Abstract: The invention concerns a method of and an arrangement for co-combustion of biomasses and/or organic wastes as secondary fuel in a coal dust-fired boiler of a vapor generator. The secondary fuel is dried directly or indirectly with the flue gas of the boiler. The vapors produced in the drying operation are fed to the combustion chamber of the boiler as final combustion air and/or secondary air.

Abstract: A removable flange that is repositionable between an externally projecting flange and an internally projecting flange in a furnace housing environment. The flange is secured to the furnace housing with a suitable fastener and additionally acts as an insulation retainer. The flange prevents any insulation in the furnace housing from coming loose and obstructing a flow path in the furnace. This flange also provides means of fastening supply/return duct and/or coil cabinet to the furnace.

Abstract: The invention concerns a refractory tile having two aligned fixing points, any two adjacent fixing points of the alignment being spaced apart by a constant distance A, first (44) and last (46) fixing points of the alignment being remote, in the direction of the alignment, by distances ?1 and ?2 from the first (40) and second (42) edges of the tile extending proximate the first (44) and last (46) fixing points, respectively. The tile is characterized in that 0<A?(a1+a2). The invention is applicable to gasifiers.

Abstract: A metering apparatus for metering a granular product is presented having a unitary meter roller comprising a plurality of meter roller sections, where each meter roller section has a plurality of radially extending ridges defining product receiving valleys having a volume such that each meter roller section dispenses a specific volume of the granular product per rotation of the unitary meter roller, whereby at least one meter roller section of the unitary meter roller has product receiving valleys of a different volume than the other meter roller sections of the unitary meter roller for reducing or increasing the overall volume of the granular product dispensed per rotation of the uniform meter roller.

Abstract: Invention relates to a room arrangement (20) comprising at least two superposed prefabricated load-bearing room units have a ceiling (24), a floor (2) and at least two walls (3, 4, 5, 6) that are at least mainly of cellular board. The invention also related to a ship, building and method for constructing a room arrangement. The invention relates especially to a new manner of constructing multi-story rooms, for example, cabin compartments in ships or block of flats without middle decks or intermediate floors.

Abstract: A retractable mooring line device comprising a reel for storing and paying off a mooring line, having side walls each comprising a series of notches for receiving a releasable latch. A latch simultaneously engages between notches in both side walls at a substantially right angle to provide a secure, positive locking engagement between the latch and the reel while permitting the latch to be released under the application of relatively little force. In the preferred embodiment the latch may be actuated by a user's hand or foot and is biased toward the reel by a spring which bears against the housing. The mechanism can be exposed for maintenance or repair simply by removal of the gunnel plate and reinstallation of the gunnel plate does not require special loading of the latch spring.

Abstract: A boat hull is provided that has a substantially seamless construction wherein the boat hull is an integral monolithic structure. In the formation of the boat, the boat interior components for example deck precursors are positioned in the mold prior to formation of the hull so that the boat hull can be made in a one shot molding process.

Abstract: The present invention provides a display device for a vehicle that includes a speed display means that displays a vehicle speed on a speed scale; and a supply-rate display means that displays a supply rate that is a fuel supply amount per a give time on a supply-rate scale. In this display device for a vehicle, the speed scale and the supply-rate scale are arranged in parallel with a constant distance therebetween.

Abstract: A bell device is mounted on a vehicle handle, and includes a mounting seat and a sound-generating unit. The mounting seat includes a sleeve portion sleeved fixedly on the vehicle handle, and a pivot portion connected fixedly to the sleeve portion. The sound-generating unit includes a rotatable body disposed rotatably on the mounting seat, a bell body disposed on an assembly of the pivot portion and the rotatable body, a knocking hammer disposed in proximity to the bell body, and a resilient member interconnecting the knocking hammer and the rotatable body. The knocking hammer is operable to strike against the bell body to thereby generate a bell sound. The sound-generating unit further includes a whistle member disposed within the knocking hammer. Preferably, the rotatable body of the sound-generating unit is connected removably to the mounting seat.

