Abstract: An improved three-piece truck system for railroad cars provides long travel side bearings for improved stability, a “wide” friction shoe design or equivalent to improve sideframe and bolster squareness, a resilient pedestal pad for improved curving performance and enhanced wear resistance, and a suspension system tuned and optimized for rail cars to have a minimum reserve capacity of less than 1.5 to improve motion control and ride quality, increase resistance to suspension bottoming, and increase hunting threshold speed. Such a motion control truck system is able to meet recent, more stringent American Association of Railroads standards, such as M-976, for railcars having a 286,000 lb. gross rail load rating.

Abstract: A railroad car body has a longitudinally extending center sill, and a main bolster extending transversely relative to the center sill. A center plate is mounted under the center sill at the intersection of the center sill and the main bolster. The center plate seats in the center plate bowl of a truck that supports the rail road car body for rolling motion along the rail road tracks. The center plate is a casting that has a round peripheral wall that seats entirely within the center plate bowl. None of the center plate extends beyond the round peripheral wall, and none of the center plate overhangs the peripheral upstanding steel ring of the center plate bowl wall. The center plate has a continuous circumferential welding fillet relief such as may tend more easily to permit automated welding. The center plate has a hollow, upstanding truncated central cone member for accommodating a king pin. The truncated cone stands taller than the rim.

Abstract: A tuned spring group with load springs, control springs, and a frictional damping arrangement for a railcar truck assembly provides better ride quality, increased resistance to suspension bottoming, and increased hunting threshold speed of a railroad car. Specifically, this tuned damping and suspension arrangement provides a spring group reserve capacity of less than 1.50. Spring assemblies for different car types are tuned such that a reserve ratio less than 1.50 may be achieved. By reducing the spring assembly reserve capacity for a railcar and truck of a standard weight and configuration to less than 1.50, an unexpected result of a decrease in maximum vertical acceleration as the railcar truck assembly approaches a speed of 55 miles per hour is achieved. The decrease in vertical acceleration allows for improved ride quality, increased resistance to suspension bottoming and increased hunting threshold speed of the railcar.

Abstract: A water-based, aerosol marking composition that adheres to a variety of surfaces but is removable by mechanical rubbing with a dry cloth or by washing with water is provided. The composition comprises 10 to 50% by weight water; 5 to 50% by weight of a solvent selected from the group consisting of a C6 to C15 aliphatic solvent, an aromatic solvent comprising 10 or fewer carbon atoms, an ether, and an alcohol, or combinations thereof; 0.1 to 4% of an emulsifier having a hydrophile to lipophile balance of from 1.8 to 16.7; a marking agent; and 10 to 45% propellant. In a preferred embodiment the composition lacks or contains only trace amounts of an alkyd-based drying oil, polyvinylpyrrrolidone, or polyvinyl alcohol, or another agent that serves as an adhesive for the pigment particles. In certain embodiments, the composition comprises an inorganic filler and from 0.05% to 3% surfactant.

Abstract: Disclosed is a phase change ink composition comprising (a) a colorant and (b) a carrier comprising a polyamide, wherein the polyamide component of the carrier contains at least about 10 percent by weight of a branched triamide.

Abstract: A phase change ink composition comprising a phase change ink carrier and a colorant compound of the formula 1

Abstract: The present invention is drawn toward a black ink-jet ink, comprising a liquid vehicle and a black colorant solubilized or dispersed in the liquid vehicle. The liquid vehicle can include water, a cosolvent, a solubilized naturally occurring amino acid, and an amphoteric surfactant. Other components can optionally be present as well.

Abstract: The present invention relates to an aqueous coating composition which comprises an alkali oxidised aqueous gelatinised starch/protein mixture, said composition having a viscosity between 1 and 100 centapoise (cps), and a pH from pH 7.5 to pH 9, particularly compositions wherein said alkali oxidised aqueous gelatinised starch/protein mixture comprises a solids content of from 3% w/w to 50% w/w, and processes in the preparation of the same and also processes employing the said composition in the preparation of paper or fibreboard.

