Abstract: An apparatus for use in a work space providing a base structure is disclosed. The apparatus includes a first end, a second end, an overhead structure, a partition, and a wheel assembly. The first end is coupled to the base structure. The second end is configured for movement relative to the base structure. The overhead structure is adjacent to the first end. The partition is adjacent to the second end. The wheel assembly is adjacent to the second end. The partition is configured to move from a first position to a second position in order to define space and to enhance privacy in the work space.

Abstract: A pallet includes a plurality of parallel channels or corrugations in an upper surface of the deck. A plurality of perpendicular lower channels or corrugations are formed on a lower surface of the deck. The upper and lower channels or corrugations support one another and provide increased stiffness to the deck. The pallet is designed such that it can be rotomolded.

Abstract: A locking vault is adapted to be installed adjacent to at least one housing joist having a longitudinal axis, and includes a pivot having a longitudinal axis essentially orthogonal with respect to the longitudinal axis of the housing joist, a first box adapted to swing, between an open position and a locked position, about the pivot at a pivoting end thereof, the first box having two lengthwise sides and two opposite lengthwise ends that consist of the pivoting end and a locking end, and a lock disposed proximate the locking end and having an extendable locking pin dimensioned to extend at least from one of the lengthwise sides through the adjacent housing joist.

Abstract: A method of treating waste comprises the steps of drying said waste and submitting said dried waste to gasification for producing a combustible gas, characterised in that the method comprises the step of separating the waste into a portion for shredding and a portion for filtering prior to drying.

Abstract: A pneumatic distributor of granular and/or powdery materials includes a main distribution duct having a first end in the region of which an air-flow is injected into the duct under pressure, and a second end. The main duct includes respective adjacent converging-diverging portions, with reference to the direction of the air-flow, defining a Venturi duct. A dosing device is provided for delivering a metered quantity of material into the main duct in the region of the narrow cross-section of the Venturi duct, for the mixing of the material into the air-flow and the entrainment of the mixture obtained towards the second end. The distributor includes at least one auxiliary duct, bypassing the Venturi duct, in order to connect a section of the main duct disposed upstream of the Venturi duct to a section of the main duct disposed downstream of the Venturi duct.

Abstract: A floatation apparatus for an all terrain vehicle, includes a bridging support adapted to extend under the all terrain vehicle from a first side to a second side. The bridging support has a first end and a second end. The bridging support has a first float support extending upwardly and outwardly from the first end which is adapted to suspend a first float member and a second float support extending upwardly and outwardly from the second end which is adapted to suspend a second float member.

Abstract: An inflatable mooring station is adapted for use with a fixed or floating platform extending over a body of water. The mooring station is attached to the platform, and designed for holding a water craft in a generally stationary position relative to the platform. The mooring station includes a buoyant, inflatable body and at least one line tie located on the inflatable body. An anchor line is attached at one end to the line tie and at its opposite end to the platform to secure the inflatable body to the platform.

Abstract: An aesthetically pleasing anchor system designed to quickly anchor and release a boat in shallow water with minimal effort and little to no distraction from other activities such as fishing, which has an anchor sleeve containing a sleeve liner through which an anchor pole with a pointed bottom end passes through, said anchor pole extending below the hull of a boat into the lake or river bottom beneath, and which anchor pole can engage a locking insert when the anchor pole is twisted in either direction, said locking insert located in a notch cut out of the sleeve liner, allowing the anchor pole to be locked in a stowed position, and which has an upper flange which engages a hand grip wrapped around the top of the anchor pole, preventing the top end of the anchor pole from dropping completely through the boat hull, and which has a bottom flange attached to the boat hull bottom through which the anchor pole passes.

Abstract: Apparatus for mounting a signal or warning device upon a vehicle or vehicle trailer cargo which incorporates a clamp, a signal, and a signal storage component.

