Abstract: Self-propelled carriage on wheels comprises: one or two pairs of supporting elements for the wheels of either or both of the axles of the motor vehicle, these elements being movable symmetrically and perpendicularly with respect to the longitudinal axis of the carriage and designed to center, immobilize and lift from beneath the wheels; elements for limiting the mass to be transferred; elements for sensing, continuously during the transfer, the translational position of the carriage; elements for sensing the presence of the motor vehicle on the carriage and measuring the front and rear lengths of the motor vehicle relative to its front axle; and elements for sensing excessive displacement of the longitudinal axis of the motor vehicle relative to the longitudinal axis of the carriage when the motor vehicle is being positioned by the user in the entrance bay.

Abstract: An automated storage system for storing large quantities of samples in trays includes a storage compartment, a tray shuttle compartment abutting the storage compartment on one side and a plurality of independent modules on the other side. The modules perform processing of samples that are retrieved from the storage compartment by a tray shuttle, including extraction of selected samples from retrieved source trays and transfer of the selected samples into a separate, destination tray that can be further processed or removed from the system for use. The independent operation of the modules permits handling and processing to be performed simultaneously by different modules while the tray shuttle accesses additional samples within the storage compartment. In one embodiment, a vertical carousel is used to vertically align a desired tray with the tray shuttle, while the tray shuttle operates within a horizontal plane.

Abstract: A magazine loader for automatically loading stacks of cartons onto a magazine of a mass feeder for supplying cartons to a packaging machine, includes a loader in which stacks of cartons are received and held, and a carriage on which the loader is pivotally mounted. The cartons are received loaded in the loader, after which the loader is pivoted from a loading position to a stacking position. The loader is then moved along a feeder conveyor for the packaging machine toward a magazine or supply of previously stacked cartons, until the stack of cartons is received and stacked against the previously loaded cartons to maintain a supply of cartons for feeding into the packaging machine.

Abstract: A system and method is used to automatically process the contents of a containers. The contents may be bulk materials used by a business or organization. The container enters the system via a tow assembly mechanism, a grasping mechanism clasps the container, a lid secures the contents, the container is lifted and rotated to allow the contents of the container to exit the container.

Abstract: In a loading platform system for mounting on vehicles, particularly trucks, comprising at least one lift support arrangement consisting of two essentially parallel spaced support structures, an essentially plate-like loading platform for lifting and lowering a load, at least one lift actuator for lifting and lowering the loading platform and a slide unit, which is movable back and forth in the longitudinal direction of the vehicle and mountable on the vehicle and on which at least the lift support arrangement, the loading platform and the lift actuator are mounted. The slide unit is adapted to be mounted on the support frame of the vehicle by transverse frame members, which are fitted to the spacing of the vehicle support frame members and include means at their ends for mounting them to the vehicle support frame members.

Abstract: An industrial truck, in particular a stacker vehicle, having a mobile base, a cab, which can be moved in relation to the mobile base, for an operator, a load-receiver and a device, which is arranged on the mobile base, for moving the load-receiver in relation to the mobile base, wherein the device for moving the load-receiver has a multiple-element articulated arm as a support, which can be moved in a controllable manner, for the load-receiver, and wherein the articulated arm, starting from a base-side articulation point beneath the cab or starting from a base-side articulation point above the cab, extends to the load-receiver, the elements of the articulated arm being connected to one another by pivot bearings—and being capable of being moved in relation to one another in order to manipulate the load-receiver.

Abstract: In combination a vehicle having an extension and an adaptor faceplate. The extension includes a first power-operated extension mount and a second mount. The adaptor faceplate comprising a rigid member securable to skid steer attachments with the rigid member having a front side and a back side with a frame extending from the back side of the rigid member for supporting a first connecting member and a second connecting member thereon with the first connecting member attachable to the first power-operated extension mount and the second connecting member attachable to the second extension mount.

