Abstract: A building panel including a sheet of insulating material sandwiched between a pair of metal sheets, the outside surface of one of the metal sheets comprising a plurality of building block supports is disclosed.

Abstract: Wall made of concrete or similar materials built from an unfold formwork integrated in the wall and including two formwork walls (8,8′,10) placed face to face and connected by connecting elements (1) articulated to the formwork walls by stiffeners (2) attached to the formwork walls. The interval between these formwork walls after being unfolded is filled with a filler (7) such as concrete.

Abstract: A light-weight structural system is provided by a panel system having at least one pair of adjacent panels (10) and a clip (60) positioned between the adjacent panels. A groove or channel (26) in each panel receives an outwardly-extending tongue or tab (70) on the clip. Built-up gussets (28, 30) on the panels above and below the groove or channel provide structural strength. Upwardly-extending support members (64, 66) on the clip bear weight from the panels. A base section (62) of the clip allows the clip to be fixed to a roof or wall substructure. The panels can be formed from thermosetting or thermoplastic polymers, especially fiber-reinforced polymers.

Abstract: “In this invention, a grid is marked on the supporting surface with a chalk line. Decorator blocks are fastened to the supporting surface at strategic locations on the grid to act as corners and transition points between sections of the wall or ceiling grid. The largest exposed surface of these decorator blocks has a recess or counterbore in the center that allows fastening to a supporting surface by means of a fastening device. For design purposes, this counterbore can be covered with a decorative medallion. Once mounted into position, these blocks can be adjusted to fit precisely into position at the desired points of intersection on the grid. A main track channel of extended length and flexible sides is anchored to a supporting surface and butting to the decorator blocks. The flexible sides of the channel are tapered at the end.

Abstract: A fastening device for securing adjacent, parallel boards to a transverse structure, including a top plate having flanges to fit into slots cut into the sides of boards, a center hole in the top plate to accommodate a screw or nail, and top and bottom tabs to provide uniform spacing and to support the fastener during attachment to the support structure.

Abstract: A device provides for connecting and holding up two adjacent pieces of floorboard each including on its underside, two longitudinal grooves, two transverse grooves across the longitudinal grooves and two L-shaped longitudinal recesses along both sides. The device comprises two identical sections each including a plurality of longitudinal and transverse troughs at its underside and a plurality of longitudinal and transverse latched elements at its upper side. The latched elements of one section are snapped into the grooves and recesses of both pieces of floorboard and the latched elements of the other section are snapped into the troughs of one section respectively. Thus, the invention can connect a plurality of pieces of floorboard together.

Abstract: The invention relates to a module for building platforms, stages, or flooring, which is particularly suitable for use outside. The module comprises a ladder-type frame, supporting devices, connecting means and, preferably, covering elements.

Abstract: A block construction system includes interlocking, self-aligning blocks that can be used to construct structures with mortarless joints. A typical block has a top face that is formed with a raised, substantially flat horizontal portion that extends between a pair of longitudinally aligned rounded edges. Longitudinally aligned horizontal stop surfaces extend from each rounded edge. A bottom face of the block is formed with a pair of longitudinally aligned stop surfaces and a substantially flat portion that is positioned between and recessed from the stop surfaces. For two stacked blocks, the recessed portion of the top block receives and engages the raised portion of the bottom block preventing lateral movement of one block relative to the other. To interlock adjacent blocks on a common course, one end face of each block is formed with a vertically aligned tongue and the other end face is formed with a corresponding groove.

Abstract: A connecting construction for components of a system frame, having frameworks which have frame struts (12) and cross brackets (14) connecting the frame struts (12), a sheet steel corner plate (20) which is arranged in each case in the region in which the cross bracket (14) is connected to the frame strut (12) and which has a corner recess (22) in the corner region of the region in which the cross bracket (14) is connected to the frame strut (12), by means of which a coupling unit can be connected to the frame strut (12), is distinguished in that a further recess (24) is provided approximately level with the corner recess (22) and offset inward, and a further coupling unit having a first coupling element and a second coupling element is provided, it being possible for a frame tube to be connected to the first coupling element, and the second coupling element being designed in such a manner that it can be fastened in the further recess (24) of the sheet steel corner plate (20) with a positive and/or non-positiv

