Abstract: A thin brick and method of forming a thin brick having a generally rectangular base portion with a plurality of laterally extending tabs extending therefrom is provided. An outer perimeter edge of each tab and a respective opposite side of the base portion has a precise dimension. A decorative upper portion is integrally formed with the base portion and has a generally rectangular shape, sized and shaped to substantially match the size and shape of the base portion. The upper portion extending from the base portion has a thickness that is at least equal to a thickness of the base portion.

Abstract: Finishing profile for a floor covering, wherein this finishing profile comprises a body with at least two portions made separable from each other, which, in the unseparated condition, are connected to each other by means of a break-off or cut-off zone, wherein, by whether or not removing one or more of the aforementioned two portions, various application possibilities of the remaining portion of the body are created, wherein, at least on the aforementioned two portions of the body, a layer-shaped covering is provided, wherein said layer-shaped covering shows an interruption at least over part of the length of the finishing profile, at the height of the transition between said two portions.

Abstract: Laterally strengthening a target utility pole having an exterior surface includes providing a sheet of carbon-fiber having an inner side and an outer side; applying an adhesive to at least one of the exterior surface of the target utility pole, the inner side, and the outer side; placing the sheet against the exterior surface such that the inner side faces the exterior surface; and after the step of placing, allowing the adhesive to cure to form, in conjunction with the sheet, a strengthening layer; where the strengthening layer covers at least a portion of the exterior surface of the target utility pole.

Abstract: A panel has a core of wood material or a wood material/plastic mixture, a top and an underside, and two opposite side edges, which have profiles that correspond to each other such that two identically configured panels can be connected and locked to one another in the horizontal (H) and vertical (V) directions by an essentially vertical joining movement. The locking in the horizontal direction (H) can be brought about by a hook connection with an upper locking section having a hook element and a lower locking section having a hook element. The locking in the vertical direction (V) can be brought about by at least one tongue element that is formed from the core in one piece and can be moved in the horizontal direction (H).

Abstract: A joining arrangement is provided for use in the construction of stud frame which includes a releasable attachment/detachment feature. The first member (plate) includes in at least one side wall a formation which, when members are joined, engages a corresponding formation in at least one wall of the second member (stud). The formation, such as a V-shaped protrusion, is/are disposed at an angle to the longitudinal axis of the member and the formation on the second member is disposed generally parallel to its longitudinal axis such that upon engagement of the first and second members, the respective formations in the first and second members engage such that they are in alignment, thereby, securing the first member to the second. Additionally, a plurality of protrusions, which provide a gripping feature, may be formed on the upper surface of web for inhibiting the stud from sliding, slipping, moving and/or migrating within the plate.

Abstract: An adjustable telescoping support mechanism is provided that may be connected between members of two positionally separated and supported truss members for providing support for a concrete-forming surface for fabricating building floors or ceilings. The telescoping support mechanism may be easily positioned adjacent to the location of vertical concrete structures of a building, such as building support columns, stairwells or elevator shafts in order to tie in a concrete floor or ceiling to the vertical concrete structure. The mechanism provides a means for fabricating a floor or ceiling adjacent to a vertical concrete structure either prior to or after the vertical structure has been fabricated, without the need for supporting scaffolding, which impedes normal construction activity and creates safety issues.

Abstract: A method of constructing an external weatherpoof wall of a building 1 by way of a series of posts 6, 10 and panels 9. The method involves orienting a post 6, 10 vertically between the roof and wall and securing it in place. A panel is then oriented vertically and moved against the post. A further post is placed against the free side of the panel and the procedure repeated until a wall is established panel after post. The wall can be disassembled without the application of destructive force. Preferably only the posts are bolted to the roof and floor and the panels are held between the posts without receiving fixing means such as screws, bolts, or the like to hold them there.

Abstract: A novel way of building walls using lightweight lava blocks without mortar in a three step procedure, fabricating the light weight lava block, setting the block and then filling the block with a lava and cement mixture or slurry; further described is a process for fabricating the lava block from a composition of lava rock, aggregate, Portland Cement, hardening catalyst, fiber, and water.

