Abstract: A process and apparatus for free form fabrication of a three-dimensional work piece comprising (a) feeding raw material in a solid state to a first predetermined location; (b) depositing the raw material onto a substrate as a molten pool deposit under a first processing condition; (c) monitoring the molten pool deposit for a preselected condition; (d) comparing information about the preselected condition of the monitored molten pool deposit with a predetermined desired value for the preselected condition of the monitored molten pool deposit; (e) solidifying the molten pool deposit; (f) automatically altering the first processing condition to a different processing condition based upon information obtained from the comparing step (d); and repeating steps (a) through (f) at one or more second locations for building up layer by layer a three-dimensional work piece.

Abstract: An apparatus for applying adhesive to the surface of expanded resin panels by means of a gluing roller, comprising a conveyor for feeding a panel, which is arranged upstream of the gluing roller, and a conveyor for receiving the panel, which is arranged downstream of the gluing roller, the conveyors being mutually aligned on a supporting framework so as to have adjacent ends, and means for moving the conveyors between a lowered position and a raised position, the means being controlled by an element for detecting a panel conveyed by the feeding conveyor so as to lift or lower the conveyors to a level at which the surface of the gluing roller is substantially in tangent contact with the panel in order to apply thereon a layer of adhesive.

Abstract: A fluid pump control that allows for both flow control and pressure control to allow greater flexibility in applying architectural coatings.

Abstract: An adhesive application apparatus for applying a liquid adhesive to an object includes a regular application stage against which the object is placed for a regular application of the liquid adhesive to the object, a trial application stage to which a trial application of the liquid adhesive is carried out, an application unit relatively movable with respect to the regular application stage and trial application stage to carry out the regular application and trial application of the liquid adhesive, and a suction unit carrying out a suction operation of the liquid adhesive used in the trial application. The adhesive application apparatus smoothly carries out the trial application of the liquid adhesive without bothering the operation of an adhesive application line.

Abstract: A gas heating device that may be used in a system for depositing a thin film on a substrate using a vapor deposition process is described. The gas heating device may be configured for heating one or more constituents of a film forming composition. The gas heating device comprises one or more resistive heating elements. Additionally, the gas heating device comprises a mounting structure configured to support at least one of the one or more resistive heating elements. Furthermore, the gas heating device comprises a static mounting device coupled to the mounting structure and configured to fixedly couple the at least one of the one or more resistive heating elements to the mounting structure, and a dynamic mounting device coupled to the mounting structure and configured to automatically compensate for changes in a length of the at least one of the one or more resistive heating elements.

Abstract: An arrangement for fetching a teat cup from a teat cup magazine in which each teat cup has a respective fixed position includes a reference entity in a fixed spatial relationship to the teat cup magazine and each teat cup stored therein; a remote detecting element that registers wireless energy reflected by the reference entity, and based thereon determines a respective position for the teat cup relative to a robotic arm. The robotic arm carries a gripper element configured to hold the teat cup during removal thereof from the teat cup magazine. The reference entity is configured to allow the remote detecting element to receive wireless energy reflected against the reference entity while moving the robotic arm towards the least one teat cup for removing the at least teat cup from the teat cup magazine.

Abstract: A protected feeder is provided for squirrels which comprises a feeder having a self supporting enclosure for predator protection from hawks or foxes to be positioned adjacent a tree for providing a protected perch with access openings in the cover and a selected portion of ground therein is covered with food. The enclosure member is substantially impervious and protects the squirrels while feeding and protects the squirrel from weather. This invention provides various designs for the protected squirrel feeder adapted to protect the food, one using a tray which is smaller than the self supporting enclosure and a second feeder uses small high-calcium loaded rocks as a ground layer.

Abstract: An animal litter composition that includes geopolymerized ash particulates having a network of repeating aluminum-silicon units is described herein. Generally, the animal litter is made from a quantity of a pozzolanic ash mixed with a sufficient quantity of water and an alkaline activator to initiate a geopolymerization reaction that forms geopolymerized ash. After the geopolymerized ash is formed, it is dried, broken into particulates, and sieved to a desired size. These geopolymerized ash particulates are used to make a non-clumping or clumping animal litter. Odor control is accomplished with the addition of a urease inhibitor, pH buffer, an odor eliminating agent, and/or fragrance.

