Abstract: A boat has an outside pocket door that opens to provide a passageway large enough for a person to pass. Of particular interest are sliding doors that utilize a traveler and a guide, each positioned on one of the door and the housing, having tolerances that severely restrict side to side movement of a distal edge of the door under normal operating conditions. The guide can advantageously comprise a track and rollers, and the traveler can comprises a foot disposed to travel between opposing ones of the rollers. In such embodiments the rollers can advantageously be mounted in spaced apart opposing pairs on a guide, using off-set centers to adjust the tolerances. Sliding doors can be operated in any suitable manner, manually or otherwise, and it is especially contemplated that sliding doors can be operated using a pneumatic ram.

Abstract: A watercraft stabilizer assembly includes a frame comprising a plurality of frame members connected together and a plurality of floats received on the frame. At least one clamp secures the frame to a watercraft. The clamp comprises clamp members that are securable together such that the frame and a portion of the watercraft are held together between the clamp members.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to system and method for indicating a steering position of the steering means of an associated watercraft. The system includes a storage unit for storing data representative of a predetermined steering position of associated steering means and means for monitoring a real-time steering position of associated steering means. Mechanical data from the monitoring means representative of the real-time steering position, is converted into electronic data and further displayed to the user with respect to the stored data representative of the predetermined steering position.

Abstract: A small boat comprises a steering wheel and a steering angle sensor that detects a steering angle of the steering wheel. A plurality of propulsion units are mounted to a transom of the boat. Electrically operable steering devices are coupled with the respective propulsion units. A control unit controls an output of each of the propulsion units. The controller adjusts the output, a trim angle or a height of a propeller of the propulsion units in accordance with the steering angle and a running condition of the boat to control a total thrust and a total running direction of the respective propulsion units.

Abstract: A pump is mounted in a craft, wherein usage of the craft is associated with a repetitive motion. For example, the craft could be a kayak and the repetitive motion could be paddling. The pump is mounted in a manner such that in the course of performing the repetitive motion the pump is activated.

Abstract: A method for beaching a boat that includes four steps. The first step is to attach one end of a boat fender to one end of another boat fender to form a roller assembly. The second step is to position the roller assembly near and parallel to a shoreline of a body of water. The third step is to position a boat in the water and perpendicular to the shoreline with the center of the bow of the boat centered at the center of the roller assembly. The fourth step is to move the boat toward and onto land, the boat rolling on the roller assembly. In addition, an article of manufacture and an apparatus for joining boat fenders together to form such a roller assembly. The boat can be stowed on the roller assemblies and can be launched back into the water by reversing the method.

Abstract: Apparatus for moving tubes (10) which are displaceable upon operation of an actuator (40) inside fixed guides (20) integral with the tower (1a) of submarines (1) and the like, said actuator (40) consisting of at least one pair of linear motors (41).

Abstract: An inflatable boat structure which is stabilized upon surfing in a riptide is provided with a bow and a stern which are extended upward, along two sides of a hull. The bow and stern are respectively formed with A-shape openings, plural independent air bags are transversally crossed over two sides of the hull, and at proper positions of seems between the hull and a bilge are opened with drain-holes. Upon surfing in a riptide, the inflatable boat can be keep on sailing steadily, and if the boat is turned over, persons on-board can be prevented from being pressed under the bilge, and the hull can be put straight quickly and easily.

Abstract: The invention relates to a hand-rail (18) for a tarpaulin (12) comprising a handlebar (22) which is received between two bushings (20) which respectively consist of a fixing arm (24) with a screw thread (26) disposed thereon which can be fixed by means of screw nuts (28). The invention also relates to a tarpaulin provided with a hand-rail.

Abstract: This invention relates to a flag pole and more specifically, to a flag pole with moveable flag clips and an electric lamp to illuminate the flag.

