Abstract: A deck construction including a plurality of supports for anchoring deck construction elements to a building site. The supports include a body (which may be an integrally molded concrete pier) having upper and lower portions. The upper portion includes at least one slot for seating a horizontally oriented construction member. The slot includes a center socket portion having four extended comers for seating the bottom end of a vertically oriented construction member. The slot and center socket are defined by connecting wall portions which may be integral to the body or may be of plastic or metal and suitable secured to the body. In some cases, two mutually perpendicular slots are provided.

Abstract: It is an object to provide a construct for buildings and a method for manufacturing the same exhibiting favorable workability through a simple structure and capable of achieving high strength and accuracy when used in structural steelworks constructed through constructs for buildings such as pillar elements or beam elements; for achieving this object, the construct A for buildings comprises a steel pipe member 1 and reinforcing elements 2 provided in a hollow portion 1a of the interior of the steel pipe member 1 to cross the interior of the steel pipe member 1 in the longitudinal direction, with the steel pipe member and the reinforcing elements being welded and joined; wherein inserting holes 20 for the reinforcing elements are formed at mounting positions for the reinforcing elements on an outer peripheral portion of the steel pipe member to have a width meeting width dimensions of the reinforcing elements, wherein these inserting holes are successively formed from the outer peripheral surface of the steel

Abstract: A stiffener is provided for use in grain bin walls which have a plurality of wall sheets. The stiffener comprises an elongated, generally U-shaped member having two opposite side members adjacent to a middle portion. The stiffener also includes side flanges formed in the sides of the U-shaped member. The side flanges include a bent over side edge, which increases the strength of the stiffener. The stiffener further comprises an elongated dimple running longitudinally along the center of the middle portion of the U-shaped member, significantly increasing the load-carrying capacity. Two offset rows of bolt holes straddle the dimple for attaching the stiffener to the wall sheets to strengthen the connection between the stiffener and the grain bin walls.

Abstract: Column-beam building frame structure, wherein columns and beams are interconnected to distribute and share all lateral loads through collars that encircle columns at the nodal points of attachments between columns and beams. Each collar includes inner and outer components which seat, and gravity-lock together, during frame construction, and which also to offer a certain amount of immediate moment resistance to lateral loads. Tension bolt and nut assemblies lock the inner and outer collar components together, and with these assemblies in place, the collars (which circumsurround the beams) function to deliver beam moment loads as plural-position, angularly distributed compression loads to different side regions of columns.

Abstract: A method of covering a roof deck includes laying a course of starter shingles in a side-by-side relationship at an eave edge of a roof deck. A starter shingle of the course of starter shingles is a laminated starter shingle comprising an underlay sheet laminated below an overlay sheet. A plurality of successive generally horizontal courses of covering shingles are laid above the course of starter shingles. The covering shingles in each of the courses of covering shingles are laid in a side-by-side relationship and horizontally offset from the covering shingles in adjacent courses. Each covering shingle of the courses of covering shingles includes a headlap portion and a butt portion. The butt portion includes a plurality of tabs separated by cutouts. The starter shingles include an exposed portion extending between the tabs of the covering shingles.

Abstract: An infrared-reflective material is applied directly to the bituminous surface of a roofing product to increase the solar heat reflectance of the product, even when deep-tone roofing granules are used to color the product. The infrared-reflective material can be applied as a powder or in a carrier fluid or film, and can be applied along with infrared-reflective roofing granules.

Abstract: The process comprises the following stages: cutting at least one groove into the upper surface to a depth therein which is only a part thereof; fixing a thin and flexible temporary support element to the upper surface; making at least one recess which, starting from the lower surface covers the entire width of the body of the tile in a position corresponding to the groove, but not the support element; the recess separating the body of the tile into at least two parts, totally separated; nearing the two parts of the tile by bending the thin and flexible temporary support element which keeps the at least two parts of tile (separated by the recess) united, so that the tile is fashioned into the non-flat predetermined conformation.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for manufacturing unitary concrete blocks includes a form that defines the desired shape of the unitary concrete block. A form loading station delivers a lightweight concrete composite into the form. A station conveyor conveys the form from the form loading station through a curing oven. In the curing oven, the composite-filled form is cured into a unitary concrete block. The station conveyor conveys the form to a block removal station that removes the unitary concrete block from the form. The station conveyor returns the form to the form loading station to manufacture more unitary concrete blocks. For increased production, multiple forms can be conveyed between stations simultaneously. Additionally, a metering ingredient assembly may be used to deliver appropriate amounts of desired ingredients to a mixer for producing the lightweight concrete composite.