Abstract: Curable compositions, such as benzoxazine-based ones, are useful in applications within the aerospace industry, such as for example as a heat curable composition for use as a matrix resin or an adhesive, and form the basis of the present invention.

Abstract: In a method for the manufacture of a nacreous pigment, in which a multi-layer film is produced by vacuum evaporation coating on a substrate and, after release from the substrate, the particles thus produced are comminuted to pigment particles of a desired size, vapor deposition of a plurality of layers taking place at separate locations within an evacuable container and the substrate being passed along the sources of evaporation, it is provided that at least a backing (A), in particular a silicon oxide layer, and at least a metal oxide layer (B), in particular a titanium oxide layer, are vapor-deposited on the substrate, in particular a circulating metal belt.

Abstract: The invention relates to a process for preparing pigments, which comprises

Abstract: The invention provides a transparent and tenacious coating film using an inorganic paint composition prepared by adding a borate salt into an alkali metal silicate, and further mixing thereto lepidoblastic transparent silica with a thickness of 0.01 to 0.5 &mgr;m and a surface diameter of 2 to 5 &mgr;m. The alkali metal silicate is solidified with metal ions issued from the borate salt to form a coating film, which contains a glass formed by solidifying dissolved boric acid in the coating film. The coating film can be made tenacious without impairing transparency by dispersing many flakes of transparent silica as laminated layers.

Abstract: The present invention is drawn toward materials, methods and systems for solid free-form fabrication of three dimensional objects. In one embodiment, a method can comprise a) applying a particulate blend in a layer, wherein the particulate blend includes calcium aluminate particulates and polymeric binder particulates; b) dispensing an aqueous polyol-containing liquid vehicle onto a predetermined area of the particulate blend to form hydrated cement in the predetermined area; c) hardening the hydrated cement; and d) repeating steps a) through c) such that multiple layers of the cement are formed that are bound to one another, thereby forming the three dimensional object.

Abstract: The Discovery Channel did a documentary type show about “The Great Wall of China”. Researchers discovered that the stone in the wall had been deteriorating, but the mortar holding the stone together was not. They discovered that the mystery element in the mortar was Rice Flour.

Abstract: A low moisture composition for producing concrete articles exhibiting increased density and strength and requiring a short consolidation time is obtained by adding a powder admixture of naphthalene formaldehyde condensates to a cement composition.

Abstract: A table assembly for onto the wall, comprising a hanger body to have a fixed unit for onto the wall; a table plate; a joint unit for the table plate be pivoted freely to the hanger body; and a support unit for keep the table plate and the hanger body each other on the fixed position. When the table plate opened from the hanger body, the support unit supports the table plate since the table plate can maintain to be about leveled. The hanger body having a plural of separated cabinet therein and an illumination unit is at upper part of the body.

Abstract: The invention is a portable activity surface with foam construction with various utilitarian features and configurations.

Abstract: A pallet assembly includes a top deck having a top deck upper surface and a top deck lower surface and also having a first predetermined fire retardancy. A bottom deck having a bottom deck upper surface and a bottom deck lower surface, and also having a second predetermined fire retardancy. A column extending between the top deck and bottom deck, the column having an other fire retardancy lower than at least one of the first and second fire retardancies.

Abstract: A biomass gasification system for efficiently extracting heat energy from biomass material. The biomass gasification system includes a primary combustion chamber, a rotating grate within the primary combustion chamber for supporting the biomass during gasification, a feeder unit in communication with the primary combustion chamber for delivering biomass, a secondary combustion chamber fluidly connected to the primary combustion chamber, an oxygen mixer positioned between the primary combustion chamber and the secondary combustion chamber, a heat exchanger and an exhaust stack.

Abstract: An oxygen-fuel combustion system combines oxygen and fuel to produce a flame. The system distributes oxygen to a stream of fluidized, pulverized, solid fuel at various sites before and after ignition. The system is operable to vary the concentration of oxygen in an oxygen-fuel mixture extant at those sites.

