Abstract: A starter to start an engine mounted on a vehicle provides an electromagnetic solenoid to push a pinion gear towards a ring gear side, an electromagnetic switch to open and close a motor contact point. The electromagnetic solenoid and the electromagnetic switch are individually controlled by an Electronic Control Unit i.e., ECU. When an idle-stop is triggered, the ECU controls a starter relay to be closed during the ring gear is rotating whereby the pinion gear together with a clutch are pushed out to counter-motor direction by the electromagnetic solenoid. As a result, the pinion gear meshes with the ring gear that is rotating at lower rotational speed. Therefore, the inertial mass of the starter is added to the ring gear so that swinging of the engine can be suppressed.

Abstract: An engine start system which may be employed in automotive idle stop systems. To start an engine, the system brings a pinion gear into engagement with a ring gear coupled to the engine and turns on an electric motor to rotate the ring gear through the pinion gear to crank the engine. When it is requested to start the engine during deceleration of the engine before stop thereof, the system thrusts the pinion into engagement with the ring gear and then turns on the motor to rotate the pinion gear, in other words, delays the activation of the motor until after the pinion gear has engaged the ring gear. This minimizes mechanical impact or noise arising from the engagement of the pinion gear with the ring gear and improves the reliability in engagement with the ring gear during the deceleration of the engine and durability of the system.

Abstract: A starter includes an electromagnetic solenoid that generates force for pushing a pinion gear 6 to a ring gear side, and an electromagnetic switch that opens and closes a motor contact point. When idle-stop is performed, an ECU energizes a solenoid coil of the electromagnetic solenoid during inertial rotation until the ring gear stops rotating. After rotation of an engine is stopped, the ECU stops energizing the solenoid coil. As a result, in the starter, the pinion gear can mesh with the ring gear that is rotating by inertia without use of the rotational force of a motor. The meshed state can be maintained even after energization of the solenoid coil is stopped.

Abstract: A semi-liquid metal processing and sensing device comprising a crucible that is at least partially encircled by at least one induction coil. The one or more induction coils can be water cooled. The one or more induction coils can be designed to generate a variable power and/or variable frequency magnetic field which can be modulated to control the cooling of a molten metal charge in the crucible from the liquidus temperature to a selected heat content, resistivity and/or viscosity. The magnetic field can be designed to induce toroidal agitation of the metal charge in the crucible. The semi-liquid condition is sensed and can be actively controlled by the induction power supply via real time or non-real time analysis of electrical feedback signals that are obtained from the induction coil.

Abstract: The invention relates to a method for operating a shaft furnace (10). According to said method, an upper region (14) of the shaft furnace (10) is charged with raw materials which sink in the shaft furnace (10) under the influence of gravity. Part of the raw materials is melted and/or at least partially reduced by the action of the atmosphere inside the shaft furnace (10). A treatment gas is introduced in a lower region (18) of the shaft furnace (10) by means of at least one lower admission opening (32), said treatment gas at least partially influencing the atmosphere inside the shaft furnace (10). The introduction of the lower treatment gas is dynamically modulated such that, during the modulation, the operating variables, that is pressure p1 and/or volume flow (I), are varied at least temporarily over a time span of ?40 s, especially ?20 s, preferably ?5 s and especially preferably ?1 s.

Abstract: Metal and metal oxide nanoparticles can be prepared via a simple synthesis by using a hydrolysable gallotannin, such as tannic acid, to reduce a metal precursor compound and to act as a stabilizer for the resultant nanoparticles. By controlling the molar ratio of hydrolysable gallotannin to metal precursor and/or the initial pH of the reagents one can achieve control over the size and polydispersity of the resultant nanoparticles. In particular, the controlled addition of a metal precursor into a solution of the hydrolysable gallotannin, as described herein, can yield small nanoparticles, for example 1 nm to 40 nm diameter nanoparticles, with low polydispersity. The methods disclosed herein can be performed at room temperature.

Abstract: The present invention relates to an insulation stripping device for the partial removal of a cable insulation, comprising at least one electrically conductive blade (100) for cutting through the cable insulation, and to an adjustment means for use with an insulation stripping device of this type. The present invention further relates to a method for finishing cables and to an adjustment method for adjusting a blade (100) position in an insulation stripping device. According to the present invention, the insulation stripping device comprises a capacitive sensor unit, which is connected to the conductive blade (100) and is formed in such a way as to emit an output signal if the conductive blade (100) contacts a electrical conductor (104) of the cable.