Abstract: The present invention is a wafer engine for transporting wafers. The wafer engine includes a linear drive for moving the wafer along an x axis, a rotational drive for rotating the wafer about a theta axis, a linear drive for moving the wafer along a z axis, and a linear drive for moving the wafer along a radial axis. The linear drive for moving the wafer along a z axis is offset from the rotational drive. When the rotational drive rotates about the theta axis, both the z axis and radial axis drives are also rotated about the theta axis. Preferably, the linear drive for moving the wafer along a radial axis is a dual or rapid swap slide body mechanism having an upper and lower end effector. The slide body mechanism preferably also has means to align the wafer and perform various inspection and marking procedures.

Abstract: Device for receiving and for transporting an article, which device has receiving means which are slid under the article by a sliding means, the receiving means being formed by a belt which revolves around deflections means, the deflection means being formed by tensioning struts (26) which are tensioned relative to one another and are arranged on the sliding means (20).

Abstract: A method and system for automatically loading and unloading a transport is disclosed. A first guidance system is used to travel near the transport and a second guidance system is used to travel on the transport.

Abstract: Noise control with respect to rotating machinery such as gas turbine engines is important to meet acceptable operational and environmental constraints. Buzz-saw noise in particular is due to differences in blade to blade geometries both as assembled and due to blade manufacturing tolerance variations. Generally, a plurality of blades rotate within a duct and some noise propagates forwards of the blade assembly. In order to abate such noise an acoustic lining is provided. By consideration of the acoustic attenuation effects of that lining, it is possible to rearrange the blades within the blade assembly such that the overall noise attenuation effects are improved.

Abstract: The nozzles are in the form of blowing-in openings in the housing wall which bounds the flow channel. The blowing-in openings are fed directly by means of air which is extracted from the flow channel downstream from the diffusor. This air is at a higher pressure than the flow in the flow channel upstream of the diffusor. This results in a passive, dynamic stabilization system for a compressor stage in the high pressure-ratio range, which does not require any additional control or actuating elements.

Abstract: A technique is provided to facilitate pumping of fluids in a well environment. A submersible pumping system having a submersible pump incorporates features that manage thrust loads resulting from rotating impellers. The thrust reducing features cooperate with the action of the impellers in one or more pump stages to reduce forces otherwise acting on certain pump related components.

Abstract: A cooling arrangement 21 for use within a gas turbine engine comprises a first shroud or platform 26 incorporating coolant passages 25 and a second shroud or platform 28. Generally, each platform or shroud 26, 28 will incorporate a pressure portion and a suction portion, with the pressure portion incorporating the coolant passages 25 through which the coolant flow 27 becomes incident on a surface 40 of the suction portion of the second shroud 28. The surface 40 is inclined or tapered towards the passage 25, such that there is limited direct impingement upon a front edge 39 of the surface 40. The coolant flow 27 thereby remains adjacent to the surface 40 for a longer period and so enhances cooling efficiency.

Abstract: The present invention provides an airfoil a second stage nozzle guide vane having an external surface with first and second sides. The external surface extends spanwise between a hub and a tip and streamwise between a leading edge and a trailing edge of the airfoil. The external surface includes a contour substantially defined by Table 1 as listed in the specification.

Abstract: In the method for interspersing a gas flow with liquid droplets, the liquid droplets are injected in a liquid injection plane into the gas flow, characterized in that an auxiliary gas is simultaneously injected with the liquid droplets into the gas flow. The injection speed of the auxiliary gas is larger than the injection speed of the liquid droplets so that the injected auxiliary gas stabilizes the injected liquid droplets with respect to trajectory and size, partly shields them from the gas flow and/or entrains them into the gas flow. By way of this one achieves an improved control of the spatial distribution of the liquid droplets and their size distribution. The liquid droplets penetrate the gas flow more efficiently than without an auxiliary gas. A preferred use is the online wet-cleaning of a gas turbine compressor.