Abstract: A muffler sound simulator for bicycles and other non-motorized vehicles or toys. The simulator is driven through the circular motion of the wheel. The bicycle wheel is engaged by a drive wheel that in turn manipulates a drive shaft that acts upon an actuator. The actuator rotates, striking the hammer. The duel action of the load spring and the repositioning spring allow the hammer to interface repeatedly against the tympanic membrane. The sound derived from the resonation of the membrane is directed through the hollow casing, amplifying the sound that is generated. Another embodiment of the device is a muffler sound simulator for bicycles and other non-motorized vehicles or toys that is a mechanically driven actuator that compresses a switch tab against a momentary contact switch that is electrically connected to a printed circuit, and a speaker for the reaction output of the printed circuit.

Abstract: Heated volatile dispensers are disclosed that are provided with automated use-up indicators. The indicators are associated with a porous substrate. A migrateable dye is covered by meltable material adjacent the substrate. Heating of a substrate such as a slab impregnated with an insect repellent both causes the insect repellent to dispense and melts the covering. The dye then migrates to a visible surface of the substrate to indicate a degree of use. The extent of migration, and the patterns formed on the visible surface by the migrating dye, indicate the extent to which the volatile air treatment chemical has been dispensed.

Abstract: A meter device in which an indicating needle set can get an range of rotation of nearly 360 degrees. The device comprises a light guiding plate, an indicating needle set, a light source, a driver and a control circuit; wherein the light guiding plate has a hole, the light source corresponds with the light guiding plate in order that the light source can project light beams to the light guiding plate; the driver has a rotor, and the indicating needle set is extended through the hole to be provided on the rotor; the control circuit is connected electrically with the driver in order that the rotor of the driver is rotated, and the rotor can do rotating of nearly 360 degrees by control of the control circuit. The device is suitable for various meters such as a pressure meter, a water temperature meter, a rotating rate meter, an oil meter, a speed meter etc.

Abstract: A method for a growing solid-state, spectrometer grade II-VI crystal using a high-pressure hydrothermal process including the following steps: positioning seed crystals in a growth zone of a reactor chamber; positioning crystal nutrient material in the nutrient zone of the chamber; filling the reactor with a solvent fluid; heating and pressuring the chamber until at least a portion of the nutrient material dissolves in the solvent and the solvent becomes supercritical in the nutrient zone; transporting supercritical from the nutrient zone to the growth zone, and growing the seed crystals as nutrients from the supercritical fluid deposit on the crystals.

Abstract: An epitaxial deposition process including a dry etch process, followed by an epitaxial deposition process is disclosed. The dry etch process involves placing a substrate to be cleaned into a processing chamber to remove surface oxides. A gas mixture is introduced into a plasma cavity, and the gas mixture is energized to form a plasma of reactive gas in the plasma cavity. The reactive gas enters into the processing chamber and reacts with the substrate, forming a thin film. The substrate is heated to vaporize the thin film and expose an epitaxy surface. The epitaxy surface is substantially free of oxides. Epitaxial deposition is then used to form an epitaxial layer on the epitaxy surface.

Abstract: The invention provides a protein crystallizing device capable of performing a protein crystallization experiment or screening of crystallization conditions rapidly and economically with a high reliability, and a protein crystallizing agent capable of performing the operation of protein crystallization by a simpler method. The protein crystallizing device of the present invention comprises a protein crystallizing microarray having at least two crystallizing agent holding parts which hold a protein crystallizing agent and a plate laminated on the protein crystallizing microarray, wherein the plate has crystallizing sections corresponding to the crystallizing agent holding parts and capable of being filled with a protein-containing sample and recessed parts provided between the crystallizing sections. The protein crystallizing agent of the present invention is evenly held in a gel by gelatinizing a solution containing a protein precipitant and an unsaturated monomer.

Abstract: A patterning apparatus for an electroluminescent display includes a molding plate provided with a plurality of convex portions and concave portions; a polymer supplying roller adjacent to the molding plate to apply an electroluminescent material to the molding plate via rotational movement; and a molding roller attached to the molding plate to apply the electroluminescent material on the molding plate to an adjacent substrate via rotational movement.