Abstract: A moveable vehicle such as a truck, railway carriage, or the like is structured and dimensioned to enable the transportation of products including live aquatic species such as fish in a refrigerated condition. The vehicle includes insulating and heat exchange layers which when utilized to transport live aquatic species may maintain them in a dormant state by temperature controls within the refrigeration system. A water spraying assembly provides a humidity and oxygen level for disposing of waste and also enables the spraying of fog to provide effective humidity between spraying cycles. Any existing animal waste is treated in the water and a recirculation or closed loop system is provided. A product storage area facilitates loading and unloading and a separate storage room may be provided to house the systems equipment or optionally may be attached to the vehicle.

Abstract: Provided are animal containment systems and components, including single-use animal containment cages, modular rack units and components thereof. Also provided are methods for assembling and using components of the animal containment systems.

Abstract: A chicken or fowl grow out facility utilizes a ventilated floor assembly including a ventilated floor through which liquid and gas can flow, but which retains manure and other solids deposited thereon, and a bottom floor plenum underneath the ventilated floor. A liquid and vapor barrier sheet preferably covers the ground surface underneath the floor assembly which together insulate the high temperature of the grow-out facility from the heat sink effect of the lower temperature ground. Conventional tunnel ventilation of the chicken house through the ends of the house creates a negative pressure inside the house relative to the outside environment which is vented to the floor assembly plenum. As a result of this tunnel ventilation and negative pressure, moisture in the manure from urine and otherwise evaporates into the air in the growth chamber and floor assembly plenum to effectively keep dry the manure retained on the floor and reduce ammonia formation and pathogen growth.

Abstract: Portable grooming and spray devices and processes to automatically cleanse (wash, rinse, and purify) and dry pets are disclosed. A portable grooming device comprises a housing container and situated inside the housing container is a portable spray device having a pet-shape body with four legs. The four legs of the portable spray device safely constrain pets' movements inside the portable spray device throughout various processes to cleanse and dry the pets. The portable spray device comprises plurality of connectors for connecting various apparatus for supplying water, liquid composition, air flow, and the like to the portable spray device. The portable spray device comprises a spray device cavity and plurality of spray nozzles where the spray device cavity channels the water, liquid composition, and air flow to the plurality of spray nozzles and the spray nozzles spray the water, liquid composition, and air flow on a pet's neck, body, tail, and four legs to cleanse and dry the pet.

Abstract: An animal conduit includes a first and a second longitudinal segment. Each segment includes ridges extending inward toward a longitudinal centerline of the animal conduit. The ridges differ in a dimension extending inward and forming a first and second transverse conduit opening dimension that differ.

Abstract: A pet toy that makes whistling sounds when projected through the air.

Abstract: Systems for containing, training, and tracking pets utilize electronic pet tags or collars, including IR reception and two-way RF communication. An aimable IR directional zone defining unit includes selectable different modes of operation relative to a pet collar or tag. A RF base station arranged to communicate with an pet collar or tar includes is arranged to automatically communicate with at least one terminal responsive to a receipt of a RF signal indicative of at least one of: condition of the pet, behavior of the pet, and proximity of the pet to the base station. The base station may further generate a user-perceptible alarm signal. A handheld remote controller adapted to communicate with the electronic pet collar or tag includes memory for digital media files, and an audio output element to deliver audible pet training instructions from the memory element.

Abstract: A restraining device having an upper actuator for mounting to a surface, such as a table, bed, chair, stool or bench is described. The upper actuator can be activated by a control means, such as one or any combination of a hand held device, hand switch, foot switch, or control panel, raising or lowering the upper actuator.

Abstract: The application of cold or warm applied directly to the underside of an animal/pet/dog's neck where blood vessels run close to the skin can aid in the cooling or warming of the pet/dog's body temperature thereby making the animal/pet/dog more comfortable in warmer/cooler temperatures. My invention creates an easy to use pouch that can hold a cooling or warming medium like manufactured ice cubes, gel or other medium, and slips over the animal/pet/dog's regular collar. This device enables the cooling or warming medium to stay securely against the underside of the animal/pet/dog's neck. This allows the coldness/warmth produced by the cooling/warming medium in the pouch to transfer to the animal/pet/dog's body, lowering the animal/pet/dog's body temperature making the pet/dog more comfortable in hot/cold temperatures.