Abstract: A method for the processing of carbon-containing polymeric material, the method comprising the steps of: Introducing the carbon-containing polymeric material into the retort of a retort assembly which includes a retort disposed at least partially within the combustion chamber, the retort containing an inert heat-transfer medium and an agitation means, wherein the agitation means is adapted to agitate the inert heat transfer medium and the carbon containing polymeric material, the combustion chamber having heating means to indirectly heat the rotatable retort; Heating the carbon-containing polymeric material and the inert heat transfer medium to cause such to at least partially decompose; Discharging processed carbon-containing polymeric material from the retort.

Abstract: A fossil-fuel-fired system, which includes an emissions-control-agent dispenser, a furnace, an emissions monitor and, optionally, a controller, is disclosed. The emissions-control-agent dispenser provides a prescribed amount of organic-emissions-control agent, such as, for example, an opacity-control agent to the fossil-fuel-fired system. The furnace includes an exhaust communicating with the atmosphere. The emissions monitor is capable of measuring at least one property of the flue-gas communicated through the exhaust to the atmosphere. For example, when an organic-emissions-control agent is an opacity-control agent, the emissions monitor has the capability of at least measuring opacity. When included, the controller communicates with at least the emissions-control-agent dispenser and the emissions monitor.

Abstract: A grate block for an incinerator has a top wall and a front wall that extends from the front wall. A pair of side walls wherein each sidewall extends from the top wall and the front wall. Each of the side walls of the grate blocks engage the side wall of the adjacent grate block. Each side wall has a recess in proximity to the front wall/upper wall interface. The recess defines a gap between the side walls of the adjacent grate blocks. An opening in the recess through the side wall allows for the flow of air from a cavity within the grate block. The slot created by the recess of the two adjoining grate blocks has a narrower slot opening created by a shallow upper recess and a broader slot opening created by a deeper lower recess. In that the openings are not directly aligned with any of the exposed surfaces, the air is required to make a perpendicular turn prior to exiting the recess of the grate block.

Abstract: The invention relates to a combined fluidized bed and pulverized coal combustion method and system. In the method, fluidizing air (4) is injected into a fluidized bed (2) situated in the bottom portion of the combustion chamber (3). Into the combustion chamber, to above the fluidized bed (2), is fed a mixture of pulverized coal and a carrier gas from a second set of fuel feed means (6) at a mass flow rate which is higher or at least substantially equal to the upper ignition limit of the mixture, and the mixture of the pulverized coal and the carrier gas at least by the fluidizing air (4), and at least a fraction of the fuel fed via the second set of fuel feed means (6) is combusted above the fluidized bed (2).

Abstract: To apply the properties of water, once vaporized, combust at a temperature above 1,500 degrees Fahrenheit, the exhaust heat from a combustion chamber and from the super-heated steam heading for cooling at a conventional power plant is to be utilized to vaporize water for combustion in the combustion chamber heated above the required temperature in order to super-heat the steam for power generation thereby reduce conventional fuel consumption commensurate with the amount of heat generated by the water-converted fuel and to utilize water to be vaporized for condensation of the left-over from the combusted fossil fuel mixed with CaCO3 so as to neutralize acidity in the waste, to prevent pollutants from air-borning and to convert the residue-air to usable gas.

Abstract: A sewing machine is provided having an automatic bobbin loader. The automatic bobbin loader includes a hook assembly mounted beneath the sewing plane having a bobbin receiver. The hook assembly is driven by a drive shaft, and is moveable from a first, operating position, to a second, loading position. A bobbin loader is mounted adjacent to the hook assembly in the second position. The bobbin loader includes a suction tube that removes any remaining bobbin core. The bobbin loader then loads a replacement bobbin from the bobbin loading assembly into the bobbin receiver, prior to the hook assembly being returned to the operating position. Additionally, in order to sew through thick material, the needle is carried by a needle carriage which moves in time with the material being sewn to maintain the needle generally vertical throughout the time it is in the material being sewn.