Abstract: An anneal of an epitaxially grown crystalline semiconductor layer comprising a combination of group-IV elements. The layer contains at least one of the group of carbon and tin. The layer of epitaxially grown material is annealed at a temperature substantially in a range of 1,000 to 1,400 degrees Celsius for a period not to exceed 100 milliseconds within 10% of the peak temperature. The anneal is performed for example with a laser anneal or a flash lamp anneal. The limited-time anneal may improve carrier mobility of a transistor.

Abstract: A method of reducing threading dislocation densities in non-polar such as a- {11-20} plane and m-{1-100} plane or semi-polar such as {10-1n} plane III-Nitrides by employing lateral epitaxial overgrowth from sidewalls of etched template material through a patterned mask. The method includes depositing a patterned mask on a template material such as a non-polar or semi polar GaN template, etching the template material down to various depths through openings in the mask, and growing non-polar or semi-polar III-Nitride by coalescing laterally from the tops of the sidewalls before the vertically growing material from the trench bottoms reaches the tops of the sidewalls. The coalesced features grow through the openings of the mask, and grow laterally over the dielectric mask until a fully coalesced continuous film is achieved.

Abstract: This device for producing the growth of a semiconductor material, in particular of type II-VI, uses a melt of the said semiconductor placed in a sealed bulb under vacuum or under controlled atmosphere, the said bulb being subjected to a sufficient temperature gradient for first maintaining the melt in the liquid state, then causing its progressive crystallization from the surface towards the bottom. The said device further comprises an element (3) capable of floating on the surface of the said melt, and equipped with a substantially central bore (4), intended on the one hand for receiving a seed crystal (5) or for permitting the nucleation leading to the preparation of a seed crystal (5?), and also of supporting the said seed crystal (5, 5?) above the melt while maintaining it in contact with the said melt in order to permit the continued crystallization from the said seed crystal (5, 5?) by lowering the temperature gradient.

Abstract: Disclosed is an apparatus for forming a thin film which contributes to uniformize the film pressure of a film formed on a substrate. A shower nozzle (15) is provided with a peripheral wall (15c) which stands on the opening edge of an outer wall (15a). The shower nozzle (15) is supplied with a raw material gas via a pipe (14) which gas is vaporized by a vaporizer (11), and sprays the raw material gas onto a substrate (P) which is arranged opposite to a nozzle surface (15b) for formation of a film.

Abstract: In an apparatus for controlling a gas-rise pattern in a vacuum treatment process a gas inlet (1) is operatively connected with a mass-flow-controller MFC (2); said MFC (2) being again operatively connected via a first valve (5) with a vacuum chamber (3) and in parallel via second valve (6) with a vent-line (4). Said connection with the vent-line (4) further comprises means for varying the pump cross section of said vent-line (4). In another embodiment the apparatus for controlling a gas-rise pattern in a vacuum treatment process comprises a gas inlet (13) operatively connected with a vacuum chamber (3) via a valve (11), wherein the connection between gas inlet (13) and valve (11) further comprises a diaphragm (12).

Abstract: A substrate heating apparatus of the present invention, which heats a substrate mounted on a mount table 104 having heating means 108, in a processing vessel 102, includes a supporting part 202 made from a first material to support the mount table, a sealing part 204 made from a second material different from the first material in heat conductivity to seal the supporting part and the processing vessel and a joint part 206 for joining the supporting part and the sealing part in an airtight manner. With the constitution, by selecting the first material and the second material of different heat conductivities properly, it is possible to reduce a heat gradient between the top of the mount table and the bottom of the mount table. As a result, it is possible to shorten a supporting structure for the mount table, in length.

Abstract: Cows are milked at a facility including a robotic milker, a pen, a first passage leading from the pen to the milker, and a second passage leading from the milker to the pen. Each passage includes a one-way gate. Each gate includes a barrier that turns about a horizontal axis from a quiescent position in only a first direction in response to the cows pushing against the barrier and turns in the opposite direction about the axis to the quiescent position after each cow has passed through the barrier. The barrier includes plural tines that turn independently of each other about the axis in both directions. In normal operation, the quiescent position of the tines is vertical. For training, the quiescent position of the tines is displaced from the vertical so the tines are above the heads of the animals but below their backs.