Abstract: The present invention is drawn to solid freeform fabrication systems and methods for producing three-dimensional objects. The system can include build material configured to be deposited in layers to form a three-dimensional object; and support material configured to be deposited adjacent to the build material for supporting the build material during formation of the three-dimensional object. The support material can also be configured to form a feature that imparts a predetermined property within the three-dimensional object.

Abstract: Solar-reflective roofing granules having deep-tone colors are formed by coating base mineral particles with a coating composition including an infrared-reflective pigment. Color is provided by colored infrared pigment, light-interference platelet pigment, or a metal oxide.

Abstract: A portable precast slab that provides a foundation for a variety of industrial equipment that can be placed at locations where permanent foundations cannot be installed, or where an immediately usable foundation is needed. The slab is preferably about 4?-24? in thickness, preferably at least about 6? in length, and preferably at least about 6? in width; multiple pieces may be used to form the slab. The slab may have attachment means incorporated in order to move the slab. If a bulk storage tank is placed upon the slab, preferably at least about 8 feet by about 8 feet area adjacent to the tank will be available for delivery of liquid cryogen. A method of making and using the slab is also contemplated, and the slab may also be used as a splash pad, and a pad for cryogenic pumps.

Abstract: A configuration for sealing or sound-proofing cavities, for example in the vicinity of a chassis or a body of a motor vehicle, includes two half-shells which are separately produced, which can be locked together and which, in an interlocked state, form a free, outwardly open ring-shaped gap in an outer, intermediate peripheral edge region. The ring-shaped gap is inwardly limited by an inner contour on one of the half-shells. A heat-expansible element as a contoured ring-like plate has a form which substantially corresponds to that of the ring-shaped gap formed between the two half-shells on their outer wall. The configuration is material-saving and can be produced and mounted at low cost.

Abstract: A shear wall construction and method for assembling the same is disclosed. A plywood sheet includes close laterally-spaced pairs of vertical studs or posts proximate each lateral end. A channel-defining member is fitted and fixed between the spaced studs. A tie member extends from the channel-defining member into a concrete foundation or other underlying building element. A track is also provided for sheathing a lower edge of the shear wall. Protrusions from the metal track aid in anchoring the shear wall to the concrete foundation.

Abstract: Netting chutes suitable for use with manual and automatic packaging operations to enclose product in netting packaging include at least one axially extending rib.

Abstract: Netting chutes suitable for use with manual and automatic packaging operations to enclose product in netting packaging include a non-circular cross-sectional cavity shape.

Abstract: A can assembly includes a can body, and a cap that is seamed to the can body, and a bag. The bag, which may be formed by a thermoforming process, includes a thickened portion as part of a peripheral flange that terminates in a bulb. A throat that receives the bulb is formed by necks on the body and cap such that the bulb is spaced apart from the seam. A constriction formed by the neck radially inboard from the bulb receives the thickened portion of the bag. The process for forming the can assembly includes forming the seam and thermoforming a billet into the bag. At least part of the flange is formed between matched portions of mold flanges.

Abstract: According to one embodiment of the invention, an apparatus includes a plurality of coin stacks of semiconductor wafers. Each coin stack includes a plurality of semiconductor wafers separated from an adjacent wafer by a wafer separator disposed within a coin stack carrier. The apparatus also includes a shipping box having the plurality of coin stacks disposed therein such that each of the wafers in each of the coin stack carriers has a vertical orientation.

Abstract: A packaging method for a lithographic printing plate for packaging by a packing paper the lithographic printing plate with only one side surface formed as an image forming surface, comprising the step of: packaging the lithographic printing plate with the packing paper so that an unsealing surface of the packing paper is on an opposite side from the image forming surface.

Abstract: A method of operating a packaging machine and a packaging machine operated by the method, whereby sheets of a packaging material are given an undulating configuration with one or more crests before an end of the sheet is passed between object conveyors and then carried by a wrapping bar around the object to be wrapped.