Abstract: A method is provided for coupling individual fenestration units together and sealing the gaps between them so as to form a sealed compound fenestration unit. The individual fenestration units include mating channels and tabs, or other connectors, that are attached to outside frame surfaces of the individual fenestration units. When the connectors are coupled together, they attach the frames of the individual fenestration units securely together in such a way that gaps are formed between the units along their joined frame surfaces. The gaps are sealed by resilient sealing strips that are configured to be inserted into the gaps, and that are formed with seals that bear against the walls of the gaps to form impervious moisture seals.

Abstract: A modular unit for applying opening devices to packages of pourable food products includes a first conveyor for feeding the opening devices successively along a first path, a second conveyor for feeding the packages successively along a second path, a transfer mechanism for transferring the opening devices along a third path from a pickup station located along the first path, to an application station for applying the opening devices to respective packages and located along the second path, and a processing device for performing specific operations on the opening devices prior to application of the opening devices to the respective packages. The transfer mechanism defines a base module of the unit, and the processing device includes different types of processing devices forming part of different auxiliary modules selectively connectable to the base module to define different units for applying the opening devices to respective packages.

Abstract: A rotary seamer (1) is provided with a carousel (2) and with at least one seaming station (3) associated with the carousel (2) and comprising a rod-like element (6) rotating around its own longitudinal axis, a seaming tool (4) rotatably connected to a lever (5) integral with the rod-like element (6) and means for rotating the rod-like element (6) around its own longitudinal axis, in such a way as to displace the seaming tool (4) from an operative position, in which it interacts with an object seaming it, to a deactivated position, of non interference with the object; said means comprising an electric motor (7) associated with the carousel and kinetically to the rod-like element (6) and control means operatively active on the electric motor (7) to rotate the rod-like element (6) according to a predefined logic. In known seamers the actuation of the seaming tool is achieved by means of a cam, this entailing limitations and drawbacks in the adaptation of the seamer to the treatment of different objects.

Abstract: Machine for cutting the paper wrapping (2) which wraps and holds together in a packing (3) at least a stack of axial-symmetrical products (4) and/or at least an extended product (4), comprising a casing (5) for containing and protecting the moving parts, which contains a cutting station (T), comprising cutting means (6), comprising in turn at least a blade (7), and means (8) for folding in longitudinal direction, substantially uniformly and towards outside a portion (9) of the side surface of the paper wrapping (2) of a packing (3?), which is disposed in the cutting station (T), said portion (9) of the side surface having a length substantially corresponding to the longitudinal extension of the same packing (3, 3?); said machine (1) comprising also moving means (61) of said blade (7) for positioning the same at the folded portion (9) of the surface of the paper wrapping (2) and for translating it along the folded portion (9) itself, so that it is longitudinally cut.

Abstract: The invention is related to the field of transportation of automobile tires. The method for packaging tires and device are characterized in that the smaller diameter tire is compressed predominantly in one plane being perpendicular to the diameter thereof and being arranged at an angle to the plane of the larger diameter tire followed by a controllable feeding of the smaller diameter tire into the interior space of the larger diameter tire with synchronous change in the trajectory of motion.

Abstract: Process for the continuous vacuum prepacking of food products that can be pasteurized and/or sterilized in a container closed by a cover that has no hooking element and is equipped with an elastic seal maintained by a forced vacuum, and the cover is opened by a vacuum-breaking system. During the placing under vacuum, the cover is kept apart from the previously filled container, superheated vapor is injected at a temperature, a flow rate and/or a time that allow the sterilization of the cover and the head space of the container by expelling air and incondensable products, in particular oxygen; the container is then pressed against the cover or vice versa, and a jet of cold water is sent onto the cover, which causes rapid cooling of the cover, the immediate condensation of the vapor phase in the head space of the container that allows the placing under deep vacuum.

Abstract: A vacuum storage system can have a storage container such as a semi-rigid bowl or a flexible thermoplastic bag and an evacuation device for evacuating the container. To draw air from the storage container, the container can be equipped with a one-way valve element attached to a exterior sidewall of the container. The valve element can interface with a nozzle of the evacuation device. The valve element is adaptable between a normal condition in which the valve element is closed, and an altered position in which the valve element is opened. To alter the valve element, the evacuation device includes a contact feature that can contact and displace the valve element.