Abstract: The invention described herein is a pest-deterrent pet food bowl for the feeding and watering of pets which contains a pet food bowl, wherein a detachable center chamber holds the food or drink, and a base chamber surrounds the center chamber to form a moat. The moat is filled with a pest-deterrent substance, thereby providing a barrier to unwanted pests. The base chamber has guides emerging from its bottom, which prevent or restrict movement of the detachable center chamber when it is placed in the base chamber. The center chamber has a step emerging from its outer edge, allowing a small pet to cross the large moat and be able to reach the food in the center chamber.

Abstract: An apparatus engageable with a water source for providing dogs access to fresh, clean water. The apparatus comprises a base member and a housing member engageable with an upper surface of the base member. Such housing member has a predetermined configuration and is formed of a predetermined material. At least one tubular member is disposed within the housing member, a first end of the at least one tubular member extends outwardly from a bottom portion of the housing member for engagement with such source of water and a second end of the at least one tubular member extends outwardly through an upper surface of the housing member. A water valve is disposed within the at least one tubular member for controlling water flow.

Abstract: A pet waste and other item storage case is secured to the pet for carrying. Instead of the pet owner/walker carrying a waste bag, they now have the option of the pet carrying a storage case for retaining the waste and/or waste bags himself/herself. In addition, to a waste compartment, other pockets may be included to carry other items including, but not limited to, pet items (e.g. food, water, toys, extra baggies, etc.) or owner's items (e.g. cell phone, keys, etc).

Abstract: A method for screening for useful dog candidates comprises a step of investigating the genotype of the allele in exon 1 or intron 2 of dog dopamine receptor D4 gene, and a step of selecting a dog with genetic aptitudes beneficial to people by making the selection based on that genotype. The step of investigating the genotype comprises a step of amplifying the allele using a pair of PCR primers that bond in the vicinity of both terminals of the allele, and a step of determining the genotype of the allele based on the lengths of the PCR products obtained by that step. A dog having the nucleotide sequence represented by SEQ ID NO: 5 for at least one of the alleles in exon 1, or a dog having the nucleotide sequence represented by SEQ ID NO: 9 for at least one of the alleles in intron 2, is useful as a seeing-eye dog or other service dog.

Abstract: The present invention provides a method and system for the prediction of the merit of at least one individual in a population, the method comprising the steps of: (a) in the population, where information of individuals are known, using dimension reduction on the information to project the information to a low dimensional space whilst retaining the complexity of the information to generate a set of explanatory variables; (b) utilising the explanatory variables to generate a predictor function with respect to merit; and (c) utilising the predictor function to predict the merit of the individual.

Abstract: The present invention provides a method of cultivating filter feeders such as Artemia by substituting special microorganisms for naturally occurring microscopic algae, and providing conditions optimal for the growth of these organisms. These substituted special microorganisms provide an abundant food source for Artemia and subsequently the Artemia provide a food source for higher order members of the marine food chain.

Abstract: A collapsible bird structure allows for easy assembly of an enclosure for the housing, nesting, and/or feeding of birds. A fabric outer covering containing a flexible wire is connected to a base to form a bird house. A hole may be provided for ingress and egress of birds.

Abstract: Described is a collar saddle device for maintaining the position of a device carried by an animal at the top of the animal's neck. The collar saddle device includes a saddle, a carried device, and a collar. The saddle is fixedly secured to the collar and includes a contoured portion that is structured to substantially parallel the contour of the top of the animal's neck. The carried device is fixedly secured to the collar and is situated proximately to the saddle. The contoured portion of the saddle matingly receives the top of the animal's neck to the extent that the saddle does not slide or rotate from the top of the animal's neck. Because the saddle and the carried device are situated proximately along the collar, the position of the carried device is maintained at the top of the animal's neck.

Abstract: A bird deterrent apparatus for preventing birds from landing near a location to be protected, such as, but not limited to, a boat. The bird deterrent apparatus is easy to install and remove, and does not interfere with the normal use of the location. The bird deterrent apparatus comprises a line retractor, a retractable barrier line, and associated hardware and barrier line guides to secure the line retractor and the barrier line to structural elements in proximity to the location to be protected from perching birds and their associated debris.

