Abstract: An item of footwear, particularly a motorcycle boot (1), includes a rigid shell (4) which defines a body that is designed to surround the foot of the user. The body consists of a lower sole-forming part (20), an upper vamp-forming part (22), an inner lateral part and an outer lateral part, the lateral parts connecting the aforementioned lower and upper parts. The inventive item of footwear includes an opening (16, 18) in one of the four constituent body parts, which passes through the rigid shell and which is sealed by a flexible half-sole (12, 14).

Abstract: An article of footwear has selectively height adjustable cleat members provided on a sole. A cleat member provided in a unit engaged with or otherwise attached to the sole. The cleat member may have a portion which extends outwardly from the sole that is positionable at one of a plurality of predetermined positions relative to the sole and includes a biasing to at least one of the predetermined positions. A cleat may include a coupling engaged with the sole and a tip that is selectively extendable and retractable via a linear movement and rotational movement relative to a remainder of a cleat so as to present a selectively variable height. The sole may include a plurality of cleats in which the cleats include a gyre-linear cleat portion adjustably positionable to lock relative to the remainder of its respective cleat between a plurality of predetermined heights. In aspect, the predetermined heights correspond to locking positions.

Abstract: A foot orthosis device which may be used with footwear to provide arch support for the purpose of relief of physical discomfort such as pain of the foot due to such conditions as over use of longitudinally directed muscles, tendons, and ligaments located between the metatarsal and calcaneal section of the bottom of a human foot. The orthosis device can placed between the existing removable sole and non-removable platform, or above the non-removable sole, or may be integral with a portion of the footwear.

Abstract: A snowplow and mount assembly comprising a mount frame adapted to be secured to a vehicle, and a snowplow frame. One of the mount frame and the snowplow frame has first and second arms and the other of the mount frame and snowplow frame has first and second receivers, the first and second receivers receiving the first and second arms, respectively. Respective ones of first and second latch pins removably secure the first and second arms in the first and second receivers. A latch lever is operably associated with the first and second latch pins and simultaneously actuates the latch pins to latched and unlatched positions. The snowplow frame includes a jack stand movable to and between an extended ground contacting and snowplow frame supporting position and a retracted ground noncontacting and snowplow frame nonsupporting position.

Abstract: A license plate frame design for providing a thin visually appealing motor vehicle accessory that illuminates advertising text and or a design comprises recessed strip lighting illuminating through recessed color tinted transparent material and through the said advertising test and or said design held or sealed into place by means of a backing plate with a direct current inverter attached by means of lead wires to said motor vehicles controllable direct current power source and to said strip lighting by means of lead wires. Providing the motor vehicle operator to transmit direct current from said motor vehicle when desired, to the said license plate frame to add visual appeal by illuminating their said advertisement and or said design. Thus a very thin and visually appealing motor vehicle accessory is provided.

Abstract: A snow globe comprises a holder and a photo frame. The holder comprises a globe, a stand and a base. The globe is transparent and comprises a slot, a frame mount and decoration comprising particles. The frame mount is mounted in the globe and the slot is formed through an outer surface of the globe. The photo frame is mounted slidably in the globe, on the frame mount and has a openable backing and a window. Therefore, the snow globe provides visual entertainment while being personalized to increase sentiments of gifts or souvenirs.

Abstract: A magnetic wall mounted article in-pocket display frame having at least one window and having an upper portion based from a pocket positioned behind the window with a horizontal hinged portion having a magnet for securing the article display to a magnet attracting surface.

Abstract: The invention is a multi-shot launcher adapted to launch ring airfoil projectiles. Each ring airfoil projectile is coupled to a sabot, the ring airfoil projectile and sabot mounted to a housing in a cartridge form. The cartridge has a length which is less than its diameter. The launcher includes a receiver defining a cartridge receiving area and a tubular passage through which the ring airfoil is launched from a fired cartridge. The launcher includes a trigger mechanism for firing a cartridge. The launcher includes an ejector for ejecting the housing of a spent cartridge from the receiving area and a loader for loading a new cartridge into the receiving area. The cartridge may be loaded from a magazine connected to the receiver.

