Abstract: Disclosed are apparatus for a snap lock balance shoe and system to be incorporated in pivotable double hung windows. In one embodiment, the snap lock balance shoe includes a pair of retractable tabs that partially extend through openings within an inverted window balance.

Abstract: In a molded part of a door weather strip which is disposed in corner portion of a vehicle door, sealing forms are changed along a longitudinal direction thereof such that a sealing form in a vertical side portion of the door is made up of a compression type and a sealing form in an upper side portion of the door is made up of a bending type. A projection is projected on an interior wall surface of a location of a hollow seal portion of the molded part which corresponds to a seal surface which is brought into contact with a vehicle body, and the thickness of the location which corresponds to the seal surface is made thicker than the thickness of another location of the hollow seal portion.

Abstract: Metal oxide particle agglomerates prepared by adding an aluminum phosphate agglomerating agent with mixing to an aqueous dispersion of metal oxide nanoparticles to form an aqueous homogeneous dispersion of nanoparticles and agglomerating agent and then adjusting the pH of the dispersion with mixing to about 3.5 to about 6.5 to produce the particle agglomerates and use of the particle agglomerates to prepare ink receptive coatings, as catalysts, as reinforcing fillers, as polishing abrasives and as flattening agents.

Abstract: A deck plank cover made from a plastic material, such as a vinyl or HDPE or Wood composite, wherein the deck plank cover is designed to be affixed to the top surface of a preexisting deck plank. The deck plank cover is useful for repairing or protecting mildly deteriorated or deteriorating wooden deck planks of typical wooden decks. The deck plank cover may be affixed directly to the top surface of the existing wooden deck planks, and serves to substantially protect the wooden deck planks from further exposure to the elements. The deck plank cover uses inwardly angled side portions and wood engaging fillets to adhere to the deck planks without the need for screws, nails, or adhesives.

Abstract: A gutter protector for keeping debris and insects out of the interior of a gutter comprises a plurality of flexible elongated gutter protector members formed of a porous open-cell foam, the foam incorporating therein an anti-microbial agent and a UV inhibitor. The members are formed in sections of predetermined length that are shaped to fit in predetermined gutter shapes. Each member has a recessed portion in a lower side that is spaced away from the gutter. The recessed portion is substantially isolated from the exterior of the protector member so as to permit water to flow unobstructed through the gutter without admitting insects to the interior of the recessed portion. For a conventional gutter shape, the gutter protector desirably has a generally right triangular cross section with a flat top and a tapered edge that fits under a front lip of the gutter.

Abstract: An inlet flow multiplier for a drain is provided. The multiplier includes a planar baffle having a mounting collar oriented perpendicular to the plane of the baffle. The collar has a pair of clamping flanges to allow it to be mounted to drains of varying diameter. The length of the baffle is substantially longer than the diameter of the drain to which it is mounted. In one embodiment, the length is approximately five times as long. The baffle is mounted so that it intersects the circumference of the drain. Optimally, the baffle bisects the drain opening. A bi-functional roof drain utilizing the inlet multiplier is also provided. Such a drain includes a primary drain and a backup drain pipe extending through and isolated from the primary drain. The planar baffle is attached via the mounting collar to the backup drain pipe to position the planar baffle above the top opening.

Abstract: A multifunction table which has a base and a table top having a flush surface. The table top is attached to the base. The table top has individual flush mounted fast acting controllers, and a graphical display screen mounted below the flush surface and controlled by the flush mounted fast acting controllers. This multifunctional table can have a rechargeable battery operated power source, where a recharging device is located within the base of said table. Additionally the multifunctional table has a computer integrated into the base. The computer is networkable and the network can be wireless. This table also has a means accepting payment where said means for accepting payment is selected from the group consisting of: bill acceptors, coin acceptors, token acceptors, credit card acceptors, debit card acceptors and gift certificate acceptors.