Abstract: A free-standing window screen fabrication system for releasably mounting a screen fabric or other pliable sheet material on a free-standing screen frame in such a manner as to self-tighten the fabric or material during installation. A screen is disposed and held securely in place between a screen frame extrusion member and a trim mold. The screen frame extrusion defines a mounting surface disposed below and parallel to an exterior face. The screen frame extrusion further defines an interior channel for receiving one end of a connector, a plurality of screen frame extrusions being secured in an end-to-end fashion to define a free-standing screen frame. A mounting rib extends along the mounting surface and terminates below the exterior face in the preferred embodiment. A bead is defined at the terminal edge of the mounting rib to serve as a locking mechanism. The trim mold defines a channel opening on the bottom surface thereof to closely receive the mounting rib of the screen frame extrusion.

Abstract: A tower reinforcement apparatus designed to increase the load capacity and stability of a tower to enable the tower to support the weight of additional communication equipment as well as the environmental forces exerted on the tower. The preferred embodiment generally includes upper and lower collar assemblies disposed about the tower, a plurality of mounting blocks having a flat portion that is secured to an outer surface of the tower and an inner surface of the upper or the lower collar assemblies to secure the collar assemblies to the tower, a plurality of flat bars vertically attached to the upper and the lower collar assemblies, and at least one ring disposed between the collar assemblies, the at least one ring is formed to wrap around the tower and the flat bars in order to hold the flat bars in compression with the tower.

Abstract: Sealant is statically applied to the edges of panels by placing a sealant on the inner surfaces of the walls of a container holding the panels. A shrink wrap sleeve is preferably applied to the panel filled containers, causing contact between the inner surface of the container and panel edges, such that the sealant is transferred to the edges of the panels. Further transfer occurs during handling of the container, due to movement of the panels in the container and contact between the sealant and panel edges.

Abstract: A concrete forming system for forming first and second concrete walls which intersect each other perpendicularly. Each concrete wall is formed by spaced apart inner and outer panels which are held together by ties. An elongated outer corner form joins the outer panels at the corner while, similarly, an elongated inner corner form joins the inner panels at their corner intersection. The inner corner form is substantially rectangular in shape. A plurality of vertically spaced elongated corner ties secure the inner and outer corner forms together. These corner ties, furthermore, are dimensioned so that a portion of each corner tie protrudes inwardly from the inner corner form. Each corner tie includes a notch spaced outwardly from its innermost end which forms a fracture line across the corner tie. Thus, after the concrete walls are formed, the corner ties are broken along their fracture line by striking their inwardly protruding end with a hammer.

Abstract: Disclosed is a building structure (1) formed with a living space available for our daily life therein, comprising a partition wall (25) partitioning the living space into a plurality of living sections (24); a wall assembly (20) including inner wall members made of transparent material, closing an outer circumference of the living space and meeting each living section (24), and outer wall members forming predetermined scene-production spaces (23), spacedly positioned relative to the inner wall members, corresponding to each living section (24); a supplying means for supplying a predetermined scene-producing object to inside of each scene-production space; and a controller (81) for activating and deactivating the supplying means so as to allow each of inner scene-production spaces to be produced independently.

Abstract: A spacer and sealant assembly comprising a stretchable sealant support member having a planar surface bounded by first and second edges wherein said first and second edges have at least one pleated portion, a plastic shim having at least one undulating portion in contact with said first and second edges of said stretchable sealant support member so that said at least one pleated portion is oriented concavedly inward into said at least one undulating portion of said shim, a sealant joined to at least said first and second edges of said sealant support member.

Abstract: An automated container production line or automatically removing, orienting, filling, sealing and providing a label and applying a straw to the outside of the labeled container is provided which utilizes a novel orienting conveyor for receiving unoriented containers from a supply bin and orienting the containers for a plurality or novel short production lines having a positioning screw conveyor which intermittently starts and stops the advancement of the containers as groups of containers in which various groups of containers are simultaneously filled, sealed, inspected and then subsequently transported to a sleeving device for adding labels, a heat shrink tunnel for fastening the sleeve to the container and then to a novel straw applicator for subsequently attaching a straw to the outside of the container.

