Abstract: Anchoring devices and systems are disclosed for use with elongated reinforcement members such as FRP, SRP, metallic bars, or cables. Such devices and systems impart a compressive stress into a static structure having the elongated reinforcement member running therethrough or therealong. An anchoring system can include an anchor block that includes a front end surface for contacting the static structure, an axial bore for receiving the elongated reinforcement member, and clamping members that, when closed, exert a radial clamping force on a reinforcement member in the axial bore. A tensioning and anchoring system may include one or more tensioners integrally connected to an anchor block. At least one sleeve may be secured to the anchor block and cooperate with a bolt that displaces the anchor block to place a tensile force on the elongated reinforcement member and impart a compressive force on the static structure.

Abstract: A roofing system includes a plurality of roofing panel assemblies. Each roofing panel assembly includes a base having a substantially planar surface, a plurality of I-joists having an upper flange and a lower flange, wherein the base is attached to the lower flanges of the plurality of I-joists, and a cap having a substantially planar surface, wherein the cap is attached to the upper flanges of the plurality of I-joists. The plurality of I-joists includes a first edge most I-joist and a second edge most I-joist. A first edge of the cap is attached to the upper flange of the first edge most I-joist such that a portion of the upper flange of the first edge most I-joist is not covered by the cap. A second edge of the cap extends beyond an edge of the second edge most I-joist for a distance less than a width of the upper flange of the second edge most I-joist.

Abstract: An environmental barrier composition and method of use for forming a structural barrier system to seal structural openings such as doors and windows is provided. The composition includes a liquid rosin that is silyl-terminated polyether, a filler material, and a curing catalyst. The method includes applying the composition to a prepared through-hole in combination with flashing material at least along a bottom surface of the through-hole and installation of a window or door into the prepared through-hole to form a barrier system in which a continuous film can be easily inspected, is waterproof, meet air barrier requirements of ASTM E2178, has elastomeric properties, allows substrate expansion, contraction, and movement, does not shrink or lose volume as it cures, and cures rapidly with sufficient adhesion to transition flashing to incorporate into a designed drainage plane and allow integration of a continuous air barrier system where the barrier is at least semi-vapor-permeable.

Abstract: This invention provides a flooring apparatus comprising: (a) a flooring plate; (b) a plurality of columns extending from an underside of the flooring plate, wherein at least some of the columns deform when the flooring plate is subjected to a pressure equal to or greater than a critical buckling pressure; and (c) a matrix material in at least partial contact with the columns. The present disclosure includes many variations of such apparatus, such as various column designs, material selection criteria, and end-use considerations. This invention also provides a flooring system for mitigating injuries associated with falls, the system comprising a plurality of flooring apparatus each provided in accordance the present disclosure. The flooring system can include one or more types of modular tiles, or any other configuration (such as mats).

Abstract: A series of parallel V-grooves are formed on the top surface of a new or existing top coat of lightweight insulating concrete of a roof deck. A slurry coat of formulated concrete is then applied to the top coat of lightweight insulating concrete at locations in between the parallel V-grooves, to repair cracks and holes and attach a base ply roof membrane, thereby eliminating the need for a base sheet and mechanical fasteners when installing a roof membrane system on the lightweight concrete deck of a roof structure. The formulated concrete slurry comprises a mixture of Portland cement (type I), cellulose, poly vinyl alcohol, and water. A base ply (modified or single ply) roof membrane having a sanded or fleece bottom side is set into a ¼ inch thick slurry coat of the formulated concrete to effectively attach the base ply roof membrane to the lightweight concrete deck.

Abstract: An insulation system for buildings, including fabric structures. Tensioned steel bands form a strap platform for holding insulation battings secured by stick-pins and locking washers.

Abstract: The present invention provides a masonry wall reinforcing bracket (2) comprising an elongate inter-course shear transfer member (4), the shear transfer member (4) comprising a rebar cradling feature (6). The shear transfer member (4) may further comprise a plate (5) operative to be located within at least a perpend (22) of a masonry wall (10). The bracket may further comprise a supporting member (28) that protrudes perpendicularly from the length of the shear transfer member (4). The supporting member (28) may comprises a plate operative to be located within a bed joint (24) of the masonry wall (10). The supporting member (28) may be a stabilising foot. The rebars and brackets are used in a bond beam (10) system incorporated within the wall (10).

