Abstract: The present invention provides methods, compositions and apparatus for removing oil and extinguishing fires using glass particles including crushed glass and fiberglass from an oil containing or fire containing surface. The fire containing surface can be any surface but in particularly desired embodiments the fire containing surface is a water surface, earthen surface, a mixture of earth and water or any surface that will hold a flammable substance. When the flammable substance is oil, the application of glass particles adsorbs oil and accretes into a mass sinking below the fire or oil containing surface. If greater floatation is desired, glass fibers can be added. The invention is particulary amendable to use with oil fires and magnesium fires and allows remediation of oil adsorbed to the glass surface. The invention also provides an apparatus for extinguishing fires from a surface by discharging glass particles over the oil or fire containing surface.

Abstract: A hazard control system according to various aspects of the present invention comprises a housing configured to contain a control material and deliver the control material to neutralize a hazard in response to a trigger event. In one embodiment, the control material is an extinguishant for retarding fire. The housing contains the extinguishant and includes at least one surface configured to rupture in response to a trigger event, such as an impact. The housing may also include a surface configured to substantially mate with a surface of a vehicle, such as a fuel tank surface.

Abstract: Manually activated, portable aerosol fire extinguisher includes a casing having an outer circumferential surface, the casing having a plurality of discharge ports disposed in the outer circumferential surface. The extinguisher also includes an arrangement for generating fire suppression agent which is discharged through the discharge ports, and a manual activation system which enables manual activation of the generating arrangement at a safe location a distance from the fire. The activation system includes a firing pin which causes ignition of igniter material upon contact therewith (resulting in generation of the fire suppression agent), a handle which normally prevents the firing pin from contacting the igniter material and a manually releasable pull pin arranged to maintain the handle in a position preventing the firing pin from contacting the igniter material.

Abstract: The present invention provides a retrofit system for replacing the shovels on existing, outdated tillage equipment with coulters. Such tillage equipment includes cultivators and field cultivators. An advantage provided by the coulters is their use in high crop residue conditions. Where shanks with shovels can become clogged with crop residue, coulters will cut through the crop residue while providing tillage. One or more coulters are attached to each shank from which a shovel was removed.

Abstract: The bed Raptor bed edging blade is a three dimensional blade. This blade is made out of steel. This blade is comprised of five parts. The base of the blade which resembles a cross with a specific hole size in the center for accommodating various machines as shown in Fig. B. The width of the base would be 2? across a height of approximately 9?. These measurements will vary according to the machine it is designed for. The second component which consists of four parts is the cutting fins which are triangular in nature as shown Fig. C The cutting fins are approximately 2? wide and 2¾? in height. The fins have cutting teeth starting at the bottom which are ¼? deep and ¼? apart with a total of nine teeth per blade. The cutting fins are welded to the base at each left corner coming out one inch and tilted 15 degrees off center to the left.

Abstract: The present invention provides a wavy coulter having a plurality of variable-amplitude waves, each wave defined by a crest and an adjacent valley. The coulter is mounted on an implement such that a leading peripheral edge of the coulter rotates in a downward direction as it enters the soil. The waves having larger amplitudes of deviation from flat provide a driving force for turning the variable wave coulter. The waves having smaller amplitudes of deviation from flat provide penetration into the soil. The result is a coulter that is forgiving in both wet and dry soil conditions.

Abstract: A motor grader has an ordinary direction of travel, has a forward end and a rearward end as defined by the ordinary direction of travel, and has two opposed sides. At least one set of front wheels is steerably mounted on the opposed sides of the motor grader adjacent the forward end, with one front wheel in each set mounted on each opposed side of the motor grader. At least one front wheel in each set of front wheels is movably mounted to the motor grader and can be selectively positioned such that each front wheel on one side of the motor grader is further away from the rearward end than the other front wheel in that set.

Abstract: A power driver may include a housing, a tool chuck and a sleeve. The tool chuck may have a chuck body mounted for rotation on the housing and supporting threadless chuck jaws, and a chuck drive shaft mounted for rotation on the chuck body. The sleeve may be mounted on the tool chuck for adjustment into a DRILL DRIVE MODE to rotationally lock together the chuck body and the chuck drive shaft, and a CHUCK MODE to rotationally lock together the chuck body and the housing.