Abstract: A packaging system includes an elongate vessel and a lid. The vessel includes a bottom wall, a top surface, and a cylindrical body between the top surface and bottom wall. The body includes an outer surface, a tapered inner surface, and a vertical portion. The vertical portion extends between the tapered inner surface and the top surface. The vessel further includes a plurality of locking tabs formed on the outer surface. The lid includes a cylindrical body, an interior perimeter and an inner surface, and an inner sealing ring extending from the inner surface and configured to engage and seal against the vertical portion of the elongate vessel. The lid also includes an outer sealing ring extending down from the inner surface and out from the interior perimeter, a plurality of tab receptacles positioned within the lid cylindrical body, and a plurality of notches within the cylindrical body positioned between the plurality of tab receptacles.

Abstract: A device for generating at least partial vacuum in bags for packaging clothes comprising a box body that forms a suction chamber designed to accommodate at least one portion of a mouth of a bag for packaging clothes; elements for providing at least partial airtightness act between the bag and the box body; the suction chamber being provided with an air suction intake that can be connected to air suction elements; and heat-sealing elements that act on a region of the bag that is interposed between the mouth portion and the clothes contained within the bag.

Abstract: In an enclosure-collating device, in particular for mail-processing installations, a shorter dimensioning of the enclosure-conveying compartments on a collating path in the direction of the enclosure conveying on said collating path is achieved in that enclosures are fed into the enclosure-conveying compartments obliquely with a movement component in the conveying direction of the enclosure-conveying arrangement by an oblique conveying device of a transfer device serving to feed the enclosures into the enclosure-conveying compartments.

Abstract: In an envelope-filling station for mail processing systems having an envelope-feeding arrangement for single, open envelopes, an intermediate envelope-conveying arrangement extending at an angle thereto in the direction of an angle stop arrangement provided for the purpose of aligning the envelope, and an envelope-advancing arrangement from which the envelopes are accepted from the angle stop arrangement, a simplification of the design, and effort needed to control the component parts is achieved when the angle stop arrangement, with the exception of a stopping straightedge that is to be provided to achieve extremely precise alignment of an envelope that is supplied at an angle, contains as a further part of the angle stop arrangement a conveying nip between the upper strand of an intermittently driven conveying belt of the envelope-advancing arrangement and a pressure-exerting roller that is pre-tensioned near the beginning of the upper strand of this conveying belt.

Abstract: An improved animal hoof boot assembly that consists of a fabric boot and a critically dimensioned elliptical shock absorbing pad disposed inside at the bottom of the boot, the pad having a triangular raised frog support at the rear of a hoof stop at the front. The invention is also a method of transporting animals by fitting them with a boot assembly as described above.

Abstract: A filter assembly for an engine and operable to support a filter element. The filter assembly comprising a housing defining a filter receiving space having a first end and a second end. The first end and second end defining an axial length therebetween. A biasing element is integrally formed as one piece with the housing and disposed adjacent the first end.

Abstract: An attaching and detaching device for a contaminant collecting receptacle of a cyclone separator in a vacuum cleaner includes a sealing member having a through hole for providing fluid communication and air flow, a lever member surrounding the sealing member, and a guide member to guide upward and downward displacement of the lever member depending on the direction of displacement of the guide member.

Abstract: A panel filter element has a pleated filter media having peaks and valleys arranged in pleated sets of first and second panels. The pleated sets are adhered along side edges to form clean-side pockets which open adjacent to the valleys. The first and second panels have elongated embossments projecting both into and away from the pockets to keep the pockets open and to keep the pleated sets separate. Dirty air flows into the filter media both transverse to the peaks and laterally between the pleated sets of first and second panels. By having dirty air to be filtered flowing both transversly and laterally, the dirt holding capacity of the filter is increased while increases in restriction are minimized.

Abstract: A greensmower having a cutting reel and a traction member and an independent electric circuit and motor for driving each. A handle is attached to the reel for mower guidance by an operator in a walk-behind position. Separate electric controls are connected to each motor for separate speeds for each motor and thereby control the clip rate of the mowing. There are low battery power read-outs and automatic shutoffs. Provision is made for traction powering of the mower even when the reel motor is not operating because of low battery power. A lift-out battery pack is shiftably mounted on the mower for producing the desired force of the mower on the ground.