Abstract: Roofing shingles have a top surface, a bottom surface, a headlap portion, and a bead of tab sealant that is configured to bond to an underlying shingle when the shingle is applied on a roof. The tab sealant has a thickness that causes it to extend beyond a face of the bottom surface of the shingle. The headlap portion has a depression extending horizontally across the shingle when shingle is applied to the roof, the depression being spaced from a top edge of the shingle by a distance that will allow the depression to be aligned with the tab sealant of a complementary shingle when the shingles are assembled in complementary pairs, back to back in a bundle.

Abstract: Wall blocks, veneers, veneer connectors, walls, and methods of constructing walls are provided. More particularly, the invention relates to constructing walls in which a veneer panel is attached to a wall block with a connector and in which the front faces of the veneers have a desirable texture.

Abstract: A locking system for mechanical joining of floorboards constructed from a body, a rear balancing layer and an upper surface layer. A strip, which is integrally formed with the body of the floorboard and which projects from a joint plane and under an adjoining board has a locking element which engages a locking groove in the rear side of the adjoining board. The joint edge provided with the strip is modified with respect to the balancing layer, for example by means of machining of the balancing layer under the strip, in order to prevent deflection of the strip caused by changes in relative humidity. Also, a floorboard provided with such a locking system, as well as a method for making floorboards with such a locking system.

Abstract: An interlockable tile (100) includes a plurality of sets of upper surface arrangements (110A-110C, 110A?-110C?) and a corresponding plurality of sets of underside arrangements (109?). First sets of the upper surface arrangements (110A-110C) and the underside arrangements are located at or adjacent a first side edge (104C) of the tile (100). Second sets of the upper surface (110A-110C?) and the underside arrangements are located at or adjacent an opposite side edge (104D) of the tile, in use, the upper surface arrangement of the tile interlocking with a corresponding underside arrangement on an overlapping tile. The tile also includes a first formation (114) at or adjacent one side edge (104C), and a second formation (112) at or adjacent an opposite side edge (104D) that, in use, interlocks with a corresponding said first formation of an adjacent roof tile.

Abstract: A protective air barrier air barrier sealant and methods of applying the same, including a high density polyurethane chemistry provided in an amount, volume, and density effective for providing a protective air barrier for an enclosure, wherein the polyurethane material is combined with at least one UV, fire and antimicrobial protectant for providing UV protection to UV-exposed surfaces.

Abstract: A wall form tie retrieval system is disclosed that provides a wall form tie casing. The casing can be a channel sized to fit between two assembled concrete wall forms. A lid can be manufactured to fit on the channel to surround the wall form tie when assembled. The wall form tie secures the two concrete wall forms together and the channel can space the forms apart a predetermined distance. The channel can have an open side and a lid to engage the open side of the channel such that placement of the lid substantially encloses the wall tie. After concrete is poured and cured, the wall form tie can be removed from the casing and re-used. The plastic or reinforced paper wall tie casings can be manufactured for a fraction of the cost of the metal ties, thus saving money in the construction of concrete walls.

Abstract: A method of making an insulating translucent panel assembly such as a window or door lite is provided. In the method, a spacer between two translucent panels of glass or plastic includes a thermo-responsive sealing material. When heat and compression are applied to the spacer, the thermo-responsive sealing material softens and fully seals the spacer to the two translucent panels. A spacer designed to be used in this method is also provided.

Abstract: A system for sterilizing bottles with a gaseous sterilant. The system includes moving means for continuously moving bottles one after another along a path. An assembly is provided for distributing a predetermined amount of the gaseous sterilant from a source of gaseous sterilant to each of the bottles. The assembly includes a plurality of injectors that are movable with the bottles. One of the plurality of injectors is associated with each of the bottles. The injector is fluidly connected to the source of gaseous sterilant when the bottle associated with the injector is disposed along a first portion of the path. The injector is disposed above the bottle when the injector is in a first position. The injector is disposed within an interior of the bottle when the injector is in a second position such that the predetermined amount of the gaseous sterilant is conveyed into the interior of the bottle.