Abstract: An exquisite marble fireplace mantle has a left marble pillar (1) and a right marble pillar (2) positioned vertically on a marble slab base (3) at a predetermined distance from oppositely disposed marble front walls (4, 5) of the fireplace mantle and extended to positions of support of marble display shelving (6, 12, 22) proximate a top of the marble fireplace mantle. Vertical and horizontal components are made of marble slabs that are cut to shape and grooved for tongue-and-groove fitting of adjoining joints of all-marble components that can have ground and polished visible surfaces. Selected vertical components that rest on horizontal surfaces are location-pinned in place.

Abstract: A vented soffit panel and related method for buildings and the like includes a generally flat imperforate base portion shaped to enclose at least a portion of the building soffit when mounted in a generally horizontal orientation under an eave. At least one vent channel protrudes upwardly from the base portion, and has a generally trapezoidal shape defined by a horizontal imperforate top wall and inclined perforate sidewalls with lower ends that connect with the base portion in a spaced apart relationship to define a slot through which air flows to vent the eave. The perforate sidewalls are disposed at an acute angle, such that they are hidden from view from a position underneath the eave.

Abstract: A loading dock seal has one or more recesses formed within the loading dock seal and covered by a transparent material. Mesh segments are utilized to screen some of the recesses to reduce rain, snow, rodents, insects and debris from passing through the recess passageway to the loading dock. A further transparent or opaque mesh segment cover can be utilized to selectively cover one or more of the mesh segments.

Abstract: The present invention provides a window frame design that is adapted to receive at least two light-panels. The window frame comprises a stepped frame section that includes a lower step surface and an upper step surface. The lower step surface is adapted to receive a first light-panel so that a section of the first light-panel lies flush against the lower step surface. Similarly, the upper step surface is adapted to receive a second light-panel so that the second light-panel lies flush against the upper step surface. The window frame design of the invention can be either incorporated into a skylight frame that may be attached to a curb unit on a roof or it may be an integral part of a skylight frame-curb assembly that also contains a curb section. In another embodiment of the invention, a window frame design which directly incorporates one or more light-panels during molding is provided.

Abstract: A device for installation in an opening in a structure, wherein the device is made of a receptacle and a fenestration product and the receptacle is adapted for substantially permanent installation in the opening by securing to the opening and wherein the receptacle is adapted to match with the fenestration product for installation in the receptacle such that moisture intrusion into the structure is prevented.

Abstract: A connecting and plugging element for modular floor construction comprising a linear element having a substantially U-shaped cross section defined by two lateral walls connected by an arched surface, and further having two head walls each connecting the two lateral walls on opposing sides of the linear element. The connecting and plugging element is preferably made of a thermoplastic material, and the two lateral walls and one of the head walls may have free edges that extend to form an enlarged bearing base with holes for connecting to the floor base and also with couplers or relieves for connecting to reinforcing bars or to adjacent connecting and plugging elements.

Abstract: The present building block has at least one load bearing surface, the load bearing surface of the block having mating interlocking portions comprising cores and protruding interlocks receivable in the cores. The blocks are configured so that each end of a block comprises a half interlock and adjacent ends of a pair of blocks in a course together define an interlock portion that interlocks with a mating full interlock portion carried by a block in an adjacent course of blocks. The basic building block has ends that are oblique such that rows having a preset radius can be formed or such that a linear row can be formed by placing one block front-to-back and an adjacent building block back-to-front. Disclosed are angle blocks with and without splitter wedges, stretcher blocks with and without splitter wedges, blocks for forming corners and posts, cap blocks, and blocks for capping posts.

Abstract: An apparatus provided for orienting concrete blocks into a desired position comprises a pair of upper and lower turntables including respectively upper and lower block supporting surfaces. The lower supporting surface extends outwardly of, and below, the upper supporting surface. A stationary peripheral wall extends outwardly of the lower turntable and defines with the upper turntable and the lower supporting surface a gutter. The gutter is dimensioned to receive blocks therein in a substantial longitudinal orientation thereof. An outlet is provided at a downstream end of the gutter for allowing the substantially oriented blocks to be discharged from the apparatus. Therefore, concrete blocks, or the like, fed to the apparatus are received by the upper turntable, are then positioned in the gutter under the rotation of the upper and lower turntables, which typically rotate at different speeds, and are then discharged from the apparatus via the outlet.