Abstract: A gas turbine stator includes a vane assembly, and a platform that is configured to receive the vane assembly. The vane assembly includes a vane and a cap. The vane extends radially from the cap. The vane includes a pressure side shell and a separate suction side shell.

Abstract: A multistage pump according to the present invention has a plurality of intermediate casings (2) formed by press-forming a steel plate. The intermediate casing has a cylindrical side portion (21), a stage flat portion (23) with which an axial end face of an adjacent intermediate casing is held in contact, a stage side portion (24) extending axially from the stage flat portion, and a bottom portion (25) extending radially inward from the stage side portion. A relief plate (30) having an outer circumferential end face which is held in contact with an inner surface of a cylindrical side portion of the adjacent intermediate casing is attached to the bottom portion of the intermediate casing. The relief plate, the stage side portion, the stage flat portion, and the inner surface of the cylindrical side portion of the adjacent intermediate casing form a space in which an O-ring (40) is fitted.

Abstract: A dual, counter-rotating, coaxial rotor system provides individual control of an upper rotor system and a lower rotor system. The lower rotor control system and the upper rotor control system provide six controls or “knobs” to minimize or theoretically eliminate airframe vibration. In a dual, counter-rotating, coaxial rotor system, application of a HHC system to the two rotor systems individually but located on the common axis, will yield essentially complete vibration reduction because the 6 controls will suppress the 6 loads.

Abstract: Cloth or fabric fan blades self-inflate when rotated about an axis to produce air movement, the blades being secured to a fan hub which is in turn connected to a fan motor assembly that provides the rotational force to inflate the blades, the blades collapsing upon contact with any object for safety purposes, the innovative blades being lightweight and safe such that no fan guard is required.

Abstract: The present invention provides an airfoil for a first stage turbine blade having an external surface with first and second sides. The external surface extends spanwise between a hub and a tip and streamwise between a leading edge and a trailing edge of the airfoil. The external surface includes a contour substantially defined by Table 1 as listed in the specification.

Abstract: The restoring process machines out a crack in the platform of a turbine blade to form a pocket that then receives a plug of compatible material. The plug is brazed in place and the blade is the machined and cleaned to present a clean fresh surface where the plug is inserted. The plug has a lower coefficient of thermal expansion so that the plug area has less compressive stresses in the repaired area.

Abstract: A compressor assembly includes a shell, a compressor housed within the shell, and a motor drivingly connected to the compressor. A printed circuit board supports at least one temperature sensor. Processing circuitry receives data from the printed circuit board to determine operating conditions of the compressor.

Abstract: A method allows for controlling the amount of electric current from an electrical circuit used by an electric motor in an electric motor driven reciprocating air compressor unit. A piston is reciprocated with a portable electric motor while air is channeled through an inlet into a compression cylinder, allowing the piston to draw on compressed amounts of air during each reciprocation. A valve mechanism is mounted to the inlet and is adjustable to a plurality of positions, each position allowing for one of a plurality of predeterminable amounts of air to be permitted to be drawn into the compression cylinder and compressed. The valve mechanism is manually adjusted to control the amount of air drawn into the compression cylinder and compressed by the piston to control the amount of electric current used by the electric motor.

Abstract: Disclosed is a liquid ring pump with one or several stages, each of which comprises a working chamber, an impeller that is eccentrically mounted therein, flat control disks that axially delimit the working chamber on both sides, and ducts or chambers that are located adjacent to the control disks and deliver and discharge the transport gas to and from the working chamber. The inventive liquid ring pump is characterized in that the control disks are embodied in the same manner with identical suction ports and pressure ports while ports that are not needed are covered on the side facing away from the impeller.