Abstract: A passage for the sealed and/or sterile passage of a functional element (15), for example a rod and/or wave-like functional element through at least one wall (6) separating a sterile chamber (5) from an non-sterile chamber, comprising at least one hydraulic seal (20) enabling a relative movement of the functional element (15) in relation to the at least one wall (6).

Abstract: The invention relates to a processing machine for processing bottles or similar containers (2), comprising at least one rotor (3, 16) supported by at least one bearing arrangement (10, 11) rotatably about a machine axis (MA), and comprising a plurality of processing stations (4) provided at the rotor (3, 16), characterized in that the rotor (3, 16) is supported by a plurality of rollers (10, 11) distributed about the machine axis (MA) and forming the bearing arrangement.

Abstract: Closing machine for closing bottles or similar containers (2) using closures (3, 3a), having a plurality of closing stations (11) which each have a closing tool (12, 14) and a container carrier and are formed on the circumference of a rotor (4), which can be driven in circulation around a vertical machine axis (MA), wherein the rotor (4) has formed on it, in the region of the closing stations (11), a sterile chamber (5) which is bounded in the direction of the surroundings by walls or wall portions (6, 7, 8, 9) and into which the containers (2), which are retained in a hanging state on the container carriers, extend by way of their container mouth (2.1) which is to be closed, and wherein the respective closing tool (12, 14) extends into the sterile chamber (5) merely by way of a part which interacts with the container (2) which is to be closed and/or with the closure (3, 3a), all the rest of its functional elements being arranged outside the sterile chamber (5).

Abstract: A method and apparatus for automatically circumferentially wrapping a cable with a wrapping tape connectable to a fastener, wherein the apparatus comprises: a gripper device with movable jaws, a joining tool, a first feeder; a second feeder, and a control device. The jaws permit the fastener and the wrapping tape to be circumferentially guided around the cable. The joining tool joins overlapping portions of the tape, and is adapted to join the tape separately to the fastener. The first feeder advances tape to the gripper device during the wrapping operation and retracts the tape during tautening. The second feeder feeds the fastener to the gripper device. The control device locks the fastener in a predefined circumferential position relative to the cable, and causes the first feeder to advance the tape forward relative to the fastener by a predefined tape length.

Abstract: A sealing system configured to receive a container and seal the container with a lidding. The system comprises an in-feeder that is configured to receive a plurality of containers and transport a batch of containers that are selected from the plurality of containers; and a modular seal assembly that is configured to seal the batch of containers with a lidding, wherein the modular seal assembly comprises: a docking station that is configured to hold a plurality of sealing modules; and a sealing module that is configured to be removable from the docking station without removing any other one of the plurality of sealing modules.

Abstract: An apparatus for forming flexible containers from a film web, dispensing fluid into the containers, and enclosing the fluid within the containers. The film web comprises a pair of juxtaposed film plies, a closed longitudinal edge at which the plies are joined, and an open longitudinal edge at which the plies are not joined.

Abstract: A bag forming, filling and sealing machine is provided with a pull-off device for the packaging material, with a forming tube for forming and filling tube-like bags, with a longitudinal sealing device and with a cross sealing device, wherein the longitudinal sealing device is designed as an ultrasonic longitudinal sealing device integrated into the forming tube in order to seal the first and second longitudinal edges of the packaging material with one another into an overlapping sealing seam. Provisions are made for reliably guiding the mutually overlapping edges of a film forming the tube for the ultrasonic longitudinal sealing device to have a spring-loaded guide plate for guiding at least one edge of the packaging material.

Abstract: An article bagging apparatus designed to reduce impacts caused by stopping at advance and retraction terminal points. The article bagging apparatus has an upper scoop 12 and a lower scoop 14 rectilinearly movable forward and backward together in a horizontal direction. The upper and lower scoops are advanced and inserted into a bag through an opening thereof, and the upper scoop is displaced upward relative to the lower scoop, thereby expanding the bag vertically. In addition, the upper and lower scoops are retracted to pull the expanded bag in the direction of retraction of the upper and lower scoops, thereby allowing an article placed in the path of retraction of the lower scoop to enter the bag through the opening.