Abstract: A self-stiffened panel of preimpregnated composite. The panel is of a type comprised of a base skin on one side of which are added and placed side-by-side U-shaped stiffeners of which the parts connecting the branches of the U are flattened against said skin, with an interfacing structure between the adjoining branches of two adjacent stiffeners The interfacing structure is a nail having a nail-head comprised of a cord of filling resin, the nail formed from a band with a rectangular cross-section whose edge, on the skin side, is directly in contact with the adjoining surface of said skin. The nail-head is comprised of two half-nail-heads placed symmetrically in the angle formed between the skin and the nail.

Abstract: A method for applying a wrapping plastic film band (15) around a product (16) to be packaged, according to which method the wrapping plastic film band is wrapped to form a film girdle (18) around supporting elements (21), from where it is transferred to a position around the product (16) to be packaged. A device for applying a wrapping plastic film band around a product to be packaged comprises supporting elements (21, 22), upon which the wrapping plastic film band is wrapped, and transfer elements (21, 23) for transferring the film girdle to a position around the product to be packaged.

Abstract: A system for conveying a string of packaging cushions includes a machine capable of manufacturing the string and a conveyor adapted to transport the string. The conveyor has an inlet end to receive the string and an outlet end to deliver the string of packaging cushions. The inlet end of the conveyor is higher than the cushion outlet elevation of the machine. At least one pair of rolls are adapted to lift the string of packaging cushions from the machine through the nip of the rolls to the conveyor inlet elevation.

Abstract: Disclosed is a dispensing package that has a plastic backing that maintains the package in a substantially flat orientation. The plastic backing is adapted to have a label placed on its surface. A score through the label, which extends into the plastic backing causes the package to open upon flexure. Another score on the opposite side provides a metered opening in the package. An additional seal can be placed over the score to prevent accidental opening or resealing of the package. Promotional pieces can be used as the additional seal.

Abstract: A method of forming and sealing a flexible, reclosable package having a zipper closure and a slider mounted thereon. The reclosable package is initially formed having a pair of opposing side panels and a zipper closure extending between the pair of side panels. The zipper closure is initially attached to the side panels only along a pair of spaced side seals. The reclosable package is filled with product through a fill opening created between the zipper closure and either one of the side panels. Once the package is filled with product, the attachment flanges of the zipper closure are sealed to both of the side panels. Thus, the zipper closure is sealed to the side panels only after product has been inserted into the product package.

Abstract: A fitting kit comprises a protective garment, for example a sock or a glove, and a containment wrapping provided with closing means for containing the protective garment in an air-tight fashion. The kit is provided with safety means that show a previous use of the protective garment since, when the protective garment is put into the wrapping again after the first use, the wrapping walls become wet with the atmospheric vapour.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for vacuum hose management is illustrated and described. In one embodiment, the invention is an apparatus for use with a vacuum appliance. The apparatus includes a hose having a first end and a second end. The apparatus also includes a holding component coupled to the hose. The holding component is tension mounted to a housing of the vacuum appliance. The holding component has a first and a second position, the first position corresponding to the hose within the housing, and the second position corresponding to the hose partially outside the housing. The apparatus also includes a connector connected to the second end of the hose, the connector sized larger than an opening in the housing through which the hose is threaded. The holding component may be a wheel mounted on an arm, with the arm rotatably coupled to the housing through a pivot and a spring.

Abstract: A vacuum packaging machine includes a plurality of vacuum chambers (3a, 3b) each arranged to receive at least one unsealed product package and operable to perform an independent vacuum sealing operation, each vacuum chamber having a longitudinal direction defined by a direction of travel of the respective product package through the chamber (3a, 3b), each chamber having a heat seal assembly (15) therein which extends transversely to the longitudinal direction. An infeed conveyor (17) can be provided with a telescoping portion (17a) which can extend over the heat seal assembly or a part thereof. Each vacuum chamber can have a respective bed (9) and independently moveable hood (11), and the beds (9) can be synchronously vertically moveable. The vacuum packaging machine can be used in combination with a suitable product bagging or wrapping machine.