Abstract: A safety device for a revolver including an assembly adapted to be affixed to the revolver on opposite sides of the trigger guard, and a cylinder block connected to the assembly having a rigid leg for extending into a chamber to secure the revolver. The cylinder block includes a base having an aperture and a bent portion disposed between the aperture and the base. One or more pins extend from at least one of the side members for extending through the aperture for attaching the cylinder block to the assembly.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a gun trigger for use with a bolt-action gun. The trigger of the present invention has a finger element with an extension and a catch. The catch has a front strap and a rear strap. One or more openings are between the front and rear straps. One or more braces can be across the one or more openings. The trigger also has a head. A socket is formed in the top of the head, and a ball is received within the socket. The height of the ball relative the bottom of the socket can be adjusted. There is practically no friction between the trigger and a sear. The trigger of the present invention may be made by remanufacturing existing conventional triggers.

Abstract: An adapter for attaching accessories to a weapon and methods for mounting the adapter are disclosed. The adapter includes a connector for coupling with a rail on the weapon, wherein the connector includes connecting surfaces that are constructed to couple with corresponding contact surfaces on an accessory. The adapter further has a block projecting downward from the connector arranged between the connecting surfaces, wherein the block can engage a portion of the associated with the accessory.

Abstract: An accessory mounting device for use with firearms is disclosed. The mounting device includes a first pin having a first head and a second pin having a second head, wherein the second head projects radially beyond the second pin only on one side of the second pin. The device further includes first and second apertures to receive the first and second pins, respectively, and a first undercut associated with the first aperture, wherein the first undercut is compatible with the first head and a second undercut associated with the second aperture, wherein the second undercut is compatible with the second head. Also included is a spring-loaded locking device attached to the second pin and a handle associated with the spring-loaded locking device. The handle moves the second pin against the force of the spring axially in the direction of the second head so that when the second pin is turned by the handle, the second head pushes against the force of the spring on the second undercut.

Abstract: An improved fly swatter with an elongated handle portion and insect engaging section having means for collecting swatted insects. A plastic mesh swatting element is detachably affixed to the elongate handle and a replaceable stack of individually disposed adhesive pads comprises the opposite side of the swatting element. This eliminates the distasteful practice of hand collection of killed insects.

Abstract: It comprises a one-piece fastening body having a complete and/or continuous cross-section with two lateral walls spaced apart each other a distance for receiving the end of the window pane defining a U-shape the branches of which have an edge rounded inward to the body for insertion of the window pane. One of the walls has a protrusion that is fitted into a hole of the end of the window pane and it extends inwardly toward the opposed wall having a vertical groove at the free end thereof to expand it as it is fitted into the hole of the window pane. The other wall of the body has a hole formed in an area corresponding to the protrusion of the opposed wall for releasing the window from the fastening body. The body has a bottom surface for supporting the window pane made of an elastic material for taking-up vibrations and tolerances.

Abstract: A sliding door includes a track having a longitudinal channel to slidably receive a carrier, a door panel secured to the carrier, a bracket attached to one end portion of the track and having a pathway and a pulley, and a recovering device having a cable. The cable has one end secured to the track, and a middle portion slidably engaged through the pathway of the bracket, and the other end secured to the carrier. The door panel and the carrier are movable along the track, and the cable is engageable around the pulley of the bracket, to bias and to force the door panel and the carrier backward toward the one end portion of the track when the door panel is released. One or more spring members may be engaged in the cable.

Abstract: A universal rake-ridge cap for a gable roof design that includes a first surface, a second surface, and at least one stepped arcuate surface intersecting the first surface and the second surface. The universal rake-ridge cap is employed to conceal any gap at the junction of two rake boards in a gable roof design. The universal rake ridge cap can be cut so that the arcuate surface will tangentially intersect the stepped surfaces of rake members to provide an aesthetically pleasing transition from rake board to universal rake-ridge cap to rake board. The universal rake-ridge cap can quickly be fitted to any gable roof pitch simply by culling the universal rake-ridge cap to the angle or pitch required by the gable roof. No special tools are needed and the final result is both aesthetically pleasing as well as a significant time saver.

Abstract: The membrane cover has fold lines therein intersecting the walls of the reservoir at intersection points. A geometric chord or secant joins two intersection points, and defines, with a portion of the walls of the reservoir, a static segment in the membrane cover. The membrane cover in the static segment is tensioned along lines of force that are parallel to or that make acute angles, with the aforesaid chord or secant. The membrane cover in the static segment remains substantially planar and stationary, thus static, despite the rising and lowering of the remaining portion of the cover in response to variations in the level of the content of the reservoir. A hatchway is mounted in the static segment of the cover. In another aspect of the invention, the hatchway has an airtight compartment extending between the membrane cover and a point below the level of the material inside the reservoir.