Abstract: The invention comprises an insert delivery system for use with an automated packaging machine. Preferably, the system is used to include coupons and the like with products being automatically packaged, such as sliced loaf bread. The system may comprise an insert delivery tray, card conveyor, or carousel and magazine combination, a feeder mechanism, and an insert placer configured to select an insert from the tray, conveyor, or magazine. Preferably, the insert placer includes a vacuum system and moves linearly. Additionally, the feeder mechanism may be positioned either perpendicularly, or parallel, to the scoop assembly, so as to feed an insert onto the scoop assembly at various points along the path of the scoop. The invention also comprises methods of using the system.

Abstract: In a unit for feeding articles to a blister band, a casing has two apertures for a blister band to enter and come out of the casing. The casing supports and contains operative means for feeding articles to blisters made in the blister band. The casing is connected to a blistering machine for feeding the articles, and is removed from the blistering machine for cleaning and/or sterilizing the casing and the operative means in a suitable area.

Abstract: An automated reclosable packaging manufacturing equipment for applying zipper tape to bag making film, especially as part of a form-fill-seal process, and a method of joining a zipper flange of a zipper assembly to bag making film without “seal-through” of the zipper flanges. The method comprises the steps of: (a) pressing a web of bag making film and first and second zipper flanges of a zipper assembly together along the length of the latter, with the first zipper flange sandwiched between and in contact with the web of bag making film and the second zipper flange; and (b) during step (a), causing heat to be conducted through the web of bag making film into the first zipper flange. The amount of heat conducted through the web of bag making film must be sufficient to seal the web of bag making film to the first zipper flange without sealing the first zipper flange to the second zipper flange.

Abstract: A method and device for turning over stacks of products on a cartoning machine, whereby a group of products, arranged in at least one stack, is fed into a container, from which the group is expelled by a push device after the container is rotated 90° about an axis from a loading position to a turned-over unloading position; the container has a first and a second passage enabling the push device to move through the container when the container is in the turned-over unloading position and the loading position respectively. (FIG.

Abstract: A packaging and stabilizing system and method for creating a pallet of vertically aligned rolls of material. The packaging system includes a plurality of individual interlocking devices that each extend between the cores of a pair of rolls on the pallet. The interlocking devices are installed to create a lattice pattern between the rolls on the pallet such that the rolls are stabilized and prevented from tipping. Each individual roll of the pallet can be removed by first removing the interlocking devices connecting the roll to the remaining rolls in the pallet. Once the interlocking devices are removed, the roll can be removed without compromising the stability of the remaining rolls on the pallet.

Abstract: A wrapping apparatus for wrapping a continuous elongated article, such as a continuous stack of interfolded paper towels, includes a web supply section that supplies a pair of continuous webs of wrapping material, and a wrapping section for applying the continuous pair of webs about the article. The web supply section includes a pair of web supply stations for each web of wrapping material, and a source of wrapping material, such as a supply roll, is located at each web supply station. The web supply section includes a splicing mechanism for each pair of web supply stations, for splicing together the trailing end of a web from an exhausted supply roll of wrapping material with the leading end of a web from a fresh supply roll of wrapping material, to provide a continuous web of wrapping material to the wrapping section. The web supply section includes a festoon-type web storage mechanism in which the web downstream of the splicing mechanism is trained about a series of rollers in a serpentine path.

Abstract: A portable pouch opener for countertop positioning for opening and filling a bag includes a portable housing positionable upon a desktop bench workspace. The housing has a magazine containing a supply of bags to be opened and filled. A first suction device is mounted for being moved into engagement with a bag in the magazine. The first suction device has a source of vacuum to activate the first suction device when placed into contact with one wall of the bag. Vacuum from the first suction device is withdrawn from the bag, attaching the bag to the first suction device, to remove the bag from the magazine and bring it to an opening position. An opposite facing wall of the bag is in contact with a second suction device having a source of vacuum, so that said opposite facing wall is engaged by said second suction device. Then the first suction device is retracted to separate the walls of the bag to produce an opening into the bag, allowing the bag to be filled and optionally sealed.

Abstract: A web cutter is provided comprising an at least one wheel assembly. The wheel assembly includes a wheel housing and at least two wheel members. A cutting member is disposed between the wheel members, wherein the wheel assembly has a first position wherein the cutting member does not extend below the wheel members and a second position wherein the cutting member extends below the wheel members. The web cutter may include an upper plate having a receiving hole, and the wheel assembly may include a post that is in slideable communication with the upper plate receiving hole. The cutting member may be in fixed communication with the upper plate.

