Abstract: A versatile oven for converting carbon based natural resources and waste material to hydrocarbon vapor and carbon char utilizing rapid thermal processing and having the capability of utilizing a portion of the relatively inexpensive carbon based material being processed as the fuel to provide at least some of the process heat and also including a means for reducing NOx emissions in the gases exhausted from a furnace used to burn the converted hydrocarbon vapor for application of the heat energy and also a means for delivering the converted hydrocarbon vapor to a condensing system if it is desired to liquefy at least some portion of the thermally converted hydrocarbon vapor.

Abstract: A distance measuring device mounted to a planter used to plant crops. The distance measuring device has a cable extending between a first pulley and second pulley wherein the cable has at least one target. A sensor located adjacent the first pulley and connected to a controller sends a signal to the controller when the sensor detects the target. Adjacent the second pulley is an encoder that sends a second signal to the controller based upon the rotation of the second pulley such that the controller can determine the amount of distance that the planter has traveled.

Abstract: A method of planting test plots of different seeds in a field includes loading a multi-row planter with a first seed, and traversing the field and planting a test plot of the test plot of the first seed in a portion of the test field; automatically removing the first seed from the multi-row planter and loading a second seed into the multi-row planter, and traversing the field and planting a test plot of the test plot of the second seed in the field.

Abstract: A sewing machine having two needles (8, 9) that are at an angle (alpha) to the vertical axis of a piercer (C) is provided. After the piercer has pierced the item to be sewn with a tip thereof, the needles pierce through vertical slits (27) in the piercer (C). The two needles are driven in a direction of the respective axis thereof, i.e., in a direction of the axes (V1, V2).

Abstract: The invention relates to a sewing machine which may be provided with an indication device including a large sized display is substantially square. The display 98 is so large that the lower leftward portion protrudes into the stitch working area 70 of the sewing machine. The display 98 may be moved up and down by operation of a switch 75 and may be moved up until the lower end side 59 of the display 98 comes into alignment with the lower end side 72 of the arm 95 and may be stopped at an upper optional position. At the lower most position, the upper end side 57 of display 98 has the upper side 57 located in alignment with the top side 71 of machine body B and has the front side 56 located in a same plane with the front side 77 of the arm 95 and has the lateral end side 58 located in a same plane with the lateral end side 73 of the machine body B. Thus the display 98 has no part protruding from the machine body B at the lower most position.

Abstract: A threading device for a sewing machine includes a needle bar provided with a guide member having a stopper portion, a threading shaft having a threading member, operation means having a guide groove formed in a spiral shape with respect to a rotating axis of the threading shaft, and a pin, which is fixed to the threading shaft, having both ends protruded outward in a radial direction with respect to the threading shaft. One end of the pin penetrates the geode groove while the other end of the pin engages with the stopper portion. The threading device further includes erroneous rotation preventing means which prevents the threading shaft from rotating in when the threading shaft moves downward, and permits the threading shaft to rotate when the second end of the pin engages with the stopper portion.

Abstract: An embroidery sewing machine is described. The sewing machine has a Y-direction drive mechanism including an elongated arm 1 which is normally accommodated in a cutout portion 3 formed at a bed 90 of the machine body and forms a part of the machine body, wherein the upper side 10 of the elongated arm 1 is continuous with the upper side 91 of the bed 90 in a same plane. The elongated arm 1 has a frame support piece 19 to which an embroidery frame is removably attached, the embroidery frame holding a work to be embroidered. Further the elongated arm 1 is arranged as being turnable to extend from the rear side 93 of the bed 90 into the depth direction of the sewing machine, that is, in the Y direction where the elongated arm 1 is operative for embroidery stitching.

Abstract: Disclosed are embroidery hoops and methods for using same that include a receiving surface for receiving a workpiece that has a first surface corresponding to a first face of a hook and loop fastener. The receiving surface has an opening therethrough and attachment material is secured to the receiving surface at least partially about the opening. The attachment material has a surface corresponding to a complimentary face of the hook and loop fastener. Contact of the surface of the workpiece to the surface of the attachment material releasably secures a portion of the workpiece over the opening for performing an embroidery operation on the portion of the workpiece over the opening.