Abstract: A clutch bypass for a combination drill has a gearbox connected to a motor and an output spindle. The gearbox includes a ring gear. A washer is mounted adjacent the output spindle and a clutch mechanism is coupled with the gearbox to selectively transmit torque from the motor to the output spindle. The clutch mechanism includes at least one link member disposed between the washer and the ring gear and a blocking member disposed adjacent the washer for selectively engaging the washer. The blocking member has a first position in which the blocking member engages the washer, and a second position in which the blocking member does not engage the washer.

Abstract: A cable or the like protection and guide device is disclosed in which inadvertent disconnection in a coupling portion of a side plate due to the repetition of flexional movements is avoided. Stress concentration is reduced in a flexion portion during restriction of flexional movements whereby excellent endurance on repeated flexion fatigue can be exhibited and in which the number of parts and the assembly operation can be reduced. Plates disposed in a right and left pair are integrally formed by a front side plate portion 111, a rear side plate portion 112, and a flexible coupling portion 113 interposed between the front side plate portion 111 and the rear side plate portion 112. The coupling portion 113 includes a thin plate-shaped central flexion allowable region 113a and base end continuous regions 113b, 113b with gradually increased plate thickness from the central flexion allowable region 113a side toward the front side plate portion 111 and rear side portion 112, respectively.

Abstract: An electric wire material protective structure is disclosed, which includes a flexible plastic layer surrounding the core member of the electric wire material to be protected, and a hard plastic layer surrounding the core member of the electric wire material, wherein an end portion of the hard plastic layer covers an end portion of the flexible plastic layer, forming a tapered surface area between said hard plastic layer and said flexible plastic layer, and said tapered surface area extends in a direction along the length of the core member of the electric wire material.

Abstract: A differential signal transmission cable has four stranded cores, each formed of an inner conductor covered with an insulation of fluorocarbon resin; an outer conductor being spirally wrapped around the four stranded cores in the opposite direction to a stranding direction of the cores; and a sheath formed around the outer conductor, where the diameter of the cable is 1.0 mm or less.

Abstract: An electrical cable bulk which can be coiled includes a jacket; a first wire assembly and a second wire assembly. The first wire assembly includes a shield conductor member at least partially shielding a first wire set. The first wire set includes a pair of insulated conductors disposed contiguously within the shield conductor member; and a ground conductor disposed within the shield conductor member. The second wire assembly includes a first shield conductor member at least partially shielding a second wire set. The second wire set includes a first pair of insulated conductors disposed contiguously within the first shield conductor member and a second pair of insulated conductors disposed contiguously within the first shield conductor member. The second wire assembly includes a second shield conductor member around a drain conductor and the first shield conductor member. The first and second wire assemblies are disposed within the jacket.

Abstract: A flexible flat cable and an apparatus for assembling the flexible flat cable are provided. The flexible flat cable has a conductive wire group including conductive wires disposed parallel to each other and arranged in a synthetic resin cover, in which both end portions and of the conductive wire group protrude outward from the end edges of the cover, and a pair of synthetic resin reinforcing plates are fixed to areas extending from one surface at the respective end portions of the cover through one surface at the respective end portions of the conductive wire group. One of the reinforcing plates includes a hollow square reinforcing plate formed by providing a through hole at the center of a reinforcing plate, and the other reinforcing plate includes a central reinforcing plate extracted from the hollow square reinforcing plate.

Abstract: An information handling system has a printed circuit board with a split power plane having a plurality of sections that may be used for distributing different voltages on a single conductive foil layer of the printed circuit board to components on the printed circuit board. Capacitive coupling of the split power plane sections may be enhanced with a high dielectric fill between the portions.

Abstract: A board consisting of a polyimide layer and copper foils is worked from one direction by etching to form through-holes, and the copper foils and inside of the through-holes are plated with copper, or the board is worked by etching or laser machining to form blind holes to expose the copper foils on the other side and through-holes simultaneously, and copper foils and insides of the blind holes and the through-holes are plated with copper. A metal ball plated with a noble metal is fixed on the copper foil by solidification of a metal paste to form an electric contact. Two superimposed plastic sheets are formed with holes each having a projection on inner wall of the hole, thereby vertically holding conductors by the projections of the holes of the superimposed plastic sheets. A laser beam machining method fabricates grooves or slits in a workpiece.