Abstract: A material handling method (and corresponding apparatus) packages material (such as loose-fill thermal insulation product) into elongate bags, and automatically arranges the elongate bags into groups, wherein at least one group has a cross-stacked configuration. The bag groups are automatically lifted and transported, group by group, to form a multi-row stack of elongate bags whose bottom row is realized by a cross-stacked group. The multi-row stack is transported to a customer. The elongate bags preferably each have dimensions of about 38? by 21? by 8.5? and carry about 27 lbs. of product. Preferably, a modified clamp truck is used to lift and transport the bag groups. The clamp truck has two clamp members that translate relative to one another with one clamp member having a central support bar integral thereto and laterally disposed between said two clamp members.

Abstract: Apparatus for packaging a plurality of objects, the apparatus including (i) a vacuum chamber housing which defines an opening sized and configured to receive, and be placed in a substantially sealed relationship with, a planar member having a bottom surface and a top surface, which top surface in turn defines an array of recesses, each of the recesses being sized and configured to receive one of the objects, and which planar member further defines a plurality of fluid passageways extending through the planar member, each of the plurality of fluid passageways opening in a respective one of the recesses defined by the planar member and extending completely through the planar member to a passageway opening in the bottom surface of the planar member, (ii) a support member pivotally attached to the vacuum chamber and sized and configured to receive a sheet which forms an array of blister-like chambers for receiving at least a portion of the plurality of objects, and (iii) a switch configured for operative connecti

Abstract: Although there are a number of aids for organizing a mechanics tool box, they are not versatile enough to work in many existing toolboxes. We propose ideas and methods not only to assist in organization of tools in toolboxes, but also a method of mounting new tools for sale that would allow using the packaging material itself in the organizing process. The exact mounting mechanisms and/or interconnecting mechanisms are not as important to this design as is the concept of individual mounting units that can be interconnected into a variety of patterns depending on the user's needs.

Abstract: The invention relates to a hemi-cannula for tracheotomy patients, comprising a main tubular body (1.1) which is made from a suitable flexible material and which comprises peripheral end fixing flanges (1.2 and 1.3). One of said flanges (1.2), which is intended to be disposed inside the trachea next to the inner face of same, takes the form of a wing comprising a cylindrical surface with an oblique axis in relation to an axis perpendicular to the main axis of the main body (1.1). The other flange (1.3) takes the shape of a truncated cone comprising a larger outer base. According to the invention, a conduit forming the main tubular body passes through the centre of both of said flanges. The invention is suitable for producing tracheotomy cannulas.

Abstract: The apparatus comprises means (31, 33) for guiding and for holding the longitudinal edges of the film to be sealed so that they overlap with an intimate and distributed contact and comprises in an opposing position, a short distance from these guide means, a sealing head (6) made in good thermal insulator and with a low coefficient of friction in relation to the film, which directs onto the said film jets of hot air at an appropriate temperature and an appropriate pressure, through longitudinal slits of appropriate dimensions (35). The sealing head is connected to supply and control means (39-44) that keep it fully operational or have it promptly fully operational, the head being mounted on means (45) for moving it rapidly towards or away from the film to be sealed.

Abstract: A tailset crupper for an animal, such as a horse, may be made from a solid casting without lightening features, such as to produce a heavier, less easily dislodged object, such as may have a lower center of gravity, and a center of gravity located closer to the surface of the animal. The tendency to resist dislodgement may be enhanced by employing a higher aspect ratio of lobe width, or lobe span to trough size than might otherwise be used. The tendency to resist dislodgement may also be enhanced by employing a wedge, or spoon, that may tend to protrude inwardly of the surface of curvature of the crupper.