Abstract: Pumps for Steam Condensates and other Liquids, include receivers that may be connected firstly to the liquid source, and after filling are then pressurised to discharge the liquid to a transfer line, or to a vessel at a higher pressure than that of the source. The use of a small pilot valve to detect the liquid level, mounted externally to each receiver, and controlling the opening and closing of the pressurising and venting valves, enables an unusually low profile to be achieved.

Abstract: A variable displacement compressor in which variable control of displacement is effected through adjustment of a crank chamber pressure, includes: a suction port; a suction chamber; a suction passage establishing communication between the suction port and the suction chamber; and an opening control valve arranged in the suction passage and adapted to adjust the opening of the suction passage based on a pressure difference between a suction pressure in the suction port and the crank chamber pressure.

Abstract: A device for the local cooling or heating of an object by means of a fluid is disclosed. The device comprises a circulation pump for the fluid. A thermal contact element for making thermal contact with the object is integrated in the circulation pump. The circulation pump has a housing part which is flexible and/or movable, the housing part being the thermal contact element.

Abstract: A submersible water pump and a dewatering system comprising the submersible pump. The submersible water pump includes a housing and an outer tube. The housing includes a housing dividing wall and a cylinder head having a bore therethrough through which the outer tube fits. The housing is in slidable engagement with the outer tube and the housing dividing wall. The dewatering system with the submersible pump is used to pump water from vertical coal bed methane wells.

Abstract: A nutating pump is disclosed which has a modified piston and housing or casing that provides two distinct pump chambers or areas. Output from the first pump chamber is delivered during a first half of the dispense cycle or the piston movement cycle. A substantial portion of this output is held for delivery by the second chamber during a second part or half of the dispense cycle. Thus, the output generated by the pump is not altered or reduced, it is delivered over the entire piston movement cycle as opposed to prior art pumps which deliver all of the fluid during a first half or first portion of the piston movement cycle. In this way, superior pulse modification is achieved as fluid is delivered across the entire piston movement cycle as opposed to a first half or first portion of the piston movement cycle. In additional embodiments disclosed, two distinct chambers are also provided but each chamber generates its own output as the piston includes two machined or flat sections for active pumping.

Abstract: A conveying device for a vehicle brake system, to convey pressure fluids into at least one vehicle brake, or to convey pressure fluids into a pressure fluid accumulator, or to convey pressure fluids into a master brake cylinder with at least one moveable piston (2) in a receptacle (4) to displace pressure fluids from a working chamber (5?), has at least one non-return valve (9, 9?) to vent the working chamber (5) and to temporarily separate a hydraulic connection between the working chamber (5) and a hydraulic channel, whereby the non-return valve (9) must have at least one valve seat (11) and one valve body (12). To achieve the simplest possible assembly of the non-return valve (9), the valve seat (11) is assembled from several special valve seat segments (13,14).

Abstract: A device is described for applying a release agent to a molding ring (1) for a front centering shoulder of a tubular or annular workpiece made of concrete having an application unit connected to a pump for the release agent. To provide advantageous application conditions, it is suggested that the application unit for the release agent have an application roll (4) preferably adapted to the profile of the molding ring (1), whose rotational axis (5) at least approximately runs in a diameter plane of the molding ring (1).

Abstract: The improved apparatus includes an improved extruder die assembly comprising a forming section, an injection section, and a converging nozzle section having axially aligned ridgelines which gradually project into the bore of the nozzle as the nozzle converges to gradually disrupt the axial flow of an extrudate at specific peripheral points thereby altering the extrudate's velocity profile. By gradually disrupting the axial flow in close proximity to the projecting ridgelines prior to its extrusion, the dimensional quality of the resulting direct expanded food piece is greatly improved. Moreover, by carefully positioning the capillary channels of the injection section into that portion of the flowing extrudate not affected by the axially aligned ridgelines, a distinct colored and/or flavored pattern is imparted into the extrudable food mass during the extrusion process while improving the quality of dimensional design aspects of the resulting extruded, complexly shaped, direct expanded food products.

