Abstract: A paper-feeding device with functions of single-face/double-face scanning and printing. The paper-feeding device has a simplified structure and reduced height, whereby a paper can be more smoothly delivered through a scanning module and/or a printing module in a paper delivery path of the paper-feeding device. The paper delivery path includes: a first path having a front section and a rear section; a second path connected to the rear section of the first path, an angle contained between the rear section of the first path and a horizontal reference axis and an angle contained between the second path and the horizontal reference axis ranging from 0° to 30°; a return path positioned between the first and second paths; and a paper discharge path. The paper can be selectively moved between the first and second paths and the return path to complete the single-face/double-face scanning and printing operation.

Abstract: A sheet processing apparatus of an embodiment includes a spring member which supports a support leg provided on an end bottom of a finishing apparatus at a side of an image forming apparatus and is extendable in a height direction, a sheet feed port which is formed in the finishing apparatus to be opposite to a sheet discharge port of the image forming apparatus and has a width wider than a width of the sheet discharge port in the height direction, sheet discharge guides which are arranged to be opposite to each other at an exit of the sheet discharge port and sandwich a conveyance path of the sheet in the image forming apparatus, sheet feed guides which are arranged to be opposite to each other at an inlet of the sheet feed port and sandwich a conveyance path of the sheet in the finishing apparatus, electromagnets provided at ends of the sheet feed guides at a side of the sheet feed port, and magnetic members which are rotatably provided to ends of the sheet discharge guides at a side of the sheet discharge

Abstract: An image forming system including an image forming apparatus and a sheet feeding apparatus. The system includes: a first conveying unit conveying to the image forming apparatus a recording material; a second conveying unit conveying to an image forming unit of the image forming apparatus the recording material; a detector detecting a recording material type while the second conveying unit halts conveying the recording material; a first controller, based on detection by the detector, determining a speed for conveying the recording material to the image forming unit, and conveying the recording material at the conveying speed; and a second controller controlling recording material conveying speeds of the first conveying unit. Before the recording material reaches the second conveying unit, the second controller maintains a first conveying speed, and after the recording material reaches the second convey unit, maintains a second conveying speed determined by the first control unit.

Abstract: A loosening fan provided in an air blowing unit blows at sheets stacked on a tray to loosen the sheets. When, during a sheet feeding operation, a multi-feed detection unit detects a multi-feed condition, the loosening fan is controlled such that an air pressure that enables the sheets to be loosened is obtainable. Therefore, the occurrence of multi-feed conditions can be reduced.

Abstract: A paper output mechanism for an automatic document feeder, including: a seat; a connecting shaft, passed through the seat; and a paper feeding roller, placed around the connecting shaft, and including: a shaft portion; a roller portion, placed around the shaft portion; and adapted to convey a document, and an elastic element, placed around the shaft portion, and one end thereof being connected to the seat.

Abstract: A sheet transport mechanism that can be incorporated in an image forming apparatus includes a first sheet transport member, a second sheet transport member disposed downstream from the first sheet transport member in a sheet transport direction, a sheet transport path defined by and curved between the first and second sheet transport members and including a downstream section recessed from an upstream section in the sheet transport direction, and a contact member disposed at the downstream section and including a first contact portion to which the leading edge of a sheet contacts to move the contact member in a direction to recess from the sheet transport path and a second contact portion connected to the first contact portion to advance toward the sheet transport path at a position upstream from the first contact portion in the sheet transport direction to contact the surface of the sheet.

Abstract: A vacuum control assembly for use in an image production device is provided. The assembly has a plenum having a vacuum inlet; a perforated plate fluidly connected to the plenum, the perforated plate having a plurality of perforations; a baffle plate connected to an inside of the plenum such that the baffle plate can slide relative to the perforated plate and can pivot relative to the perforated plate; and a protrusion on the inside of the plenum. The baffle plate is capable of sliding relative to the perforated plate between a closed position and an open position, the closed position being where the baffle plate causes the vacuum inlet to be fluidly connected to a first plurality of the perforations, and the open position being where the baffle plate is pivoted away from the perforated plate, causing the vacuum inlet to be fluidly connected to a maximum number of the perforations.

