Abstract: A non-aircraft-propelling auxiliary gas turbine engine assembly includes an auxiliary gas turbine engine and a mixing damper. The auxiliary engine and the mixing damper are installable in an aircraft having at least one aircraft-propelling main gas turbine engine. The auxiliary engine includes a compressor having a compressor inlet. The mixing damper has first and second inlets and has an outlet. The outlet is fluidly connectable to the compressor inlet. The first and second inlets are adapted to receive first and second gas streams which have been compressed by at least one main engine. An aircraft component includes a mixing damper. A controller includes a program which instructs the controller to increase/decrease a first gas stream in response to increasing/decreasing electrical demands on an electric generator operatively connected to an auxiliary gas turbine engine of an aircraft.

Abstract: A magnetic refrigeration material has magnetic material particles with a magnetocaloric effect and an oxidation-resistant film formed on the surfaces of the magnetic material particles.

Abstract: A thermoelectric converter comprises a thermoelectric element assembly that includes a plurality of P-type thermoelectric elements and a plurality of N-type thermoelectric elements which are arranged in a predetermined arrangement pattern; and a heat-exchange element assembly provided with a plurality of heat exchange elements and a retaining plate retaining the plurality of the heat exchange elements, the plurality of the heat exchange elements being retained in a predetermined arrangement condition corresponding to a arrangement condition of the thermoelectric elements. Then, a plurality of joining sites between the thermoelectric element assembly and the heat-exchange element assembly are all together joined by joining members in a state in which the thermoelectric element assembly and the heat-exchange element assembly are stacked on each other.

Abstract: In order to reduce the time until an acoustic wave is generated and perform heat exchange smoothly in a stack, a thermoacoustic apparatus 1 includes a first stack 3a sandwiched between a first high-temperature-side heat exchanger 4 and a first low-temperature-side heat exchanger 5 and a second stack 3b sandwiched between a second high-temperature-side heat exchanger 6 and a second low-temperature-side heat exchanger 7 in the inside of a loop tube 2, wherein a standing wave and a traveling wave are generated through self excitation by heating the first high-temperature-side heat exchanger 4, the second low-temperature-side heat exchanger 7 is cooled by the standing wave and the traveling wave, or/and a standing wave and a traveling wave are generated by cooling the first low-temperature-side heat exchanger 5, and the second high-temperature-side heat exchanger 6 is heated by the standing wave and the traveling wave.

Abstract: A method for establishing a cryogenic insulation system wherein aerogel is provided to a sealable insulation space which is pressurized and depressurized, preferably using carbon dioxide gas, and cooled to cryogenic temperatures typically by the application of refrigeration from cryogenic liquid.

Abstract: The invention provides a cooling method for a natural gas conversion complex. The method includes the steps of circulating sea water in a first, open, cooling circuit (12); contacting the sea water with a heat exchanger (14) to absorb heat; cooling the sea water from the outflow of the heat exchanger (14); circulating fresh water in a second, closed, cooling circuit (18); and contacting the fresh water with the heat exchanger (14) to lose heat.

Abstract: A method for cooling a work piece in a cold chamber using a cooling medium that enters the cold chamber through a feed and is taken through one or more nozzles into a space to receive the work piece, is disclosed. A liquid gas or a liquid gas mixture is used as the cooling medium, whose heat of vaporization is used to cool the cold chamber and/or to cool the surface of the work piece. A device to carry out the method and use of the device for metallic work pieces, are also disclosed.

Abstract: A control unit is attached to or embedded within a refrigeration appliance to monitor electric power voltage and/or frequency supplied by the mains. If the unit detects a sag or peak in either the voltage or frequency, the control unit either separates any high demand elements of the appliance from the mains to reduce demand in a sag or energizes the elements in a peak. When the control system separates the refrigeration compressor from the mains, a food spoilage monitoring system monitors the food storage compartments. This system utilizes food industry temperature and time algorithms to ensure the food does not spoil. If food spoilage could occur, the unit re-energizes the compressor to allow it to lower the temperature provided the power is sufficient to operate the compressor unit without damaging it. Once the sensed temperature is restored to a safe level, the unit separates the compressor from the mains.

Abstract: In a vehicular air conditioner which controls an output refrigerant pressure of a radiator by adjusting a decompression amount in an expansion valve, an air conditioning ECU calculates a target refrigerant pressure using a refrigerant temperature detected by a temperature sensor, a vehicle speed detected by a vehicle speed detector, and a control equation defined for calculating the target refrigerant pressure, and adjusts an opening of an expansion valve by a decompression amount corresponding to the target refrigerant pressure.