Abstract: A circuit board with vias that are suitable for use as test pads can be made according to a method whereby a first end of a via is blocked prior to heating solder paste that covers the opposite end of the via. As a result, air is trapped in the via when the solder paste is heated, which prevents melted solder paste from flowing in. Instead, the solder paste forms a dome shaped test pad over the via, which facilitates contact with the test probe. When applied to OSP circuit boards, the result is an OSP board with at least via that has a blocking material at one end and a solder dome over the opposite end.

Abstract: A wiring harness grommet (46) composed of first and second grommet halves (54, 56) cooperatively forming a walled through-passage (48) for a wire bundle of a wiring harness. Respective walled cavity halves (58, 60) are telescopically fit together for capturing the wire bundle between respective mutually confronting throats in the cavity halves. An annular void circumferentially surrounds the bundle and is filled with a filler (S) after the two halves have been fit together onto the bundle.

Abstract: A method for drilling and cementing a borehole to access at least a portion of a formation of interest, comprising: drilling a borehole using a drill string including an external packer and a drilling assembly to access at least a portion of a formation of interest; using a drilling fluid selected to minimize adverse effects on the at least a portion of the formation of interest when drilling into the at least a portion of the formation of interest; setting the packer to create a seal in the borehole so that (i) an upper drill string/borehole annulus above the packer is isolated from (ii) a lower drill string/borehole annulus below the packer, with the at least a portion of the formation of interest being open to the lower drill string/borehole annulus; and introducing cement above the external packer into the upper drill string/borehole annulus.

Abstract: One exemplary APD Device is used with a liner drilling assembly to control wellbore pressure. The APD Device reduces a dynamic pressure loss associated with the drilling fluid returning via a wellbore annulus. Another exemplary APD Device is used to control pressure in a wellbore when deploying wellbore equipment, including running, installing and/or operating wellbore tools. The APD Device is set to reduce a dynamic pressure loss associated with a circulating fluid. The APD Device can also be configured to reduce a surge effect associated with the running of the wellbore equipment. Still another APD Device is used to control pressure in a wellbore when completing or working over a well. Exemplary completion activity can include circulating fluid other than a drilling fluid, such as a gravel slurry. The APD Device can reduce the dynamic pressure loss associated with circulation of both drilling fluid and non-drilling fluid.

Abstract: The present invention generally provides apparatus and methods for reducing the pressure of a circulating fluid in a wellbore. In one aspect of the invention an ECD (equivalent circulation density) reduction tool provides a means for drilling extended reach deep (ERD) wells with heavyweight drilling fluids by minimizing the effect of friction head on bottomhole pressure so that circulating density of the fluid is close to its actual density. With an ECD reduction tool located in the upper section of the well, the friction head is substantially reduced, which substantially reduces chances of fracturing a formation.

Abstract: An earth auger presents a shank having a spiral earth removing structure therearound. The structure first presents a series of spirally positioned housings with cutting teeth therein followed by a spiral cutting edge about the shank. The teeth are radially, vertically and angularly oriented so as to remove earth in a stair-step fashion with a pneumatic drill-like action. The cutting teeth are further arranged so that each subsequent cutting tooth, as measured from the initial shank penetrating end, removes earth prior to the contact of the preceding cutting tooth housing so as to preclude earth contact. The earth relief, the spiral cutting teeth arrangement, the radial displacement of the teeth relative to the shank, the vertical displacement among the teeth and the angular relationship of the teeth, alone and in combination, enhance drilling.

Abstract: A hydraulic breaker hammer comprises a housing (10) with a longitudinal bore (12), a cylinder sleeve (14), and a cylinder sleeve (14) engaging rear end cover (16), a hammer piston (15) reciprocally powered in the cylinder sleeve (14) for delivering blows to a working implement inserted in a guide sleeve (20) at the front end of the bore (12), wherein the guide sleeve (20) is provided with radial openings (22a,b) for communication of lubricant from a lubricant supply passage (21) in the housing (10) to the inside of the guide sleeve (20), and the guide sleeve (20) is provided with external seal rings (23 a-d) forming annular compartments located between the lubricant supply passage (21) and the radial openings (22 a,b) for spreading lubricant on the outside surface of the guide sleeve (20), a distribution valve (31) communicating with the pressure fluid source and the cylinder sleeve (14) and comprising both a clearance seal means (44) and a seat seal (45,46) for improved tightness, and a pressure accumulator

Abstract: A piece of luggage, rucksack or satchel is provided having a pair of spaced shoulder straps. At least one strap has a stress/strain unit to monitor the stress/strain in the strap as the piece is worn on the shoulder of a user. The at least one strap also has an indicator that provides a visual indication when the stress/strain of the strap has exceeded a predetermined threshold.