Abstract: A visual monitoring device for rotary presses, in which a rotor, with upper and lower punches and a die plate, at least one compression station, at least one filling station, and at least one ejector station are arranged in a housing, at which individual process steps occur, characterized in that arranged in the housing is at least one high speed camera, whose lens is directed onto a location in the housing, and to which an image analysis device is connected.

Abstract: A transfer apparatus includes a table on which a molding material is placed, a mold holding body that fixes and holds a mold disposed such as to be opposed to a surface of the table, a gimbal member which holds the mold holding body and which forms a convex spherical surface portion, a gimbal member formed with a concave spherical surface portion which is opposed and in contact with the convex spherical surface portion, a movable body that holds the gimbal member and which can advance and retreat in the vertical direction with respect to the table surface, and an attitude adjusting/holding unit that adjusts and holds attitude of the gimbal member.

Abstract: A blow-molding or stretch-blow molding plant for making containers from thermoplastic polymer blanks, in particular PET, including a blowing bell-nozzle for blowing a pressurized fluid into a blank arranged in a cavity of a mold, the nozzle having one end adapted to be sealingly supported in front against a support plate provided in one surface of the mold capping the neck of the blank; the support plate is ring-shaped having an outline of similar shape as that of the outline of the end of the nozzle, the ring being engaged in a gutter which is hollowed out in the surface of the mold and which surrounds spaced apart the opening through which the neck of the blank passes.

Abstract: A system for producing a strip of dough from a strip of raw dough has a bottom pressing device and an upper pressing device with an interposed processing gap for the strip of dough. The pressing devices each have a plurality of planetary rollers that are rotatably driven about their longitudinal axes in each case. In the circumferential direction the planetary rollers are equidistantly distributed about a common central primary axis that extends parallel to the planetary longitudinal axes. The planetary rollers are jointly driveable so as to rotate about the primary axes. Each planetary roller has a middle part coming into contact with the strip of dough, and removably connected to the ends thereof and integral in rotation therewith shaft stubs. The latter are axially and radially supported on frontal head plates of the pressing devices. The dough-strip production system is easy to clean.

Abstract: An extruder has a casing with at least one bore. One screw each is arranged in the bore in a rotatably drivable manner and is provided with a screw tip adjoining a nozzle plate. A shearing tool is arranged at the screw tip directly in front of the nozzle plate and is provided with at least one arm, with a shearing gap being formed between said arm and the nozzle plate.

Abstract: A molten plastic extruded from extruding means 10 is formed into a strand 50 by a die 40, passed through an inner side of a cylindrical guide 60 erected vertically, thereafter, the strand 50 is successively cut uniformly to a constant length by a cutter 90 to form a pellet. A refrigerant for air cooling is circulated at a surrounding of the strand 50 passing through the inner side of the cylindrical guide 60 by cooling means 100 of the strand without being leaked to outside air.

Abstract: A mold-conveying device for an plastic blow-molding machines includes a machine base and an auxiliary mold base. The machine base is located under a main mold base for positioning the lower mold of a shaping mold thereon, provided with plural correcting rods fitted in correcting rod holes in the bottom base of the auxiliary mold base. Further, a power member is provided under the auxiliary mold base for raising or lowering the auxiliary mold base, and the auxiliary mold base is provided with a transmitting device having a transmitting member to match with a rack provided in the machine base for shifting the auxiliary mold base rightward and leftward in accordance with the blow-molding movements of the plastic blow-molding machines for carrying out mold conveying.

Abstract: The present invention provides systems and methods for providing dental appliances, particularly orthodontic appliances, to a patient wherein the patient is easily able to determine the order or sequence in which the appliances should be worn. Typically the appliances are to be worn in a particular sequence to provide desired treatment, such as a progressive movement of teeth through a variety of arrangements to a final desired arrangement.