Abstract: A system for heat-shrinking a film onto an open-topped container is provided, including at least one reflective cup having a reflective interior surface, and at least one radiant energy source. The reflective cup and the radiant energy source may be rotationally mounted. The interior surface of the reflective cup has as least an elliptical portion and a parabolic portion.

Abstract: A method for assembling a medicine delivery system (10) includes providing a substrate (16) with a plurality of compartments (18), filling the compartments (18) with medicine (34), covering the compartments (18) with a cap (24), heating the system (10) at a relatively low temperature, applying a voltage bias (56) across the substrate (16) and the cap (24), and applying focused energy (54) to the substrate (16) and/or the cap (24) to seal them together and create a vacuum in the compartments (18).

Abstract: A set of modules for a bagging machine that are assemblable to form a compression chamber for compressing at least one item prior to the at least one item being inserted into a bag. The compression chamber includes a first module and a second module that both have side plates that form the side walls of the compression chamber and transverse plates that form the transverse walls of the chamber. The modules are connected to actuators that impart movement to both the side plates and transverse plates in unison, such that the two modules move towards and away from each other. The set of modules can be connected to the bagging machine via quick-connect fasteners.

Abstract: Waste disposal device including a housing defining a waste compartment for receiving enclosed waste and arranged to removably receive a cartridge containing a length of flexible tubing which operatively receives waste therein, a retention mechanism for holding a quantity of waste received in the tubing and a rotation mechanism for rotating the retention mechanism when the quantity of waste is held thereby and while the cartridge is stationary in order to twist the tubing and enclose the held quantity of waste. The compartment in the housing receives the enclosed waste. The waste is thus rotated while the cartridge is held against rotation thereby enabling the formation of the twist above the waste to enclose or encapsulate the waste. A pushing mechanism may be provided on a cover of the device to push the waste into engagement with the retention mechanism.

Abstract: Methods of fabricating cermet materials and methods of utilizing the same such as in filtering particulate and gaseous pollutants from internal combustion engines having intermetallic and ceramic phases. The cermet material may be made from a transition metal aluminide phase and an alumina phase. The mixture may be pressed to form a green compact body and then heated in a nitrogen containing atmosphere so as to melt aluminum particles and form the cermet. Filler materials may be added to increase the porosity or tailor the catalytic properties of the cermet material. Additionally, the cermet material may be reinforced with fibers or screens. The cermet material may also be formed so as to pass an electrical current therethrough to heat the material during use.

Abstract: An air cleaner comprises a filter element, for filtrating air, including a frame structure, a case provided with an opening through which the filter element is inserted into the case and having an abutment surface to which the seal portion of the filter element contacts, and a holder provided with a lid portion closing the opening of the case when fitted to the case. The filter element is first inserted into the case and the holder is thereafter fitted into the case so as to contact the seal portion of the filter element to the abutment surface of the case.

Abstract: One or more elongate barriers are provided that are movably (in one configuration pivotably) mounted proximate the outside of a grass cutting deck. When one of the barriers encounters a foreign object in a certain manner, the barrier moves towards its “tripped” position, thus causing a corresponding change to the operating characteristic of the lawn mover, be it a termination of the cutting process, the mower drive process, or both. The barriers can be used with electric or mechanical control elements.

Abstract: The invention relates to a device for maintaining grass fields, provided with a frame (1) movable along a ground surface, supporting on one or more support wheels (2), a gearbox with power take-offs (5), a steering handle (11), a drive motor (10), and with exchangeable working attachments which can be fixedly connected to the device and another support wheel (7) on one side adjacently of this working attachment which can be connected fixedly, pivotally or for active steering to the frame with a supporting arm (8) which is adjustable in position and lockable.

Abstract: A mowing machine chute cleaner apparatus and method including a housing and at least one rotatable blade positioned at least partially within the housing for cutting grass. The mowing machine includes a discharge chute for discharge of cut grass, wherein the discharge chute defining an exit opening, and the mowing machine includes a cover flap attached to the grass mowing machine and being movable from a closed position covering the discharge chute exit opening to an open position wherein the discharge chute exit opening is uncovered by the cover flap. The mowing machine also includes a movable clearing flap attached to the grass mowing machine which can be moved in a clearing motion through at least a portion of the discharge chute by movement of the cover flap to at least partially clear cut grass from the discharge chute.