Abstract: A seat pad including a top layer having a front end and a back end, a bottom layer having a front end and a back end, a cavity defined by the top layer and the bottom layer, a climate controlled thermal pad disposed within the cavity, a first attachment system secured proximate the bottom layer back end for containing a saddle cantle, and a second attachment system secured proximate the bottom layer front end for containing a saddle pommel. The thermal pad is activatable to either heat or cool the top layer of the seat pad.

Abstract: An air intake system (20) for a utility vehicle engine (16) is provided. The system comprises an air filter module (21) having a pre-filter (22) upstream of a main filter (24) wherein the pre-filter serves to extract dust from the air stream. The system further comprises a fan module (32) which is dedicated to deliver a scavenging vacuum which sucks said dust through a scavenger vent (28) in the pre-filter. The fan module (34) is secured to the air filter module (21). By providing a dedicated fan for extracting the dust from the system the reliance on the engine exhaust to provide the vacuum is removed. Furthermore, the securing of the fan module to the air filter module reduces the number of components on the vehicle assembly line.

Abstract: A portable air filter having a cylindrical, perforated shell with an end wall at one end closing the shell and an end wall at the other end having an opening. A hepa filter is removably mounted within the shell adjacent the perforations. The air filter has a blower unit with a through duct and a fan and a motor in the duct. The blower unit is detachably mountable on the shell adjacent the end wall at the other end with one open end of the duct extending through the opening in the end wall. Air is drawn through the perforated shell and hepa filter into the duct and out of the duct through its other open end away from the air filter.

Abstract: A filter body having a housing, a cavity for holding a filter media, intake ports each configured to receive an intake tube, and a plurality of intake port flaps configured for movement between a first position which restricts passage of a gas or liquid and a second position which allows passage of a gas of liquid. In one aspect, a filter body has flaps that have a magnet and the housing has an attracting material configured to attract the magnet in at least one of the flaps and configured to hold a flap in the first position. In another aspect, a filter in which a portion of the housing comprises an attracting means is configured to hold a flap in the first position. In another aspect, a filter having a housing configured to hold a filter media has a plurality of fluid passage holes and hole covers, in which the hole covers and an area adjacent to the holes on the filter housing each have an attracting material for holding the hole covers in a position.

Abstract: Skimmer devices for concentrating an aerosol from a flowing gas stream, said skimmers having an inlet with inlet aperture and inlet raceway, an outlet with virtual impactor void and collector channel, and a bulk flow divertor positioned axisymmetrically on the long axis of flow, further characterized in that the downstream surface of the bulk flow divertor is curved for contactingly diverting the streamlines of the bulk flow by greater than 90 degrees away from the long axis of flow without wall separation or instability. Also described are combinations of slot-type and annular-type skimmers with upstream focusing elements such as aerodynamic lenses, and uses thereof.

Abstract: A farm vehicle includes a crop gathering mechanism to convey harvested crop material to a crop flow path passing internally through at least part of the vehicle. The vehicle includes a vehicle data bus and a plurality of control modules operatively connected to the vehicle data bus and configured to monitor information on the vehicle data bus and to act according to such information. An electronic operator module is configured to monitor the states of operator controls and to broadcast information on the vehicle data bus specifying such states. Additionally, video cameras positioned within the vehicle face the crop flow path and are operably connected to a graphic display. A graphic display control module includes a processor configured to control the display of images on the graphic display for selective display of images from the video cameras based upon information from the vehicle data bus.

Abstract: A cable-stranding apparatus for performing SZ-stranding of strand elements about at least one core member is disclosed. A first stationary guide member individually guides the strand elements in a spaced apart configuration and centrally passes the at least one core member. At least one hollow-shaft motor is arranged downstream of the stationary guide member. A rotating guide member is disposed in the hollow shaft and rotates with the hollow shaft according to a rotation relationship. The rotation relationship controls the rotational speed and direction of the rotating guide member to SZ-strand the strand elements about the at least one core member to form an SZ-stranded assembly. Embodiments of cable-stranding apparatus having multiple hollow-shaft motors and respective multiple rotating guide members are also disclosed.

Abstract: Cable-stranding methods for performing SZ-stranding of strand elements about at least one core member are disclosed. One method includes passing initially spaced apart strand elements through peripheral guide holes and passing at least one core member through a generally central location of at least one guide member. The method also includes actuating a controller that controls the rotation of the at least one guide member and rotating the at least one guide member to form the SZ-stranded assembly.