Abstract: A kick down and kick up catamaran assembles by hand with holes in main spar and stern spar ends receiving threaded rods extending vertically from the side-by-side hulls, secured in place with hand knobs. A bow spar with a line to the mast lifts the mast to vertical and is then secured between the hulls. A mast that operationally rests with its proximal end alongside the main spar, held in place by an easily removable cord that wraps the main spar and slips into a mast slot opening at the mast proximal end. A trampoline stretches between the main and stern spars provide a platform on which the operator sits, tightened by a plurality of adjustable straps between the trampoline and the stern spar. A rudder is mounted on each hull that traces the underwater relief or objects as they might impact the rudder distal end. The rudder rotates rearward on a horizontal axis against a spring bias about a pivot pin on a mounting plate as the catamaran moves forward as it impacts an underwater object.

Abstract: A steerage wheel for a vessel such as a sailing yacht is disclosed. A rim member is attached to a hub member by a series of spokes. The rim member includes pivot mechanisms to allow sector portions of the rim member to be folded over to reduce the effective width of the steerage wheel. The spokes connecting the hub to the sector portions have releasable securing means to allow the connection between the rim member and the hub to be severed to permit folding of the steerage wheel without interference from the spokes. The releasable seeming means is a screw threaded sleeve that allows connection and detachment of the free ends of two lengths of the spoke.

Abstract: Disclosed is a marine steering assembly having a steering wheel pedestal, a steering output member, a manual steering mechanism and an auto-pilot drive. The manual steering mechanism is connected to a steering wheel. The manual steering mechanism is retained by the steering wheel pedestal for manual control of the steering output member. The auto-pilot drive is connected to the steering output member and provides automatic control of the steering output member. The auto-pilot drive is aligned with and located adjacent the steering output member. The steering output member, the manual steering mechanism, the pedestal and the auto-pilot drive are accommodated within an outer casing.

Abstract: A system for converting Jones Act/OPA90 compliant tankers to shuttle tankers includes a dynamic positioning system, means for bow loading of crude oil, and the necessary power systems to make each operational.

Abstract: A turret mooring system for a vessel comprises a turret which is rotatably connected to the vessel and comprises a lower end, a buoy which is anchored to the sea floor and is releasably connectable to the lower end, and a bearing assembly which is positioned between the buoy and the vessel when the buoy is connected to the turret. In this manner, horizontal mooring loads acting on the buoy are transmitted through the bearing assembly to the vessel.

Abstract: A turret mooring system for a vessel which includes a moon pool comprises a turret which is positioned in the moon pool, a buoy and anchor chain assembly for anchoring the turret to the sea floor, a bearing assembly for rotatably connecting the turret to the vessel, and a bearing support assembly which comprises an upper ring member to which the bearing assembly is connected, a lower ring member which is connected to the vessel in the moon pool, and a number of elongated support beams which are connected between the upper and lower ring members. In addition, the lower ring member is connected to the vessel near the vertical center of the vessel in order to minimize the deflections of the bearing assembly due to hogging and sagging of the vessel.

Abstract: A boat comprising a hull having an end portion that is curved inwardly. A plate is pivotally mounted to the boat for movement between a first position in which it extends downwardly and a second position in which it extends upwardly.

Abstract: Watercraft with a solid hull and a solid outer side, where a recess extending essentially in a horizontal plane is formed in the outer side of said watercraft above the water line, in which recess an elastically deformable safety element is permanently installed, which element is folded onto itself in a first operating state and is inflated by means of a pressurized fluid from a source of pressurized fluid in a second operating state, characterized in that at least one undercut projection is formed in the recess in the outer side of the watercraft, and in that the safety element has at least one concavity designed as the negative of the positive shape of the projection, so that the projection engages positively and nonpositively with the concavity.

Abstract: An inflating flotation and stability device for equipment is provided. The device comprises at least one inflatable bladder mounted to the mounting plate and a cover covering the inflatable bladder. A carrier mechanism secures the inflatable bladder to the equipment. A cover removing mechanism removes the cover and an inflation mechanism inflates the inflatable bladder.