Abstract: Transmission method and arrangement for distributing tractive force in a vehicle between a first transmission branch (28a) and a second transmission branch (30). The transmission branches are connected to one another by way of a fork (28b) and one transmission branch (28a) is directly connectable to at least one wheel contact surface. The second transmission branch (30) is connected to the fork (28b) by way of a control unit (19), which is provided with control means (27) for varying the transmission ratio in this branch (30). The invention furthermore relates to a vehicle having at least two driving wheels (16, 16b, 17, 17b, 18, 18b) and the transmission arrangement specified above.

Abstract: A drive system for a tracked vehicle having an internal combustion engine with a crankshaft aligned transversely to a direction of travel includes a steering drive; a differential transmission having traction drive elements, steering drive elements, and a pair of drive outputs for a drive axle aligned parallel to the crankshaft; and a steering drive connection connecting the steering drive to the steering drive elements. A further drive element, which may be a change speed gearbox or an electric traction motor, is arranged in line with the internal combustion engine and transmits power to the traction drive elements.

Abstract: A zero turning radius mower has a dual hydrostatic pump with right and left pump arms. A linkage between the pump arms and a pair of control levers destrokes both sides of the pump simultaneously if engine speed drops below a specified value. The linkage allows each pump arm to have a first stroke range if the engine powering the pump is above the specified value, and a second smaller stroke range if the engine powering the pump is below the specified value.

Abstract: A hybrid electric vehicle having an internal combustion engine as its primary power source and a turbine engine that is powered by waste heat from the internal combustion engine as an additional power source.

Abstract: A highly-efficient and small-sized driving system which is suitable for use in an automobile using hydrogen as fuel, e.g., a hydrogen-engine hybrid vehicle or a fuel cell vehicle. In a hybrid automobile comprising a high-pressure hydrogen tank, a hydrogen engine using hydrogen as fuel, and a rotating device for generating or regenerating automobile driving energy, at least a part of hydrogen gas supplied from the high-pressure hydrogen tank is supplied to the hydrogen engine after being utilized to cool the rotating device.

Abstract: A plug-in hybrid propulsion system includes a fast energy storage device that preserves battery life, where the energy storage elements of the hybrid drive train may be charged with externally supplied electricity as well as energy from the engine or regenerative braking. Electronic switches, passive electronics, an enclosure, controller circuitry, and/or control algorithms are used to manage the flow of power between a fuel powered engine, a battery, a fast energy storage system, traction motors, a charger, ancillary systems, an electrical distribution system, and/or a drive train.

Abstract: A wheel supporting apparatus includes dampers, ball joints, a knuckle, an upper arm and a lower arm. The dampers are attached to a case of an in-wheel motor in the top-bottom direction of the vehicle's body and are connected respectively to the ball joints. The upper arm and the lower arm have respective one-ends connected to respective dampers via the ball joints and respective other ends pivotably fixed to the vehicle's body. The knuckle is connected to the ball joints to rotatably support a wheel hub via hub bearings.

Abstract: A front end structure of a vehicle surrounding heat exchangers with ducts to thereby improve the heat exchangers in cooling ability, that is, a front end structure of a vehicle provided with heat exchangers positioned in an engine compartment in which an engine is mounted and exchanging heat between air and a heat medium, wherein the heat exchangers are surrounded by duct members sticking out to the vehicle front side, preventing hot air in the engine compartment from reaching the front end sides of the heat exchangers, and guiding air present at the vehicle front side to the heat exchangers and wherein among the duct members, a bottom duct positioned at the vehicle bottom side is formed with first through holes running through the vehicle in the up-down direction.