Abstract: Provided is a device for supplying warm water and a method thereof. The device for supplying warm water includes a first heater configured to have a first set capacity and heating received water, a second heater configured to have a second set capacity greater than the first set capacity and heating received water, and a control part calculating heater driving cycles of the first heater and the second heater according to a set water temperature, and driving the first heater and the second heater according to the heater driving cycles. The control part calculates the heater driving cycle of the first heater by using a phase control method, and calculates the heater driving cycle of the second heater by using a zero-crossing control method.

Abstract: A fluid heater comprises an enclosed combustion chamber, at least one burner operatively coupled to the enclosed combustion chamber and a heat transfer section. The heat transfer section has a first end operatively coupled to the enclosed combustion chamber, a second end, an outer wall defining a closed chamber therein, a fluid inlet port coupled to the outer wall in fluid communication with the chamber and a fluid outlet port coupled to the outer wall in fluid communication with the chamber. A plurality of tubes have an opened first end, an opposite opened second end and a chamber extending therebetween, wherein the plurality of tubes are mounted within the heat transfer section so that an outside wall of each of the plurality of tubes and an inside wall of the heat transfer section define the closed chamber. Each of the tube chambers are in fluid communication with the enclosed combustion chamber.

Abstract: Methods and systems for recovering heat and water from waste streams produced during oil sands extraction to form dry, stackable tailings. A tailings stream is preheated in a heat exchanger, thereby reducing the energy required to dry the tailings. The preheated tailings are then dried, thereby reducing the tailings to dry stackable tailings or thickened tailings suitable for mine backfill. Heat and high-quality water are recovered from the drying operation and re-used in the preheat operation, or in other steps of oil sands extraction or treatment processes, thereby reducing the overall heat and water requirements.

Abstract: A sootblower isolation wall box provided for sealing the wall box opening of a large scale boiler to provide sootblower lance tube access to the boiler. The wall box assembly includes a clamping seal assembly having radial sealing segments which are individually actuated. Applying fluid pressure to actuating cylinders causes the seal segments to be clamped against the outer circumference of the sootblower lance tube. During cleaning cycles, the segments are actuated to provide a radial clearance with the lance tube. Preferably, the clamping seal assembly is used in connection with another seal assembly which is relied upon to provide sealing during the cleaning steps. In a preferred embodiment, the additional seal assembly is in the form of a labyrinth-type seal assembly.

Abstract: The instant invention relates to improved methods, systems, processes and apparatus (means) for the combustion of hydrogen (H2) with oxygen (O2), wherein the H2 and O2 are obtained from at least one storage tank or obtained by electrolysis of water (H2O). The instant invention is based upon the chemistry of H2O incorporating H2 as the fuel and O2 as the oxidizer. The instant invention relates to combustion, wherein the thermodynamics of the Otto Cycle are improved providing improved combustion efficiency and power output, thereby producing the Haase Cycle. The instant invention relates to means of liquefaction unit for storage of said H2 and/or of said O2 in applications which are at an altitude above the surface of the earth (space applications). Finally, the instant invention relates to applications of producing mechanical or electrical energy, as well as improved H2 and/or O2 storage in space applications.

Abstract: A flow restrictor for use in a cooling system of an internal engine comprises a housing enclosing an elongate body, a number of alternating first and second circumferentially extending passages formed in the elongate body. Each first passage is separated from a respective adjacent second passage by a respective land and at least one transfer passage extending across each land so as to connect the first and second passages on each side of the land and provide a significant loss in fluid momentum.

Abstract: A camshaft assembly may include a first shaft adapted to be rotationally driven, a first lobe member fixed for rotation with the first shaft, and a torsional damper fixed to the first shaft. The torsional damper may include a mass structure fixed to the first shaft and an elastic member disposed between and coupling the mass structure and the first shaft. The elastic member may have a spring constant providing a first sideband natural frequency and a second sideband natural frequency for the camshaft assembly.