Abstract: The An anchor retrieval assist device including a “U” shaped type of boat bow chock-rope guide and anchor staging and storage device which allows buoy type anchor retrieval devices to be pulled through the guide without rope removal. It is designed to allow pulling of an anchor via the buoy retrieval system with a rope routed through the device and attached to a forward cleat on a boat. The anchor can be easily released from its storage-rest position by raising the anchor rope, tipping the anchor to allow it to roll off the bow rest position into the water. A pin is provided to secure the anchor in the rest position. The device works equally well with or without mechanical buoy type retrievers for anchoring and retrieving the anchor manually.

Abstract: An actuated gauge pointer that includes a shape memory alloy element configured to move the gauge pointer when activated is provided. The actuated gauge pointer includes a first shape memory alloy element disposed within the perimeter of the gauge pointer housing. Additionally, the actuated gauge pointer may include a second shape memory alloy element to provide temperature compensation, and a bias member to return the gauge pointer to an initial condition.

Abstract: A low temperature method for growing quaternary epitaxial films having the formula XCZN wherein X is a Group IV element and Z is a Group III element. A Gaseous flux of precursor H3XCN and a vapor flux of Z atoms are introduced into a gas-source molecular beam epitaxial (MBE) chamber to form thin film of XCZN on a substrate preferably of silicon or silicon carbide. Silicon substrates may comprise a native oxide layer, thermal oxide layer, AlN/silicon structures or an interface of Al—O—Si—N formed from interlayers of Al on the Si02 layer. Epitaxial thin film SiCAlN and AlN are provided. Bandgap engineering is disclosed. Semiconductor devices produced by the present method exhibit bandgaps and spectral ranges which make them useful for optoelectronic and microelectronic applications. SiCAlN deposited on large-diameter silicon wafers are substrates for growth of conventional Group III nitrides such as AlN. The quaternary compounds exhibit extreme hardness.

Abstract: A method of making optical fluoride crystal feedstock includes loading a fluoride raw material in powder form into a flexible mold and applying isostatic pressure to the mold to compress the fluoride raw material. The compressed fluoride raw material could be used directly to grow a single or mixed crystal or could be subjected to a pre-melt process prior to being used to grow a crystal.

Abstract: A crystallization apparatus includes a crucible housing a crystalloid material, which includes a seed crystal housing part for housing a seed crystal that is grown into a single crystal from the material, a support component that is connected with the seed crystal housing part of the crucible to support the crucible, a heater that is arranged in a periphery part of the crucible for heating the crucible, and a cooling component with an adjustable cooling capacity that is arrange inside the support component.

Abstract: The invention relates to a substrate for epitaxy, especially for preparation of nitride semiconductor layers. Invention covers a bulk nitride mono-crystal characterized in that it is a mono-crystal of gallium nitride and its cross-section in a plane perpendicular to c-axis of hexagonal lattice of gallium nitride has a surface area greater than 100 mm2, it is more than 1.0 &mgr;m thick and its C-plane surface dislocation density is less than 106/cm2, while its volume is sufficient to produce at least one further-processable non-polar A-plane or M-plane plate having a surface area at least 100 mm2. More generally, the present invention covers a bulk nitride mono-crystal which is characterized in that it is a mono-crystal of gallium-containing nitride and its cross-section in a plane perpendicular to c-axis of hexagonal lattice of gallium-containing nitride has a surface area greater than 100 mm2, it is more 1.0 &mgr;m thick and its surface dislocation density is less than 106/cm2.

Abstract: An epitaxial structure of GaN based compound semiconductor comprises a substrate; a single crystal of boron phosphide buffer layer on the substrate; a first buffer layer composed of group III nitride at a temperature from 200 to 800 degree C. formed on the boron phosphide buffer layer; and a second buffer layer composed of group III nitride at a temperature from 800 degree formed on the first buffer layer.