Abstract: A sewing machine including a needle that is supplied with an upper thread. A drive element drives the needle to perform a reciprocating movement in order to carry the upper thread through a sewing material that is advanced between the upper thread and the lower thread, so that the upper thread forms a loop beneath the sewing material. A shuttle houses a lower bobbin for the lower thread and a shuttle arm on the shuttle which catches in the loop of the upper thread and carries the upper thread around the lower bobbin, so that a stitch is executed on the sewing material. A thread tensioning and take-up lever on each stitch draws the loop tight so that a knot is formed in the sewing material by interaction of the upper thread and the lower thread.

Abstract: A method and an arrangement for placing an embroidery in the desired position on a sewing material for embroidering on a sewing machine which has a memory for embroidery elements and a processor for reading stitch data for a selected embroidery element and for manoeuvring the sewing machine to execute stitches associated with the selected embroidery element on the sewing material, in which pattern points are assigned to the embroidery element and registered in the processor, and in which fabric points are marked on the sewing material at points where corresponding pattern points are to be located when embroidering, the sewing machine processor automatically orienting and scaling executed patterns of the embroidery element on the sewing material.

Abstract: The apparatus of the present invention utilizes the heat energy of a weapon propulsion system to produce a vapor explosion. It includes an outer shell with a nozzle port and a body being made from a metal. The body surrounds a propulsion device and captures its waste heat to heat metal within the body. An explosive device is embedded in the body and can explode on transmission of a signal whereby the heated metal within the body produces a vapor explosion that significantly enhances the effectiveness and lethality of the weapon. The apparatus also discloses a second metal in the body and a heat shield for further enhancing effectiveness.

Abstract: The invention provides a device and method for producing substantially kinematic steering of a boat whose yaw rate and direction is approximately proportional to the rate and direction that a steering device such as a steering wheel is being operated. The invention provides a helmsman a precise method of steering that is relatively independent of such considerations such as the size and weight of the boat, conflicting currents and winds, windage, the size of the rudder and the overall inherent controlling characteristics of the boat. When the steering device is not being operated, the boat continues on a straight course; however, when the steering device such as the steering wheel is turned in one direction or the other, the steering rate of the boat is relatively dependent upon the rate that the steering wheel is being turned.

Abstract: A multi-use, multi-level structure can be installed in and removed from a body of water in a seasonal fashion. The structure has a lower level that includes a boat lift and an upper level that provides an entertainment area. The structure carries a ballast system for selectively floating the structure on the body of water or sinking the structure in the water. The ballast system includes an array of hydraulically interconnected ballast tanks that are vented to the atmosphere. A valve may be opened to admit water to the ballast tanks to flood the tanks. A pump is used to pump water out of the ballast tanks when desired.

Abstract: A multi-use, multi-level structure can be installed in and removed from a body of water in a seasonal fashion. The structure has a lower level that includes a boat lift and an upper level that provides an entertainment area. The structure carries a buoyancy system for selectively floating the structure on the body of water or sinking the structure in the water. The buoyancy system preferably comprises a ballast system that includes an array of hydraulically interconnected ballast tanks that are vented to the atmosphere. A valve may be opened to admit water to the ballast tanks to flood the tanks. A pump is used to pump water out of the ballast tanks when desired.

Abstract: A display device for a motor vehicle, e.g., an instrument cluster, includes at least one first display device emitting image-forming light, and at least one illuminated and/or self-luminous electromechanical second display device. The first display device is arranged in a visual field of an observer. The second electromechanical display device is arranged at an angle to the first display device, and a combination element is provided between the first display device and the electromechanical display device, the combination device being transparent to the image-forming light in the first display device and reflective to the image-forming light of the electromechanical second display device.

Abstract: A fluid intake tracking apparatus that is configured to reversibly couple with a water bottle, mug or other fluid container to keep track of the number of bottles that are consumed by the user during a selected period of time. In one embodiment, the indicator is an electronic device with a display, timer and alarm and powered by a solar cell. In another embodiment, the indicator is permanently mounted to a cup and includes a slidable post within a longitudinal slot and a parallel scale of numbers indicating the intake events.