Abstract: A DHLA including a hydraulic lash adjustment mechanism disposed within a plunger slidably disposed within a pin housing that is slidably disposed within an axial bore in an adjuster body. A lash ring disposed in a groove near the outer end of the DHLA body includes a portion extending into the bore to limit travel of the pin housing and thereby set the internal mechanical lash in the DHLA. The lash ring has a thickness selected to provided a predetermined amount of mechanical lash in the assembled lifter, which thickness varies from assembly to assembly to compensate for manufacturing variation in the components. A biasing means such as a wave ring, a Belleville washer or a beveled retaining ring is also installed in the annular groove to urge the lash ring against the lower surface of the groove under all DHLA operating conditions.

Abstract: A valve timing control apparatus for an internal combustion engine, includes a housing body, a sealing plate, a vane rotor, and a sealing ring. The housing body includes an opening at an axial end which is closed by the sealing plate. The sealing ring is disposed between the housing body and the sealing plate. The housing body is formed of an aluminum-based metal material and anodized, wherein the housing body includes a base layer and an anodic oxide coating film layer. The sealing ring abuts on the base layer of the housing body at the axial end.

Abstract: The present invention comprises a cylinder block wherein vertical reciprocation of a piston is transmitted to a connecting rod then rotates a crank shaft to generate torque. A cylinder head is joined to the top of the cylinder block, whereof one side is connected to a primary intake and exhaust manifold which is opened and shut by a primary intake and exhaust valve and the other side is connected to a secondary intake and exhaust manifold which is opened and shut by a secondary intake and exhaust valve. A primary cam shaft is placed on the upper side of the cylinder head and rotates to interlock with the rotation of the crank shaft and is connected with a primary intake and exhaust cam driving the primary intake and exhaust valve. A secondary cam shaft is placed on the upper side of the cylinder head and rotates to interlock with the rotation of the crank shaft, and is connected with a secondary intake and exhaust cam driving the secondary intake and exhaust valve.

Abstract: A system for varying actuation of a combustion valve in an internal combustion engine, including a control shaft pivot housing fixedly disposed on the engine, a control shaft pivotably disposed within the control shaft pivot housing and eccentrically fixed to a control shaft disc, an input rocker subassembly pivotably disposed on the control shaft disc and having a contact feature disposable as a follower against a camshaft lobe, an output cam subassembly pivotably disposed on the control shaft and engageable by the input rocker subassembly and including an output cam profile for engaging a finger follower of the engine, and a bias spring to urge the output cam subassembly toward the input rocker subassembly. In one aspect of the invention, high lift events with full duration are produced whenever the control shaft is aligned such that the input rocker pivot center and the output cam pivot center are coincidental.

Abstract: A variable valve timing controller for an internal combustion engine includes a hydraulic variable valve timing unit, a lock pin, and a hydraulic control valve. The lock pin is configured to lock the VCT phase at an intermediate lock position. The variable valve timing controller controls a valve drive electric current that is used for actuating the hydraulic control valve. The controller controls the valve drive electric current based on a first control characteristic in the operation of the hydraulic control valve under a first control range. The controller controls the valve drive electric current based on a second control characteristic in the operation of the hydraulic control valve under a second control range. The first control characteristic is different from the second control characteristic.

Abstract: A valve timing control apparatus includes: a driving force transmission member; a driving side rotational member, to which a driving force is transmitted; a driven side rotational member coaxially provided to the driving side rotational member, and rotating relative to the driving side rotational member, thereby rotating a camshaft for opening and closing a valve; and a hydraulic pressure chamber formed by the driving side rotational member and the driven side rotational member. The driving side rotational member includes a housing formed into a closed-end cylindrical shape and having a bottom portion formed to close one end of the housing in an axial direction thereof and an opening portion formed to be opened at the other end the housing in the axial direction thereof, and a plate member closing the opening portion. The driving force transmission member, formed into a ring shape, is attached to the bottom portion.

Abstract: A valve lash setting method for setting a predetermined lash in a valve assembly for internal combustion engines. The method includes generating a torque curve and using a linear regression calculation to define a zero crossing point from which a predetermined final lash position of an adjusting screw can be set and secured.