Abstract: A door and frame combination for an air handling unit consists of a frame, a hinged door with a hollow core filled with insulating material, and a gasket having a flexible gasket wall with anti-roll extensions. The gasket may have a friction-reducing material on its surface to assist in preventing roll-over by the closing door. Optional thermal pockets in the door and frame are filled with high-density polyurethane to provide further protection against air leakage.

Abstract: A door comprises a main frame with an opening, a front window frame and a rear window frame. The main frame includes a connection mold formed along an inner circumference of the opening and formed with a plurality of projections and recessed hooking channels. A glass is disposed in the opening and fixed by the front window frame and the rear window frame. The front window frame includes catching protrusions to be fitted into the recessed hooking channels, a support end to support the glass, and hooks protruding rearward and resiliently hooked to a rear side of the projections. The rear window frame includes catching protrusion to be fitted into the other recessed hooking channels, a support end to support the glass, and hooks protruding frontward and resiliently hooked to a front side of the projections.

Abstract: The present invention provides a roofing product comprising a flexible roofing membrane comprising a layer of a thermoplastic, and a batten strip integral with the roofing membrane, so that the roofing product is flexible. There is also provided a method for securing such a roofing product to a roof deck and a method for manufacturing such a roofing product.

Abstract: Computer assisted systems, methods and mediums for filling one or more orders. One embodiment of the present invention is a system that includes an order consolidation station configured to receive at least one bottle containing pills individually counted and/or at least one package containing pharmaceutical products without having been designated for any of the orders when the package was created and/or at least one literature pack optionally including patient specific information. The order consolidation station is further configured to combine automatically the received bottle and/or package and/or literature pack into a container to be sent to a recipient including, for example, mail order pharmacies, wholesalers and/or central fill dealers for subsequent distribution or sale including retailer distribution or sale. The bottle is specifically designated for the order, and the order generally includes at least one prescription for the package.

Abstract: Netting chutes suitable for use with manual, automatic and semi-automatic packaging operations to enclose product in netting packaging include chutes with embossed floors.

Abstract: A machine for packing a product in at least one sheet of packing material has a number of conveyors, each of which has a number of pockets, each for receiving and conveying a respective product; the products are transferred from each conveyor to the next conveyor at a transfer station defined between the two conveyors; the pockets on each conveyor are divided into a first number of groups, each containing an equal second number, greater than one, of pockets; and, at each transfer station, a second number of products are transferred simultaneously from the pockets in a group of pockets on the releasing conveyor to the pockets in a group of pockets on the receiving conveyor.

Abstract: An apparatus for transferring a plurality of objects from a pickup station to blisters of an adjacent passing foil has a stationary support adjacent the foil and pickup station and defining a support axis and an arm pivotal on the support about the support axis and extending radially from the support axis. A slide shiftable on the arm radially of the support axis defines a slide axis about which a suction grab can pivot. The suction grab is adapted to pick up and drop a plurality of the objects. First and second drives have motors on the support and serve for pivoting the arm about the support axis between a pickup position with the grab over the pickup station and a deposit position with the grab over the passing foil and for shifting the slide along the arm.

Abstract: For the prevention of contamination of a vial with traces of medicinal fluids, for example cytostatics and antibiotics, which may be spilt on the outside of the vial while filling, the vial is provided with a tight-fitting protective envelope, preferably made of a transparent synthetic material, as a last step in the production process. Because of this, a possible contamination which remains on the outside of the vial is encapsulated between the vial and the envelope. Hereby, a user is no longer exposed to toxic substances, because the user will not touch the vial itself, but will touch the envelope. An additional advantage of the provision of the envelope is that if breaking of the vial occurs, the envelope will keep the pieces of broken glass together and will possibly prevent the medicinal fluid from leaking away.

Abstract: The invention relates to a device (1) for the filling of foil bags (24) with foods (42), a transport device (23) for transporting the foil bags (24), a filling device (27) for the dosed filling of the foil bags (24) with solid foods (42) and a closing device (43) for closing the foil bags (24). Furthermore, the invention relates to a method of filling foil bags (24) with foods (42) comprising the following steps: transport of the foil bags (24), dosed filling of the foil bags (24) with solid foods (42) and closing the foil bags (24).

Abstract: A method of making and filling reclosable packages using a duplex machine includes the steps of providing a zipper profile, package film and a plurality of sliders; feeding the zipper profile; applying the sliders to the zipper profile; coupling the zipper profile to the folded web; sealing two edges of the folded web to form adjacent pouches; filling the pouches; sealing the pouches proximate a third edge thereof; and separating the pouches in order to form individual packages. The method employs a single rotating slider applicator having a programmable servo motor which is programmed in order to synchronize the application of the sliders to the moving zipper profile with the two at a time form, fill, seal and separate packaging operations of the duplex machine. A duplex machine is also disclosed.