Abstract: A single-unit shaker-type tree harvesting machine designed to travel down one side of a row of trees in order to harvest the entire crop from each tree. A wheel-based chassis supports a laterally disposed shaker and an angled catch frame together and conveyors for removing harvested crops. The chassis also supports an adjustable overhead structure and swingable carriage that extends down around the opposite side of each tree. An adjustable catch frame at the bottom of the carriage extends below the tree branches on the opposite side, and meets the chassis-mounted catch frame forming a complete crop catching frame in the shape of a wide modified V.

Abstract: A process for the pneumatic splicing of threads or yarns containing an elastomer or with a high torque comprises at least the following phases: introduction into a splicing chamber (11, 110) of a splicer (10, 100) of threads (12, 15) to be joined to each other; withholding by friction of the thread-ends (12, 15) by means of friction elements or devices (17, 20, 21) close to or inside the splicing chamber (11, 110); cutting of the thread-ends (12, 15); opening of the thread-ends (12, 15) cut by means of preparation units (22, 23); pulling of the cut and opened thread-ends (12, 15) in the direction of the junction chamber (11, 110); expulsion of the threads and contemporaneous entry of one or more jets of compressed air into the chamber (11, 110) to effect the splicing of the thread-ends (12, 15) and releasing of the spliced thread with the return of all the units of the splicing device (10, 100) to their initial position. The invention also relates to a device for the embodiment of said process.

Abstract: The yarns of the invention include untwisted wrapped singles yarns having a core strand and a wrapper yarn. The wrapper yarn is a base synthetic fiber and a heat-activated binder fiber with a melting point substantially below that of the base synthetic fiber. The Saxony carpets of the invention are made from untwisted singles yarn tufts and are possessed of surface appearance, individual tip retention, pile density, resilient hand and wear resistance comparable or superior to conventional Saxony carpets made from multiple plied twist set yarns.

Abstract: The yarns of the invention include untwisted wrapped singles yarns having a core strand and a wrapper yarn. The wrapper yarn is a base synthetic fiber and a heat-activated binder fiber with a melting point substantially below that of the base synthetic fiber. The Saxony carpets of the invention are made from untwisted singles yarn tufts and are possessed of surface appearance, individual tip retention, pile density, resilient hand and wear resistance comparable or superior to conventional Saxony carpets made from multiple plied twist set yarns.

Abstract: An engine for providing rotary power about an output shaft with a high power-to-weight ratio includes a plurality of flow guiding blades mounted on the inner surface of an annular thruster base. The flow guiding blades cooperate with the peripheral surface of a rotor for forming a plurality of ramjet-like thrusters. The configuration of the flow guiding blades allows for optimization of the number of thrusters. The centrifugal forces generated by the rotating components is compensated by an annular reinforcement wall made with high strength materials allowing for downsizing of the rotor and associated components.

Abstract: An aircraft gas turbine engine includes a low pressure turbine having a low pressure turbine flowpath and counter rotatable low pressure inner and outer shaft rotors having inner and outer shafts, respectively. The low pressure inner and outer shaft rotors include low pressure first and second turbine blade rows disposed across the turbine flowpath and drivingly connected to first and second fan blade rows by low pressure inner and outer shafts, respectively. At least one of the low pressure first and second turbine blade rows is interdigitated with an adjacent pair of one of the turbine blade rows. At least one row of non-rotatable low pressure vanes is disposed across the low pressure turbine flowpath between a non interdigitated adjacent pair of one of the turbine blade rows.

Abstract: A blanking-plug system for blanking off an orifice of a pipe, particularly for blanking off an orifice of a duct for introducing air into the combustion chamber of a ramjet.

Abstract: A method of operating a power system includes operating a fuel reformer so as to produce a reformate gas. The reformate gas is advanced through a turbine of a turbocharger thereby driving the compressor of the turbocharger. Pressurized air generated by the compressor is supplied to the air inlet of the fuel reformer. The reformate gas exiting the turbine of the turbocharger is advanced to a component such as the intake of the engine, an emission abatement device, or a fuel cell. A fuel reforming system operated by such a method is also disclosed.