Abstract: A filter mounting system for use in a baghouse having a tubesheet with a plurality of openings. The filter mounting system comprises filter media and a tubular mounting collar to mount the filter media relative to the tubesheet. The filter mounting system also comprises a gasket made of a flexible material. The gasket has a tubesheet receiving portion and a filter receiving portion extending from the tubesheet receiving portion. The mounting collar of the filter mounting system is adapted to be positioned within the filter receiving portion of the gasket and engaging the filter receiving portion to effect sealing engagement of the tubesheet receiving portion of the gasket against a portion of the tubesheet adjacent the opening. The filter receiving portion extends from the tubesheet receiving portion to force one portion of the gasket into sealing engagement with a surface of the tubesheet upon engagement with the mounting collar.

Abstract: A ceramic structure includes a plurality of porous ceramic members each being warped, each of the plurality of porous ceramic members having a bonding portion and end portions at both ends of each of the plurality of porous ceramic members in a longitudinal direction of each of the plurality of porous ceramic members, and an adhesive provided only on the bonding portion between the plurality of porous ceramic members to connect the plurality of porous ceramic members except for the end portions of the plurality of ceramic members.

Abstract: A vegetation clipping blanket that can be positioned underneath a plant, bush or small tree and collects the vegetation clippings and avoids the clippings from falling directly to the ground. The vegetation clipping blanket including a first end, a second end opposite the first end, and a body portion. The second end forming a pocket portion for collecting the vegetation clippings. A central aperture is formed in the body portion, and an open track extends from the first end to the central portion. In application, the trunk or stem of the plant to be clipped is directed through the open track until the truck or stem is positioned in the central aperture. The blanket further includes a hem disposed about the parameter of the open track and central aperture. A cord member is disposed within the hem and outwardly extends through apertures adjacent the first end.

Abstract: The agricultural machine has at least one energy producer (19); at least one energy storage device; at least one working unit (2, 4, 7, 8, 15, 16, 17) driven by the at least one energy producer (19) and at least one electric drive unit (20) associated with the at least one energy producer (19). The at least one electric drive unit (20) controls the energy supply of the at least one working unit (2, 4, 7, 8, 15, 16, 17) according to energy requirements of the at least one working unit (2, 4, 7, 8, 15, 16, 17) since it supplies energy to or takes it from the at least one energy storage device (29) as needed.

Abstract: A trimmer assembly for a lawn mower is detachably mountable on a deck of the lawn mower by a housing or shroud that can be secured to the front edge of the deck A mounting frame is pivotally attached to the housing. The mounting frame carries a trimmer head with a plurality of cutting elements secured thereto. The mounting frame and the trimmer head pivotally move between an operational and a non-operational position by a swivel arm secured to the mounting frame. The trimmer head is powered by a hydraulic motor, which operates independently from the operation of the lawn mower.

Abstract: The invention is directed to a platform reel for a harvesting assembly. The reel includes bat tubes extending longitudinally across the length of the reel. The bat tubes are mounted at their outer ends to opposed spider support elements each having a center rotatable hub. The bat tubes carry tines for feeding harvested crop to the harvesting platform. The interior space between the bat tubes does not have supporting elements such as a center tube extending across the length of the reel. A perimeter struts connect adjacent bat tubes and provide a supporting framework together with the bat tubes for the reel.

Abstract: A hybrid flexible wire shaft having an inner portion with the characteristics of a push/pull shaft having at least one layer of wire groups helically wound on a core wire at a relatively high pitch angle, and an outer portion with the characteristics of a torsional transmission flexible shaft having two or more layers of wire groups wound on the central portion at a relatively low pitch angle. Each layer of the outer group is wound in a direction opposite to the wind direction of each adjacent layer of that group. In an alternate construction, the high and low pitch portions are reversed and an additional outer layer is provided which is wound in a direction opposite to the outermost layer of the high pitch portion.