Abstract: A harvesting machine includes a measuring device for capturing the throughput of collected material. The measuring device has a measuring surface which acts together with the crop material and is supported movably at a support point in such a manner that its position depends on the throughput of the crop material, and an optical position capturing device for capturing the position of the measuring surface. Preferably the support point is a solid body articulation and the position capturing device is a laser interferometer.

Abstract: An agricultural windrower includes a vehicle chassis, a lift frame movably mounted to the vehicle chassis, and a crop harvesting header coupled with the lift frame. The header includes a main frame and an integrated header float system. The header float system has at least one float cylinder coupled with the main frame. The header also includes a suspension which may be selectively mounted to one of a plurality of differently configured types of agricultural harvesters, such as a combine or windrower.

Abstract: A dual lever steering control mechanism for a zero turning radius mower includes left and right steering levers that are independently pivotable fore and aft between reverse, neutral and forward positions. Steering lever grips are attached to and project from the steering levers. Each steering lever grip has a mounting surface with an electrical switch on the mounting surface, and a protective structure extending from the mounting surface.

Abstract: The invention relates to a traveling mower including a traveling body 1 with a mower unit, and a grass collection box 22 for storing the mowed grass. The box is pivotally connected to the traveling body for switching between a grass collection posture for receiving grass and a discharge posture for discharging grass. The body 1 is provided with a posture change lever 12. The box 22 and the lever 12 are associated with each other via an interlock mechanism 44 so that the box 22 changes the posture in accordance with the manual operation of the lever 12. The change of the posture of the box 22 is performed with a small operation force that depends on the amount of the grass in the box 22. To enable this, the interlock mechanism 44 includes a switching mechanism for increasing the turning angle of the box 22, per unit operation of the lever 12, when the box 22 is empty or substantially empty and for reducing the turning angle when the box 22 holds much grass.

Abstract: A conveyor chain pin remover includes a gear case with an attached handle, an actuating lever, a ratchet mechanism engaged by the actuating lever and first and second aligned passthrough openings. A retaining bar, is attached adjacent a first end to the gear case and has a chain retaining fixture located adjacent a second end. The chain retaining fixture has a barrier portion located orthogonally to the retaining bar and has a central aperture located in the barrier portion. A ram has a pin punch portion located at a first end and a rack portion extending substantially from a second end toward the pin punch portion. The rack portion fits slidably through the first and second aligned passthrough openings with teeth of the rack portion engaging the ratchet mechanism. The pin punch portion fits slidably through the central aperture and is smaller in diameter than pins of a roller chain.

Abstract: An oil scavenge system includes a tangential scavenge scoop and a settling area adjacent thereto which separately communicate with a duct which feeds oil into an oil flow path and back to an oil sump. A shield is mounted over the settling area to at least partially shield the collecting liquid oil from interfacial shear. A multiple of apertures are located through the shield to permit oil flow through the shield and into the duct. The scavenge scoop forms a partition which separates the duct into a first portion and a second portion. The first portion processes upstream air/oil mixture that is captured by the tangential scoop while the second portion receives the oil collected in the settling area.

Abstract: In a fuel injector assembly, for an internal combustion engine such as a gas turbine engine, a generally cylindrical air transfer sleeve is, in one embodiment, juxtaposed around a shroud, the sleeve having a peripheral inner recessed cavity, the outer end thereof encompassing a plurality of air inlets and the inner end thereof having a plurality of air openings connecting the cavity with tertiary air for a positive air wash, or in another embodiment, is located intermediate a fuel body and the shroud while having such inner radial dimensions so as to maintain first and second fuel/air venting gaps, with the transfer sleeve also having a peripheral outer recessed cavity wherein the inner end thereof encompasses the air inlets, with an outer end thereof being provided with a plurality of air openings, these openings connecting the recessed cavity with the first fuel/air gap downstream of a restrictor.

Abstract: A turbojet comprises at least a fan, a compressor, a combustion chamber, a turbine, and a rigid substantially-cylindrical jacket fastened at its upstream end to an intermediate casing and at its downstream end to an exhaust casing, the jacket serving to transmit forces between the intermediate casing and the exhaust casing.