Abstract: Methods and apparatus for the deposition of a source material (10) are disclosed. An atomizer (12) renders a supply of source material (10) into many discrete particles. A force applicator (14) propels the particles in continuous, parallel streams of discrete particles. A collimator (16) controls the direction of flight of the particles in the stream prior to their deposition on a substrate (18). In an alternative embodiment of the invention, the viscosity of the particles may be controlled to enable complex depositions of non-conformal or three-dimensional surfaces. The invention also includes a wide variety of substrate treatments which may occur before, during or after deposition. In yet another embodiment of the invention, a virtual or cascade impactor may be employed to remove selected particles from the deposition stream.

Abstract: Dispensing apparatus is provided for use in dispensing a fluid lining material onto the interior wall surfaces of a conduit. The dispensing apparatus includes at least one reservoir for the containment of at least one fluid, dispensing outlet means communicating with said at least one reservoir for dispensing fluid therefrom and a rotational head member for directing the dispensed fluid from said dispensing outlet means in a required direction onto the walls of the conduit. The rotational head member has an opening which faces the remainder of the apparatus and said head member is capable of undergoing reciprocal motion relative to a further part of the apparatus in use to allow multiple layers of fluid lining to be provided in a single pass of the apparatus through the conduit. A directional member is provided in the recess portion and fluid dispensed from said dispensing outlet means impacts initially with an outer surface of said directional member prior to flowing out of said recess portion.

Abstract: A semiconductor device manufacturing apparatus comprises a chamber for processing a wafer, a wafer loading unit configured to load a wafer into and out of the chamber, a heating unit coupled with a chamber wall and a temperature measuring unit located between the chamber wall and the wafer loading unit and apart from the chamber wall.

Abstract: A method for igniting a plasma in a semiconductor process chamber is provided herein. In one embodiment, a method for igniting a plasma in a semiconductor substrate process chamber having an electrically isolated anode, wherein the plasma has failed to ignite upon applying a plasma ignition voltage to a cathode of the process chamber, includes the steps of reducing the magnitude of the voltage applied to the cathode; reapplying the plasma ignition voltage to the cathode; and monitoring the process chamber to determine if the plasma has ignited. The step of monitoring the process chamber may have a duration of a first period of time. The step of reducing the magnitude of the voltage applied to the cathode may have a duration of a second period of time. The steps of reducing the cathode voltage magnitude and reapplying the plasma ignition voltage may be repeated until a plasma ignites.

Abstract: A plasma source assembly including an outer shield, a dielectric chamber wall, and a helical coil provided between the outer shield and the dielectric chamber wall. The plasma source assembly also includes a coil support assembly configured to facilitate repeatable performance of the helical coil. Preferably, the assembly includes a plenum cooling plate that is configured to supply cooling fluid to a first cooling rod provided within a resonator cavity defined by the chamber wall and the outer shield, and receive cooling fluid from a second cooling rod provided within the resonator cavity. The assembly preferably also includes a spacer provided between the first cooling rod and the second cooling rod, and coil insulators having holes configured to receive the helical coil.

Abstract: An etch resistant heater for use in a wafer processing assembly with an excellent ramp rate of at least 20° C. per minute. The heater is coated with a protective overcoating layer allowing the heater to have a radiation efficiency above 70% at elevated heater temperatures of >1500° C., and an etch rate in NF3 at 600° C. of less than 100 A/min.

Abstract: A baffled liner cover supported at the top of a liner surrounding a wafer support tower for semiconductor thermal processing. The cover may present a continuous horizontal surface for preventing particles from falling within the liner but present horizontal extending gas passageways in a baffle assembly to allow the flow of processing gas through the cover. In one embodiment, the baffle assembly includes a cup-shaped member disposed in a central aperture of a top plate having an open top, a continuous bottom, horizontal holes through the sides, and a flange around sides defining a convolute annular passage. Alternatively, the planar top plate may included slanted holes therethrough or vertical holes occupying a small fraction of the surface area. The liner and cover may be composed of quartz, silicon carbide, or preferably silicon.