Abstract: An instrument panel is provided comprising a decorative cover attached to the front side of a backing plate. Hidden fasteners are disposed from the rear of the backing plate. Alignment features on the backing plate and the decorative cover maintain the two components in proper registration while manufacturing the instrument panel. The hidden fasteners align the instrument panel with and fasten it to the surrounding structure, such as the dashboard of a motor vehicle.

Abstract: A hydraulic vehicle power take off system is implemented using modular components and utilizing a vehicle controller area network for integration with vehicle systems. The modular components are preferably in turn adapted from standard industry components.

Abstract: There is disclosed a device for changing an original engine sound from an exhaust pipe of a vehicle such as a car and a motorcycle. The device includes a control module in which various engine sounds from the exhaust pipes of vehicles are recorded. A selection module is connected to the control module. The selection module is installed near the steering wheel or handle of the vehicle. A sensing module is connected to the control module. The sensing module senses the motion of the accelerator of the vehicle. An amplifier is connected to an output terminal of the control module. A speaker is connected to the amplifier. A muffling module is connected to the control module. The muffling module muffles the original engine sound from the exhaust pipe of the vehicle. With the selection module, a user can select one from the various engine sounds. With the muffling module, the user can muffle the original engine sound of the vehicle.

Abstract: A capacitive sensing apparatus for a vehicle seat includes a deflectable dielectric mat and a flexible printed circuit that wraps around the major surfaces of the dielectric mat to define upper and lower conductor strips that overlap in a direction perpendicular to the dielectric mat. Overlapping regions of the conductor strips define an array of capacitive load cells distributed over the seating surface. A connector stub depending from the flexible printed circuit couples the conductor strips to an external circuit that measures the capacitance of the various load cells to determine occupant weight and weight distribution.

Abstract: Hood lift mechanisms for reversibly increasing the energy absorption capability at appropriate force levels of a vehicle closure includes a vehicle closure; an active material in operative communication with the vehicle closure, wherein the active material comprises a shape memory alloy, a ferromagnetic shape memory alloy, a shape memory polymer, a magnetorheological fluid, an electroactive polymer, a magnetorheological elastomer, an electrorheological fluid, a piezoelectric material, an ionic polymer metal composite, or combinations comprising at least one of the foregoing active materials; and an activation device in operative communication with the active material, wherein the activation device is operable to selectively apply an activation signal to the active material and effect a reversible change in a property of the active material, wherein the reversible change results in an increased clearance distance between the vehicle closure and an underlying component.

Abstract: An improvement is realized in mutual assembly strength between a swing bearing member and right and left longitudinal ribs, and welds are subjected to a reduced stress concentration. A backhoe comprises a swivel deck (10); a first longitudinal rib (19L) disposed on the swivel deck, the first longitudinal rib extending in a fore and aft direction, and having a front portion (19La) extending in a transverse direction; a second longitudinal rib (19R) disposed on said swivel deck, the second longitudinal rib extending in the fore and aft direction, and having a front end thereof connected to the front portion of the first longitudinal rib; and a swing bearing member (20) attached to a front surface of the front portion of the first longitudinal rib for supporting a ground working implement through a swing shaft.

Abstract: An axle system includes an axle shaft offset located within an axle center beam housing. The axle shaft is located in a recess in a top wall of the axle center beam shaped with slopes to maximize clearance to the bottom of the vehicle floor panels. The pneumatic brake cylinders define a cylinder axis angled within an angular range from a generally vertical orientation for enhanced packaging.

Abstract: A hydraulic system for a work vehicle including a manifold assembly configured to prioritize hydraulic fluid flow to priority functions over a wide range of engine speeds.

Abstract: In an electric power steering system providing steering assist by applying a power of an electric motor to a steering mechanism via a reduction mechanism, the steering mechanism extending from a steering member to dirigible wheels, a grease (viscous material) is applied to a meshing engagement portion between teeth portions disposed on a motor-power transmission path extending from the electric motor to the steering mechanism via the reduction mechanism, the grease having a viscosity constant C satisfying 0.8 J?p?C where J denotes the inertia of the electric motor, and cop denotes the resonant angular frequency of the steering mechanism including the electric motor and the reduction mechanism. This provides for the prevention of the occurrence of rattling noises caused by a vibration system including the reduction mechanism and the electric motor and the degradation of the steering feeling.