Abstract: A supporting plate for an automatic document feeder, adapted to configure a plurality of paper feeding rollers installed correspondingly to a plurality of transmission wheels, and used for transmitting a document to a paper output tray, the supporting plate including a plate body, including a plurality of accepting holes and adapted to install the plurality of paper feeding rollers, the plurality of paper feeding rollers and the plurality of transmission wheels drive the document move along a paper output direction toward the paper output tray; and a plurality of supporting portions, disposed at sides of the plurality of accepting holes along the paper output direction, and used for supporting the document to cause the document to form a curved body while being moved. A paper output mechanism using the aforementioned supporting plate is also disclosed here.

Abstract: A card handling device includes a sensing system for identifying cards handled thereby. A control system may be configured to selectively control an infeed system, a storage system, and/or an output system of the device in response to a signal received from the sensing system, and to enable a user to selectively perform one or more of a shuffling operation, a sorting operation, and a dealing operation using the device. A card handling device may be configured to dispense randomly arranged hands, prearranged hands, randomly arranged decks, or prearranged decks.

Abstract: There is provided a jigsaw puzzle comprising pieces which are formed based on a quadrilateral which resembles approximately a square having four sides which are each approximately 7 mm to 9 mm long, the pieces comprising a combination of a large number of basic pieces 11 in which four sides of each piece are formed into curved sides which are curved slightly and in which a pair of confronting sides of the four sides have individually a projecting portion 21 and the other pair of confronting sides have individually a recess portion 23, several tens of side pieces in which a side is formed into a straight side while the remaining three sides are formed into curved sides and the curved side which confronts the straight side has a projecting portion or a recess portion, while the remaining two sides have individually a recess portion or a projecting portion, and four corner pieces in which two adjacent sides are individually formed into a straight side, while the remaining two sides are individually formed into a

Abstract: A balancing mechanism for an equilibrium game wherein a hub is connected to a tripod by a universal joint. A plurality of radially extending arms having cups on their outer ends are connected to the hub. A depending pointer is connected to the hub and extends downwardly therefrom to a Cartesian coordinate graph positioned centrally of the tripod. A plurality of weights are placed in the cups to cause the pointer to become positioned at a certain X,Y point on the graph.

Abstract: A hybrid method for playing Asian card game with Western card game method, Three Kings Poker is using 54 designed cards, 3 sets of 18 cards that is a special designed playing card of Chinese kings and characters and 12 animals, to provide variety betting spots for players using different strategy to win the game.

Abstract: The present invention provides shuffled playing cards which eliminate the need for a game host to shuffle cards before games by taking a lot of time as well as eliminate the possibility of cheating. A shuffled playing cards (1) obtained by shuffling a predetermined number of decks of playing cards (12) using a shuffling machine is packaged as an individual pack. The shuffled playing cards (1) is individually packaged and sealed with an adhesive label (13). A bar code (13a) which represents a unique shuffled card ID has been printed on the adhesive label (13). The shuffled card ID is registered in a database by being associated with information which allows identification of a shuffling machine used to shuffle the playing card set.

Abstract: A sealing system for a pump having a plunger includes a housing having an internal chamber adapted to receive a portion of the plunger. Primary and secondary seals are located within the internal chamber and adapted to sealingly engage the plunger. The primary seal communicates with the fluid being pumped. A barrier fluid chamber contains a barrier fluid in contact with the primary seal and the secondary seal. A pressure referencing device has an inlet port in communication with the pumped fluid and an outlet port providing fluid at a pressure magnitude equal to a peak pressure of the pumped fluid. A pressurizing device is in communication with the fluid at the peak pressure and the barrier fluid to maintain the barrier fluid pressure at a magnitude greater than the peak pressure of the pumped fluid such that the pumped fluid is restricted from leaking past the primary seal.

Abstract: A cylinder block plating apparatus preplates or plates a cylinder bore of each cylinder in a cylinder block of a multi-cylinder engine using a process liquid introduced into the cylinder bore in a condition of sealing an end of the cylinder bore when a communication hole is formed at the end of the cylinder bore, the cylinder block plating apparatus includes a sealing jig including a sealing unit including a cylinder bore seal for sealing the end of an inner peripheral surface of the cylinder bore and a communication hole seal for sealing a portion, near a communication hole, opposite to the cylinder inner peripheral surface, and a clamping unit disposed in the sealing unit to be pushed open and adapted to cause the communication hole seal to seal the portion located on the opposite side of the cylinder bore near the communication hole.