Abstract: The invention relates to a milk conveyer device (100) for an animal. The milk conveyer device is to be implemented in a milking arrangement which comprises a milk storage reservoir (101) coupled to a milking attachment for attaching to an animal to be milked through a main milk conduit (103, 105). A sample element (109, 111) extracts milk, which is collected in a sample reservoir (115, 117). The sample reservoir (115,117) is connected to an analysis element (129) through an analysis conduit (123, 125). During the flow of the milk from the sample reservoir to the analysis element (129), the milk itself provides a cleaning effect. The flow is initially at a high flow rate and later at a reduced flow rate. A plurality of analysis conduits (123, 125) are connected to the analysis element (129), which comprises a selector unit (127), which couples milk from one of the analysis conduits (123, 125) to the analysis element (129).

Abstract: A method and system for automatically feeding animals uses identifiers on the animals and controls access to one or more food sources to control the amount consumed by each animal. The system is controlled by a programmable processor and can provide or prevent access and cut off access once provided based on the particular animal seeking food.

Abstract: This invention is for the purpose of feeding hay to livestock in a controlled and timed manner. It's comprised of a base, four sides, roof, and floor and is able to contain one large round bale, or the equivalent in loose hay or square bales. Three gate assemblies are used, consisting of a double gate in which an outer feed gate moves up and down and a fixed inner gate remains stationary. Operation of the feed gates is controlled by a programmable timer, which in conjunction with a 12 VDC air system, raises and lowers the feed gates. Power is provided by either 110 VAC or a completely self-contained 12 VDC system utilizing solar panels. The loading of feed into this invention is accomplished by opening one of the gate assemblies, which are hinged on one side, to allow the whole gate assembly to swing open to facilitate loading and cleaning.

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 breakable odor control additive provides release of fragrance or odor masking scent when present in a litter formulation that is used by a cat or other animal within a litter box. The odor control additive comprises a plurality of fragrant-scented balls. Each of the balls has a central, compressible, porous, open-celled substrate, which is saturated with a fragrant scent. This central, fragrance-saturated substrate is coated with a barrier coating comprising soda ash, which prevents evaporation of the fragrance and protects the substrate against deterioration by urine and other contaminants deposited on the litter when cat or animal enters the litter box, a load is applied to the fragrant-scented balls. The barrier coating breaks, exposing the fragrant coated substrate, while the soda ash neutralizes urine acid and retards odor development fragrance evaporating from the substrate provides odor control and a pleasant scent.

Abstract: The most fundamental measure of production constraint faced by the shellfish and coastal restoration industry is shellfish reproduction success as measured by the quantity of spawn surviving to maturity. SOLUTION: This is addressed with a novel device (FIG.2) and processes that economically increase the quantity of spawn tendered and the surviving quantity. The result is a now realizable, thus newly utilitarian, product with an intermediary product. The “INTEGRATED SYSTEM OF SHELLFISH PRODUCTION AND UTILIZATION#2” advances the economy, utility and scale of shellfish culture such that ecosystem restoration is now cost effective and terra-forming uses of shellfish culture can substantially supplant dredging, beach replenishment and foreshore erosion defenses.

Abstract: An aquarium water changing and stabilization system consists of an initial tank designed to stabilize and condition water before it is entered into a subsequent tank that contains live aquatic animals such as fish. This system has a cabinet that is designed to aesthetically enclose, protect and support the components of the aquarium while providing access to the system. Water is introduced into the system from existing hot and cold water plumbing which is connected to this system. Water exits from this system into existing sewerage plumbing which is also connected to this system. Conditioned water from the conditioning tank enters the main fish tank via plumbing from one tank to the other. In case too much water is introduced to either tank, overflow drains in both tanks prevent water from overflowing over the top of either tank. Plumbing check valves and ball valves create safe and easy plumbing.

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: 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: An animal housing and a method for providing bedding thereto are disclosed. In an embodiment, the animal housing comprises a top and a plurality of sides. The plurality of sides provide support to the top. The animal housing further includes a bedding. The bedding includes a cushion, a pillow, a magnet, and a magnetically attractive material, wherein magnetism of the magnet attracting the magnet to the magnetically attractive material secures the pillow to the cushion.

Abstract: An equine grooming aid comprising a body portion around which, in use, hair is arranged to be wound, and one or more attachment portions arranged, in use, to be moved between an open position in which hair can be wound around the body portion and a closed position in which hair wound around the body portion is retained such that it does not unwind.