Abstract: A method of forming and filling the pouch includes the steps of forming each panel and joining two panels by sealing together the side edges and lower edge. The method also includes the steps of opening the pouch and filling the pouch with the product. The method further includes the steps of closing the filled pouch by forming a first closing seal extending along an upper edge of the pouch a predetermined length from the upper edge, such that there is no dead space inside the pouch between the product and the first closing seal, and forming a second seal between the first closing seal and the upper edge thereby trapping the product between the first closing seal and the second closing seal, and finishing the pouch.

Abstract: A package is disclosed for containing a plurality of individual food items within a tray having an outer surrounding wrapper. The tray is configured to have enhanced rigidity in a longitudinal direction to accommodate greater applications of pressure when forming envelope seals of the outer surrounding wrapper adjacent ends of the tray.

Abstract: A manipulator gripper in particular for palletizing and/or depalletizing bundles by means of a robot, has a tool flange for connection to a manipulator; a clamp stop and a counter-stop. Both extend along a lowering axis. A support base extends toward the counter-stop in an insertion plane. The counter-stop and/or the clamp stop can be shifted toward the insertion plane of the support base along the lowering axis, relative to the tool flange.

Abstract: A product packaging shipping container for housing and shipping a device that allows for service upgrades while the product packaging container remains closed. The product packaging container may include a set of container interfaces configured to be accessible from an exterior of the product packaging container and respectively corresponding to a set of device interfaces. The shipping container may also include a set of connections that respectively connect the set of container interfaces to the set of device interfaces, such that an external connection to the set of devices is provided while the product packaging container remains closed via access to the set of container interfaces.

Abstract: A vehicle filter assembly includes a housing, a cyclone-inducing structure and a self-cleaning trap mechanism. The housing has an inlet, an outlet and a trap aperture. The cyclone-inducing structure is disposed within the housing between the inlet and the outlet to separate particulate from gases passing through the housing from the inlet to the outlet. The self-cleaning trap mechanism is movably arranged with respect to the trap aperture to move between a closed orientation sealing the trap aperture and an opened orientation exposing the trap aperture to release particulate from the housing.

Abstract: A portable dust collector for woodshop or other use with portable tools has a conic body that is supported on a tripod carriage formed of three legs attaching to gussets at the sides of the conic body. A divider plate within the conic body divides it into a cyclonic chamber between the divider plate and the lower nose, and a fan chamber between the divider plate and a motor plate that closes the upper mouth of the conic body. A final filter cartridge is fitted onto the outlet pipe, so that the dust collector exhausts clean, filtered air into the ambient. The final filter may be supported from a 90-degree elbow, with a removable tray for catching process dust that is knocked off the interior of the filter. The process dust in the cyclone settles into a dust collection barrel supported on a barrel cradle.

Abstract: An air filter for filtering air in a refrigerator is provided, comprising a housing having a hollow body including at least a front wall, a pair of side walls, and a top and bottom wall, wherein at least one wall includes at least one aperture for the passage of air, at least one cantilever attaching means for removably securing the housing to the refrigerating apparatus, and a filter element for removable placement within the housing wherein air enters the at least one aperture, makes contact with the filter element, and leaves the air filter.

Abstract: A bag filter (100) comprises a plurality of functional modules (1-4) associated with each other and adapted to perform respective functions in the bag filter. One or more functional modules (1-4) of said plurality of functional modules (1-4) have a respective structure obtained at least partially from one or more freight containers (10). A method for constructing such a bag filter (100) is also described.

Abstract: The invention relates to a vacuum cleaner filter bag having a filter medium comprising a first layer consisting of a netting, a perforated sheet or a perforated non-woven with an air permeability of at least 10,000 l/(m2 s), and a first fibre layer consisting of man-made fibres and/or vegetable fibres and connected to one side of the first layer.

Abstract: A composite filter media structure and an associated method of making are provided. The structure includes a base substrate that includes a nonwoven fabric substrate formed from a plurality of bicomponent synthetic fibers using a spunbond process. The composite filter media structure includes a nanofiber layer deposited on one side of the base substrate by an electro-blown spinning process. In one aspect, the base substrate and the nanofiber layer are configured to provide at least an 85% filtration efficiency measured in accordance with an ASHRAE 52.2-1999 test method. In another aspect, the nanofiber layer has a basis weight of about 2.0 g/m2 to about 3.0 g/m2.