Abstract: Described is a two-probe bark control device for detecting an animal's bark by way of an electrode that is also used in delivering an electrical stimulus to the animal. The two-probe bark control device includes a housing, a first probe, and a second probe. The first and second probes include first and second electrodes, respectively. The first electrode is secured to the housing by way of a resilient overmolding such that the first electrode extends outwardly from the housing and has the potential to vibrate within the housing. The housing is carried by the animal such that the first probe detects the bark of the animal and the first and second probes deliver an electrical stimulus to the animal in response the first probe detecting the animal's bark such that the first probe both detects the animal's bark and delivers an electrical stimulus to the animal.

Abstract: The present invention provides a retractable leash and animal restraint assembly. The assembly includes pet collar and a leash. Integral to the pet collar is a cavity and a length of a collar interior, enclosing a leash. A housing may enclose at least a portion of the leash within the cavity. The leash may be extracted from and retracted into the collar by force exerted on a handle at one end of the leash. In another embodiment, a pet harness is disclosed, also having a leash integral to the harness.

Abstract: A carrier (pet apparel) with at least one light emitting diode (LED) placed in a holder with reflective finish in a concave housing to provide optimal diffusion and candle power for optimal distance and visibility and a power source for powering at least one LED.

Abstract: To suppress corrosion of heat transfer tubes of a boiler under an influence of water, there is provided a boiler apparatus equipped with a unit for gathering boiler water (3) in a boiler 2 and a unit for adding the gathered boiler water (4) to supply water that has not been supplied to the boiler (2) yet. With this construction, boiler water with concentrated silica, which is an alkaline and corrosion preventive ingredient, is gathered from the boiler (2) in combustion by the boiler water gathering unit (3). The gathered boiler water is added to supply water stored in a supply water tank (15) by the boiler water adding unit (4), and this supply water is adjusted to have a water quality allowing suppression of corrosion of a connecting portion between a lower header (6) and water tubes (7) of the boiler (2).

Abstract: A magnetic heater is provided having a conductor assembly and a magnet assembly. The magnet assembly is adapted to rotate relative to the conductor assembly about an axis so as to induce eddy currents in the conductor assembly when relative motion is produced between the conductor assembly and first magnet assembly. The conductor assembly defines a fluid path therein for the transfer of heat from the conductor assembly to a fluid. The magnetic heater is a component of a heat generation system comprising an internal combustion engine having a drive shaft for rotating the magnet assembly. The heat generated by the magnetic heater, as well as the heat generated by the engine from the engine exhaust and engine cooling system, is combined to heat a fluid.

Abstract: The invention relates to an actuating device that actuates at least one valve pair (1) of an internal combustion engine, housed inside a housing (2) comprising, for each valve (1), magnetizing means (4, 5), at least one spring (6) that acts upon the valve (1), and comprising a fixed end connected to an adjustable stop (16), and a moving end connected in a translatory manner to the valve (1), the adjustable stop (16) comprising meshing means (26) that can interact with mating meshing means (8) of a control element (10) whereby adjusting the tare of the spring (6). The invention is characterized in that the control element (10) is placed in a fixed manner inside the housing (2) next to the adjustable stops (16) of the two valves (1) of the same pair. The housing (2) comprises means for selectively guiding and positioning the control element (10) in two meshing positions respectively with the two adjustable stops (16).

Abstract: A system for communicating information between a valve controller and an engine controller is presented. The system is designed to improve the timing of data transferred between two controllers.

Abstract: A mechanically-actuated camshaft phaser for varying the phase of a camshaft in an internal combustion engine. The phaser comprises two colinear helical mechanisms having opposite-handed helices engaging a common nut for common rotation. One helical mechanism is operatively attached to a sprocket or pulley in time with an engine crankshaft. The other helical mechanism is operatively attached to an engine camshaft. A motive system drives the nut axially of itself along the helical mechanisms, causing a phase shift between the mechanisms and hence between the crankshaft and the camshaft. The preferred helical mechanisms are ball screws, and the preferred motive system is a worm gear driven by a worm on the shaft of an electric motor.