Abstract: An ice making system for a refrigerator comprises: an ice maker body; an ejector rotatably coupled to the ice maker body, for dropping ice pieces made by the ice maker body; an ice bank drawably disposed below the ice maker body, for storing the ice pieces dropped by the ejector; an ice sensing lever for sensing an amount of the ice pieces stored in the ice bank; a lever holding unit for elastically supporting and coupling the ice sensing lever so that the ice sensing lever may move within a predetermined range when an external force is applied to the ice sensing lever; and a driving force transmitting unit for transmitting a rotation force received from the ejector to the lever holding unit thereby rotating the lever holding unit.

Abstract: A refrigerating system comprises at least one refrigerating consumer provided with at least one evaporator, at least one supply line and at least one withdrawal line which enable the coolant or the coolant mixture to be supplied to and/or withdrawn from the refrigerating consumer(s). Expansion elements are associated with the evaporator(s). The expansion elements are embodied as modified expansion valves and/or as modified linear expansion machines or the by-pass lines are associated therewith, and a modified linear compressor or a traditional compressor, which comprises a by-pass line is associated with each refrigerating consumer. The modified expansion valve(S) and/or the modified linear expansion machine(s) and/or the modified linear compressor(s) have a working position which enables a through-flow without a considerable drop in pressure.

Abstract: A vapor compression system including an evaporator, a compressor, and a condenser interconnected in a closed-loop system and a method of operating such a system. The method includes the conversion of expanded liquid heat transfer fluid from a liquid form to a high quality liquid vapor mixture before delivery to the evaporator.

Abstract: Provided is a cooling method for realizing efficient cooling of a storage apparatus with an airflow separation structure. This storage apparatus has a plurality of cooling areas formed in the cabinet; an external air introduction/discharge device for directing external air to the respective cooling areas, and thereafter discharging the external air from a discharge area of the cabinet outside the cabinet; and an external air guidance area for guiding the external air that passed through each of the cooling areas to the discharge area; wherein the external air guidance area is configured so that the external air that passed through one cooling area will not get mixed with the external air that passed through another cooling area.

Abstract: A piece of furniture 1 for a kitchen or a kitchen area, for a kitchen or a kitchen area, respectively, of a leisure vehicle in particular, forms a unit including at least two technical apparatuses 2, 3, 4. Therein, a cooling unit with two compartments is provided for in particular, a first compartment 2 forming the cooling chamber of a refrigerator and a second compartment 3 forming a freezing chamber. The apparatus 4 can e.g. be an oven. Said apparatuses 2, 3, 4 are operated using a panel 5.

Abstract: An apparatus and method to dehumidify and reheat an air stream utilizing a combination of conventional direct expansion cooling and a high capacity desiccant dehumidification rotor. Apparatus and method is configured to achieve optimum moisture removal without overcooling at minimum energy consumption. More particularly, the invention relates to an improved method of combining conventional refrigeration with desiccant dehumidification utilizing a single air stream for efficient dehumidification without the need for secondary air streams or overcooling. Moisture is removed as condensed liquid as typical of refrigeration processes however further dehumidification occurs as a result of adsorption by the desiccant dehumidification portion. Heating of the air stream with available condenser heat prevents overcooling the air. This invention combines the two technologies in a higher capacity, more efficient approach than previous methods.

Abstract: An air conditioning unit for vehicles with work-doing expansion of the carbon dioxide is provided, the air conditioning unit including a combined refrigeration and heat pump circuit, wherein the air conditioning unit is switchably configured to change a flow direction of a refrigerant for switchable operation from the refrigeration circuit to the heat pump circuit. A method for operating the air conditioning unit is also provided.

Abstract: The present invention provides a refrigerator having a cabinet with a refrigeration compartment defined by surrounding walls and an open side. There is at least one cabinet door arranged to move relative to the cabinet to selectively open and close the open side. At least one component is located in the cabinet door requiring information to be transmitted between the cabinet and the door. A first mating hub is located on one of the surrounding walls of the refrigeration compartment. A second mating hub is carried on the cabinet door, such that when the cabinet door is moved into a closed position relative to the cabinet, the first and second mating hubs will be arranged in alignment. The hubs have terminal connections for transmitting information from one hub to the other when aligned.