Abstract: A process for producing a single-crystal silicon wafer, comprises the following steps: producing a layer on the front surface of the silicon water by epitaxial deposition or production of a layer whose electrical resistance differs from the electrical resistance of the remainder of the silicon wafer on the front surface of the silicon wafer, or production of an external getter layer on the back surface of the silicon wafer, and heat treating the silicon wafer at a temperature which is selected to be such that an inequality (1) [ Oi ] < [ Oi ] eq ? ( T ) ? exp ? 2 ? ? SiO ? ? ? 2 ? ? rkT is satisfied where [Oi] is an oxygen concentration in the silicon wafer, [Oi]eq(T) is a limit colubility of oxygen in silicon at a temperature T, ?sio2 is the surface energy of silicon dioxide, ? is a volume of a precipitated oxygen atom, r is a mean COP and k the Boltzmann constant, with the silicon wafer, during the heat treatment, at least part of the time being exposed to an oxygen-containing

Abstract: Porous films with straight pores oriented normal to the plane of the films are produced through solution processing techniques. The production takes advantage of inorganic-surfactant or inorganic-polymer co-assembly and a patterned substrate. The patterned substrate, which is also produced via solution phase self-assembly, forces vertical orientation in a hexagonal cylinder system with no practical limits in substrate size or type. This provides a route to vertically oriented inorganic pores with a pitch ranging from 3 nm to over 15 nm and pore sizes ranging from 2 nm to over 12 nm. The size is tuned by choice the choice of organic templating agents and the deposition conditions. The pores can be produced with or without a capping layer which can be used to seal the nanopores.

Abstract: The present invention relates to nanotubes and in particular to a process and apparatus for the preparation of nanotubes. In particular, the present invention relates to nanotubes which are made from materials other than carbon or nanotubes containing carbon but which would not ordinarily be classed as carbon nanotubes on account of their low carbon content. The nanostructures of the present invention have a number of applications such as: ionic conductors/battery components, hydrogen storage, templating nanowires, electrical devices, catalysis and synthesis, flat screen technology, and mechanical applications.

Abstract: A photoresist coating apparatus comprises a photoresist coating device, a cleaning device and a stage. A substrate is placed on the stage. In a photoresist coating process, the cleaning device removes particles on the substrate first. The photoresist coating device then sprays a photoresist material uniformly on a surface of the substrate.

Abstract: The invention relates generally to the conditioning of bowling lanes, and, more particularly to an apparatus and method for automatically applying a predetermined pattern of dressing fluid along the transverse and longitudinal dimensions of a bowling lane.

Abstract: It has been found that an organic component is emitted from a member such as a crucible or a gasket constituting an apparatus for vacuum treatment and an element is contaminated with said organic component emitted, and, as a result, members of the apparatus for vacuum treatment are subjected to a treatment for reducing the emission of an organic component. For example, a crucible is made from a material having a reduced catalytic activity to a material for use in the vapor deposition in question and a gasket is used after a treatment for reducing the bleeding of an organic component or is made from a material containing a reduced amount of an organic component.

Abstract: A apparatus for depositing one or more thin film layers on one or more continuous web or discrete substrates. The apparatus includes a pay-out unit for dispensing one or a plurality of webs, a deposition unit that deposits a series of one or more thin film layers thereon, and a take-up unit that receives and stores the webs following deposition. In a preferred embodiment, deposition occurs through plasma enhanced chemical vapor deposition in which a plasma region is formed between a cathode in the deposition unit and one or more vertically-oriented webs. The instant deposition apparatus includes a support system for guiding and stabilizing the transport of one or more webs or substrates through the deposition chambers. The support system includes a magnetic guidance assembly and an edge-stabilizing assembly that operate to inhibit perturbations of the motion of a web or substrate in directions other than the direction of transport through the apparatus.