Abstract: A tool includes a driving head which is pivotally adjustable with respect to a handle. A connecting device is utilized to selectively keep the driving head retained in an angular position with respect to the handle. The handle includes a hole and a first plurality of teeth extending through the hole. The driving head includes one joining prong including a first through hole which includes a first diametrical section and another joining prong including a second through hole which includes a second diametrical section. Further, a second plurality of teeth extends on the first diametrical section. The connecting device includes an engaging member partially received in the hole and the second diametrical section and selectively engages with the first diametrical section. Further, the engaging member includes a third plurality of teeth which selectively engages with the second plurality of teeth for retaining the driving head in a pivoting position.

Abstract: The present invention relates to the field of open-ended wrenches, and more specifically to a pawl component which can be used within ratchet wrench housings having conventional dimensions to create an inexpensive open-ended ratchet wrench which can be easily mass-produced.

Abstract: A hand tool includes a head in which a driving member is received and a pawl is engaged with the driving member. A handle has a substantially round driving end which is rotatably received in a pivoting recess in the head and a pushing member protrudes from the driving end and is engaged with the pawl. The handle includes two contact sides which alternatively contact two outward tapered sidewalls of a driving recess in the driving end when operating the handle. The pawl is shifted to contact the driving member by the teeth at different positions of the pawl when operating the handle to change the driving direction of the driving member. No switching member is connected to the pawl and protrudes from the top surface of the head of the hand tool.

Abstract: A torque-limiting fastener driver for driving a bone fastener into bone includes a handle supporting a driver shaft. The driver shaft includes limited components which are designed to provide feedback to a user regarding the applied torsional force. In addition, the driver shaft is designed to controllably fail before any potential uncontrolled failure of the distal driving tip. This prevents application of too much torque and controlled design of the shape and size of the failed components.

Abstract: The present invention provides a tool post of a machine tool capable of enhancing the accuracy of positioning a tool. A positioning key 20 is fixed to an attached surface 10c formed on a tool holder 10, and a positioning block 21 fitting to the positioning key 20 is fixed to a holder attaching surface 11c formed on an outer peripheral surface 11a of a turret 11, in which the positioning key 20 is elastically deformed when it is fitted to the positioning block 21, and thereby brought into close contact with the positioning block 21.

Abstract: A workpiece centering apparatus 1 is provided on a lathe having a spindle 33, an independent chuck 34, and upper and lower tool rests 37, 41, and has sandwiching members 11, 12 mounted to the tool rests 37, 41, respectively, and capable of contacting the outer peripheral surface of a workpiece W, and a centering control section 15 for moving the tool rests 37, 41 and thereby moving the sandwiching members 11, 12 to their respective centering positions which are the positions of the sandwiching members 11, 12 when the center position of a portion to be machined of the workpiece W coincides with the axis of the spindle 33 in a state where the portion to be machined of the workpiece W is being sandwiched and held by the sandwiching members 11, 12, and then causing the independent chuck 34 to grip the workpiece W.

Abstract: A tool device with projections and valley floors used in profiling material such as foam. The projections having distal recesses surrounded by rims to form flat topped products. A profiler has opposing tooling devices with one or more (e.g., stacked) tool devices and a cutter to form, for example, mirror image flat top output products including single of multi-zoned flat top surface regions with flat surface protuberances. Projections of one tooling device extend within a valley floor region surrounded by a projection of an opposing tooling device or within recesses formed in, for example, an opposing side wall of a projection of the opposing tooling device or projections designed to extend within valley floor regions between adjacent rows of projections on an opposing tooling device, inclusive of conformingly shaped valley floor regions having a common interior configuration to the exterior configuration of an opposing projection to be received.