Abstract: The invention relates to an electromagnetic hydraulic valve (1), in particular proportional valve, for controlling a device for the rotational angle adjustment of a camshaft relative to a crankshaft of an internal combustion engine, composed on the one hand of an electromagnet (2) with a hollow-cylindrical magnet housing (4), at least one coil winding (5) and an axially moveable magnet armature (6), and also a first and a second pole shoe (7, 8), and on the other hand of a valve part (3) with a hollow-cylindrical valve housing (9) in which is accommodated a control piston (12) which can be moved axially by the magnet armature (6) of the electromagnet (2) via a plunger rod (11). The invention consists in that a sleeve (17), which is composed of a base (18) and a hollow-cylindrical side wall (19), is arranged on that end of the control piston (12) which is situated in the direction of the plunger rod (11), which sleeve (17) has a greater hardness than the control piston (12).

Abstract: A valve timing control apparatus is provided having a locking mechanism that can minimize the accumulation of foreign material in a concave engagement part, can minimize the penetration of foreign material to the sliding parts of a locking member, and can reduce the sliding resistance of the locking member. A locking mechanism (5) is provided with a sliding groove (52) provided to an outer rotor (2); a locking member (53) capable of sliding along the sliding groove (52); and a concave engagement part (51) that is provided to the inner rotor (3), is formed to be capable of engaging with the locking member (53) in a state in which the phase of relative rotation is a lock phase, and has an inlet port (58) capable of introducing hydraulic fluid. Flow channels (57) for hydraulic fluid are provided to at least one of the sliding groove (52) and the locking member (53), are formed along the sliding direction of the locking member (53), and are communicatingly connected to the concave engagement part (51).

Abstract: A rolling bearing for a rocker arm includes an outer ring in rolling contact with a cam of an engine, an outer-ring shaft placed inside the outer ring and fixed to the rocker arm, and a plurality of rollers provided between the outer ring and the outer-ring shaft. At least one of the outer ring, the outer-ring shaft and the rolling elements has a nitrogen-rich layer, an austenite crystal grain size number in a range exceeding 10, and a surface hardness Hv of at least 653. Thus, the life can be extended.

Abstract: The invention describes a method for operating glow plugs, that comprise a housing and a heater element projecting beyond that housing, in a diesel engine which interacts with an engine control unit and a glow plug control unit which latter, following a preheating phase, controls the electric power supplied to the glow plugs in response to an input received from the engine control unit. It is provided according to the invention that the engine control unit determines a value representative of a temperature that is to be reached at the heater element and the engine control unit transmits that value as target value to the glow plug control unit which implements that target value using an algorithm stored in the glow plug control unit and with reference to characteristic values stored in the glow plug control unit.

Abstract: A priming and purging fuel system for an internal combustion engine purges a diaphragm carburetor of the engine of stale liquid fuel and accumulated fuel vapor and air while simultaneously priming the carburetor and/or engine with liquid fuel for starting. A start pump of the fuel system supplies at least liquid fuel to a priming circuit and preferably at least fuel vapor and air to a purging circuit of the fuel system. The priming circuit delivers the priming fuel to the engine via a conduit that leads to an isolation chamber located between an inlet jet and preferably an outlet jet. The cross sectional flow area of the jets are appropriately sized to flow a needed amount of priming fuel to the carburetor and/or engine for starting without flooding the engine. The combination of the enlarged isolation chamber and jets, at least substantially prevents fuel dribble from the priming circuit and into the engine while running.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a starter arrangement for an internal combustion engine. The starter arrangement has a starter motor (1) having a pinion gear (2) at an output shaft. The pinion gear (2) is arranged in constant engagement with a corresponding crank gear of a crank wheel (3) located between an engine block (4) and a flywheel (11) of the engine. The crank wheel (3) is operatively connected to a crankshaft of the engine via a one-way clutch (6). The one-way clutch (6) is arranged at an engine block (4) side of a crankshaft oil seal (7) enabling lubrication and cooling thereof by an engine oil of the engine.

Abstract: A one-way clutch and a bearing are both grease-filled so even if an oil seal member prevents engine oil from flowing thereto, it will cause no problems in terms of lubrication of the one-way clutch and the bearing. Therefore, the oil seal member 18 need only seal between a main body side of an internal combustion engine and a crankshaft and so does not need to have a large diameter. As a result, even when the crankshaft rotates while the internal combustion engine is operating, the small diameter oil seal member will not slide at a high rate of speed against an outer peripheral surface of the crankshaft and so will not degrade quickly.