Abstract: A lip type end face sealing device having excellent sealability to different kinds of liquids on both sides in the axial direction and having excellent durability. A case is tight fitted to an inner peripheral face of a housing and includes case members. One pair of seal lips is integrally fitted to inner peripheral flange parts, positioned oppositely each other in the axial direction, and opened in a tapered shape. One pair of the seal lips is slidably contacted with flange parts of slingers tight fitted to an outer periphery of a rotary shaft. Pressure in seal internal spaces between the seal lips is released through a vent hole.

Abstract: A fluid seal assembly consists of a seal of compliant material that interacts with a seal carrier. The seal carrier includes one or more elements of relatively rigid material defining a sealing face with a seal-receiving groove interrupting the sealing face. The seal-receiving groove has defining walls each of which has a proximal end at the sealing face and a distal end. The defining walls serve as seal contact surfaces. At least one of the seal contact surfaces converges inwardly to narrow the seal-receiving groove toward the distal end. The seal-receiving groove has a depth and a breadth suitable for accepting the seal, with the seal projecting past the sealing face when compressed to be in contact with the seal contact surfaces.

Abstract: A flexible seal for sealing various garments of a diving suit having a flexible first element comprising a sealing chamber and a flexible second element comprising a sealing head. In a preferred embodiment, the second element is made from flexible material that is harder than the material of the first element. The sealing head further comprises a series of parallel and linear spines protruding from the circumference thereof. When the sealing head is inserted into the sealing chamber the spines press against the softer inside wall of the sealing chamber thereby providing a plurality of redundant seals. Anchor means is provided to resist tension in the seal caused by pulling the two elements apart. Independent locking means is provided in the form of a plurality of locking posts and loops.

Abstract: A tight package sensor seal includes a first seal portion engaging an outer surface of a sensor body and including a stop surface floatingly engaging a peripheral face surrounding a bore in a cover member. The first seal portion includes a reinforcing insert disposed therein. A second seal portion is axially spaced from the first seal portion and a flexible membrane extends axially between the first and second seal portions. The second seal portion engages an inner diameter of a bore in a cover member and includes a reinforcing insert therein. The sensor seal takes up a small radial space yet allows for radial offset of the sensor body relative to the bore of the cover member.

Abstract: A pump or valve gasket for a fluid dispenser device, said gasket comprising at least one elastomer and at least one basic inorganic filler having pH that is greater than or equal to 8.

Abstract: A Magneto-Rheological Elastomer (MRE) spring system includes a spring, an MRE unit in cooperation with the spring, and an electromagnet. The electromagnet may be configured to produce an adjustable magnetic field, wherein when the electromagnet produces a magnetic field, the MRE unit stiffens such that the MRE spring system stiffens.

Abstract: A ground vehicle for feeding photovoltaic modules to an automatic assembly machine is disclosed, wherein the automatic assembly machine is movable on previously installed PV modules and the PV modules that still need to be installed are fed to the automatic assembly machine above a supporting structure. The ground vehicle has six vertically movable rams arranged in spaced-apart relationship in pairs in the direction of travel, with the PV modules to be installed located above the rams. Timing of the vertical ram motion is controlled so that a retracted ram of a ram pair is always extended before the other ram of the ram pair is lowered.

Abstract: An ice skate having a low profile, dual blade assembly. The blade assembly is affixed to the sole of a boot, and each blade is positioned symmetrically about the center line of the boot, and separated by a lateral distance which is sufficient to avoid a build up of ice/snow between the blades. The blade assembly has a short vertical profile in order to provide a low center of gravity, for example, in the range of forty to sixty percent of the conventional vertical profile.

Abstract: A brake assembly for a skate of the type having parallel rails connected to the bottom of a boot. The skate brake bracket for mounting outside the rails and a brake wheel mounted to the skate brake bracket. The tension of the brake wheel may be adjusted.

Abstract: A skate includes a lower base, an upper base adjustably mounted on the lower base, and a control knob mounted on the lower base and detachably locked onto the upper base. The upper base has a slide provided with a plurality of locking teeth. The control knob is movably mounted in the lower base and has a first end provided with a support and a second end provided with a press button protruding from the lower base. The support of the control knob has a locking groove detachably locked on one of the locking teeth of the upper base.