Abstract: A method of fabricating a single crystal gallium nitride substrate the step of cutting an ingot of single crystal gallium nitride along predetermined planes to make one or more single crystal gallium nitride substrates. The ingot of single crystal gallium nitride is grown by vapor phase epitaxy in a direction of a predetermined axis. Each predetermined plane is inclined to the predetermined axis. Each substrate has a mirror polished primary surface. The primary surface has a first area and a second area. The first area is between an edge of the substrate and a line 3 millimeter away from the edge. The first area surrounds the second area. An axis perpendicular to the primary surface forms an off-angle with c-axis of the substrate. The off-angle takes a minimum value at a first position in the first area of the primary surface.

Abstract: A method of controlling a woodworking machine having a movable cutting tool. The method monitors a signal for a change indicative of a dangerous condition between the cutting tool and a person, senses movement of the cutting tool, and performs an action to mitigate the dangerous condition when the signal change and movement of the cutting tool are both detected. A woodworking machine including a detection system adapted to detect a dangerous condition between a person and a working portion of the machine and then to perform some action to mitigate the dangerous condition is also disclosed. A motion detection system is adapted to detect motion of the working portion and to disable the reaction system when the working portion is not moving.

Abstract: A saw for use with a blade coolant that includes a main body, a blade supported for rotation by the main body, and a drive member coupled to the blade and operable to rotate the blade. The saw further includes a coolant supply that is removably coupled to the main body and configured to store the blade coolant. A valve is coupled to the coolant supply, and the valve includes a valve member movable between an open position and a closed position. The valve member is held in the open position when the coolant supply is connected to the main body of the saw and the valve member is biased toward the closed position when the coolant supply is disconnected from the main body of the saw.

Abstract: It is an object of the present invention to provide a cutting machine capable of keeping an angle of a cutting edge constant. A support block 14 is provided with two arms 14a, 14b which are spaced at a certain angle, and the arms 14a, 14b have rotation shafts 12a, 13a of rotary whetstones 12, 13, respectively, extending upright from the vicinities of the front ends thereof. The rotary whetstones 12, 13 has, at front ends thereof, flat surfaces 12b, 13b perpendicular to the rotation shafts 12a, 13a to grind the one side 11b and the other side 11c of the cutting edge 11a of the cutting blade 11, respectively. The whetstone holding mechanism 15 can be moved linearly along the guide shaft 16 and can change over grinding states in which the flat surfaces 12b, 13b of the rotary whetstones 12, 13 into contact with the one side 11b or the other side 11c of the cutting blade 11.

Abstract: A multi-row punch die for punching pages permits a single die to accommodate a plurality of lines of pins. The multi-row punch die reduces the need for multiple punch dies. This allows for quick engagement and disengagement of rows of punch pins being used to punch the pages. The multi-row punch die preferably floats pins not being used out of the way from contact with pages being punched, or allows for their removal.

Abstract: Operating a power saw between a pair of parallel guide rails, which engage opposing sides of saw base plate to constrain the motion of the saw to a straight path, allows for precise cuts. A set of two or more fences allows for multiple cutting options. In some embodiments, non-parallel fences coupled to the guide rails allow for precise cuts at more than just a single angle. In some embodiments, two fences may engage opposing sides of the object to be cut simultaneously, holding the object more securely with respect to the guide rails than would a single fence. A possible clamping force holding the two fences against the object allows the miter guide to remain fixed relative to the object so that the user's hand may be freed for another task, such as holding the saw with both hands.

Abstract: A lockable hinge assembly for a blade guard includes a first hinge member secured to a first blade guard portion and a second hinge member secured to a second blade guard portion and rotatably secured to the first hinge member. A lock mechanism is provided so as to lock the second hinge member in a predetermined rotational orientation relative to the first hinge member. As such, the second hinge member and second blade guard portion can be locked in a predetermined position relative to the first hinge member and first blade guard portion, respectively.

Abstract: A muffler mechanism that reduces the volume of an acoustic piano without altering the feel of the piano to a human pianist. One embodiment includes a highly configurable piano muffler kit that may be mounted into pianos of various models. The muffler mechanism includes a cushioning member, which muffles the sound of the hammer striking the string and reduces the volume of the sound made by the string's vibration. The muffler mechanism also includes shims that may be used to position the cushioning member between a hammer let-off position and the string. This may allow for muffled piano playing without a noticeable change in the resistance of the keys. The muffler mechanism is mounted using brackets with a relatively small footprint. This allows the piano muffler to be installed without removing all of the dampers.