Abstract: A dental dam clamp comprises first and second spaced, opposing jaws and respective first and second tooth engaging portions on the jaws. The first and second tooth engaging portions are positioned in confronting relation to one another and are biased toward one another by a resilient member when the jaws are moved outwardly from a free state defining a first position of the jaws. In one embodiment, first ends of the tooth engaging portions are spaced closer together than the second ends of the tooth engaging portions when the jaws are in the first position. The spacing between the first ends of the tooth engaging portions may be substantially the same as the spacing between the second ends of the tooth engaging portions when the jaws are moved outwardly to a second position. In another embodiment, the tooth engaging portions include friction-increasing surfaces to help secure the clamp to a tooth.

Abstract: A dental restoration is provided which includes a base structure and a pre-fabricated over structure which at least partially covers the base structure. An interconnecting material interconnects hardened bite elements of the over structure with the base structure. In accordance with the method of producing a dental restoration, the interconnecting material applied onto the base structure is hardened fully after the over structure has first been applied onto the still malleable interconnecting material.

Abstract: A method of reversibly whitening teeth in the presence of water which comprises allowing a tooth whitening component to infiltrate into the enamel surface layer toward the inside and remain therein so as to make the enamel cloudy and white by altering its optical properties without causing any chemical reactions, thereby whiten the thus treated teeth compared with untreated ones.

Abstract: The invention concerns a make-up or coloring method comprising steps which consist in imaging at least one part of the human body to be treated, analysing local characteristics of said part, and applying treatment products of said part based on said local characteristics.

Abstract: A computer based training tool and method that emulates human behavior using a computer-simulated person in a realistic scenario. It provides an interactive experience in detecting deception during interviews and acceptance of statements during interpersonal conversations. The simulated person provides verbal responses in combination with an animated video display reflecting the body language of the simulated person in response to questions asked and during and after responses to the questions. The questions and responses are pre-programmed and interrelated groups of questions and responses are maintained in dynamic tables which are constantly adjusted as a function of questions asked and responses generated. The system provides a critique and numerical score for each training session.

Abstract: A method comprises: i) presenting to a subject a training stimulus, the training stimulus eliciting from the subject a desired response; ii) presenting to the subject a diffuse visual stimulus along with the training stimulus; and iii) repeating the presenting to the subject of the training stimulus along with the diffuse visual stimulus sufficiently many times so that subsequent presentation of the diffuse visual stimulus to the subject without the training stimulus elicits from the subject the desired response. The diffuse visual stimulus is arranged so as to be perceived by the subject only at a subliminal or near-subliminal level. Another method comprises presenting to the subject the diffuse visual stimulus in order to elicit the desired response, the subject having been conditioned according to the previous method.

Abstract: Anatomical models representing one or more anatomical structures of a human or non-human animal and related methods for demonstrating, training, promotion and sale of medical, cosmetic and surgical products or procedures. A working device is inserted into the anatomical model and used to perform a simulated procedure, thereby causing an indicator apparatus (e.g., a removable business card) to become perceptibly altered. The indicator apparatus may then be removed and provided a potential user, consumer or purchaser of the medical, surgical or cosmetic product.

Abstract: An electrical-power-transfer assembly (50) transferring electrical power from an onboard power source to electrical deicers (22) on propeller blades (18). The assembly (50) comprises a first race structure (52) mounted to the aircraft, a second race structure (54) mounted to the propeller assembly (12), and rolling elements (76/78) caged in raceway(s) (72/74) situated between the race structures (52/54). The current path established by the assembly (50) passes through the raceway(s) (72/74) and the rolling elements (76/78) caged therein.

Abstract: An interposer having one or more hollow electrical contact buttons disposed in a carrier. The interposer is formed by disposing sacrificial posts in vias of the carrier. The electrical contact buttons are formed on the sacrificial posts by a metallizing process in desired pattern using a mask. The sacrificial posts are made of a material that thermally decomposes upon application of heat without altering the carrier or the electrical contact buttons.