Abstract: Injection of secondary air (AI) into an exhaust gas pipe upstream of an exhaust gas purification catalyst is performed after a startup of an engine, in order to accelerate the warm-up of the catalyst. If the degree of catalyst warm-up during the AI is greater than or equal to a predetermined criterion degree of the warm-up and the engine output is greater than or equal to a criterion output, the injection of secondary air is stopped and exhaust gas purification on the catalyst is conducted so as to curb degradation of emissions.

Abstract: In exhaust purification apparatus and method for an internal combustion engine having an exhaust gas purification catalyst disposed in an exhaust passage of the engine, a poisoning release control of the exhaust gas purification catalyst is executed when a predetermined condition is established, the poisoning release control including a normal mode and an exhaust gas composition mode before the normal mode, and a manipulation parameter (for example, an ignition timing) of the engine related to an exhaust gas composition is manipulated in such a manner that a hydrogen concentration in the exhaust gas in the exhaust gas composition mode is higher than that in the normal mode.

Abstract: A method of operating a power system includes operating a turbocharger so as to produce pressurized air, and advancing the pressurized air into a fuel reformer. The method also includes advancing reformate gas produced by the fuel reformer to a component such as the intake of the engine, an emission abatement device, or a fuel cell. A power system operated by such a method is also disclosed.

Abstract: An exhaust emission purification device comprises a sulfur component holding agent arranged on the exhaust path of an internal combustion engine for holding a sulfur component, a NOx holding agent arranged downstream of the sulfur component holding agent in the exhaust gas for holding NOx and the sulfur components when the air-fuel ratio of the exhaust gas flowing thereinto is lean, and a reducing agent adding unit for adding a reducing agent to the exhaust gas flowing into the NOx holding agent. The concentration of the sulfur component contained in the reducing agent added by the reducing agent adding unit is lower than the concentration of at least the sulfur component contained in the fuel supplied to the combustion chamber of the internal combustion engine. Thus, the sulfur poisoning of the exhaust emission purifier can be avoided while at the same time reducing the fuel consumption rate.

Abstract: The invention relates to a method of cleaning a particle filter (1) by means of a fluid, whereby the filter material is alternately treated with pressure and high flow rate. By means of the above method, the ash is washed out of the filter material, essentially more effectively, namely quicker and more completely and more gently for the filter material (2) than previously possible.

Abstract: An exhaust particulate trapping means 12 for trapping particulates in exhaust gases is provided in an exhaust path 3 of an engine. When the engine enters a deceleration condition during the removal by burning of exhaust particulates trapped by the exhaust particulate trapping means 12, the drop of the flow rate of exhaust gases flowing into the exhaust particulate trapping means 12 is restricted. Thus, the cooling action of the exhaust particulate trapping means 12 through heat exchange with the exhaust gases can be kept up to suppress that the temperature of the exhaust particulate trapping means 12 excessively rises on engine deceleration.

Abstract: An exhaust manifold of an engine exhaust apparatus includes a plurality of exhaust branches and a straight pipe section. The exhaust branches extend toward a confluence portion, from respective upstream ends to be connected with cylinders of an engine. The straight pipe section extends from the confluence portion toward a downstream end adapted to be connected to an exhaust purifying catalyst.

Abstract: A main spool is located in a bypass line connecting a pump line to a return line. The main spool moves in an axial direction according to the pressure in a spring chamber and the pressure in a pilot chamber, thereby adjusting the opening degree of the bypass line. A pilot switching valve is located in a pressure control passage connecting the spring chamber to the return line. The pilot switching valve controls the flow rate of hydraulic oil that flows from the spring chamber to the return line in accordance with the load pressure of a hydraulic actuator, thereby adjusting the pressure of hydraulic oil in the spring chamber. As a result, the range of the flow rate of hydraulic oil supplied to the hydraulic actuator, which range precludes the influence of the load pressure of the hydraulic actuator, is expanded.

Abstract: A hydraulic synchronizer for a plurality of hydraulic actuators has at least a pair of hydraulic fluid-holding chambers of variable fluid-holding volume. The synchronizer has a number of separate preferred features, each of which is optional depending upon the intended application of the synchronizer. These optional preferred features include an improved fluid passageway arrangement, a pneumatic pressure source, separate relief valves associated with each chamber, the capability to accommodate hydraulic fluid-holding chambers of different fluid-holding volumes concurrently, and the capability to detachably interconnect multiple synchronizer modules.