Abstract: A process and device for evaporating an oxygen-enriched working fluid by indirect heat exchange include introducing an oxygen-rich working fluid into the evaporation passages of an evaporator where it is partially evaporated. A first oxygen-enriched gas and a portion of the oxygen-enriched working fluid that remains liquid are drawn off from the evaporation passages. At least a part of the portion that remains liquid is returned to the evaporation passages as a circulation liquid by a conveying device. The conveying device for the circulation liquid injects a lift gas.

Abstract: A method of setting a set point pressure of a back-up supply to supply gaseous product to the pipeline should pipeline pressure fall below the set point pressure. The pipeline and the back-up supply are part of a gas distribution network also having a production facility for supplying the pipeline with the gaseous product at the target pressure for distribution to customers connected to the pipeline. The set point pressure for the back-up gas supply is continuously calculated by calculating a series of pressure drops for each of the customers being fed by the pipeline and then determining required customer site pressures by adding the minimum contracted supply pressure for each of the customers to their respective pressure drops. The maximum required customer site pressure is utilized as the set point pressure for the back-up supply.

Abstract: The invention concerns a bracelet or wristband of adjustable length, including: a first link including two ends defining first and second fixed points of attachment, a stopper including a through hole that allows the link to pass therethrough, releasable means for locking the link in the hole, and means for securing one of the ends of the link, and a securing element associated with the first point of attachment, the link being on one hand secured to the stopper by the second fixed point of attachment using the securing means, and on the other hand engaged in the hole so as to be able to be locked at a variable locking point, by the locking means, or to slide therein when the locking means are released, and the link further comprising, a variable point of attachment located substantially half-way between the second fixed point of attachment and the variable locking point (42).

Abstract: A method of minimizing distortion in a glass sheet manufacturing process wherein the stress in a parent sheet of glass is measured along each edge of the sheet. The stress data is then used to develop a distortion predictor for predicting the in-plane distortion which sub-sheets of the parent sheet are likely to exhibit when the parent sheet is cut into pre-determined sizes. The in-plane distortion may be predicted based on criteria established by the glass manufacturer, or supplied by an original equipment manufacturer (OEM).

Abstract: The invention disclose a convection glass heating furnace, which includes upper and lower furnace bodies, at least one gas-collection box are set in the upper and lower furnace bodies respectively, glass inlets and outlets are setup in the gas-collection box, and a jet-flow plate is set at the gas outlets. The gas inlets of gas-collection box are connected with the exhaust port of a blower fan through pipelines. Gas heating devices are setup in the gas-collection boxes. The gas inlets of the blower fan and its upstream gas routes along with the exhaust port of the blower fan and its downstream gas route form a gas circulation loop together. Glass is heated in the heating furnace of the invention by the hot gas sprayed on its surfaces, so the deficiencies of low heating efficiency and long heating time can be effectively avoided when heating the glass with high reflectivity and transmission ratio.

Abstract: The invention is an improved method for manufacturing fiberglass. In the method of the invention, quartz is replaced in whole or in part by silica containing raw materials. The use of silica containing raw materials as a replacement for quartz results in significant energy savings and a reduction in defect producing components in the glass.

Abstract: A glass fiberizing system includes a melter having a bottom wall with one or more openings through which molten glass flows. A bushing is located below the melter for containing a body of molten glass and for feeding molten glass to a fiberizing apparatus. A melter flow guide is positioned between the melter and the bushing. The melter flow guide has at least one guide wall positioned near the opening in the melter and extending into the body of molten glass in the bushing. The guide wall intercepts the molten glass exiting from the openings and prevents a free-fall of the molten glass into the body of glass in the bushing.

Abstract: The method for fabricating an optical fiber comprises the steps of inserting a primary optical fiber preform (11) having a first primary axis (x1) and an outer surface (111) into an overcladding tube (12) having a second primary axis (x2) and an inner surface (120), so that said outer surface and inner surface define an interior space (15); holding the primary preform (11) in a centrally inserted position within the overcladding tube (12) with said first and second primary axes (x1, x2) in substantial alignment with each other; supplying overcladding grain (13) into the interior space (15) that is limited at the lower end of the overcladding tube (12) by means of a closure (125); generating a condition of reduced pressure within the interior space (15) that is limited at the upper end of the overcladding tube (12) by means of an adjoiner (3), which holds the primary optical fiber preform (11) and the overcladding tube (12) in position; and heating the unprocessed secondary preform (1), that consists of the pr

Abstract: An oscillating control device (1) for thread-guide bars (2) of linear knitting machines (60), comprising a support (5) that can rotate around a middle axis (6) to which at least one thread-guide bar (2) can be associated, movement means (10) for the support (5), and transmission means (20) operatively connected to the movement means (10) for imparting an oscillating movement to the support (5). The transmission means (20) are operatively associated to the support (5) on at least two separate actuating points (7a, 7b) for moving it with an oscillating movement in a balanced manner with respect to the middle axis (6) thereof. In particular, a pushing action and a pulling action are applied simultaneously on the two actuating points (7a, 7b) by the movement means (10) through the transmission means (20).