Abstract: A fuel composition for use in an internal combustion engine comprising at least one liquid fuel and at least one gaseous fuel, the gaseous fuel having an effective solubility in the liquid fuel at twenty degrees Celsius and one atmosphere in the range of 0.0000001 g/kg to 0.0002 g/kg, wherein dispersion of the gaseous fuel within the liquid fuel before introduction of the fuel composition to the injection system of the engine is such that molecules of the liquid and gaseous fuels are substantially equidistant one from another, liquid from liquid and gas from gas, within a variance preferably of no more than one hundred percent (±100%), more preferably of no more than fifty percent (±50%), and most preferably of no more than twenty-five percent (±25%), whereby the fuel composition is substantially homogeneous so as to promote the atomization of the liquid fuel and thus improve combustion.

Abstract: The invention provides a laser ignition device for a combustion engine, especially a four-stroke engine, powered by ethyl alcohol, methyl alcohol and petrol, kerosene and benzol (benzene). The device of the invention is provided, in addition to a pulse laser, with a housing (10), at the outlet of which a quartz window (11) is seated, with a control-operation system (18) and with a dumper (15) seated in the bottom (3.1) of the piston (3) of the engine cylinder (2). The operation surface of the dumper (15) is heated in pulses by the laser radiation beam and said heated up operation surface of the dumper (15) causes ignition when the fuel mix reaches its lower explosion range limit.

Abstract: An ignition device attachment structure for an internal combustion engine includes an ignition plug tube inserted between a cylinder head cover and an ignition device insertion hole formed in a cylinder head of the internal combustion engine. The ignition plug tube bulges from an upper end of the ignition plug tube to an intermediate portion of the ignition plug tube on a lateral surface of the ignition plug tube.

Abstract: A valve assembly for use in an air management assembly having an engine, an exhaust side, and an intake side, where the valve assembly provides a housing, a plurality of openings in the housing, a valve in the housing, and an actuator operably connected to the valve. The housing is in fluid communication with the exhaust side and the intake side. The plurality of openings in the housing form at least one inlet and at least one outlet in the housing. The valve moves with respect to the plurality of openings.

Abstract: A height of an upper end of an oil outflow prevention wall 25 with respect to the fastening plane 15 is greater in a lower side of the inclination of the fastening plane 15 than in a higher side of the inclination of the fastening plane 15.

Abstract: A multi-cylinder internal combustion engine includes a one-side crank chamber and an other-side crank chamber formed by partitioning a lower crankcase by a plurality of lower support walls which are provided integrally with the lower crankcase and support a crankshaft. A plurality of oil outflow holes respectively communicate with the one-side crank chamber and the other-side crank chamber through which oil is discharged from the one-side crank chamber and the other-side crank chamber. An oil discharge port is provided along a lower support wall of the one-side crank chamber and the other-side crank chamber. A suction port of a scavenging pump for discharging the oil present in the one-side crank chamber and the other-side crank chamber is provided in an outer wall in the manner of straddling the lower support wall.

Abstract: An internal combustion engine is ignition-combustion started with or without cranking by controlling the ignition-combustion based on combustion chamber pressure, or engine temperature, or piston position, or the time elapsed since the engine was stopped, or a combination of these considerations.

Abstract: Methods and systems are provided for operating an engine including a first and a second bank of cylinders. One example method comprises, adjusting engine injection timing based on a first temperature of a first intake of the first bank and a second temperature of a second intake of the second bank.

Abstract: It is an object of the invention to provide a multi-cylinder diesel engine in which a thermal damage of a common rail, and a rise in fuel temperature can be suppressed. In order to achieve the object, a multi-cylinder diesel engine in which, while the extension direction of a crank shaft 1 is set to the anteroposterior direction, a common rail 3 which is directed in the anteroposterior direction is placed above an intake manifold 2, and an engine cooling fan 4 is placed in front of the engine is configured so that the width direction of the engine which is perpendicular to the anteroposterior direction is set to the lateral direction, an air intake portion 6 of the intake manifold 2 is placed on the outer lateral side of the both lateral sides of the common rail 3, the outer lateral side being opposite to a head cover 5, and the common rail 3 is placed in a place to which engine cooling air produced by the engine cooling fan 4 is blown.

Abstract: The invention relates to an engine including: —a cylinder that contributes to define a chamber (3), —a first piston (4), said first piston (4) and cylinder are subjected to a first relative back-and-forth motion, —an output shaft (8), —a second piston (14), said second piston (4) and cylinder are subjected to a second relative back-and-forth motion, said output shaft (8) mounted coaxially to said pistons (4, 14), —a first means for converting (5) said first relative back-and-forth movement into rotational motion of the output shaft (8), including, on one side, a first corrugated guide track (9) and, on the other side, a first guide element (10) designed to move along said guide track (9), —a first adjustment member (5) to position the first guide track (9).