Abstract: A flag having non-furling properties. The flag generally includes a planar surface and a non-furling portion, which cooperate with a mounting cap to generally provide non-furling features to the flag. The non-furling portion may include a sleeve portion on a side of the flag surface and a flap portion extending outwardly from the sleeve portion. The sleeve portion generally defines an internal cavity through which a flag pole may be inserted. The flap portion may be folded over an opening to the sleeve portion and be rotatably secured the mounting cap, which is mounted on an end of the flagpole. The sleeve portion rotates about the received flag pole such that the furling of the flag is substantially prevented.

Abstract: A process for producing a compound semiconductor single crystal includes bringing a molten raw material liquid into contact with a seed crystal accommodated in a lower section of a crucible and gradually cooling the molten raw material liquid in the crucible so that solidification of the raw material liquid proceeds upward, thereby growing a single crystal. The seed crystal has a diameter which is 0.50 to 0.96 times that of a constant-diameter portion of the single crystal. A diameter-increasing portion of the single crystal has a diameter increased during growth of the single crystal such that a peripheral wall of the diameter-increasing portion is inclined at 5° or more and less than 35° with respect to a crystal growth direction, followed by growth of a constant-diameter portion of the single crystal.

Abstract: In order to control a crystal defective area, to inhibit slip generation at the time of annealing treatment, and to manufacture a high quality silicon wafer of high strength with sufficient yields, a method of manufacturing a silicon wafer is provided in which a silicon single crystal is grown by way of Czochralski method under conditions where an oxygen concentration is 0.9×1018 atoms/cm3 or more and an oxidization induced stacking fault density is the maximum in an area within 20 mm of a wafer circumference, and an as-grown defect density of the wafer obtained by slicing the silicon single crystal is 1×107/cm3 or more over the whole region of the wafer.

Abstract: A single crystal semiconductor manufacturing apparatus in which the concentration of oxygen in a single crystal semiconductor is controlled while pulling up a single crystal semiconductor such as single crystal silicon by the CZ method, a single crystal semiconductor manufacturing method, and a single crystal ingot manufactured by the method are disclosed. The natural convection (20) in the melt (5) in a quartz crucible (3) is controlled by regulating the temperatures at a plurality of parts of the melt (5). A single crystal semiconductor (6) can have a desired diameter by regulating the amount of heat produced by heating means (9a) on the upper side. Further the ratio between the amount of heat produced by the upper-side heating means (9a) and that by the lower-side heating means (9b) is adjusted to vary the process condition. In the adjustment, the amount of heat produced by the lower-side heating means (9b) is controlled to a relatively large proportion.

Abstract: A growing method of a SiC single crystal includes the steps of thermal treatment of a high purity SiC source for decreasing a specific surface area and increasing a ratio of a-phase and making a mole fraction of C greater than that of Si in the source, providing the SiC source into a crucible, arranging a SiC seed in the crucible, and growing the SiC single crystal by heating the SiC source.

Abstract: Disclosed herein are a novel nitrogen semiconductor compound simultaneously including groups with different electrical properties and a device fabricated using the nitrogen semiconductor compound as an organic semiconductor material or a hole conducting material. The nitrogen semiconductor compound can be spin-coated at room temperature when applied to the fabrication of the device, and has superior electrical conductivity and photovoltaic properties.

Abstract: Pattern deduction processes of prior art include, after applying a solution reacting with a resist pattern on a surface of the resist pattern, a step of heating a substrate to accelerate the reaction between the resist pattern and the applied film. However, heating for the acceleration of reaction necessarily accompanies conveyance of substrates onto a hot plate. The present invention provides an application apparatus which is provided with a temperature raising means for raising a temperature of the resist pattern reduction material in the vicinity of a nozzle for dropping the resist pattern reduction material.

Abstract: A riding floor and edge stripper applicator comprises a frame including attached thereto at least three wheels, a seat and a drive and steering mechanism for driving and steering the wheels. The stripper includes at least one tank mounted on the frame for holding stripping solution in fluid communication with supply conduits for delivering stripping solution to the mops. It further includes a central mop for receiving striping solution from the supply conduits and applying the solution to the floor. The stripper further includes at least one swinging mop for receiving striping solution from the supply conduits and applying the solution to a floor, the swinging mop pivotally attached at one distal end to the central mop and moveable between an extended position and a retracted position.