Abstract: A laundry device is disclosed. A laundry device includes a body case that defines an exterior thereof; a drum mounted within the body case to hold the laundry; a plurality of circuit substrates installed on the body case separately, on which circuit parts are mounted; and a coating guide that holds each circuit substrate. Here, the coating guide comprises a plurality of housing parts on which the circuit substrates are mounted, respectively, and a connection part flexibly formed to connect the housing parts each other. The present invention provides a laundry device which includes a coating guide fabricated as one body to reduce production cost such that various circuit parts of a circuit substrate may be accurately corresponding to a through hole and a transparent window formed on a control panel regardless of an external curvature of the control panel when the coating guide is fastened to the control panel.

Abstract: Clothes washing machine comprising: a common water-distribution manifold (2), a plurality of electromagnetic (3B, 4B, 5B) valves provided downstream of said water-distribution manifold and connected on a respective inlet side thereof to said common water-distribution manifold, a plurality of outlet conduits (3, 4, 5) provided at the delivery orifices of said electromagnetic valves, a respective plurality of chambers (3A, 4A, 5A) supplied via a respective one of said outlet conduits (6), in which a cold-water inlet conduit (7) directly connects the low-temperature water delivery system to said water-distribution manifold, a hot-water inlet conduit (7) connects the high-temperature water delivery system to a pre-determined one of said outlet conduits downstream of the respective electromagnetic valve, and a further electromagnetic valve (7B) is provided in said hot-water inlet conduit.

Abstract: Counterweight, connectable to a washing machine tub (2), comprising an hollow shell (3) of U-shaped cross-section for containing a concrete ballast mass (4) poured therein, said shell (3) is integrally provided in one piece with two foldable members (5) adapted to close enlarged lower portions (6) of said shell (4) in order to encapsulate said concrete ballast mass (4).

Abstract: An improved locking means, such as a combination padlock, is disclosed in which the re-coding thereof can be carried out in a convenient and/or efficient manner. A locking means comprising a body including a plurality of dials disposed to surround a lock member in an axially spaced relationship therealong is disclosed. Relative axial sliding movement is possible between the dials and the lock member between a locked position and a release position and the lock member has at least one generally radially extending exterior locking configuration. This locking configuration is received in a corresponding first location at one side of a dial in said locked position, and in a corresponding second location within a dial in said release position, each dial, in said release position, being angularly movable relative to said at least one locking configuration so as to allow re-coding the dial.

Abstract: The D1-DMJ bracket is fabricated from 0.08 thick 5052-H32 aluminum. It has a black powder coat (fine) finish. It's bend radius is 0.09. It can however be customized to meet the color and logo specifications of the customer. All edges are deburred. The D1-DMJ uses allen or similar bolts for adhering the device to a telephone.

Abstract: An apparatus which inhibits the theft of equipment such as personal computers is disclosed. The equipment must have an external wall provided with a specially designed, approximately rectangular slot having preselected dimensions. An attachment mechanism includes a housing for a spindle having a first portion rotatable within the housing, a shaft extending outwardly from the housing, and a crossmember at the end of the shaft having peripheral dimensions closely conforming to the internal dimensions of the slot. An abutment mechanism also emanates from the housing, and is located on opposite sides of the shaft intermediate the housing and the crossmember. The peripheral cross-sectional dimensions of the abutment mechanism and the shaft in combination closely conform to the dimensions of the slot. The length of the shaft from the housing to the crossmember is approximately equal to the thickness of the external wall of equipment.

Abstract: A lockout device includes an inner housing and an outer housing. The inner housing has an upper end portion, a lower end portion, an arcuate outer portion extending between the upper and lower end portions, and a central bearing portion extending outward from at least one of the upper and lower end portions. The outer housing has an upper end portion, a lower end portion, an arcuate outer portion extending between the upper and lower end portions, and a central opening disposed on at least one of the upper and lower end portions and sized to receive and bear against the central bearing portion of the inner housing for telescopic rotation of the inner housing with respect to the outer housing. The outer housing is sized to at least partially receive the inner housing when the inner and outer housing are rotated to an open position.