Abstract: A charge control unit controls electricity charged to a piezo element, which is for actuating a backpressure control valve so as to control backpressure applied to a valve element for a fuel injection valve. The backpressure control valve is configured to start to decrease the backpressure to actuate the valve element to open an injection port of the fuel injection valve when voltage of the electricity exceeds a threshold. A charge unit increases the voltage by repeating increasing and decreasing a drive current, which is supplied to the piezo element, for multiple times for charging the piezo element. A switching unit alternates the increasing and the decreasing such that the voltage exceeds the threshold in an intermediate period in a middle of a specific increasing period among multiple increasing periods, in each of which the drive current increases.

Abstract: An internal combustion engine with a plurality of cylinders operating in a four-stroke mode, with pistons moving with reciprocating motion, employs at least one holding tank that is formed within a branch of an intake manifold. The holding tank may be shared among a plurality of cylinders. The holding tank, in response to an opening and a closure of a holding valve within the manifold, serves alternately as a conduit and a tank to convey a pre-combustion gas (fuel-air mix in gasoline engines) to and from the cylinders. Intake valves are held open beyond termination of induction strokes for entry and extraction a quantity of pre-combustion gas from a cylinder to reduce the compression ratio to a value less than the expansion ratio.

Abstract: A device for mixing exhaust gas in an engine air intake includes a mixing chamber disposed or formed in an air intake conduit, the mixing chamber having an inlet for receiving intake air and an outlet for exhausting the intake air, and having a port between the inlet and the outlet and a mixer tube extending into the port, an end portion of the mixer tube disposed in the mixing chamber shaped as a cylindrical-section having an elongated opening facing the mixing chamber outlet and a wall facing the mixing chamber inlet, a cross-sectional area of the end portion of the mixer tube being at least 40% of a cross sectional area of the mixing chamber at a point where the mixer tube extends into the mixing chamber and an end tip of the mixer tube being spaced from a wall of the mixing chamber opposite the aperture by a distance not more than 20% of a width of the mixing chamber.

Abstract: A conduit filter for an internal combustion engine, such as a diesel engine, comprises: a tubular conduit configured to enclose a stream of crankcase ventilation from the engine; and one or more vanes attached to an interior conduit surface of the tubular conduit, the one or more vanes protruding into the stream of crankcase ventilation to stimulate turbulence in the stream of crankcase ventilation so as to facilitate the deposition of oil from the stream of crankcase ventilation onto the interior conduit surface and onto surfaces of the one or more vanes.

Abstract: A two-stroke internal combustion engine includes at least one gaseous communication charge passage between a crankcase chamber and a combustion chamber of the engine and a piston to open and close the top end of the transfer passage. The air inlet port to the transfer passage for stratified scavenging is opened and closed by the piston that has passages and cutouts. The charge inlet to the crankcase chamber is opened and closed by the piston. The air and charge inlet passages are substantially asymmetrical to the layout of the transfer passages and are closer to one transfer passage compared to the other. The internal air passage in the piston is substantially perpendicular to the piston pin.

Abstract: In various embodiments, a metering apparatus may be associated with an engine. The metering apparatus may include a first passageway for transporting air to a first port of an engine, and a second passageway for transporting gaseous fuel to a second port of the engine.

Abstract: An electronic device provides parameters to a paintball gun and/or paintball accessories. The gun performs an operation in accordance with the parameters. The accessories respectively perform a function of the accessories in accordance with the parameters. The electronic device does not perform a function of the paintball gun or a function of the accessories.

Abstract: Embodiments of the disclosure provide an aggregate cutting saw chain having a pitch in the range of approximately 0.440 to approximately 0.450. Embodiments also include tie straps and/or other components having fluid distribution features.

Abstract: A masonry block that is produced from a workpiece that is split in a block splitting assembly which uses any of a variety of projections to supplement or replace the action of the splitting blade in splitting and dressing the workpiece. The resulting masonry block has features that provide the masonry block with a weathered appearance.