Abstract: A transmitter for a dog training system, the transmitter having a command input device for inputting a training command input into the transmitter, and a transmitter controller connected to the command input device. The transmitter controller translates the training command input into identification data and command data. The transmitter controller also generates at least one forward error correction codeword from the identification data and the command data.

Abstract: A tether device is disclosed. The tether device includes tether member and an anchor shaft, wherein the tether member includes a lead, a housing member, a clamp, and a central cavity.

Abstract: An animal protective collar which utilizes a flexible walled ring that is inflatable. The ring is split defining a gap which is expandable to facilitate installation on the neck of the animal. Once installed on the neck of the animal, a fastener assembly extends across the gap to secure the ring in a close conforming manner to the animal's neck. Collar loops are mounted on the ring that permit the attachment of the ring to the animal identification collar that the animal normally wears.

Abstract: A fuel-fired water heater has a three-pass condensing type heat exchanger disposed within its tank and having a central vertical first pass flue pipe separated into upper and lower portions by an internal dividing structure. Respectively coupled to the upper and lower first pass flue pipe portions are circumferentially spaced series of vertical second and third pass flue pipes which circumscribe the central flue pipe within the tank. During firing of the water heater, combustion gases from a power burner are sequentially forced downwardly through the upper portion of the first pass flue pipe, upwardly through the second pass flue pipes to an upper plenum external to the tank, and then downwardly through the third pass flue pipes and the lower central pipe portion into a bottom plenum external to the tank for discharge from the water heater.

Abstract: A grading system for a pressurized water reactor steam generator secondary side performance that provides a cumulative assessment of tube bundle deposit inventory and characteristics, i.e., scale density and distribution, hard scale collar formation, thermal performance, loose parts management, and steam generator secondary side chemistry performance. Results are summarized in a cumulative quality point average with individual parameter ratings available so that specific performance improvement may be achieved.

Abstract: A system for producing, dispensing, using and monitoring a hydrogen enriched fuel includes a producing system configured to produce the hydrogen enriched fuel, a vehicle having an engine configured to use the hydrogen enriched fuel, and a dispensing system configured to store and dispense the hydrogen enriched fuel into the vehicle. The system also includes a fuel delivery system on the vehicle configured to deliver the hydrogen enriched fuel to the engine, and a control system configured to control the producing system and to monitor the use of the hydrogen enriched fuel by the vehicle. A method includes the steps of producing hydrogen gas and a hydrocarbon fuel, blending the hydrogen gas and the hydrocarbon fuel into the hydrogen enriched fuel, using the hydrogen enriched fuel in the engine, and tracking emissions during the producing step and during the using step.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a system (1) for supplying an air-fuel mixture to a two-stroke internal combustion engine (2), comprising a carburettor (3) having a throttle valve (4) and a choke valve (5). The system further has a transfer passage (6) between a crankcase (7) chamber and a combustion chamber (8) of said engine (2). A supply conduit for additional air (9) is having an air valve (10) for said additional air, and said supply conduit for additional air (9) is being adapted to discharge the additional air into the top portion of said transfer passage (6) during a portion of a cycle of said two-stroke internal combustion engine (2). Further the air valve (10) is controlled by the throttle valve (4) so as to affecting a air valve opening state when said throttle valve opening state is affected, and the opening state of said air valve (10) is delimited by a choked state of said choke valve (5) regardless of the throttle valve opening state.

Abstract: A barrel-type internal combustion engine includes a power output shaft assembly with a sliding joint. A power output shaft has a pair of spaced apart bearing surfaces and a plurality of radial splines between the bearing surfaces. A cam plate has a central hub and a cam track extending therefrom. The central hub has a longitudinal bore for receiving the shaft. The bore has a pair of spaced apart bearing surfaces and a plurality of radial splines between the bearing surfaces. When assembled, the power shaft is received in the bore of the hub, the bearing surfaces are generally aligned and the splines engage such that the shaft and cam plate are coupled for rotation about the rotational axis of the shaft and the cam plate is longitudinally slidable on the shaft.