Abstract: A yarn (100) comprising two or more bundles (110, 120, 130), each of said bundles comprising at least thirty metal fibres (140) is described. The bundles of the yarn are twisted with one another with a predetermined number of torsions per meter, said predetermined number of torsions permeter is smaller than 80 per meter and larger than 10 per meter. By doing so, an improved flexlife of the yarn can be obtained.

Abstract: A mobile chain stud press comprising body having a concave opening configured to receive at least a portion of a link having a loose stud; a first head connected with the body adjacent a first end of the body; a second head connected with the body adjacent a second end of the body, wherein one of the heads is movably connected with the body and the other is statically connected with the body; and a drive mechanism connected with the movable head.

Abstract: Methods and systems for pressing a stud using a mobile stud chain press are provided. The method can include retrieving a portion of a chain while in an operation area, and placing at least a portion of a stud of a link of the chain between two heads secured to a mobile chain stud press. At least one of the heads can be movable from a first position to a second position. The movable head can be moved from a first position to a second position to compress the stud laterally.

Abstract: A system and method of reducing gas turbine nitric oxide emissions includes a first combustion stage configured to burn air vitiated with diluents to generate first combustion stage products. A second combustion stage is configured to burn the first combustion stage products in combination with enriched oxygen to generate second combustion stage products having a lower level of nitric oxide emissions than that achievable through combustion with vitiated air alone or through combustion staging alone.

Abstract: A thrust reverser drive arrangement is described for use in driving a thrust reverser cowl for movement relative to first and second guide tracks, the drive arrangement comprising a first actuator located, in use, close to the first guide track, and a second actuator located, in use, close to the second guide track, the actuators being arranged to be driven in synchronism and at the same speed by a drive motor to drive the cowl for movement, wherein at least one of the first and second actuators is provided with a load limiter to limit the transmission of loads through that actuator in the event that that actuator is subject to a compressive loading greater than a predetermined level.

Abstract: Systems and methods for passively directing aircraft engine nozzle flow are disclosed. One system includes an aircraft nozzle attachable to an aircraft turbofan engine, with the nozzle including a first flow path wall bounding a first flow path and being positioned to receive engine exhaust products, and a second flow path wall bounding a second flow path and being positioned to receive engine bypass air. The first flow path wall is positioned between the first and second flow paths, and the second flow path wall is positioned between the second flow path and an ambient air flow path. Multiple flow passages can be positioned in at least one of the first and second flow path walls to passively direct gas from a corresponding flow path within the flow path wall through the flow path wall to a corresponding flow path external to the flow path wall.

Abstract: An exhaust purifying system for an engine includes: a soot filter being provided to a PM filter device to collect PM contained in exhaust gas; a regeneration execution judging unit being provided to a controller to decide whether or not the soot filter should be regenerated; an air cooled aftercooler that cools intake air being supercharged by a turbocharger; a cooling fan that supplies cooling air to the aftercooler and a forced-regeneration fan rotation speed controlling unit being provided to the controller to lower the rotation speed of the cooling fan when the regeneration execution judging unit decides that the soot filter needs to be regenerated.

Abstract: A system for filtering and oxidizing particulate matter produced by a gasoline direct injection engine is disclosed. In one embodiment, engine cylinder air-fuel is adjusted to allow soot to oxidize at an upstream particulate filter while exhaust gases are efficiently processed in a downstream catalyst.

Abstract: A system for filtering and oxidizing particulate matter produced by a gasoline direct injection engine is disclosed. In one embodiment, engine cylinder air-fuel is adjusted to allow soot to oxidize at an upstream particulate filter while exhaust gases are efficiently processed in a downstream catalyst.

Abstract: A method is presented for controlling an internal combustion engine (10), which includes an exhaust gas system (12) having an exhaust gas aftertreatment component (22) that temporarily stores exhaust gas constituents and can be regenerated, wherein an expected value for a temperature of the exhaust gas aftertreatment component (22) is formed as a function of an increase in temperature, which arises as a result of exothermal reactions during the duration of an operating mode (BA2) of the internal combustion engine (10) which is set for the regeneration of said exhaust gas aftertreatment component (22), wherein the expected value is compared with an upper threshold value (T_max) and the control of said internal combustion engine (10) is changed when the threshold value (T_max) is exceeded, such that an expected value formed while taking the changed control into account does not exceed said threshold value (T_max).