Abstract: A large rectangular baler is equipped with a stuffer fork used both for blocking crop, that is being pre-compressed in a supply channel, from passing through an inlet of a baling chamber, and for sweeping the pre-compressed crop into the baling chamber once a pre-selected condition has been met.

Abstract: A crop rake system for controlling the location of tines on the rake, which may include a rotatable rotation framework with an axis of rotation; a plurality of tines mounted to the rotation framework radially outward from the axis of rotation of the rotation framework; and a plurality of tine dampeners mounted to the rotation framework radially outward from the axis of rotation of the rotation framework, the plurality tine dampeners being mounted relative to the plurality of tines such as to determine the depth at which the plurality of tines may penetrate into a ground surface. The invention also includes either separately or in combination, a means for contracting and transporting the rake system on roads and highways.

Abstract: A harvesting machine includes a pick-up unit for picking up the harvested crop, a cutting device that is equipped with at least one cutting edge that cooperates with a counter-cutter for cutting and/or chopping the harvested crop, and a monitoring device, which can be operated to generate a signal containing information about the sharpness of the edge and/or its distance to the counter-cutter, with the sharpness and distance each being compared to a target value. The monitoring device receives signals generated by an optical sensor, which visually monitors the cutting device and/or the cut harvested crop, wherein the signal of said sensor is used so that the monitoring device can deduce information about the sharpness of the edge and/or its distance to a counter-cutter, and send out a control signal for effecting automatic sharpening of the cutting edge and/or adjustment of the counter-cutter.

Abstract: It is an object of the present invention to provide a draft device DR including draft rollers which, when a draft device composed of a plurality of draft roller pairs is used, can reduce the adverse effect of associated air currents resulting from the rollers rotating at high speed while maintaining a gripping force and can effectively utilize the associated air currents to suppress the spread of a bundle of fibers L. The present invention provides a draft device DR including a plurality of roller pairs that pull a bundle of fibers L while feeding the bundle downstream, wherein associated air currents resulting from a roller constituting the roller pair are passed through ends of the roller, and gaps are provided which form air passages in which the air currents act as air flows forming a prevention wall that hinders spread of the bundle of fibers fed while being drafted.

Abstract: The reforming of heavy oil with supercritical water or subcritical water is accomplished by mixing together supercritical water, heavy oil, and oxidizing agent, thereby oxidizing vanadium in heavy oil with the oxidizing agent at the time of treatment with supercritical water and separate vanadium oxide. The separated vanadium oxide is removed by the scavenger after treatment with supercritical water. In this way it is possible to solve the long-standing problem with corrosion of turbine blades by vanadium which arises when heavy oil is used as gas turbine fuel.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for controlling the equivalence ratio in an internal combustion engine to improve catalytic converter performance including varying an equivalence ratio setpoint between a rich and a lean state periodically, and introducing a fuel enrichment pulse to the equivalence ratio that sweeps the equivalence ratio across stoichiometry.

Abstract: An output signal from a downstream-side exhaust gas sensor is fed back into a fuel injection rate so that the air-fuel ratio of the exhaust gases flowing out from a catalyst may match a reference value. In this sub-feedback control process, the integral value of the deviation between the output signal of the downstream-side exhaust gas sensor and a reference value is calculated, and the resulting integral-data signal is smoothed. A learning value for compensating for the permanent error included in an air-fuel ratio signal from an A/F sensor is learnt from the integral-data signal generated by the above smoothing operation.

Abstract: An emission abatement assembly includes one or more DPNR devices for removing both NOX and particulate soot from the exhaust gas of an internal combustion engine. Reformate gas from a fuel reformer is used to selectively regenerate the DPNR device or devices. A method of operating an emission abatement assembly is also disclosed.

Abstract: According to the present invention, there is disposed in an exhaust passage of an internal combustion engine a filter that traps particulate matter In an exhaust gas, and a catalyst with a three-way function is carried on the filter. At the filter regeneration, by controlling such as an injection amount of post injection, an air-fuel ratio of the exhaust gas at an outlet of the filter is controlled to a stoichiometric ratio, and also by controlling such as an intake air throttle valve, an oxygen concentration of the exhaust gas at an inlet of the filter is controlled. Hence, at the filter regeneration, the particulate can be reliably burned and removed, and at the same time, NOx in addition to HC and CO can be purified.