Abstract: A method of determining temperatures at localized regions of a substrate during processing of the substrate in a photolithography process includes the following steps: independently illuminating a photoresist layer including a photoresist pattern at a plurality of locations on the substrate with a light source, so that light is diffracted off the plurality of locations of the photoresist pattern; measuring the diffracted light from the plurality of locations to determine measured diffracted values associated with respective locations from the plurality of locations; and comparing the measured diffracted values against a library to determine a pre-illumination process temperature of the photoresist layer at the plurality of locations.

Abstract: A jig is used for dicing a semiconductor device on which a plurality of chip regions are formed. The jig includes partitions that forms grids and a bottom wall the partitions are supported. When the semiconductor wafer is placed on the jig, the partitions support dicing regions of the semiconductor wafer such that at least one cavity is defined by the semiconductor wafer, the partitions, and the bottom wall. A negative pressure is created in the recesses by evacuating the air from the recesses. The semiconductor wafer is diced at the dicing regions into a plurality chips. The pressure in the recesses is returned to atmospheric pressure. Then, each of the chips is picked up from the jig.

Abstract: An electrode assembly for use in a plasma processing system that includes removable rails that are adjustable for reconfiguring the electrode to accommodate substrates of different widths. The electrode assembly includes an electrode having a plurality of first connecting members. Associated with the electrode is a plurality of rails that cooperate for supporting the substrates on the electrode. Each of the rails includes a plurality of second connecting members. Each of the second connecting members is connected detachably with one of the first connecting members for removably mounting the rails with the electrode.

Abstract: A substrate processing apparatus comprises a process chamber comprising walls defining an enclosure for processing a substrate, and having at least one window in a wall to allow a radiation to be transmitted therethrough. A process monitoring assembly is provided to monitor a process being conducted in the chamber. The process monitoring assembly comprises a plurality of signal sensors that each receive a radiation reflected from the substrate and that passes through the window, each signal sensor being capable of generating a signal in relation to a received radiation.

Abstract: A plasma accelerator is provided. The plasma accelerator includes a chamber having a closed top, an opened bottom and a lateral surface, a first coil section comprising a plurality of coils that are connected to one another in series and are wound around the lateral surface of the chamber in opposite directions, and a second coil section comprising a plurality of coils that are wound around the lateral surface of the chamber between coils of the first coil section in opposite directions. Accordingly, it is possible to make the mutual inductance between the coils small, to accurately adjust levels and phase differences of currents to be applied to the coils, and also to simplify the driving circuit.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a rapid thermal processing tool comprises a housing, a chamber formed inside the housing is able to contain an object for a rapid thermal process, a valve formed on the head of the housing, a transit ring formed inside the chamber for inputting and outputting the object in and out of the chamber from the valve, a front exhaust valve formed on the head of the housing and adjacent to the valve, a delivery valve formed inside the chamber for delivering a vapor into the chamber, and a back exhaust valve formed on the back of the housing.

Abstract: A device is described for training a wild bear to be at a particular location on a regular daily schedule that matches the hunter's hours. The device provides multiple food enclosures, a scent dispenser, and a timer. The timer causes one of the food enclosures to be opened at each set interval, and dispenses a scent to signal the bear that “dinner is served”. The food enclosure which is opened will preferably only remain open for a limited time interval, for exemplary purposes one hour, so that the wild bear must be present at the scheduled time. Consequently, food is accessible only for one hour each day. The food enclosures are configured to allow a varied diet to be provided for the bear to keep him interested.