Abstract: A capo is structured and configured to permit rapid installation and tightening thereof on a stringed instrument. The capo includes a yoke with a central support member, a string-contacting clamping bar which is pivotally attached to the yoke, and a spring-loaded release member which fits into a first hollow bore in the central support member of the yoke. The capo also includes a substantially Y-shaped saddle member having a stem which slidably fits through a second hollow bore of the central support member, and an adjustment member for positioning the saddle member in the yoke. The engagement/release member is releasably held in position against the adjustment member by spring pressure. Rapid positioning of the saddle member is enabled by both coarse and fine adjustment of the adjustment member, made possible by buttressed threads present both inside of the engagement/release member and outside of a threaded shaft of the adjustment member.

Abstract: A keyboard practice apparatus is provided which includes a slide member, a support member, and means for supporting the slide member in juxtaposition with a keyboard of an instrument. The support member is configured to support an arm of a user and to be slidably coupled to the slide member. The apparatus is operable to allow a player of a keyboard instrument in a seated position with a forearm resting on the support member to move their forearm along a length of the keyboard by sliding the support member along a portion of a length of the slide member.

Abstract: A music notation system uses a grid with vertical columns representing musical notes and horizontal rows representing time intervals. Each note of a musical piece is indicated by a selected note symbol in the appropriate column, and extending across multiple rows if intended to be sounded for more than one time interval. Different note symbol shapes are used to indicate different tone qualities or playing styles. Note symbols are colored or graphically textured to indicate different sound intensities. Suggested fingerings may be indicated by numbers marked the note symbols, or by lines connecting notes to be played with the same finger. Other graphical design elements may be used to display rhythmic or harmonic context and, in computerized applications, to show or hide selected musical information, or to activate and listen to a sound recording of a piece of music or individually selected notes.

Abstract: The present invention comprises a system and method, modeled on research observations in human perception and cognition, capable of accurately segmenting primarily (although not exclusively) melodic input in performance data and encoded digital audio data, and mining the results for defining motives within the input data.

Abstract: Beat matching for two audio streams extracts beats from each, computes a conversion ratio from one stream to the other stream by an initial beat alignment plus a stability-maintaining beat alignment. A variable resampling converter or time scale modifier adjusts one stream to align beats with those of the other (reference) stream. Thus for cross-fading two music streams the beats of the fading-in stream can be matched to those of the fading-out stream for a seamless transition.

Abstract: A perforating charge for use in a wellbore includes an explosive and a liner to be collapsed by detonation of the explosive. The liner includes at least a first liner portion and a second liner portion which have different cohesiveness.

Abstract: A method is provided for recovering and/or exploded an unexploded munition. The method including: providing the munition with a power supply having a piezoelectric material for generating power from an induced vibration; inducing a vibration; monitoring an output from the power supply after the power supply has stopped generating power from a firing of the munition; and generating a beacon signal or detonation signal upon the detection of the output.

Abstract: A remote cocking and charging device for a weapon on a mount, the weapon having a bore axis and a rope actuated cocking and charging mechanism having a rope end exiting from the weapon. The device includes a first rotatable pulley having an axis of rotation fixedly connected to the mount and positioned adjacent to and below an exit point of the rope from the weapon positioned in the mount, a second rotatable pulley having an axis of rotation fixedly connected to the weapon mount and positioned below and spaced from the first pulley, and a linearly moveable actuator arm having a longitudinal axis situated substantially in a plane and substantially parallel to the bore axis, the actuator arm at an end thereof including a rope engagement element.

Abstract: A weapon having a barrel or launch tube and a projectile preloaded therein. An element prevents accidental firing of the projectile if the weapon becomes overheated.

Abstract: An armor plate is provided for use in the ballistic protection of a structure against projectiles incoming from an expected threat direction. The armor plate comprises a layer of pellets made of ballistic material; a gap having a contour at least partially defined by circumferential surfaces of those of the pellets that are exposed to the gap, and occupying an area corresponding to a plurality of the pellets; and an insert inserted within the gap and having an outer surface at least a part of which has an outer shape mimicking the contour of the gap. There is also provided a method for producing the armor plate and an insert for use therein.