Abstract: In a coater for applying layers on large substrates, isolation between portions of the coater is provided by dual gate slit valve chambers. A dual gate slit valve has one gate on either side of a wall that has an opening. Gates are clear of the opening in the open position and cover the opening from both sides in the closed position. When one side of the dual gate slit valve chamber is at atmospheric pressure and the other is under vacuum, atmospheric pressure helps to keep the slit valve sealed by pushing one gate against the wall. This works regardless of which side of the valve is at atmosphere. One or more pumps may be mounted on the slit valve chamber.

Abstract: Embodiments generally provide an apparatus and method for processing substrates using a multi-chamber processing system (e.g., a cluster tool) that has an increased system throughput, increased system reliability, substrates processed in the cluster tool have a more repeatable wafer history, and also the cluster tool has a smaller system footprint. In one embodiment, the cluster tool is adapted to perform a track lithography process in which a substrate is coated with a photosensitive material, is then transferred to a stepper/scanner, which exposes the photosensitive material to some form of radiation to form a pattern in the photosensitive material, which is then removed in a developing process completed in the cluster tool.

Abstract: There is provided a vaporizer that can be used for a long period of time without being clogged and can supply a raw material stably to a reaction section.

Abstract: An evaporator cell, in particular for evaporating a high-melting material to be evaporated, comprises a crucible for receiving the material to be evaporated, and a heating device with a heating resistor for the resistance heating of the crucible, the heating resistor being provided as an electron emitter for the electron beam heating of the crucible. A process for the evaporation of a high-melting material to be evaporated is also described.

Abstract: inadvertently be forced out by the eating pet, nor will the liner be allowed to spin within the dish. The dish and liner are also configured so that a stack of liners can be held conveniently within a single dish.

Abstract: An apparatus for assisting in one of traveling and taking extended walks with a pet. The apparatus comprises a pair of elongated members having each of a predetermined cross section and a predetermined length. Each of the pair of elongated members being substantially hollow for storing at least one preselected item therein. Each of the pair of elongated members are divided to form at least two separate compartments in each of the pair of elongated members. There is a first means that is engageable with each respective end of each of the pair of elongated members for closing each respective end of each of the pair of elongated members. Further, there is a second means engageable with a predetermined portion of each of the pair of elongated members for carrying the pair of elongated members.

Abstract: A method for removing animals and the attractants left by those animals that may attract others animals to the same area is disclosed. The method includes removing the animals and cleaning up all of the organic material left by the animals so that other animals are not attracted to the same location. An organic matter neutralizing mixture is applied to the locations visited by the animals to eliminate any attractants left by the animals.

Abstract: Provided are animal containment systems and components, including single-use animal containment cages and modular rack units. Also provided are methods for assembling and using components of the animal containment systems.

Abstract: A bird perch unit is configured with a body coupleable to a bird cage and having an outer surface which is grippeable by a bird, and an interactive toy coupled to the body and alterable by the bird.

Abstract: A pet storage box fixing structure configured to fix the pet storage box (10) in which a pet is stored, to a vehicle body (1) in a vehicle interior, wherein the pet storage box is placed on a seat cushion (2a), and a seat belt (3) of a seat belt device is passed through a belt insert hole (16) on an outer peripheral surface side of the pet storage box (10) and directly connected to the pet storage box (10) so that the connected seat belt is in a belt attached state. The pet storage box (10) comprises a storage box body (11) and a reinforcing belt (12). The pet storage box (10) is provided with the belt insert hole (16) which is formed by using a restrain belt part (12a) of the reinforcing belt (12). Stable belt parts (12b,12c) of the reinforcing belt (12) are hooked to columns (2c,2c?) of rear and front seats (2,2?).

Abstract: A hanging bird toy attractive to birds includes a number of links that are selectively assemblable to form varied designs. Each of the links is removably coupled to at least one other link and is independently movable with respect to the other link when coupled to the other links. The toy further includes a number of inserts, each of which is supported by one of the plurality of links.

Abstract: A pet training device including a generally cylindrical body and a pair of wings extending therefrom. Each wing includes a resilient stiffener element which tends to return a deflected wing back into a predeflected configuration. The body may define a head portion having a aperture through which a rope is secured, said rope being sufficiently sized to allow a user to grasp and throw the pet training device. The head portion may also be defined by an external head secured to the body via a flexible rope neck element. A method of using such a pet training device is also disclosed.