Abstract: An assembled camshaft (11) wherein at least one oil distributing sleeve (14, 26) for a camshaft setting device (15) is secured in a force-locking way to a plastically expanded portion of a shaft tube (12), wherein the oil distributing sleeve (14) includes a seat face (31) centered on the axis A of the shaft tube (12) and/or a radial contact face (32) for the camshaft setting device (15), which radial contact face (32) is aligned in a normal way relative to the axis A of the shaft tube (12).

Abstract: Actuators, and corresponding methods and systems for controlling such actuators, provide independent lift and timing control with minimum energy consumption. In an exemplary embodiment, an electromechanical actuator comprises a housing, first and second electromagnets rigidly disposed in the housing and separated from each other by an armature chamber, an armature disposed in the armature chamber and movable between the first and second electromagnets, an armature rod rigidly connected with the armature and operably connected with a load, at least one first actuation spring biasing the armature in a first direction, at least one second actuation spring biasing the armature in a second direction, and one fluid-operated spring controller capable of controlling the position of the first-direction end of the at least one second actuation spring. The spring controller allows the actuation springs at their least compressed state and the engine valve closed when engine power is off.

Abstract: The present invention provides a control apparatus of a direct injection internal combustion engine used in an idling stop vehicle or the like, which can reduce residual fuel generated in a combustion chamber in an engine stop time, and prevent deterioration of exhaust performance and deterioration of exhaust gas performance (A/F control precision) at the time of engine restart. The control apparatus includes an automatic stop control device for automatically stopping an internal combustion engine upon satisfaction of a predetermined automatic stop condition, and at least one of a fuel injection control unit which corrects fuel injection and an air-flow amount control unit which corrects an air-flow amount. Upon satisfaction of the predetermined automatic stop condition, at least one of fuel injection correcting control by the fuel injection control unit and air-flow amount correcting control by the air-flow amount control unit is performed.

Abstract: A piston for an internal combustion engine includes a crown part, a land part extending from the crown part, a skirt part adjoining the land part, and a linking boss protruding from a reverse surface of the crown part and forming a spherical joint with a small end of a connecting rod. The piston is divided into an upper piston part having the land part, and a lower piston part having the skirt part and a plurality of molded plate members formed by press-molding plates.

Abstract: A pan, particularly for an internal combustion engine, comprising an enclosure intended to be connected to the engine. The pan contains an internal, flexible liner that preferably has a profile corresponding to that of the enclosure.

Abstract: An engine comprises a crank case (1) provided with a lower opening portion (2), which is covered with an oil pan (3) from below, and with a pair of left and right oil passages which extends in a front and rear direction along left and right lateral walls (5) and (6). In this engine, the crank case (1) has the left and right lateral walls (5) and (6) provided with left and right ribs (12) and (13) extending in the front and rear direction. These left and right ribs (12) and (13) are raised inwards from the left and right lateral walls (5) and (6) of the crank case (1). In order to provide left and right oil passages (7) and (8) in these left and right ribs (12) and (13), these ribs (12) and (13) are positioned at the lower opening portion (2) of the crank case (1).

Abstract: An internal combustion engine has a power unit case having a crankcase, a first housing flange and a second housing flange. The crankshaft axis and the output shaft axis define a reference plane. An oil pump has an oil pump shaft, having an oil pump shaft axis, disposed at least partially in an oil pump chamber. A normal projection of the oil pump shaft axis onto the reference plane is located between the crankshaft axis and the output shaft axis. A first housing cover is mounted to the first housing flange on a first side of the power unit case. A separate oil pump cover is mounted to the second housing flange on the first side of the power unit case to close the oil pump chamber.

Abstract: Otto cycle internal combustion engine, comprising a cylinder block including at least one cylinder having a longitudinal axis, a piston movable within said cylinder and having a recess open on a head surface of the piston, a head fastened to said cylinder block and having a surface facing the cylinder, three intake valves and two exhaust valves movable along respective rectilinear directions, a combustion chamber delimited at one side by a portion of the surface of the head facing the cylinder and, at the other side, by the surface of said recess of the piston. The directions of motion of the valves are parallel to each other, the surface of the head facing the cylinder is planar and orthogonal to the directions of motion of the valves and the combustion chamber is obtained exclusively in the piston.