Abstract: An electrically powered steering apparatus in which at least one torque selected from a steering torque and a motor torque is transmitted from a torque transmission shaft to a rack-and-pinion mechanism to steer steered wheels. The torque transmission shaft has a torque-side shaft provided with a magnetostrictive film of a magnetostrictive sensor for sensing torque; and a pinion shaft provided with a pinion of the rack-and-pinion mechanism. The torque-side shaft and the pinion shaft are separate components which are linked together.

Abstract: Generation of a steering assist force is allowed to continue by securing an appropriate control power without being affected by the fluctuation of a battery voltage. An electric power steering control device comprising steering torque detection means 17 for detecting a steering torque, an electric motor 5 allowed to generate a steering assist force for a steering system, and steering assist control means 3 for controlling the electric motor based on the steering torque detected by the steering torque detection means 17 comprises a control power generating circuit 20 for stepping up a battery voltage of an in-vehicle battery 1 to generate a control power and supplying the generated control power at least to the steering assist control means 3.

Abstract: The acceptance of hearing systems is to be improved. To this end there is provision for the control circuit for controlling a directional microphone circuit and/or a noise reduction circuit to feature a timer with which a parameter of the relevant circuit is able to be changed as a function of the time. Time-adaptive withdrawal of the effect of these circuits can for example enable an ear supplied with a new hearing aid to be slowly trained to localization and noise suppression.

Abstract: A speaker includes a sound box, a base installed below the sound box for supporting the sound box, and a cushioning component installed between the sound box and the base for absorbing vibration generated by a speaker unit. A stand is installed below the base for supporting the sound box above the ground.

Abstract: An energy absorber for use in a personal fall arresting system. The absorber contains upper and lower webbings which are each two ply members. The back ply of the upper webbing is mounted adjacent to the face ply of the lower webbing with said webbing being of about equal length and width. Exterior tear elements run back and forth sinusoidally between attachment points on the face ply of the upper webbing and the back ply of the lower webbing. Interior tear elements run back and forth sinusoidally between attachment points on the back ply of the upper webbing and the top ply of the lower webbing.

Abstract: An energy absorber for use in a personal fall arresting system. The absorber contains upper and lower webbings which are each two ply members. The back ply of the upper webbing is mounted adjacent to the face ply of the lower webbing with said webbing being of about equal length and width. Exterior tear elements run back and forth sinusoidally between attachment points on the face ply of the upper webbing and the back ply of the lower webbing. Interior tear elements run back and forth sinusoidally between attachment points on the back ply of the upper webbing and the top ply of the lower webbing. The attachment points are formed by transverse wefts of at least one of a polyester and a para-aramid yarn in which the tensile strength of the attachment points is greater than the tensile strength of the exterior and interior tear elements.

Abstract: The rung-extension consists of frame having a pair of vertically extending supports and a number of vertically spaced treads which extend between the two supports. Hooks are provided for attaching the frame to a ladder such that the upper wall of each tread is at the same level a separate rung of the ladder.

Abstract: A lightweight, portable scaffold system has at least two support members which bear a platform. The support members have a Y-shaped base. Independently, adjustable legs attach to the arms of the Y and allow the support member to stand level on uneven ground. A support arm cantilevers from the stem of the Y. The support arm of each support member contacts a vertical surface and bears the platform. The scaffold structure is constructed of hollow stock to reduce its weight and can be dismantled and stored in a duffle bag.

Abstract: The present invention is a system, method, and apparatus that will prevent the environmental hazards and pollution that occur from spillage when oil and other contaminating liquids are removed from mechanical devices, such as an engine, transmission, gear box, differential, or any other oil pan/reservoir found in, but not limited to, automotive, excavating, industrial, and farming equipment and machines. The system and method described requires a banjo bolt—with a check valve manufactured internally, along with a banjo bolt fitting—installed in the bottom of the engine, transmission, gear box, differential, or any other oil pan/reservoir, working in conjunction with a connector hose, a universal quick coupling device and a fluid extraction apparatus, allowing for the spill-proof extraction of the lubricant held in the engine, transmission, gear box, differential, or any other oil pan/reservoir.