Abstract: An automatic cycle storage system comprising a plurality of cycles, each of which carries a locking member designed to be received in a keeper of a locking station. Each cycle includes an anti-theft cycle lock which, when it is in the position in which it immobilizes the cycle, prevents the cycle from being locked to a locking station.

Abstract: An automative door latch has, in one invention, a child-safety locking switch (102) using an overcentre spring (110), for exerting extra spring bias on a lock toggle lever (610) operating the interior door lock. In another invention, a mechanical cooperation between the two lock toggle levers (516) operating interior and exterior door locking ensures that manual operation of either handle, when unlocked, to cause the corresponding lever (516) to open the door or other closure, causes the corresponding pawl release assembly (514, 510) to move the other pawl release assembly (514, 510) to its unlocked, pawl-engaging position, if that other pawl release assembly had been at its locked, pawl non-engaging position. In a third invention, a motor drives the latch bolt (2) for closing the door, through two (907, 908) segment gears which mesh for only part of the turning movement of a rotary driving and indexing mechanism (906) which also operates door opening and locking.

Abstract: A memory has defective locations in its user portion replaceable by redundant locations in a redundant portion. Data latches in column circuits of user and redundant portions allow data sensed from or to be written to a memory to be exchanged with a data bus. A remote redundancy scheme has the redundant data available from a central buffer accessible by any number of column circuits. Redundant data buffer circuits enable bus exchange with data from the user data latches except for defective locations when data are taken from the central buffer. In this way only addressing for the user portion is used for bus exchange. Also, accessibility to the redundant data will not be restricted by the locations of the column circuits relative to the redundant data latches and the buffered redundant data can be accessed at a finer granularity than that imposed by the column circuits.

Abstract: A key unit includes a grip case which includes at least a pair of synthetic resin case members joined to each other, and a mechanical key supported in the grip case and having a pivotable key head. A plurality of fitting projections are projectingly provided integrally on a metal holder ring held between the case members. The fitting projections are respectively fitted into a plurality of fitting holes provided in at least one of the case members. An engagement hook resiliently engaging with an engagement hole provided in the holder ring is projectingly provided integrally on one of the case members. This facilitates assembling and enhances assembly strength in attaching the metal holder ring to the grip case.

Abstract: A key blank for a cylinder lock comprising a bow 308, a blade longitudinally extending from the bow to a tip, and having a longitudinally extending upper edge 306 to be cut with coded bitting for mating with a tumbler stack of a cylinder lock. A projection 148 extends outwardly on the upper edge adjacent the bow, rising from longitudinally extending surfaces 318 at elevation e0 below the elevation e1 of the upper edge, and having a length parallel to the upper edge that is greater than a width transverse to the edge. The projection is interposed between a front edge portion 306 to be cut with the coded bitting and a back edge portion 310 extending to the bow at elevation e4 above elevation e1. The projection has cam surfaces converging longitudinally and transversely toward a nose 180 at elevation e3 above elevation e1.

Abstract: A key chain in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention includes a key portion operable for connection to at least one key and a cap assembly connected to the key portion and including a removable cap element operable for connection to a beverage bottle. A piece of jewelry in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention includes a jewelry portion operable for attachment to a wearer and a cap assembly connected to the jewelry portion and including a removable cap element operable for connection to a beverage bottle. A personal item in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention includes a charm portion and a cap assembly connected to the charm portion and including a removable cap element operable for connection to a beverage bottle.

Abstract: Apparatus and method of controlling strip geometry in casting strip having a rolling mill. A target thickness profile is calculated as a function of the measured entry thickness profile of the strip while satisfying profile and flatness operating requirements. A differential strain feedback from longitudinal strain in the strip is calculated by a control system by comparing the exit thickness profile with the target thickness profile, and a control signal is generated to control a device capable of affecting the geometry of the strip processed by the hot rolling mill. A feed-forward control reference and/or sensitivity vector may also be calculated as a function of the target thickness profile, and used in generating the control signal sent to the control device. The control device may be selected from one or more of the group consisting of a bending controller, gap controller and coolant controller.