Abstract: To provide an apparatus for evaluating the deterioration condition of a catalyst of an internal combustion engine that can improve the accuracy of an evaluation of the deterioration condition of a catalyst and can suppress a worsening of emissions. The apparatus forcedly sets the air/fuel ratio upstream of a catalyst provided in an exhaust system of an internal combustion engine at a rich condition or a lean condition on the basis of a detected value of a sub O2 sensor downstream of the catalyst in the internal combustion engine and evaluates the deterioration condition of the catalyst.

Abstract: An air fuel ratio controller for an internal combustion engine includes an exhaust gas sensor, an identifier and a control unit. The exhaust gas sensor detects oxygen concentration of exhaust gas. The identifier calculates model parameters for a model of a controlled object based on the output of the exhaust gas sensor. The controlled object includes an exhaust system of the engine. The control unit is configured to use the model parameters to control the air-fuel ratio so that the output of the exhaust gas sensor converges to a desired value, and to stop the identifier from calculating the model parameters during and immediately after the engine operation with a lean air-fuel ratio. The calculation of the model parameters may be also stopped during and immediately after fuel-cut operation that stops fuel supply to the engine.

Abstract: A muffling apparatus 1 of the present invention having an exhaust emission purifying function, including a turning portion 8 in an inside of an exhaust gas flow passage, and having an injection nozzle 12 disposed in an upstream side exhaust gas flow passage 9 of the turning portion 8, for injection-supplying a liquid reducing agent; and a reduction catalytic converter 13 disposed in a downstream side exhaust gas flow passage 10 of the turning portion 8, for reductively purifying nitrogen oxides with the liquid reducing agent. The apparatus further includes a diffusing member 15, which generates a vortex flow of a gas traveling in a vertical plane of the turning portion 8 to diffuse the liquid reducing agent.

Abstract: A pressure detection mechanism for a catalyst of an engine, in which the catalyst includes an upstream NSR catalyst and a downstream DPNR catalyst stored in a catalyst casing, which includes a DPNR front pressure detection pipe connected to a space formed by the NSR catalyst, the DPNR catalyst and the catalyst casing, a DPNR rear pressure detection pipe downstream of the DPNR catalyst connected to a space formed by the DPNR catalyst and the catalyst casing, and a pressure difference transducer connected to the DPNR front pressure detection pipe and the DPNR rear pressure detection pipe.

Abstract: A cost-effective solution to remove particulates from diesel, especially light-duty diesel engines incorporates an oxidation catalyst (2) effective to convert NO in the exhaust from the engine to NO2 and a particulate trap (4) which traps no more than 85% by weight of the particulate, optionally by permitting gas to by-pass the trap.

Abstract: An inert gas production and compression system for extracting and compressing an inert gas from an exhaust gas of an engine includes a power and inert gas generator, an inert gas processing system, and an inert gas compressor. The inert gas processing system includes an extraction system to receive exhaust gas from an engine and to remove liquids and particulate from the exhaust gas; a cooling system to receive the exhaust gas from the engine and at each stage of a multi-stage gas compressor; and a separator for separating liquids and particulate from the exhaust gas. The inert gas production and compression system can include one or more controllers and a microprocessor system to monitor the operation of the inert gas processing system and to manage the inert gas processing system based on inputs from the controllers.

Abstract: A fluid pump control system for excavators enables fluid pumps to produce hydraulic flows of a quantity great enough to actuate hydraulic actuators for smooth composite operations. The system includes variable displacement fluid pumps, fluid quantity control mechanisms for controlling the discharge quantity of the respective fluid pumps, fluid quantity control signal lines respectively connected to the fluid quantity control mechanisms, signal pressure control lines for bringing the fluid quantity control signal lines into connection with a fluid tank to drop the fluid quantity control signal pressures within the fluid quantity control signal lines, and a plurality of cutoff valves attached to the signal pressure control lines in tandem and shiftable in concert with the shifting movement of spools of a control valve for increasing the fluid quantity control signal pressures within the signal pressure control lines in proportion to the shifting amounts of the cutoff valves.

Abstract: Improvement in a hydrostatic valve assembly for use in a hydrostatic transmission, for controlling fluid transfer between a first, second and third line, wherein two of the lines define first and second pressure lines within a closed loop circuit. The valve assembly comprises a valve body having ports in communication with the three lines; a spool bore and valve spool reciprocating therewithin, having first and second end portions joined by a connecting portion, and first and second bypass orifices within the valve spool; and dampers for centering the valve spool in a neutral position. The bypass orifices utilize increased cross-sectional areas that permit the passage of substantially the full flow of the charge pump, without using a charge pump relief valve, at a low pressure drop. A hydraulic system utilizing this valve assembly and a method for increasing the transmission efficiency, in the neutral mode, are also set forth.

