroke of which can be set via a valve, a maximum compressor stroke is set abruptly when the air conditioning system is running and a pressure impulse arising in the high pressure side of the refrigerant circuit is measured in order to determine the degree of filling of the refrigerant circuit.

Abstract: An ice bank chiller comprises a reservoir, a vertically extending cooling coil adjacent to a side wall of the reservoir, and an agitation pump for agitating water contained in the reservoir, the agitation pump being arranged to cause substantial circulation of the reservoir water adjacent to ice on both the upper and lower regions of the cooling coil in order to promote an even thickness of ice on the cooling coil. The agitation pump comprises an impeller rotatable within a pump housing, the housing being provided with a plurality of circumferentially spaced-apart pump outlets, through which streams of water are directed towards the ice on the upper region of the cooling coil (2).

Abstract: A rotary damper assembly for controlling the flow of a fluid includes inner and outer hollow cylinders, each having one or more side wall apertures, the inner cylinder being nested within the outer cylinder in a manner to permit relative axial rotation of the cylinders about a common longitudinal axis, the inner cylinder receiving the fluid flow at an axial inlet, and the flow of fluid through the assembly being proportional to the degree of alignment of the cylinder apertures.

Abstract: A liquid injection type scroll compressor is used to a refrigerating apparatus using hydrocarbon fluoride refrigerant which does not contain chlorine (HFC-125/HFC-143a/HFC-134a) as an operating fluid and an amount of an injected liquid is controlled according to a discharge temperature of the compressor. Further, ester oil and/or ether oil is used as refrigerator oil and a dryer is disposed in a refrigerating cycle. With this arrangement, a refrigerating cycle operation can be stably realized in a wide range without almost changing the arrangement of a conventional refrigerating apparatus.

Abstract: A solar-powered refrigerator which includes a switch operable to independently regulate supply of an electric current to one or more variable-speed compressors, each of the variable-speed compressors being in fluid communication with a respective coolant circuit in thermal communication with the interior of a cooling chamber.

Abstract: A refrigerant relief device for a vehicle air conditioner according to the present invention is provided with a detection section detecting an impact applied to the vehicle and a relief section relieving a refrigerant at a high pressure side of an air conditioning cycle of the vehicle air conditioner to the outside of the vehicle air conditioner when the sensor detects the impact.

Abstract: A cover for a cooling unit, such as an evaporator assembly, of a display refrigerator. The cover is advantageously made of a single piece of material, preferably an injection molded, filled polypropylene plastic, which is capable of withstanding the harsh conditions found in a display refrigerator. The cover is further advantageously configured to enhance the operation of the evaporator assembly, protect the evaporator assembly, insulate the frozen or refrigerated food and drink items from the heat generated by the evaporator assembly, and decrease the time needed to install the cover into or remove the cover from the display refrigerator.

Abstract: An air conditioner indoor unit which includes a heat exchanger; a fan; a drain pan provided under the heat exchanger, the drain pan retrieving drain water condensed on the heat exchanger; an outlet nozzle member provided under the drain pan, the outlet nozzle member providing an air path for blowing off air supplied by the fan and a hollow space between the drain pan and the outlet nozzle member; a drain pan drainage formed in the drain pan, the drain pan drainage draining drain water stored in the drain pan; a hollow space drainage formed in the outlet nozzle member at a location close to the drain pan drainage, the hollow space drainage draining drain water stored in the hollow space; and a drain hose connected to the drain pan drainage and the hollow space drainage.

Abstract: A beverage bottle holder system that includes insulated structures for surrounding a beverage bottle and insulating the beverage bottle to reduce the rate of warming of the beverage bottle. The top insulated structure includes an easily operated flip top dispensing spout for sealing a beverage bottle. A number of freezable ice rod elements are provided which are insertable into one of the insulated structures.

Abstract: A modular air-conditioning system is disclosed and consists of a power supply module, blower module(s), air-conditioning module(s), and an air-distribution module. The power module may be comprised of batteries, whereas the blower module provides ventilation through the air-conditioning system that extracts heat from the flow of fluid and directs the extracted heat to a heat exchanger. The heat exchanger is a closed-low pressure system consisting of a liquid filled with a water adsorbing material. The heat is extracted from boiling liquid in a lower chamber of the heat exchanger and transferred to an upper chamber of the heat exchanger by way of heat and mass transfer.

Abstract: A gas venting device for dry ice pelletizers and a method for retrofitting the venting device onto an existing piston and cylinder type dry ice pelletizer. The venting device consists of a venting mesh having wires with a generally trapezoidal cross section. The venting mesh is attached to a forward flange at one end and a rear flange at the opposite end. The two flanges are separated by spacer bars. The spacer bars absorb the compressive force exerted by four rods that extend the entire length of the dry ice pelletizer. Without the spacer bars, venting mesh would buckle under this compressive force. The forward flange is attached to an extrusion cylinder and the rear flange is attached to a home cylinder. The extrusion flange is attached at its other end to a die for dry ice pellet extrusion. The home cylinder is attached at its other end to the rest of the dry ice pelletizer.

Abstract: A process separates a multicomponent feed by distillation into at least one stream enriched in the most volatile component, one stream enriched in the least volatile component, and one stream enriched in a component of intermediate volatility. In one embodiment, the process produces an argon-enriched stream from a cryogenic air separation process. The distillation system includes at least one distillation column that produces a nitrogen-enriched stream from the top of the column, an oxygen product stream from the bottom of the column, and an argon-enriched stream from a partitioned section. The geometry of the partitioned section minimizes vapor and liquid distribution, and includes a vertical separating element and an end separating element to isolate the partitioned section from the intermediate distillation section.

Abstract: A plant and a process for the purification and cryogenic separation of air containing impurities, which process is carried out according to the steps of (a) compressing the air; (b) introducing the air compressed in step (a) into one or more adsorption vessels containing particles of adsorbent without, beforehand, precooling the air; (c) adsorbing the impurities (CO2, H2O, NOx, SOx, etc) contained in the air on the particles of adsorbent at room temperature and at a pressure of at least 11.4 bar, preferably ranging from 20.1 to 40 bar; (d) cooling the air purified in step (c) down to a cryogenic temperature; and (e) cryogenically distilling the cooled air in order to produce nitrogen, oxygen, argon or mixtures thereof.

Abstract: An apparatus for forming glass sheets is provided wherein in a furnace structure of a heating furnace where molds with glass sheets carried thereon are intermittently conveyed, the staying period in the heating zone just before an annealing zone is variable, and the annealing zone includes a lifting device to separate a mold from a conveying device. By such arrangement, glass sheets having different shapes can be successively produced with a period for job change being greatly shortened.

Abstract: An I.S. machine has a blankmold which is open at the top and includes inner and outer annular top sealing surfaces. Associated with the blankmold is a baffle including a body having a cup shaped portion closed with a vertical cylindrical bore open at the bottom, an annular bottom sealing surface for sealingly engaging the blankmold outer annular top sealing surface, and a top having a hole. A tubular sleeve communicates with the hole and extends vertically upwardly from the top of the body. A piston has a cylindrical head including a top surface, a cylindrical sealing surface and an annular bottom sealing surface having a plurality of radial notch means across the bottom thereof. A tubular rod extends vertically upwardly from the top surface for slidable displacement in the tubular sleeve, and a collar is secured to the top of the rod.