Abstract: An exhaust emission control system of the present invention comprises a generator having a thermoelectric conversion element for achieving thermoelectric conversion by making use of heat of exhaust gas; an exhaust purifying catalyst disposed in the generator or on the exhaust downstream side of the generator; and a heat conduction varying device for making heat conduction from the exhaust gas to the thermoelectric conversion element variable between a high conduction state and a low conduction state. When a temperature of the exhaust purifying catalyst is higher than a predetermined temperature, the heat conduction varying device varies the heat conduction from the exhaust gas to the thermoelectric conversion element into the high conduction state. This permits the system to efficiently re-collect thermal energy from the exhaust gas and convert it into electric energy, without increase in a time to arrival of the exhaust purifying catalyst at an activation temperature thereof.

Abstract: An air-gap manifold for the connection of exhaust gas outlet openings of an internal combustion engine, in particular of a motor vehicle engine, to an exhaust gas intake opening of an exhaust gas system, having an interior part with a plurality of exhaust gas guides plugged into one another with a sliding fit, an exterior part surrounding the interior part and made gas-tight and an air-gap present between the interior part and the exterior part, wherein at least some of the exhaust gas guides of the interior part are formed by shells which are connected to one another by common reshaping at the rim, in particular by folding, in order to reduce the manufacturing costs.

Abstract: A hydraulic arrangement is provided with at least one pressure accumulator for a hydraulic fluid, a hydraulic cylinder with at least one chamber to which pressure can be applied, a connecting line, on the basis of which the at least one accumulator is connected with the chamber, and a control unit. In order to provide an electronic pipe break safety device, an electronically controlled on-off valve is mounted in the connecting line and coupled for receiving control signals from the control unit, and a signal transmitter, which is coupled for monitoring the pressure in the connecting line is also connected to the control unit. If a pressure drop occurs in the connecting line, a signal change is generated y means of the signal transmitter, whereupon the control unit sends a signal effecting movement of the shut-off valve to its closed position.

Abstract: In a hydraulic system that has first and second pumps, a pressure compensation circuit is provided to unload the output of the second pump when its operation is not required. The unloading reduces the power demanded of the engine that drives the pumps thus conserving energy. The first pump is directly connected to a supply line and a back flow check valve couples the second pump to the supply line. When pressure in the supply line is significantly greater than the load pressure of the actuators powered by the hydraulic fluid a bypass compensator valve opens to provide a path between the outlet of the second pump and the tank line. This action unloads the second pump and reduces its demand for engine power.

Abstract: The invention relates to a hydrostatic vehicle drive system (1) comprising a first and a second hydraulic pump (2, 3), and a first and a second hydraulic motor (7, 12). Said hydraulic pumps (2, 3) and said hydraulic motors (7, 12) are coupled in such a way in a differential lock operation that a first connection (14) of the first hydraulic pump (2) is connected to a first connection (8) of the first hydraulic motor (7); a second connection (6) of the first hydraulic motor (7) is connected to a first connection (10) of the second hydraulic pump (3); a second connection (9) of the second hydraulic pump (3) is connected to a first connection (13) of the second hydraulic motor (12); and a second connection (11) of the second hydraulic motor (12) is connected to a second connection (5) of the first hydraulic pump (2). The absorption volume of the first hydraulic motor (7) and the second hydraulic motor (12) can be respectively adjusted by means of an adjusting device (20, 21).

Abstract: An insulation displacement connector device includes a base body, with a cutting clamp mounted on the base body and a closing element which may be displaced relative to the base body. The base body including an operating volume into which an operating tool may be introduced. The operating tool may be pivoted in a pivoting direction within the operating volume. The closing element may thus be moved between an open and a closed position. The closing element defines the operating volume on one side viewed from the pivoting direction.