Abstract: A ramjet powered device that utilizes a novel swirl generator for rapidly and efficiently atomizing, vaporizing, as necessary, and mixing a fuel into an oxidant. The swirl generator converts an oxidant flow into a turbulent, three-dimensional flowfield into which the fuel is introduced. The swirl generator effects a toroidal outer recirculation zone and an inner central recirculation zone, both of which are configured in a backward-flowing manner that carries heat and combustion byproducts upstream where they are employed to continuously ignite a combustible fuel/oxidizer mixture in adjacent shear layers and stabilizes flame propagation and accelerates combustion throughout the entire combustor. The swirl generator provides smooth combustion with no instabilities and minimum total pressure losses and enables significant reductions in the L/D ratio of the combustor. Other benefits include simplicity, reliability, wide flammability limits and high combustion efficiency and thrust performance.

Abstract: A compressor having a front fan, which rotates to compress intake air, a single-stage low-pressure compressor which is disposed behind the front fan to compress intake air, and a single-stage high-pressure compressor which compresses the compressed air compressed by the low-pressure compressor; a ratio (RH/RL) of a pressure ratio (RH) of the high-pressure compressor to a pressure ratio (RL) of the low-pressure compressor is within a range of 4.5 to 6.0.

Abstract: A system for cooling a combustion chamber of an engine, such as a rocket engine, is provided. The system has a plurality of coolant tubes or passages surrounding the combustion chamber, a torroidal coolant-collection manifold for receiving coolant from the coolant tubes or passages and for discharging the coolant through a discharge port, and a plurality of turning vanes within the torroidal manifold for reducing pressure loss and improving pressure uniformity associated with the torroidal coolant-collection manifold.

Abstract: The invention provides a NOx adsorber aftertreatment system for internal combustion engines which utilizes a plasma fuel converter operatively coupled to at least one NOx adsorber to aid in the regeneration of the NOx adsorber. Fuel and engine exhaust is injected into a plasma fuel converter upstream of a NOx absorber producing reductant such as H2, and CO, which are inlet into the NOx absorber. Reductants such as H2 and CO acting along and together help to efficiently regenerate the NOx Adsorber which in turn releases exhausts products such as CO2 and N2. Using the reductants generated by the plasma fuel converter NOx adsorbers, catalytic soot filter, and the like can be regenerated at exhaust temperatures less than 250° C. The plasma fuel converter, NOx adsorber regenerating aftertreatment system of the present invention may be used with any suitable control system.

Abstract: A method for operating an electro motor-driven secondary air pump which is provided for injecting secondary air into the exhaust system of an internal combustion engine. The secondary air pump is operated in a clocked manner. The induced voltage at the electro motor of the secondary air pump, measurable during the turn-off time of the clocked operation, is used for diagnosing as well as for controlling the speed of the secondary air pump. The diagnosis is carried out based on the evaluation of a parameter (difference quotient, differential quotient) of the induced voltage. The induced voltage is instantaneously a measure for the secondary air pump's actual speed value, so that a separate detection of the actual speed value is omitted.

Abstract: An exhaust gas purifying apparatus for an internal combustion engine having an exhaust system. The apparatus includes a NOx purifying device provided in the exhaust system. This device removes NOx from exhaust gases when a concentration of oxygen in the exhaust gases is higher than a concentration of reducing components in the exhaust gases; generates ammonia and retains the generated ammonia when the concentration of reducing components in the inflowing exhaust gases is higher than the concentration of oxygen; and purifies NOx with the retained ammonia when the concentration of reducing components in the inflowing exhaust gases is lower than the concentration of oxygen. A residual amount of ammonia retained in the NOx purifying device is estimated. The concentration of reducing components in the exhaust gases is switched with respect to the concentration of oxygen according to the estimated residual amount.

Abstract: The invention provides a NOx adsorber aftertreatment system for internal combustion engines which utilizes at least one precat operatively coupled to at least one NOx adsorber to aid in the regeneration of the NOx adsorber. Fuel is injected into a precat located upstream of a NOx absorber producing heat, H2O, and reductants such as CO, HC, and volatile hydrocarbons, which are input into the NOx absorber. The combination of heat, water, and reductants help to efficiently regenerate the NOx Adsorber which in turn releases exhausts products such as CO2 and N2. Regeneration of a NOx adsorber can be performed during periods of reduced exhaust gas flow lowering the fuel penalty associated with NOx adsorber regeneration. The pre-cat, NOx adsorber regenerating aftertreatment system of the present invention may be used with any suitable control system.