Abstract: Disclosed is a floor mat configured to be used as a floor mat under normal conditions, and to be used as a safety apparatus for providing protection against an explosion which may exert certain compressive forces thereon. The floor mat comprises a perforated layer of material made of foam and/or gel or soft rubber.

Abstract: A kit for fitting a vehicle with protective armor includes an armored floor panel configured to be installed to a frame of the vehicle below an occupant compartment of the vehicle, and an armored shell configured to be received over an outer body of a cab of the vehicle. The armored shell may be removed to return the vehicle to its original, non-armored condition.

Abstract: A piston assembly is provided for a gas-operated firearm of the type having a chamber and a barrel. The piston assembly includes a gas expansion housing and a piston mounted within the gas expansion housing. An annular recess is formed in the outer wall of the piston to receive exhaust gases diverted from the barrel upon firing of the firearm. At least one longitudinally extending groove extends from the annual recess to the head of the piston and forms a pathway for diverting the exhaust gases to the head of the piston. During firing, pressurized gases are diverted into the annular recess and expand longitudinally from the annular recess to the piston head, whereupon the pressurized exhaust gas drives the gas piston rearwardly along the housing.

Abstract: A piston assembly including a piston body having a crown and a skirt, the skirt including at least a major thrust face and a minor thrust face, wherein the piston body defines a bore between the major thrust face and the minor thrust face, and a wear coating applied to the major thrust face and the minor thrust face, the wear coating having a cured thickness of at least about 30 microns.

Abstract: Disclosed herein is a method and system for separating carbon dioxide (CO2) from a CO2 containing gas stream containing water vapor and additional impurities, for example, nitrogen, oxygen, sulfur oxides, nitrogen oxides, and mercury. The CO2 is captured by subjecting the CO2 gas feed stream to a temperature swing adsorption step. The temperature swing adsorption step comprises an adsorption step for producing a substantially dry carbon dioxide-depleted stream, and an adsorbent regeneration step comprising heating the adsorbent bed to produce a substantially water vapor-free carbon dioxide stream. Moisture from the gas stream containing CO2 is optionally removed by pressure swing adsorption, temperature swing adsorption, membrane separation, or absorption prior to CO2 capture.

Abstract: An oxygen-ion conducting membrane structure comprising a monolithic inorganic porous support, optionally one or more porous inorganic intermediate layers, and an oxygen-ion conducting ceramic membrane. The oxygen-ion conducting hybrid membrane is useful for gas separation applications, for example O2 separation.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a charging device having a charge section (20) for charging a floating particle in an air to be handled, and an air handling device (an air cleaning device) having the charging device. The charge section (20) is constituted by a first charge section (20a) adopting an impact charging technique and a second charge section (20b) adopting a diffusion charging technique. With this structure, charging and collection of dust can be accomplished only in the casing of the device, and therefore, an increase in size of the device can be avoided.

Abstract: A contaminant is removed from a gas in a method in which the gas is contacted with a solvent for the contaminant, and the resultant solution is contacted with intercalated graphite onto which the contaminant is adsorbed. The solvent will normally comprise water, and may itself be a contaminated liquid. In a preferred method the solvent is in a reservoir with particulate intercalated graphite; the contaminated gas is delivered to the base of the reservoir; and the gas rises in the solvent mobilizing the intercalated graphite in the reservoir.

Abstract: A fluid treatment device is disclosed. The device includes a vessel having a fluid entrance and exit. Within the vessel hollow fibre of nano-porous material are arranged so as to define two volumes separated by the nano-porous material. In one embodiment the fluid, air, passes up the centre of the hollow fibre drying as the air contacts the inner walls of the fibre. The device is purged by stopping the flow through the device and allowing the air pressure that builds up between the fibres to be released through the nano-porous material.

Abstract: The present invention relates generally to processes and systems for recovering helium from low helium-containing feed gases (i.e., containing less than about 10 volume % helium and more typically, less than about 5% helium by volume). The present invention more particularly relates to processes and systems for recovering helium from low helium-containing feed gases using temperature swing adsorption (TSA) systems and multiple (e.g. two) stage vacuum pressure swing adsorption (VPSA) systems. In preferred embodiments of the invention, the first stage VPSA system is configured to provide regeneration gas for the TSA system, and/or the VPSA second stage tail gas is recycled to the first stage VPSA system.