Abstract: An animal feeder has a base in which food or water may be placed, a cover for the contents of the base, and a detector for the presence or absence of an animal and a mechanism for opening the cover or allowing it to close according to the relative movement between a first cam associated with the cover and a second cam responsive to the detector

Abstract: A toileting device for a domestic animal. The toileting device comprises a textured surface and a liquid collecting structure. The textured surface has a plurality of apertures configured to allow the passage of liquid waste through the textured surface. The liquid collecting structure is positioned below the textured surface and has a drain and a nadir for guiding liquid waste to the drain.

Abstract: The invention relates to an apparatus for breeding shellfish such as mussels, oysters and like shellfish to be bred in flowing water, comprising at least two mutually spaced apart floating bodies (2) and/or ballast means, which floating bodies are mutually connected by connecting means (3), such that an open frame (5) is formed by at least these connecting means, wherein at least between the floating bodies a series of breeding surfaces are provided, which breeding surfaces extend substantially parallel to each other above each other.

Abstract: A removable bird cup feeder assembly is comprised of a dish holder and a cup shaped dish. The dish holder has a slide rail, a vertical stop member, a horizontal stop member and a cage displacement member. The slide rail fits into a tunnel formed on the dish by a flange and a wall of the dish. The stop members limit horizontal and vertical movement of the dish. The fit between the flange and the slide rail limits rotation of the dish. The dish has an embossed floor, radiused floor and wall intersections, and radiused top wall surfaces to enhance bird comfort and to facilitate cleaning of the dish. The assembly is installed within a cage. When the cage door is opened, the dish may be quickly removed and replaced. When the cage door is closed the dish cannot be displaced by a bird within the cage.

Abstract: A treat ball includes a transparent chamber for holding treats and end caps on the transparent chamber. At least one of the end caps includes one or more lobes, which causes the treat ball to roll in a non-uniform manner. Additionally, at least one of the end caps includes an opening into the chamber, and an adjustable mechanism configured to fully close the opening and to reveal the opening to varying degrees.

Abstract: A personal watercraft is disclosed with a hull, a seating assembly, and a four stroke internal combustion engine below the seating assembly. The engine has at least one intake valve for each of the combustion cylinder chambers, at least one exhaust valve for each of the combustion cylinder chambers, and a valve actuation assembly located in a cylinder head for operating the intake and exhaust valves. At least one air intake passageway is operatively coupled to the combustion cylinder chambers through the intake valves. An air intake manifold is connected to the cylinder head and operatively connected to the at least one air intake passageway. The engine also has a supercharger for boosting air to the air intake manifold. The watercraft also includes a propulsion unit, operatively coupled to the crankshaft, which is located on one end of the two ends of the crankcase.

Abstract: A method for operating an internal combustion engine in controlled self-ignition, a fuel-air mixture being introduced into a combustion chamber at least partially in a gas-exchange cycle, and being compressed in a compression stroke, the load range usable for the Otto engine self-ignition is broadened in that, in the fuel-air mixture, during the gas-exchange cycle, a flame front is generated at one or a plurality of places by spark ignition, which compresses and/or heats up the remaining fuel-air mixture, and converts the latter thereby at least partially to intermediate combustion products.

Abstract: A compression-ignition internal combustion engine for aircraft generally comprises a stationary crankshaft, a crankcase adapted to rotate about the stationary crankshaft, and a plurality of cylinders radially extending from the crankcase. Each cylinder includes a piston adapted to reciprocate therein and a connecting rod drivingly coupling the piston to the crankshaft. The engine further comprises a valve assembly for operating an exhaust valve associated with each cylinder and a fuel assembly for supplying fuel to each cylinder. First and second cams mounted on the crankshaft are adapted to operate the valve assembly and fuel assembly in a timed manner as the crankcase rotates about the crankshaft. The engine also includes a propeller synchronizer for adjusting the pitch of a plurality of propellers radially extending from the rotating crankcase.

Abstract: An apparatus to transfer power from rotary power to reciprocating power includes an odd numbered multi-lobed rotating cam that acts on a follower, which, in turn, causes or acts in response to reciprocation of pistons. The follower includes offset head portions and the cylinders, in turn are actually offset in the direction of the head portions. This reduces friction and improves efficiency. Further, the cylinders can include two inlets and two outlets so that each cylinder functions when the piston moves in either direction within the cylinder.