Abstract: The invention concerns an expandable and contractible coiler mandrel (1), especially for coiling a metal strip, which has: a rotatably supported coiler mandrel shaft (2), which has at least one wedge surface (3) on its outer circumference; a number of cooperating segments (4), which have a coiling surface (5), especially for the metal strip, on their outer circumference, and which have at least one opposing wedge surface (7) that cooperates with the wedge surface (3) of the coiler mandrel shaft (2) in their end region (6) facing away from the coiling surface (5); means (8) for shifting the segments (4) relative to the axial direction (A) of the coiler mandrel shaft (2); and a supply system (9) with which a lubricant, especially lubricating grease, is conveyed to places (10) in the coiler mandrel (1) that require lubrication.

Abstract: A rolling system has a rolling mill a rod workpiece, a wire block comprised of at least two roll stands downstream of the rolling mill, and a calibrating block comprised of three roll stands spaced apart in the direction downstream of the wire block. The workpiece is passed in the direction downstream in the direction from the rolling mill through the wire block and thereafter through the calibrating block with thickness reduction in each block. The gaps of the stands of the calibrating block are set at a fixed spacing and not varied during a rolling operation. A sensor measures the thickness of the workpiece upstream of the calibrating block, and gaps of the roll stands of the rolling mill or wire block are adjusted in accordance with the measured thickness such that the workpiece has a predetermined thickness on entering the calibrating block.

Abstract: Method for producing a rotationally symmetrical screening device with a plurality of profile bars and screening basket for a pressurized screen. The method includes inserting profile bars parallel to each other into cut-outs open on an interior circumference edge of bar holders and forming the bar holders into rings, thereby narrowing the cut-outs and clamping the profile bars. The forming of rings includes transferring bending forces to at least two locations on sides of the bar holders not provided with the cut-outs. The method further includes connecting abuttable ends of the bar holders to one another.

Abstract: The present disclosure relates to an apparatus for securing a corner connector to a rectangular duct section having a transverse duct flange. The disclosure also relates to a method for securing a corner connector to a transverse duct flange.

Abstract: A forging machine includes a support having two sidewalls, and two track plates attached respectively to the sidewalls. A slide body of a die assembly is mounted slidably inside the support between the sidewalls. Two first rolling devices are respectively mounted on the track plates near the front of the support to contact the slide body. Two second rolling devices are mounted respectively on the sidewalls above the track plates and near the rear of the support to contact the slide body. Due to the first and second rolling devices contacting the slide body near the front and rear of the support, the slide body can slide stably in the support without positional deviation.

Abstract: A rescue device and a method of using same, for opening a jammed or stuck door of a vehicle, including a door having battle latches.

Abstract: Methods and apparatuses are provided for creation of discrete corrosion defects with a wide range of diameter to depth aspect ratios for painted test standards. Also provided are methods for use of those test standards to characterize the corrosion under paint detection threshold, statistical reliability, and accuracy of NDI and/or NDT techniques including but not limited to flash thermography, ultrasonic testing, eddy current testing, microwave testing, shearography, and infrared testing.

Abstract: The invention relates to a method for regulating and monitoring a measuring system, in particular a flow measuring device, and the flow measuring device itself according to the preamble of patent claims 1 and 3. In order to be able to determine operability trends, according to the invention at cyclic time intervals besides measuring the terminal voltage Uk and the terminal current Ik, in addition the ohmic impedance, the inductance, the value of the reference resistor and the magnetization current are measured at cyclically recurring intervals, compared with reference values from a previous calibration measurement and stored.

Abstract: A tool is provided that is adapted to calibrate a dispenser operative to dispense a selected granular material received from the interior of a receptacle. The tool may include a handle extending longitudinally from a first handle end to a second handle end along a longitudinal axis and a positioning element located proximately to the second handle end. The positioning element is adapted to locate the flow control member associated with the dispenser at a selected position thereby to set a desired delivery rate of the granular material. The positioning element may be formed as an elongate projection extending upwardly from a location proximate to the second handle end or as a flat blade. A set of tools is also provided such that the dispenser can be set at alternative desired delivery rates. A method of calibrating the delivery rate of a dispenser is also provided.

Abstract: One embodiment of a shock apparatus comprises at least one linear impact object capable of movement along a first substantially linear path; a rotational impact object capable of rotation about an axis of rotation and movement along a second substantially linear path parallel to the first substantially linear path, a mass of the linear impact object being greater than an effective mass of the rotational impact object; and a guide to guide the movement of the linear and rotational impact objects along the first and second substantially linear parallel paths. In one embodiment, the linear impact object comprises an impact portion for impacting the rotational impact object, the impact portion having a selectable position, and selecting the position determining the relative proportion of rotational and linear shock accelerations which an impact between the linear impact object and the rotational impact object provides to the rotational impact object.