Abstract: An air intake manifold assembly includes an air intake manifold and a insert that is permanently bonded to an inner surface of the air intake manifold. By bonding the insert to the manifold, a dead space is formed between the insert and the manifold, which reduces the plenum volume within the manifold.

Abstract: A method for providing a mixture of inlet air and exhaust gas in a cylinder of an internal combustion engine is disclosed. Fluid flow between the cylinder and a cylinder head associated therewith is controlled by at least one rotary valve accommodated in the cylinder head. The method includes rotating the at least one rotary valve to allow a fluid flow between the cylinder and the cylinder head in a first direction and to allow a fluid flow between the cylinder and the cylinder head in a second direction, opposite the first direction, wherein the fluid flow in the first direction and the fluid flow in the second direction are allowed during a single combustion cycle of the engine.

Abstract: An engine component is composed of an aluminum alloy containing silicon, and includes a plurality of primary-crystal silicon grains located on a slide surface. The plurality of primary-crystal silicon grains have an average crystal grain size of no less than about 12 ?m and no more than about 50 ?m.

Abstract: An internal combustion engine includes a cylinder structure in which a crankshaft assembly is journalled for rotation about a main axis of a main crankshaft segment having a main axis. A crank web is attached to the main crankshaft segment and projects from the main crankshaft segment, and a crank pin structure is attached to the crank web and has a central axis that is parallel to the main axis and is spaced from the main axis by a distance D. A first mechanism attaches the inner end of a connecting rod to the crank pin structure and permits substantially longitudinal movement of the connecting rod relative to the crank pin structure. A second mechanism permits selective adjustment of the distance D.

Abstract: An engine having a cylinder with a bore opposed pistons disposed for reciprocation in the bore includes compliant members that allow for angular adjustment of piston structure with respect to the cylinder in response to an imbalance in forces coupled to the pistons by connecting rods.

Abstract: A display system for an automotive vehicle indicates the position of a throttle valve.

Abstract: A throttle control cartridge has a circuit board carrying a Hall-effect sensor, the position of which is fixed in a housing carrying a cam. A shaft carrying a magnet is rotatably and translatably disposed with respect to the housing and carries a cam follower that engages the cam and translates the shaft with respect to the housing when the shaft is rotated with respect to the housing in at least one of two opposed angular directions. The cam and the cam follower have at least first and second pairs of cam surfaces in which a first cam surface is disposed at a different cam or helix angle then the second cam surface. A redundant stop is cooperatively formed between the cam follower and splines on the shaft to limit axial translation of the cam follower in one direction of rotation of the shaft relative to the housing.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a method for starting an internal combustion engine using a starting device, an ignition spark from a spark plug of an internal combustion engine being controllable by the starting device as a function of the speed of the crankshaft, a progressive rise of the advance of the ignition angle before top dead center already being performed as a function of the crankshaft speed at low speeds below the idle speed, which is followed at rising crankshaft speed by a sudden drop of the advance of the ignition angle to a plateau of the idle speed range.

Abstract: A fuel injection systems for direct-injection diesel engines, has a piezoelectric actuator contained in an injector body and acted on by a first spring mechanism so that it remains in contact with the injector body at one end and with a sleeve-like booster piston on the other. A nozzle body connected to the injector body has at least one nozzle outlet opening, and in which a stepped first nozzle needle an axially movable, and a second spring mechanism is contained inside the booster piston and the injection pressure hold the first nozzle needle closed. An outer control chamber communicates via at least one leakage gap with a fuel supply under injection pressure; fuel in the control chamber acts on the first nozzle needle in the opening direction. A large diameter rear region of the first nozzle needle is fitted into the internal chamber of the booster piston.

Abstract: A protective cover for an actuating drive, that can be used as universally as possible, for components (14, 16) of a contacting and/or sealing arrangement of the actuating drive. The sealing arrangement is embodied in a liquid-tight but gas-permeable manner and ends in a cavity on the outer side, the cavity being covered by a cover (28) held on the actuating drive by means of a catch connection (30, 32).