Abstract: A method of firing a green structure to produce a ceramic structure may comprise heating a firing environment during a first stage of firing of a green structure over a first timed temperature cycle having an average ramp rate sufficient to substantially complete burnout of organic material prior to initiation of clay dehydration proximate a core of the ceramic structure. The method may further comprise heating the firing environment during a second stage of the firing over a second timed temperature cycle having an average ramp rate that is faster than the average ramp rate of the first timed temperature cycle.

Abstract: There is provided a silicon carbide porous article containing silicon carbide particles as an aggregate and an oxide as a bonding material. The silicon carbide particles are bonded together in a state that pores are held among the silicon carbide particles, and an additive amount of the oxide is 0.5 g/m2 or more and below 3.0 g/m2 with respect to a surface area of the silicon carbide particles.

Abstract: Four (4) methods to reduce stalk shear in a corn head row unit utilize a non-variable or dependent drive system. The four methods described include altering the gearbox ratio, increasing the lengths of the fluted portion of the stalk roll, increasing stalk roll diameter or reducing the size of the gathering chain drive sprocket. This novel idea provides an apparatus and method to which genetically improved taller and healthier corn plants can be harvested with minimal amounts of material other than ears ultimately being transferred to the threshing unit.

Abstract: A cane or vine pruning remover consists of abutting driven wheels which when moved along above vines or canes engage those rising between the wheels to strip them from the parent plant.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a rake head, typically for a lawn or garden rake, which optimizes the gathering of matter, facilitates collecting and lifting the gathered matter and also serves as a standard rake. There is provided a rake head adapted for being mounted at an end of a handle and including a first fork having a handle connector for attaching the first fork to the handle, and further including a second fork having a U-shaped connector for removably and radially mounting the second fork with respect to the first fork, the second fork being movable between an unassembled position wherein the second fork is detached from the first fork, and an assembled position wherein the second fork is fixedly disposed in parallel with respect to the first fork.

Abstract: A process for treating coal includes contacting the coal with a leaching agent configured to remove a mineral from the coal; forming a wastewater stream comprising water and a concentration of a contaminant; and contacting the wastewater stream with a first side of a reverse osmosis membrane under pressure, wherein a permeate stream comprising a reduced concentration of the contaminant permeates the reverse osmosis membrane and flows from a second side of the reverse osmosis membrane, and a concentrate stream comprising an increased concentration of the contaminant is retained on the first side of the reverse osmosis membrane.

Abstract: A counter-rotating blade stage in lieu of a stator stage may compensate for relatively low rotational speed of a gas turbine engine spool. A first spool may have at least one compressor blade stage and at least one turbine blade stage. A combustor is located between the at least one compressor blade stage and the at least one turbine blade stage along a core flowpath. The at least one counter-rotating compressor blade stage is interspersed with the first spool at least one compressor blade stage. A transmission couples the at least one additional compressor blade stage to the first spool for counter-rotation about the engine axis.

Abstract: The invention relates to a linear telescopic actuator for moving a first (10b) and a second (10a) element relative to a stationary element (102). Said actuator comprises a base (101) that is to be connected to the stationary element (102) and is used as a cavity for a first rotationally locked rod (106) which can be translated by a drive shaft (104) that is to be connected to rotational driving means (107). One end (108) of said first rod is to be connected to the first element that is to be moved. The actuator is characterized in that the first rod (106) supports a second rod (117) which is aligned therewith and one end (118) of which is to be connected to the second element that is to be moved. Said second rod (117) can be rotationally locked and can be translated by a second drive shaft (112, 115) which extends through the base and is connected to rotational driving means (113, 111).

Abstract: This actuator for an aircraft engine nacelle mobile structure (9) comprises a motor (1) intended to be mounted on a fixed part of the said nacelle, an endless screw (21) able to be turned by this motor (1), a slideway (5) intended to be connected to the said mobile structure (9) and comprising a nut (29) in mesh with the said endless screw, and a first ball end (15) allowing an angular offset between the axis of the said endless screw (21) and the said slideway (5). This actuator is notable in that it comprises a sleeve (19) able to accommodate the said screw (21) and extending with clearance inside the said slideway (5), the said nut (29) being mounted on that end of the said sleeve (19) that is closest to the said motor (1), and the said first ball end being interposed between the other end of the said sleeve (19) and the said slideway (5).