Abstract: A filter is used in combination with a register for an HVAC system, where the register is mounted to a wall, floor, or ceiling. The type of register used in this invention has a plurality of parallel blades which are located on the exterior side of the register and a plurality of vane members set behind the parallel blades, where a space is defined between the parallel blades and the plurality of vane members. The filter has a pliable rectangular frame and a pliable filter material spanning across the pliable rectangular frame. The pliable rectangular frame and pliable filter material allow the filter to be inserted between the blades for placement in the space without removing the register from the wall, floor or ceiling.

Abstract: An air handling device (10) includes an air flow path (13) in which a charge section (20) for charging dust in an air to be handled, and a precipitator (30) for collecting the charged dust are placed. The charge section (20) includes a discharge electrode (25) and a counter electrode (26) to perform diffusion charging. A diffusion space (13a) is provided at a location between the charge section (20) and the precipitator (30).

Abstract: An electrically stimulated air filter apparatus for removing particles from an air stream includes a housing maintaining an ionizer electrode and electrically induced electrodes for producing electrical fields that interact with particles in an air stream passing through the housing to create clusters of the particles, and an electrically induced filter for collecting and separating the clusters of the particles from the air stream passing through the housing.

Abstract: An apparatus, system, and method are disclosed for a gas chromatography (GC) system with a check valve. The check valve is situated downstream from the electronic flow control module and upstream of the injector. When a sample is volatized in the injector, the check valve closes into a checked position and prevents solvent and sample from backing into the gas delivery line. In certain embodiments, the check valve has a conical plug that fits into a seat that has an aperture. When the conical plug is depressed, the conical plug engages the sides of the aperture and seals the check valve, preventing solvent and sample from backing through the check valve. In certain embodiments, the change in pressure caused by over-pressurization in the injector, combined with the force applied by a spring on the conical plug, depresses the plug such that it seals the aperture.

Abstract: A modular amine plant having a front-end module and a back-end module in fluid communication with each other. The front-end module having pre-fabricated connections for the association of various equipment including: a filter, an absorption tower, and a flash tank. The back-end module having pre-fabricated connections for the association of other various equipment including: a heat exchanger, a distillation tower, and a reboiler. The modular amine plant capable of being installed at a site in less than about 5 days. The modular amine plant further having moment forces sufficient to withstand wind speeds of about 100 miles per hour.

Abstract: Embodiments of the invention generally provide a containment system having integrated bubble tight-dampers. In another embodiment, the containment system includes an integral auto-scan mechanism disposed in the housing of the containment system so that a filter element, disposed in the housing, may be leak tested without accessing the interior of the housing. In yet another embodiment, a method for testing a filter disposed in a containment system includes challenging an upstream side of a filter element disposed in a housing of the containment system with a test aerosol, and automatically moving a probe disposed within the housing to obtain samples for leak testing.

Abstract: A brewing device of a coffeemaker includes a base to which a filter cup loaded with ground coffee is assembled from below. Hot water in a heating tank of a delivery system is guided into a guide tube of the brewing device, flows through a sliding element and a downward pressing element, and finally drips onto and thus infuses the ground coffee in the filter cup, thereby making caffè espresso. When the delivery system switches to a different waterway and guides the hot water through a lower water inlet opening at the filter cup, caffè Americano, i.e., a diluted caffè espresso, is made instead. Thus, the coffeemaker is capable of making both caffè espresso and caffè Americano. Besides, the hot water guided through the lower water inlet opening at the filter cup also purges a bottom space in the filter cup of coffee ground.

Abstract: A machine for preparing liquid food or beverage from a beverage or food ingredient contained in a capsule or pod. The machine includes a liquid food or beverage preparation unit arranged to receive capsules or pods for use and evacuate capsules or pods after use; a housing having an opening leading into a seat to which capsules or pods are evacuated from the preparation unit; and a receptacle having a cavity forming a storage space for collecting capsules or pods evacuated to the seat into the receptacle to a level of fill. The receptacle is insertable into the seat for collecting capsules or pods and is removable from the seat for emptying the collected capsules or pods. The preparation machine further comprises a mechanism to inhibit jamming of the receptacle at removal from the seat when the level of fill in the receptacle extends above the opening of the housing.