Abstract: The invention relates to a shopping cart having a sliding handle, which has module-like functional elements, wherein the functional elements are substantially accommodated in a recess of the sliding handle and protrude so far out of the sliding handle that good usability of the functional elements is given.

Abstract: An advertising trolley arrangement (10) is disclosed comprising a trolley (12) having at least one basket defined by at least a pair of side walls (16,18) and a front end wall. At least one of the side walls or front end wall comprises at least one frame border (22, 24 . . . 38) for defining at least one frame holder (22.1,24.1 . . . 38.1) At least one' of the side walls or front end wall comprising a plurality of parallel, spaced apart wire strands (40). The arrangement further comprises an advertising board (42) located within one of the frame holders and at least one securing clip (44) for securing the advertising board to a wire strand. The securing clip comprises a base portion defining an elongate slot for accommodating the wire strand, with the advertising board being securable to the base portion so as to sandwich the wire strand between the securing clip and the advertising board, thereby securing the advertising board to the wire strand.

Abstract: A dolly consists of a generally planar platform having opposed front and rear ends, lateral sides, an upper face and a lower face. The wheels are configured to contact a surface so as to support the platform above the surface when the platform is placed on the surface. The dolly can have a reversible mode or a single platform mode. The platform is relatively low to the ground, and enables one operator to arrange and transport heavy loads with the dolly.

Abstract: A vehicle, such as a public transport vehicle or a “civil engineering plant” vehicle, comprising at least two axle systems, at least one of them comprising at least two twin-mounted sets fitted with tires. Each of the treads of the tires fitted to two twin-mounted sets comprises at least on its exterior surface at least two circumferential parts made of polymer blends that have different physico-chemical properties, the distributions of the said polymer blends in the treads of each of the tires being symmetric with respect to a longitudinal plane passing through a point mid-way between the two twin-mounted sets.

Abstract: Skateboard speed control is achieved by improved application of a mechanism to provide even force to the wheels by a simplified speed control system. The speed control system is durable, compact, simple, uses minimal components, is ergonomic, and has speed control pads that move in sync while simultaneously tolerating variations in wheel orientation and position while a rider is maneuvering the skateboard.

Abstract: The present invention provides a dual riding and driving tricycle in juxtaposing link, particularly for one that can be pedaled by two drivers in side-by-side coordination manner so that the drivers and tricycle will incline integrally without tumbling or overturning possibility; The main feature is that at least one articulation mechanism and a resilient tension mechanism are disposed between the primary bicycle body and auxiliary cycle body, wherein, said articulation mechanism serves in synergy an articulation parallelogram while said resilient tension mechanism counteract the deformation of the articulation mechanism to resume the stable equilibrium so that the integral of the primary bicycle body and auxiliary cycle body can automatically maintain harmonic coordination and stability when driving over bumpy road or corner turn.

Abstract: The Mallory Trailer Hitch, eliminates the embarrassing need to align the tow vehicle repetitively. Giving the purchaser the ease of move ability in securing the Trailer Ball in a single attempt. The Mallory Trailer Hitch is self Locking insuring a safe and secure hook up of the tow vehicle.

Abstract: The invention relates to a ski binding that includes an elastic buffer adapted to exert a return force on a boot when the boot heel is raised from the upper surface of the ski. The elastic buffer has a support surface adapted to come into abutment against the bottom of the sole of the ski boot, the support surface forming an angle with a plane substantially parallel to the upper surface of the ski ranging between 0° and 80°. The invention also relates to a ski in combination with the aforementioned binding.

Abstract: An improved pushchair frame (10) of a type that can be collapsed for ease of transport or storage etc. The frame comprising a push/pull handle (12), a front wheel frame (14) on which at least one front wheel (16) is rotatably mounted and a rear wheel frame (18) on which at least one rear wheel (20) is rotatably mounted. The frame comprising a seat mounting yoke (22) to which the front and rear wheel frames are coupled, at least one of the front and rear wheel frames being pivotably coupled to the yoke, the frames having an operating position in which they are spaced from one another and a stowed position in which they are generally adjacent one another. The seat mounting yoke is rotatable, relative to at least one of the front and rear wheel frames, between an operating position and a stowed position in which the yoke is located generally adjacent one of the front and rear wheel frames. A retaining means maintains the yoke and the front and rear wheel frames in their operating position.