Abstract: In the two-pulse rocket motor in accordance with the present invention, the second propellant is set outside of the first propellant in a motor case, and the inner surface of the first propellant is exposed throughout the almost entire length in the axial direction of the motor case. Therefore, the initial burning area can be secured without deteriorating the performance. Also, by providing a weak part by bonding the barrier membranes or shaping slits on the barrier membrane, the breaking portion of barrier membrane and the behavior of barrier membrane after breakage can be controlled. Further, by setting an igniter charge having higher ignitability and a higher burning rate than the second propellant between the inner surface of the second propellant and the inner barrier membrane, the detachment of barrier membrane and the ignition of the second propellant can be assisted.

Abstract: A propulsion system for a rocket engine and a method of cooling a rocket engine includes a propellant tank fluidically coupled to the rocket engine to hold a pressurized propellant, a coolant tank to hold a coolant, a first heat exchanger thermally coupled to the rocket engine and fluidically coupled to the coolant tank, a second heat exchanger thermally coupled to the propellant tank and fluidically coupled to the first heat exchanger, and a third heat exchanger disposed inside the propellant tank to thermally couple a propellant withdrawn from the tank for combustion to a propellant disposed inside the tank. The coolant flows from the coolant tank to the first heat exchanger and through the first heat exchanger to cool the rocket engine. The propellant withdrawn from the propellant tank receives heat from the propellant disposed inside the tank through the third heat exchanger to convert to a gaseous propellant when withdrawn from the propellant tank as a liquid propellant.

Abstract: A turbine engine component of a turbofan engine fitted with a bypass air valve includes at least one turbine engine component having a surface with at least one aperture, said turbine engine component located from between a bypass fan duct and a turbine exhaust nozzle of the turbofan engine; a bypass air valve includes a liner concentrically disposed about the turbine engine component and parallel to a centerline of the turbofan engine, the liner has a surface including at least one aperture and at least one impermeable region, and means for actuating the liner about the turbine engine component; and a flow transfer location comprising an area proximate to a turbine exhaust stream flow.

Abstract: A method for controlling an SCR-exhaust gas after-treatment system (1) of an internal combustion engine (8), in particular of an internal combustion engine of a motor vehicle, has one or more steps for determining the quality of the reducing means.

Abstract: A fuel injection amount is controlled so that the air-fuel ratio of exhaust gas flowing into a catalyst (6) oscillates around a stoichiometric air-fuel ratio. When it is estimated that the level of oxygen storage capacity of the catalyst (6) is lower than a predetermined reference capacity, the amplitude of the air-fuel ratio of the exhaust gas which oscillates around the stoichiometric air-fuel ratio is reduced by controlling the fuel injection amount. The level of the oxygen storage capacity of the catalyst (6) is estimated based on the amplitude of the output signal from an oxygen sensor (14) disposed downstream of the catalyst (6).

Abstract: An exhaust gas purification device includes a NOx adsorption catalyst (36) and HC supply means (48) for adding HC to the exhaust gas flowing to the NOx adsorption catalyst (36). The HC supply means (48) is controlled first to supply an amount of HC required to keep the temperature of the NOx adsorption catalyst (36) at a second temperature which is derived by subtracting a temperature rise caused by rich spike from a first temperature predetermined as a temperature necessary for S purge, thereby increasing the temperature of the NOx adsorption catalyst (36), and then to additionally perform the rich spike for the S purge while continuing the HC supply.

Abstract: Methods and systems for detecting faults with nitrogen oxides sensors used to detect the presence of nitrogen oxides in an exhaust effluent gas stream emitted from a combustion engine during its operation include providing a virtual nitrogen oxides sensor measurement compared with actual nitrogen oxides content measured by nitrogen oxides sensors.

Abstract: A construction machine that permits an exhaust gas after-treatment device to be disposed while avoiding an increase of height and hence avoiding narrowing of an operator's visual field. A guard panel is disposed substantially in parallel with a base frame. The guard panel includes a top plate, the top plate including an opening formed at a portion thereof corresponding to an engine, and a bonnet formed so as to project upwards from the top plate and cover the opening. A first treatment section is disposed lower than the top plate and a second treatment section includes at least a portion positioned higher than the top plate through the opening and lower than the bonnet.