Abstract: Exhaust after-treatment system for the reduction of particulate, NOx, HC, CO, VOCs, nano-particle count and sulfur dioxide from diesel exhaust. System employs diesel oxidation catalyst, exhaust cooling system, particulate converter, soot collection chamber, soot processing drum, EGR and water scrubber.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for selectively engaging a torque converter reaction member comprising a reaction member carrier coupling sleeve, a stator support coupling sleeve and a pawl mounted on the reaction member carrier coupling sleeve. The pawl selectively engages the stator support coupling sleeve to align a first set of coupling teeth on the reaction member carrier coupling sleeve and a second set of coupling teeth on the stator support coupling sleeve.

Abstract: An uninterruptible rotational energy supply calibrated to provide constant rotational energy to electric generators and other apparatus in environments where fluctuations in kinetic energy are found. Such environments include the pause between the ebb and flow of the oceans' tides and waves as well as variations in the velocity of the oceans' currents. Wind-driven turbines may also be another beneficiary of this technology.

Abstract: A compressed air energy storage power station comprises a first shafting (1) and a second shafting (2). A gas turbo group (11), an electrical machine (12) and a compressor (13) are arranged on the first shafting (1). Switchable clutch elements (14, 15) are arranged between the electrical machine and the gas turbo group or the compressor. The clutch elements allow a connection to be selectively made between the electrical machine and the gas turbo group (11) or the compressor (13). An expansion machine (21) for the power generating expansion of a pressurized storage fluid, an electrical machine (22) and a compressor (23) are arranged on the second shafting (2). Switchable clutch elements (24, 25) are arranged between the electrical machine and the expansion machine or the compressor and allow the electrical machine to be optionally connected to the expansion machine and to the compressor. The electrical machines are operable both as generators and as electric motors.

Abstract: A fluid drive system that can be used to drive a vehicle and has energy regeneration and storage capabilities. The fluid drive system includes an electrical energy supply source mounted on the vehicle, at least one electrical motor electrically connected to the electrical supply source, and a hydraulic pump driven that may be of the variable displacement type by the electrical motor. The fluid drive system may also include a low pressure hydraulic fluid supply tank supplying fluid to the hydraulic pump, at least one pneumatically charged accumulator tank for storing pressurized hydraulic fluid, a combination hydraulic motor and pump that may also be of the variable displacement type being alternately driven by the hydraulic pump and the pneumatically charged accumulator tank; and an electrical regeneration system for regenerating the electrical energy supply. The electrical regeneration system may be powered by hydraulic fluid from the combination electrical motor and pump.

Abstract: Hydraulic control arrangement using load-sensing technology A hydraulic control arrangement using load-sensing technology has a first directional control valve, via which pressure medium can be supplied to a first hydraulic consumer, and with at least one further directional control valve, via which pressure medium can be supplied to a further hydraulic consumer. The further control valve is preferably combined with the first directional control valve to form a valve block, with a load indication line, via which a control side of the load-sensing regulating valve can be acted upon by a control pressure dependent on the highest load pressure of the actuated hydraulic consumers. A pilot valve arrangement limits control pressure to a limit pressure and can be set from a high first limit pressure to a lower second limit pressure.

Abstract: A charge pump is provided with two independent outlets that can satisfy the pressure requirements of both a charge circuit and an auxiliary circuit. Preferably, the charge pump is a multiple roller vane pump that has at least one inlet and two outlets independent of each other. The first outlet is in fluid communication with a charge circuit, and the second outlet is in fluid communication with an auxiliary circuit. Because the two outlets are independent of each other, the roller vane pump is able to satisfy the pressure requirements of both the charge and auxiliary circuits. Preferably, the two outlets are diametrically opposed to each other, thereby reducing the load on the driveshaft. Additionally, the roller vane pump may include a second inlet independent of the first.