Abstract: There is provided an exhaust gas treatment apparatus 1a including: a tubular body 10 and a discharge electrode 12 disposed inside the tubular body. The tubular body 10 has a shape where an inner diameter of the tubular body 10 is gradually reduced in a predetermined range from a face 25 which contains a central point 24x of generation of corona discharge 24 generated by the discharge electrode 12 and which is perpendicular to the flow passage toward the downstream side 44 of the flow passage.

Abstract: A system for filtering and oxidizing particulate matter produced by a gasoline direct injection engine is disclosed. In one embodiment, engine cylinder air-fuel is adjusted to allow soot to oxidize at an upstream particulate filter while exhaust gases are efficiently processed in a downstream catalyst.

Abstract: A method for operating a spark-ignition engine having a three-way catalyst and a particulate filter downstream thereof, comprising: oscillating an exhaust air-fuel ratio entering the particulate filter to generate air-fuel ratio oscillations downstream of the particulate filter, while increasing exhaust temperature; when the downstream oscillations are sufficiently dissipated, enleaning the exhaust air-fuel ratio entering the particulate filter; and reducing the enleanment when an exhaust operating parameter is beyond a threshold amount.

Abstract: A particulate matter sensor includes a first detection filter provided in an exhaust gas flow passage and capable of collecting particle matter. A second detection filter is provided on a downstream side of the first detection filter in the exhaust gas flow passage and capable of collecting the particle matter. A first differential pressure detection unit is configured to detect a first differential pressure between pressures of an upstream side and the downstream side of the first detection filter. A second differential pressure detection unit is configured to detect a second differential pressure between pressures of an upstream side and a downstream side of the second detection filter. A particle matter amount detection unit is configured to detect an amount of particle matter based on a detection result of the first differential pressure detection unit and a detection result of the second differential pressure detection unit.

Abstract: A method for monitoring a hydrocarbon-selective catalytic reactor device of an exhaust aftertreatment system of an internal combustion engine operating lean of stoichiometry includes injecting a reductant into an exhaust gas feedstream upstream of the hydrocarbon-selective catalytic reactor device at a predetermined mass flowrate of the reductant, and determining a space velocity associated with a predetermined forward portion of the hydrocarbon-selective catalytic reactor device. When the space velocity exceeds a predetermined threshold space velocity, a temperature differential across the predetermined forward portion of the hydrocarbon-selective catalytic reactor device is determined, and a threshold temperature as a function of the space velocity and the mass flowrate of the reductant is determined.

Abstract: Systems and methods for controlling regeneration of a particulate filter downstream of an engine coupled to an energy conversion device are provided herein. One exemplary method includes, during first engine shutdown conditions, increasing excess oxygen to the particulate filter by spinning the engine with the energy conversion device, and regenerating the particulate filter. The method also includes, during second engine shutdown conditions, decreasing the excess oxygen to the particulate filter.

Abstract: Various systems and method are described for controlling an engine having an exhaust system which includes a particulate filter. One example method comprises, after shutting down the engine and spinning down the engine to rest, operating a vacuum pump to draw fresh air through the exhaust system to an intake system, and regenerating at least a portion of the particulate filter during the engine rest.

Abstract: Systems and methods for controlling regeneration of a particulate filter downstream of an engine in a vehicle are provided herein. One exemplary method includes, during an engine shutdown, increasing a throttle opening and regenerating a particulate filter downstream of a three-way catalyst. The method also includes, during an engine start following an engine shutdown, setting one or more engine parameters based on whether the particulate filter was regenerated during a last engine shutdown before the engine start.

Abstract: A method for regenerating a particulate filter is disclosed. In one example, oxygen is pumped from the intake system of a direct injection turobocharged gasoline engine to the exhaust system by a compressor. The oxygen is introduced to a particulate filter at a location upstream from the particulate filter. In this way, regeneration of a particulate filter may be accomplished without disturbing the chemistry of a three-way catalyst located in the exhaust system upstream of the particulate filter.