Abstract: A baby walking assisting device has a support part for supporting a body of a baby and having opening means for passing baby's leg through it so that a baby can walk, and a handle connected with the support part, the handle being substantially loop shaped so as to surround in the position of use a baby's head and extend upwardly above a top of the baby's head, and being composed of substantially rigid material so as to substantially do not change its shape where person holds the handle to walk a baby.

Abstract: An apparatus for blind pets comprising a hood region and a harness region; the hood region being convex-shaped and comprising a foam material and a rigid plate, foam material being affixed to the rigid plate with affixing means; the foam material and the rigid plate being covered with a fabric material; the hood region detachably secured to harness region by cooperating hooks material and loops material affixed to both hood region and harness region; the harness region comprising a neck collar, a thoracic collar, a ventral bridge, a dorsal bridge, and two elastic bridges, the neck collar for encircling neck region of a blind pet; the thoracic collar for encircling thoracic region of a blind pet; the thoracic collar connected with neck collar via the two elastic bridges, the dorsal bridge, and the ventral bridge.

Abstract: A neckwear item containing a main body and bone tie structure with the flexibility of being worn together or separately. The main body portion may be worn about the neck, as decorative neckwear, or the main body portion may be slipped over a pet's collar, crating a decorative collar cover. The bone tie structure may be affixed about the main body section, as it is worn about the neck or as a collar cover, over a pet's collar, or the bone tie structure may be affixed directly to a pet's collar. The Bone Tie is created to be flexible in nature of its wear, as well as to be durable and utilitarian in its use. The main body section, when it is affixed to a pet's collar, is designed to allow for unencumbered leash attachment to a conventional pet collar, thus not interfering with the utilitarian nature of the pet's collar and/or the pet's leash.

Abstract: An animal restraint (10), typically as an animal collar, that encloses a girth of an animal including:—a belt (9) having a first (1) and second (2) belt ends and an elongate linker (3),—the first belt end (1) having an aperture (4),—the elongate linker (3) engaging the second belt end (2) at a first linker end, the elongate linker (3) passing through the aperture (4) to terminate at a stopper (7) at a second linker end; wherein a pulling force directed away from the girth of the animal applied to the stopper (7) when the restraint (10) is in a first larger girth position allows movement of, the elongate linker (3) through the aperture (4) throughout a plurality of second smaller girth positions to a minimum girth position, the minimum girth position being substantially similar to that of the girth of the animal.

Abstract: The invention relates to a piston for an internal combustion engine, comprising an essentially cylindrical basis member made of forged aluminum and a ring element that is disposed in the radially outer edge area of the bottom of the piston and forms an annular cooling channel along with the basic member. The ring element is made of cast aluminum and is provided with a ring support for a compression ring, said ring support being made of Ni-resist.

Abstract: A four stroke internal combustion engine having two or more crankshafts, the crankshafts being separated by one or more freewheeling mechanisms so that when the engine is idling or not delivering full power, the freewheeling mechanism(s) enables one or more of the crankshafts with accompanying pistons to idle, thereby conserving fuel.

Abstract: A connection assembly for converting between reciprocal and rotary motion including opposed members (1) arranged for reciprocating motion. Each opposed member (1) have a guide surface (5) for guiding a drive block transversely of a direction of the (6, 11) to allow the members (1) to be clamped together and retained in fixed relation by frictional engagement.

Abstract: A two-stroke internal combustion engine includes dual transfer passages in gaseous communication between a crankcase chamber and a combustion chamber of the engine, an air passage through the crankcase to the crankcase chamber and in gaseous communication with a carburetor of the engine. A rotatable circular disk or crank-web is rotatably connected to a crankshaft. A piston may be used to open and close a top end of the passages. An air inlet port to the transfer passage for stratified scavenging is opened and closed by the crank-web that has passages and cutouts. The rotary valve replaces the one-way reed valve used in stratified scavenged and charged two-stroke engines. The air passes from lower ends of the transfer passages to top ends and into the crankcase through a piston passage, through the adjacent transfer passages directly, or through a passage in the piston into the crankcase.