Abstract: A shift controlled bypass orifice for a hydrostatic transmission includes a pump valve body with high pressure ports through which hydraulic fluid flows between a pump and a motor, a bypass orifice extending between the high pressure ports and the outside of the pump valve body, a bleed poppet movable between a closed position blocking the bypass orifice and an open position opening the bypass orifice, and a poppet push pin moving the bleed poppet toward the open position if the hydrostatic transmission is in neutral, and toward the closed position if the hydrostatic transmission is in forward or reverse.

Abstract: An axle driving apparatus for being mounted on the body frame of a vehicle and for independently rotating drive wheel members. The axle driving apparatus includes a first axle driving unit (18L) having a housing (40) and a single axle (20L), the single axle (20L) defining a proximal end portion rotatably mounted in the housing (40) and a distal end portion extending outwardly from a first side of the housing (40). An enlarged region is defined by the housing (40), with the enlarged region extending substantially perpendicular to the longitudinal axis of the single axle (20L). A hydraulic stepless speed change assembly (22) is disposed within the enlarged region. The speed change assembly (22) includes a hydraulic pump (52) having an input shaft (21) projecting from the enlarged region and includes a hydraulic motor (55) including an output shaft (74) drivingly connected to the single axle (20L).

Abstract: There is provided a pump unit configured to be capable of transmitting a rotational power from a driving power source which is operatively connected thereto to an actuator through a pair of hydraulic fluid lines. The pump unit includes: an input shaft; a hydraulic pump main body; a PTO shaft; a PTO clutch mechanism; an auxiliary pump main body; a suction line; a discharge line; a charge line; a PTO hydraulic fluid line; a pressure-reducing valve; and a resistance valve. The PTO hydraulic fluid line and the charge line are fluidly connected to the primary side and a secondary side of the pressure-reducing valve, respectively.

Abstract: A master cylinder includes primary and secondary pistons both slidably mounted in the cylinder bore of a cylinder. A stopper plate is disposed in the cylinder bore behind the secondary piston. A groove having a larger diameter than the piston sliding surfaces is formed in the inner wall of the cylinder bore at its axially intermediate portion. The stopper plate includes a pair of diametrically opposed flanges having an outer diameter larger than the diameter of the piston sliding surfaces and smaller than the diameter of the groove. The flanges are received in the groove and engageable with a shoulder formed at the rear end of the groove, thereby preventing excessive backward movement of the secondary piston. The stopper plate has a dimension perpendicular to the direction in which the flanges extend and smaller than the diameter of the piston sliding surfaces. Thus, the stopper plate can be inserted into the cylinder bore with one of the flanges located ahead of the other.

Abstract: A closed loop vapor cycle generated by a special device formed by heat transfer and a vapor expander it is utilized to convert waste heat from conventional power systems into additional thermodynamic work, thereby improving the overall power system efficiency. Superheated vapor (i.e. steam) is instantaneously produced inside special energy transfer apparatus where waste heat is converted into fluid energy with desired thermodynamic properties. The superheated vapor is then converted into mechanical energy through special work-producing units (expanders), thereby returning a significant fraction of the energy contained in the waste heat to the power system. When the power system under consideration is an internal combustion engine the energy contained in the exhaust gases (waste heat) is transferred back to the engine through one or more expanders directly or indirectly coupled with the engine load.

Abstract: A metallic fuel mixture including solidic powders such as silicon, aluminum and magnesium together with an oxidant, and steam and hydrogen are fed into a combustor to undergo combustion therein. The combustor is positioned within a steam chamber enclosure filled with water as working fluid which is heated by the combustion. The heated water within the stream chamber enclosure is thereby converted into pressurized steam fed into a turbine for operation thereof to impart rotation to a shaft thereby propelling a sea vessel within which the steam chamber enclosure is housed. During such combustion, discharge from the combustor of a liquid by-product occurs as outflow through an exhaust funnel into a collector from which the by-product is processed for ejection into seawater without signature detection.

Abstract: A duct comprising an inner casing spaced apart from an outer casing and which also comprises a number of interfaced duct sections must be assembled in such a way to prevent relative redial movement between the casings and thereby inhibit buckling. The present invention is a duct which utilises abutment members which longitudinally extend from each of the inner walls across the interface of the duct sections. The abutment members are radially spaced apart in normal use but are configured such that substantially relative radial movement of the inner and outer walls is prevented when the overlapping members abut.