Abstract: A container assembly is provided that includes a base container that has an upper opening and an upper container mounted in covering relation over the upper opening of the base container. A linkage connects the upper container to the base container in a manner that allows the upper container to be displaced from the covering relation over the upper opening of the base container, so as to permit access into the base container through the upper opening. A support assembly is spaced from the base container when the upper container is displaced from the covering relation over the upper opening of the base container and wheels are disposed toward a lower portion of the container assembly. A handle is provided for rollingly transporting the container assembly on the wheels in a tilted configuration.

Abstract: An airbag arrangement for a motor vehicle includes, but is not limited to an airbag module which includes, but is not limited to an airbag and a gas generator for inflating the airbag. The airbag module is located inside a firing channel housing which allows target-oriented unfolding of the airbag. The firing channel housing is closed on the passenger side by a cover which is connected to the firing channel housing by means of a predetermined rupture line. The airbag and/or a flexible protective sleeve at least partially surrounding the airbag is connected to the firing channel housing in such a manner that the airbag or the protective sleeve contacts the firing channel housing. A fixed housing surrounding the airbag and the gas generator is thus saved, with the result that the weight of the airbag arrangement is reduced.

Abstract: A housing (4) for receiving an airbag is fixed to a support member (2) by at least one fixing element (18) which extends through a hole (20) of the member and which is fixed to the housing (4). The fixing element (18) is retained in the hole (20) with play so that the fixing element (18) is capable of pivoting, in a plane which contains the axis of the hole (20), inside the hole (20) under the action of the deformation of the housing (4) so as to absorb the deformation brought about by the deployment of the airbag.

Abstract: An airbag apparatus is provided by which, when an airbag collides with an occupant, the occupant can receive a reaction force from the airbag. An airbag apparatus (10A to 10B) inflates between two seats arranged in a vehicle width direction (20L, 20R, 21L, 21R) to protect an occupant (P). The airbag apparatus (10A to 10B) includes an inflator (12) and a folded airbag (11). When gas is jetted from the inflator (12) at a side collision, the airbag (11) is allowed to inflate and is abutted to a vehicle interior (35) to thereby suppress the move of the airbag (11) when the airbag (11) collides with the body of the occupant (P).

Abstract: A reversibly deployable energy absorbing assembly includes a rigid support structure having at least one inlet and at least one outlet; a flexible covering sealingly engaged with the rigid support structure to define an inflatable interior region; a gas source in fluid communication with the at least one inlet; an inlet control valve positioned intermediate the gas source and the at least one inlet; and an actively controlled pressure relief valve in fluid communication with the at least one outlet. The inlet control valve and the pressure relief valve are adapted to provide a response suitable for use in vehicle impact management.

Abstract: This invention discloses new methods and security devices for authenticating documents and valuable products which may be applied to any support, including transparent synthetic materials and traditional opaque materials such as paper. The invention relates to parallax moire shapes which occur in a compound layer consisting of the superposition of specially designed and possibly geometrically transformed s-random base layer and s-random revealing layer with a small gap between them. The base and revealing layers are formed respectively by base layer element shapes and revealing layer sampling elements positioned at s-random locations, where the base layer locations and the revealing layer locations are strongly correlated. When tilting the compound layer or changing the viewing angle, a parallax moire intensity profile of a chosen shape is seen moving in the superposition, thereby allowing the authentication of the document.

Abstract: For combination with a faucet having an upper surface, and a downward water outlet below the upper surface, the combination comprising a cup shaped flexible gasket that opens upwardly, the gasket having an annular wall adapted to interfit the faucet outlet, the gasket having a lower portion defining a discharge outlet and which is downwardly urged in response to water pressure entrains into the gasket via the faucet outlet, and means for releasably holding the gasket upwardly in annularly interfitting relation with the faucet outlet whereby the gasket annular wall seals against the faucet in response to the downwardly urging of the gasket.

Abstract: [Problems] A one-touch joint for piping has an advantage of one-touch connection between the joint and piping but has a problem that the connection between the piping and a joint body easily becomes loose.

Abstract: A pipe coupling for connecting pipes of the same or different diameters. The coupling has a barrel sleeve with clamping rings on each end. The clamping rings each carry nested seals. An inner portion of each nested seal may be removed so as to adapt the clamping ring to different pipe diameters. Each clamping ring is hinged, but becomes iron-bound upon tightening, so that each ring eventually bends as a unitary ring member.