Abstract: A method, a device utilizing the method, and a motorcycle equipped with the device are provided, of controlling combustion of an engine to have an engine beat different from an equally-intervalled combustion. The method of controlling combustions of an engine having three or more pistons of cylinders per crankshaft includes causing simultaneous combustions of two cylinders among the three or more cylinders, the two cylinders having the same crank phase angle, causing a combustion of at least one -other cylinder, and in the process of said combustion offsetting a crank phase angle by a first crank phase angle, and repeating from the combustions of the first two cylinders further offsetting the crank phase angle by a second crank phase angle from the first crank phase angle.

Abstract: An apparatus includes a cylinder head and a valve member. The cylinder head is configured to be coupled to a cylinder and a gas manifold and has an interior surface defining a valve pocket. The valve member is configured to be disposable within the valve pocket such that the valve member is movable within the valve pocket along a longitudinal axis of the valve member. The valve member has a tapered portion defining multiple valve flow passages. The apparatus has a first configuration and a second configuration. When the apparatus is in the first configuration, each valve flow passage is in fluid communication with the cylinder and the gas manifold. When the apparatus is in the second configuration, each valve flow passage from the plurality of valve flow passages is fluidically isolated from the cylinder.

Abstract: An apparatus includes a valve member configured to be reciprocatably disposed within a valve pocket defined by an interior surface of a cylinder head. The valve member has a tapered portion defining multiple flow passages and including multiple sealing portions. At least one sealing portion is disposed adjacent each flow passage and is configured to contact a portion of the interior surface of the cylinder head such that each flow passage is configured to be fluidically isolated from an area outside of the cylinder head.

Abstract: A variable valve operating system for an internal combustion engine that has a plurality of electromagnetic actuators for the intake and exhaust valves in a multi-cylinder engine. This engine does not have the conventional lifters, pushrods, rocker arms, cam, timing chain and gear. Computerized software controls and executes the duration of valve opening and closing, lift, timing, and synchronization of the valve action to the crankshaft. This allows a dynamic operation of the engine to effect various selected performance modes. One mode can be selected for the desired driving condition. An engine built comprising this current invention will require fewer parts, be more reliable and less machine work to manufacture as a savings and benefit to all.

Abstract: There is provided a valve gear of an internal combustion engine converting a rotational motion of a motor into a linear motion by a cam, and driving an intake valve or an exhaust valve of a cylinder so as to be opened and closed based on the linear motion, a motor control apparatus which can actuate the motor in a rocking drive mode in which a rotating direction of the cam is changed during a lift of the valve. The motor control apparatus controls a motion of the motor such that the cam starts rotating before the valve starts lifting in the rocking drive mode.

Abstract: A method for diagnosing malfunctions of switching valve lifters includes sensing variations in pressure of trapped oil in a drive chamber of a hydraulic camshaft drive, such as a cam phaser, comparing peak oil pressure readings in the drive chamber resulting from the increased torque of opening the valves of various cylinders of an engine and identifying cylinders having lower than normal valve opening pressure readings, indicating failure of an associated valve lifter to properly actuate a valve of the cylinder. Apparatus for indicating such malfunctions could include a cam phaser with pressure chamber, a pressure sensor connected to indicate pressure variations in the chamber; and a pressure indicator connected to the sensor and adapted to indicate actual pressure variations for comparison with normal variations to identify low pressure peaks indicating malfunction of a switching lifter. A computer could be used to receive and act upon the malfunction indications.

Abstract: An internal combustion engine has a laser light generating device. The laser light generating device is suitable for delivering laser light with a transverse mode structure which varies in respect of time.

Abstract: An engine starting apparatus has a reverse-rotation detection sensor for detecting the reverse rotation of an engine. A control apparatus for controlling the engine starting apparatus performs such control that a starter motor is not rotated while the reverse rotation of the engine is detected by the reverse-rotation detection sensor, even if receiving a predetermined engine start command.