Abstract: The invention concerns a reciprocating linear movement power unit. The powering element consists of a Stirling heat engine and the generator consists of a piston (1) and displacers (2,3) of the heat engine acting as rotors and fixed electromagnetic elements (6) acting as stator. The Stirling engine comprises in a single working chamber (9) at least a piston (1) and two displacers (2,3) such that the assembly is equivalent to two engines working in opposition. The power stroke of one corresponds to the resisting stroke of the other. Preferably, the generator is of the asynchronous type, but it can consist of synchronous assemblies, with variable reluctance or with permanent magnets.

Abstract: The hot-gas engine comprises a cylinder, a working piston which together with a cylinder cover delimits a cylinder space designed to accommodate a working medium, a displacement piston which divides the cylinder space into a first and a second working space, as well as a heating device for heating device for heating up the working medium contained in the first working space, and a cooling device for cooling the heated working medium. The working spaces are connected so as to be communicating by way of a regenerator arranged in the displacement piston. The heating device comprises a heating area on the end wall of the working piston, and a heating arrangement associated with the working piston. The cooling device comprises an injection device for feeding liquefied working medium into the first working space. This design provides improved heat supply to the working medium contained in the cylinder, and further provides direct cooling of said working medium.

Abstract: A free piston drive combustion engine is provided wherein the piston are reciprocated by the force of combustion in combination with its compressed exhaust gases. A compressed air fuel mixture is ignited in the combustion chamber exploding driving a piston backward, while expelling a blast of exploding gases into an open area in the side of a turbine wheel, forcing it to rotating in a rotary motion. The compressed exhaust gases is carry within the turbine wheel, then expelling the exhaust gases into the bottom of engine and driving the piston forward. The compressed exhaust gases closes a door onto an opening in the combustion chamber and with the forward movement of the piston this would compressed air fuel mixture, therefore commence the combustion-exhaust cycle thereat. Before any exhaust is expel from the engine, it help to drive piston forward and help to closed door onto combustion chamber opening therefore helping compressing incoming air fuel mixture.

Abstract: In a direction-injection engine incorporating a turbocharger, fuel combustion is improved to enhance fuel economy within the high-load range of engine torque, and furthermore to control occurrence of smoke in the range of great load within the lean-burn range. Scavenging acceleration control is conducted to scavenge the exhaust gases in the combustion chamber by using at least one of the intake pipe pressure, the combustion chamber pressure, and the exhaust pipe pressure, and the fuel is injected twice during the intake stroke and the compression stroke.

Abstract: A method and an apparatus for producing hydrogen and a hydrogen production plant are provided. In the method, hydrogen production requiring high temperature is performed at low cost using energy of relatively low-temperature exhaust heat discharged form various types of heat processes, and the apparatus can readily start and suspend operation and whose running cost and equipment cost are reduced. These are achieved by a method for producing hydrogen and a hydrogen production apparatus and plant for realizing the method.

Abstract: A two-phase thermodynamic power system includes a capillary device, vapor accumulator, superheater, an inline turbine, a condenser, a liquid pump and a liquid preheater for generating output power as a generator. The capillary device, such as a loop heat pipe or a capillary pumped loop, is coupled to a vapor accumulator, superheater, the inline turbine for generating output power for power generation, liquid pump and liquid preheater. The capillary device receives input heat that is used to change phase of liquid received from the liquid preheater, liquid pump and condenser into vapor for extra heating in the superheater used to then drive the turbine. The power system is well suited for space applications using a radioisotope, active nuclear or solar heat source. The system can use waste heat from various dynamic or static power systems as a heat source and waste heat from spacecraft components such as electronics as a heat source. These heat sources can be used separately or in any combination.

Abstract: In a power generation unit, especially in a gasturbo group, a gaseous process fluid is guided in a closed cycle. The gaseous process fluid flows through a compression device (1), a heater (6) and an expansion device (2), especially a turbine. Downstream from the expansion device at least one heat sink (11, 13) is arranged in which the gaseous process fluid is cooled before it is returned to the compressor device (1). At least one heat sink includes a waste heat steam generator in which an overheated amount of steam (26) is generated that is added to the compressed gaseous process fluid. Together with the gaseous process fluid the steam flows through the heater (6) if necessary and is expanded together with it. The expanded steam condenses in the waste heat steam generator (11) and another heat sink (13); the condensate is processed in a filter (16) and is returned to the waste heat steam generator (11) under pressure via a feed pump (18).