Abstract: In a guide gib for the valve operating mechanism of an internal combustion engine, having holding spaces (12, 13), which are arranged in the gib (8) at intervals one behind the other, for valve tappets, wherein to prevent a valve tappet from rotating about its central longitudinal axis in each case, flattened portions (14, 15) are formed within the associated holding space (12, 13) of the guide gib (8), it being possible for flattened portions of the valve tappet to bear against said flattened portions (14, 15), according to the invention, the guide gib (8) is formed by a plastic support (9) and a plurality of inlay parts (10, 11) which are provided with the holding spaces (12, 13), each of said inlay parts (10, 11) being made of a higher-strength material than the material of the plastic support (9) and being inserted into the plastic support (9).

Abstract: In a method of operating a 4-stroke internal combustion engine selectively in a compression ignition operation, in which an outlet valve of the internal combustion engine is closed at a comparatively early closing time point with respect to a crank angle (?) and in spark ignition operation, in which the outlet valve is closed at a comparatively late closing time point with respect to the crank angle (?), during the changeover from the spark ignition mode of operation to the compression ignition mode of operation, the closing time point of the outlet valve is transferred from the late closing time point to the early closing time point in steps distributed over multiple 4-stroke cycles.

Abstract: A variable valve apparatus is employed a configuration in which, at a high valve lift and high speed operation of an internal combustion engine, an oscillating fulcrum of a transmission arm and a rotation center of a control shaft are arranged between a direction of a component rotating a control shaft of a maximum load which occurs in the oscillating fulcrum of the transmission arm when an oscillating cam oscillates in a valve opening direction and a direction of a component rotating a control shaft of a maximum load opposite thereto which occurs when the oscillating cam oscillates in a valve closing direction.

Abstract: An internal-combustion engine with a device for adjusting the rotational angle (camshaft adjuster (1)) of a camshaft (2) relative to a crankshaft is provided. The device comprises a driving wheel (3) connected in a rotationally locked way to the crankshaft, a driven part (6) connected in a rotationally locked way to the camshaft (2), and an adjusting mechanism, with which the phase position between the crankshaft and camshaft (2) can be set and maintained in a certain range of angles. A reduction of the required axial structural space of the camshaft adjuster (1) and the number of individual parts is achieved in that the driven part (6) is fixed to the camshaft (2) with a frictional, positive-fit, or interference-fit connection.

Abstract: A target wheel/rotor pre-assembly for a camshaft phaser. A phaser rotor includes a central bore. A target wheel axial extension having a plurality of barbs is entered into the bore to fix the target wheel to the rotor, both axially and rotationally, prior to assembly of the rotor into a phaser stator during manufacture of the phaser. Simple gauge blocks or a fixture can be used to index the target wheel to the rotor such that all such rotor/wheel subassemblies are substantially identical, to a high degree of precision. Alternatively, the axial extension may be formed without barbs, the extension inserted into the rotor bore, and then the extension immobilized as by stamping of the barbs, tack welding, or the like. For another example, the axial extension may be formed as a separate intermediate barbed retainer that engages both the rotor bore and the target wheel.

Abstract: A camshaft adjuster which operates according to the vane-type motor principle, which means being able to move to and fro within a certain angle, generally comprises a stator and a rotor. The rotor itself is provided as a composite system of at least two components. One of the components is a cover. A further component of the composite system may be denoted as the rotor core. The cover is placed on the rotor.

Abstract: Valve drive for an internal combustion engine having a valve which is axially displaceable between an open position and a closed position and is prestressed by a locking spring in the direction of its closed position, in which a control shaft driven by an electric motor to pivot about a longitudinal axis, has a cam, provided for operating the valve a pressure element that can be pivoted about a pivot axis, and a spring element which prestresses the pressure element and exerts a torque on the control shaft via the pressure element. The mass moment of inertia of the pressure element relative to its pivot axis is greater than the mass moment of inertia of the control shaft and the cam relative to the longitudinal axis of the control shaft. The valve drive so configured provides greater electrical operating efficiency and permits valve actuation to be performed at lower electric motor rotation speeds.