Abstract: An engine valve, formed of a titanium alloy, enables improvement of reliability and productivity while improving creep resistance and fatigue strength at a high temperature. The engine valve, including a stem section and a bevel section provided at one end of the stem section, is integrally formed of the titanium alloy. A portion of the valve, extending from the bevel section to a medial portion of the valve stem, is formed mainly of a needle-like crystallographic texture. Another portion of the valve, extending from the medial section to the other end of the stem section, is formed of a material having a substantially equiaxed crystallographic texture. A boundary between the needle-like texture and the equiaxed texture is provided in a range of sliding movement of the valve relative to a valve guide that slidably guides the stem section within the cylinder head.

Abstract: A method for operating a hybrid motor vehicle having an internal combustion engine and at least one electric machine is provided. At least one of the electric machines supplies a varying torque to the internal combustion engine such that cyclic irregularities of the internal combustion engine during idling are reduced and, at the same time, the internal combustion engine is operated during idling with an ignition angle and a volumetric efficiency optimized for this operating state and without retarding the ignition angle for building up a torque reserve.

Abstract: A small internal combustion engine including a crankcase, a crankshaft rotatably mounted in an interior of the crankcase by crankshaft bearings of the crankcase, a first oil passage disposed below the crankshaft bearings to extend substantially in parallel with the crankshaft, the first oil passage being configured to feed lubricating oil to the crankshaft bearings, and a second oil passage disposed at a location higher than the first oil passage to extend substantially in parallel with the first oil passage, the second oil passage being configured to feed the lubricating oil to a component other than the crankshaft bearings.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to a method for shutting off a drive motor (12) of a power tool that drives a tool, the drive motor (12) being shut off as a function of a variable threshold value (E1) if the tool jams. It is provided that the threshold value (E1) is determined in at least one predetermined time interval (T1) as a function of a current load speed (n1) and a no-load speed (n0).

Abstract: An internal combustion rotary engine includes a housing having an inlet and an outlet and a rotatable rotor centrally mounted within the housing. The rotor includes a plurality of pockets located about its circumference, the rotor further being connected to a rotor shaft. A rotatable elliptical body is disposed in each of the plurality of pockets. Each rotatable elliptical body is coupled to respective planet gears and each respective planet gear is meshed with a centrally disposed fixed sun gear. An ignition source is disposed in each of the plurality of pockets for igniting a fuel/air mixture. During operation of the internal combustion rotary engine, for each 360° rotation of the rotor, each elliptical body rotates through 720°.

Abstract: A direct injection spark ignition engine comprises a cylinder, a piston which is reciprocally movably arranged in the cylinder and defines with the cylinder a combustion chamber, a fuel injector arranged at one side of a center axis of the cylinder for directly injecting fuel into the combustion chamber, and a smoothly continuous lowered recess formed on a top surface of the piston surface for receiving at least part of fuel injected from the injector. The recess has a first cross section along a first plane including the cylinder center axis and a nozzle end of the injector. The first cross section has first and second lower contours substantially of arc shape with its center above the recess. The first and second lower contours are smoothly connected with each other through a lowest point of the first cross section. The first lower contour is located at the one side of the cylinder center axis. The second lower contour is located at the other side of the cylinder center axis.

Abstract: In a method for operating an internal combustion engine, particularly a gasoline engine with direct gasoline injection, having a plurality of cylinders, fuel consumption and emissions are further minimized by operating one part of the cylinders in an overrun fuel cutoff operating mode and another part of the cylinders in an autoignition operating mode.

Abstract: In a method for determining the actuator energy required for the different injection types of an actuator of an internal combustion engine, the actuator is impinged by a control signal in such a way that an actuator signal is generated and an injection parameter of the internal combustion engine is set in such a way that said actuator signal is generated at a specific stored time. The first injection type in the combustion cycle is first deactivated in order to determine the actuator energy of said type from the second injection type.