Abstract: Proposed is a method for assessing the completeness of a regeneration of a particle filter which is traversed by the exhaust gas of an internal combustion engine, wherein a pressure difference which is generated across the particle filter when a flow passes through the particle filter is measured and evaluated for the assessment. The method is characterized in that a time derivative of the measured pressure difference is formed and the assessment of the completeness of the regeneration takes place as a function of the time derivative.

Abstract: A static mixing element, in particular for arrangement in an exhaust system of an internal combustion engine, has a grid-like component having a flow therethrough. The grid-like component is formed in one piece from an elongated metal strip. In the production of the static mixing element, the metal strip is bent to form the grid-like component.

Abstract: 1-100 nm metal ferrite spinel coatings are provided on substrates, preferably by using an atomic layer deposition process. The coatings are able to store energy such as solar energy, and to release that stored energy, via a redox reaction. The coating is first thermally or chemically reduced. The reduced coating is then oxidized in a second step to release energy and/or hydrogen, carbon monoxide or other reduced species.

Abstract: The present invention is directed generally to a system and method which employ a compressed gas-driven device with a passive thermodynamic composition. Certain embodiments provide a compressed gas-driven (e.g., CO2-driven) device implementation that includes a passive thermodynamic composition which allows for extended use of the device without freezing and without requiring a persistently-maintained, active (e.g., electrically-powered) heating. Further, certain embodiments provide a compressed gas-driven (e.g., CO2-driven) device implementation that includes a passive thermodynamic composition which allows for extended use of the device without freezing and without requiring an ignition heat source (e.g., electrically-powered or pyrotechnic as generator) for heating the device.

Abstract: Torque control for a construction machine three-pump system that can accurately control the total absorption torque of first, second, and third hydraulic pumps and effectively use the output torque of an engine. A pump base torque computation section 42 calculates a pump base torque Tr from a target rotation speed. A subtraction section 44 calculates a reference value Tf for the maximum absorption torque available to the first and second hydraulic pumps 2, 3 by subtracting a third pump reference absorption torque T3r from the pump base torque Tr. A correction torque computation section 45 calculates a correction torque value from the delivery pressure of the third hydraulic pump 4. An addition section 46 calculates a target absorption torque Tn by adding the correction torque value Tm to the reference value Tf. A first regulator 31 is controlled so as to obtain the target absorption torque Tn.

Abstract: A pump control apparatus for a hydraulic work machine includes: a rotation speed setting device that sets a target rotation speed for an engine; a rotation speed control device that controls an engine rotation speed so as to adjust the engine rotation speed to the target rotation speed; a first variable hydraulic pump used to drive a work hydraulic actuator, driven by the engine; a second variable hydraulic pump used to drive a cooling fan, driven by the engine; and a pump control device that controls an output flow rate of the first variable hydraulic pump and an output flow rate of the second variable hydraulic pump so as to ensure that a sum of an intake torque of the first variable hydraulic pump and an intake torque of the second variable hydraulic pump does not exceed an engine output torque determined in advance based upon the target rotation speed.

Abstract: Systems and devices for storing mechanical energy in a spring motor or the like are described. In one implementation, an energy storage device includes an elastic rope, a spool and a control mechanism. The elastic rope is reversibly deformable from a relaxed state to a stretched state for storing mechanical energy. The spool is coupled to the elastic rope, and is configured to maintain the elastic rope in the stretched state while the elastic rope is wound around the spool. The control mechanism is coupled to the spool and is configured to allow the spool to rotate in response to the elastic rope relaxing from the stretched state to the relaxed state for retrieval of stored mechanical energy. In some implementations, the elastic rope may be formed from an elastomer wrapped with a fiber made from carbon nanotubes or other synthetic strengthening material.

Abstract: Methods for harnessing a heat source to produce energy are provided. One method comprises transferring heat from the heat source to a working fluid using at least one heat pipe; and performing work via the heated working fluid. Another method comprises operating a thermodynamic cycle to convert heat into work, comprising displacing a working fluid within a closed loop, said closed loop being defined by a first pathway within a working chamber, and a return pathway external to the return chamber; wherein displacement of the working fluid along the first pathway causes sympathetic displaced of a movable member held captive in the working chamber, and displacement of the working fluid along the external pathway is under influence of capillary forces; and transferring heat to the working fluid using at least one first heat pipe. Components and systems for implementing the methods are also provided.