Abstract: The invention concerns a method for forming catalytic sites at the surface of a support, which consists in: depositing on said surface a liquid film (3) containing elements (4) of a living matter, capable of moving when subjected to an electric and/or magnetic field and designed to form catalytic traces or alterations at the surface of the substrate; applying an electric and/or magnetic field to said film such that, under the effect of the field, at least some of said living matter elements move and assemble on zones of the substrate surface; and eliminating the liquid film and the living matter at the substrate surface while allowing the traces left by said living element at the substrate surface to subsist so as to constitute said catalytic sites at the locations of said traces.

Abstract: A method is for making a semiconductor device by forming a superlattice that, in turn, includes a plurality of stacked groups of layers. The method may also include forming regions for causing transport of charge carriers through the superlattice in a parallel direction relative to the stacked groups of layers. Each group of the superlattice may include a plurality of stacked base semiconductor monolayers defining a base semiconductor portion and an energy band-modifying layer thereon. The energy-band modifying layer may include at least one non-semiconductor monolayer constrained within a crystal lattice of adjacent base semiconductor portions so that the superlattice may have a higher charge carrier mobility in the parallel direction than would otherwise occur. The superlattice may also have a common energy band structure therein.

Abstract: An apparatus for applying a material to a substrate includes a housing having an inlet passage, a plurality of exit openings, and a recess in fluid communication between the inlet passage and the exit openings. A valve element is disposed in the recess wherein the valve element includes a first portion and a second portion axially displaced from the first portion. Means are provided for moving the valve element in the recess such that the first portion provides continuous fluid communication between the inlet passage and one of the exit openings during movement of the valve element and the second portion provides intermittent fluid communication between the inlet passage and another of the exit openings during movement of the valve element. A method of applying a material to a substrate is also disclosed.

Abstract: A liquid crystal dispensing system includes a liquid crystal material container to contain liquid crystal, the liquid crystal material container provided with a first code corresponding to liquid crystal information; a reading unit to read the recognition code; a discharge pump to draw in and discharge liquid crystal from the liquid crystal material container; and a nozzle to dispense liquid crystal from the discharge pump onto a substrate.

Abstract: An apparatus for coating stent is disclosed. The apparatus can be used to coat multiple stents or a large number of stents simultaneously. The apparatus includes a chamber that can be rotated or tumbled during the application of a coating substance to the stents.

Abstract: A nitrogen injection assembly for use in coloring and curing optical fibers is disclosed. The nitrogen injection assembly includes a cover section and a distribution seal. An optical fiber coated with ink passes from a coating die to a curing chamber via a passageway defined by the cover section and the distribution seal. The distribution seal injects nitrogen into the passageway to keep the coated fiber and the curing chamber substantially free of oxygen. With the distribution seal positioned closer to the curing chamber than the cover section, the apparatus minimizes the risk of leaks in the passageway and the number of required seals.

Abstract: A microdeposition system (20) and method deposits precise amounts of fluid material onto a substrate. A microdeposition head (50) includes a plurality of spaced nozzles. A positioning device controls a position of the microdeposition head relative to the substrate. A controller (22) includes a positioning module that communicates with the positioning device and that generates position control signals for the positioning device. A nozzle firing module communicates with the microdeposition head (50) and selectively generates nozzle firing commands to define features of at least one layer of an electrical device, such as resistors, traces and capacitors on a printed circuit board, polymer light emitting diodes, and light panels.

Abstract: A coating solution is supplied to a substrate as an experimental substrate that is the same type as a product substrate while the experimental substrate is being scanned by a nozzle so as to form a line of the coating solution. The line of the coating solution is photographed by for example a CCD camera so as to obtain a contact angle of the coating solution. Using a geometric model according to the contact angle, relation data of a discharge flow amount of the coating solution nozzle at a scanning speed for a real coating process for the product substrate and an allowable range of a pitch is obtained. Relation data of the discharge flow amount of the coating solution nozzle and the pitch is pre-created for each of a plurality of targets of the film thickness. According to the relation data, the pitch is decided.