Abstract: A metal pipe 10 is joined to another metal component 12 by shrinking the outer component onto the external circumference of the pipe. The internal diameter b of the outer component is initially smaller than the external diameter a of the pipe, but the outer component is heated so that it expands to a diameter at which it will fit over the pipe. When the outer component is fitted over the pipe and the temperature of the outer component allowed to drop, it will contract onto the surface of the pipe to make a permanent strong joint between the two parts.

Abstract: A joint for a fluid line of a vehicle for conveying a fluid through a vehicle frame member includes a unitary body having a first end adapted for engagement to a first fluid conduit and a second end adapted for engagement to a second fluid conduit. The body is sized to span between first and second walls of the vehicle frame member. A bore extends axially through the body and fluidly connects the first and second fluid conduits. The joint includes at least one connector configured to engage the vehicle frame member for releasably mounting the joint to the vehicle frame member.

Abstract: A service station air machine air hose end-connector for outdoor winter operation having an internal hollow chamber for capturing and storing system-clogging ice particles is disclosed. The hollow storing chamber defines an empty section of the fitting's cylindrical ferrule further having an internal air stream screen which collects the blocked particles and stores them till thawed. The internal air stream screen defines a perforated tube in the connector airway which screens out undesirable system clogging ice particles and further serves as a water tight weir. A remote hose crimp insertion barb defines a short tube inserted flush into the hose and having an internal diameter larger than the air hose airway to allow particles formed in the hose to freely pass through the barb and into the ferrule there to captured and stored.

Abstract: A lock for a cam-and-groove coupler comprises a collar member positionable around the cam-and-groove coupler. The collar member comprises at least first and second wall portions. The first wall portion is positionable adjacent the first lever arm of the cam-and-groove coupler to prevent movement of the first lever arm to an unsecured position. The second wall portion is positionable adjacent a second lever arm of the cam-and-groove coupler to prevent movement of the second lever arm to the unsecured position. The lock further comprises at least one projection extending inwardly from the collar member and configured to engage the cam-and-groove coupler to prevent the collar member from sliding off of the cam-and-groove coupler. At least one securing member is coupled to the collar member and configured to releasably secure the collar member around the cam-and-groove-coupler.

Abstract: A pipe connector in accordance with the present invention comprises a hollow body, a rotator rotatably and co-axially sleeved on one end of the hollow body, a positioning device co-axially mounted between the hollow body and the rotator, and a holder co-axially mounted to rotator for holding the positioning device in place in the rotator. The positioning device includes a bind ring that is pre-expanded by an opener. The pipe is tightly bound to airtightly abut against the hollow body due to the restitution force of the bind ring when the pipe pushes the opener to make the opener detaching from the bind ring.

Abstract: A system for temporarily joining two pipe ends securely in a reversible manner, where the joined pipe will carry fluids or mixed fluids and solids under high pressure and volume. Two clamshell clamps each grip a pipe near its end where two pipes are to be joined and. The clamshell clamps have two mating bodies of semicircular cross-section, pivoting around a hinged edge, so that interlaced flanges on the bodies' other edges meet and between which mated flanges a conical pin is inserted to bias the mating clamp bodies together gripping the pipe inside the tubular enclosure formed by the mating clamp elements. The conical pins are connected so that if the pipes' ends are urged apart, the connected pins are urged between the clamps' flanges forcing the clamps' gripping faces together on the pipes. The clamps may have included gripping elements adjacent on its inner face.

Abstract: An electricity generator having variable capacitors that each includes a repeatedly stretched and relaxed sheet (20, FIG. 3) of SM (stretchable material) and electrodes (22, 24) lying against opposite faces of the sheet, which includes a power extraction unit (110, FIG. 9) coupled to the electrodes of at least a pair of capacitors that are activated out of phase with each other. The unit directs an electrical charge (current) from a first pair of electrodes that have a higher voltage, to one or more second pairs of electrodes that have a lower voltage, to recharge the second pairs of electrodes. During the current flow electrical power is extracted by the drop in voltage of current passing through the unit. The power extraction unit can be provided with a control unit that has voltage detectors (54) and that selectively connect capacitors, based on their voltages, for maximum efficiency in generating power output.