Abstract: A volumetric meter for seed or fertilizer having a plurality of roller segments driven by a common drive shaft is provided with clutch mechanisms radially between each roller segment and the drive shaft to enable the roller segments to be individually shut-off to provide section or swath control to the machine.

Abstract: An apparatus having a composite sea-based structure with a first carbon nanotube infused material and a second carbon nanotube infused material. The first and second carbon nanotube infused materials each having a range of carbon nanotube loading selected to provide different functionalities.

Abstract: A variable geometry fin for use in a ship stabilization system is provided. A stabilization element adapted to extend below the water line of a ship. The stabilization element has a foil body and a trailing edge assembly extending from inside of the foil body. The trailing edge assembly includes an extension body having two opposing surfaces, a trailing edge attached to an end of the extension body, a vortex generator having protrusions and/or recesses on the two opposing surfaces, and at least one support guide located on an outboard side of the extension body. A deploy mechanism is attached to the foil body and the trailing edge assembly. The trailing edge assembly extends laterally from the foil body producing an additional surface area.

Abstract: An apparatus and associated method relating to a tiller for steering a boat. The tiller has an elongated body proximally connected to a steering mechanism portion of the boat and cantilevered therefrom, terminating at a distal end that is ergonomically responsive to a sailor's manual steering of the boat. The tiller also has a navigational device mounted to the body and thereby operably presented to the sailor at a desired viewing angle to facilitate the sailor reading an output display of the navigational device while steering the boat.

Abstract: A chock insert for a maritime craft comprises a body 10 arranged to be received within or mounted to a chock. The body 10 has a passageway therethrough to allow passage of a rope. The body 10 defines a rope running surface over which rope passing through the passageway can run, the rope running surface comprising a plastics material.

Abstract: A method for adjustably positioning a boat fender on the side of a boat utilizes a flexible strap having a plurality of openings therein having a boat fender rope threaded therethrough. The boat fender rope can be quickly moved through the openings in the strap to raise or lower the boat fender to lock the boat fender in place on the side of the boat.

Abstract: A floating base for a building, the base comprising at least one buoyant basement unit defining a basement level, and a reinforced concrete transfer slab atop the or each basement unit. The basement level provides habitable or functional space for the building, and the transfer slab has at least one access opening giving access to the basement level. Preferably, the base comprises at least two buoyant basement units, wherein each of the basement units is independently buoyant for assembly with at least one other basement unit during construction of the base, said basement units thereby assuming a final position in which said units are closely adjacent or in contact to define a basement level comprising two or more of said units. The invention also extends to a method for constructing a floating base for a building, and a method for launching a buoyant basement unit.

Abstract: The pontoon planer is a planer assembly for a pontoon boat that includes a pair of planer foils attached to the undersurface of the boat. Each foil presents a wedge-shaped profile, and a respective foil is disposed between the motor mount and a respective pontoon. The planers function to channel water in a downward direction to provide a lifting force to allow the pontoons to plane at lower speeds.

Abstract: Removable deck assemblies for boats, boats having removable deck assemblies, and permanently installed deck assemblies for boats are disclosed. A removable deck assembly includes a deck panel and a structure for removably attaching the deck panel in a bow of the boat. The structure supports the deck panel in a stable, substantially horizontal manner. The removable deck assembly can be adapted to be attached to various types of boats, including rigid inflatable boats, collapsible boats, inflatable boats, and rigid boats. The removable deck assembly can include additional features, for example, a deployable swim ladder, a pedestal seat support fitting, an outboard motor mount, a fishing pole holder, and/or an anchor line management fitting.

Abstract: A coupling for coupling a fall (26) to a lifeboat (1) comprising locking portions and a receiving portion constituting a hollow (10) having a open end and an upwardly facing aperture (15). The locking portion (25), hollow (10) and aperture (15) having a form preventing the locking portion (25) from passing through the aperture (15). The coupling further comprises actuators (30, 35, 39) controlled by a controller (40). A string (27) may be provided for easy retrieval of the locking portions upon the retrieval of the lifeboat (1).

Abstract: A meter device is disposed on an upper surface of a fuel tank that is disposed between a steering handlebar and a rider's seat. The meter device includes a dial substrate having a scale and a pointer that is rotated by a drive portion and points to the scale corresponding to a measurement output. The pointer includes a ridge that extends in a longitudinal direction and a spine portion having two surfaces that cross each other so as to form the ridge. An angle ?, at which the two surfaces forming the ridge cross each other, is formed into an acute angle, so that a side farther from the ridge as viewed from a side of a rider is not visible.

Abstract: Since vapor-phase growth of an epitaxial film is performed on the surface of a mirror surface silicon wafer which is not subjected to final polishing, and the surface of the epitaxial film is thereafter subjected to HCl gas etching, the mirror polishing step is simplified, and the productivity is improved, that enables a reduction in cost, and it is possible to suppress the surface roughness of the epitaxial film as well.

Abstract: The present invention consists in obtaining, with the capsule described, a vertical gradient favorable for diamond growth that prevails over any radial gradient by means of heating discs placed at the ends of the heating area, which implies a considerable control over the growth conditions. More specifically, in regard to the rate of growth, it allows for a better control of the quality of large crystals. Another important novelty is to use a source of carbon with a special design formed by cylindrical and conical hollows (graphite, amorphous carbon, diamond or other) with a solvent metal with a number of gases that are introduced in the capsule. Also, a nitrogen scavenger is used to avoid the formation of nitrides, carbides and oxides that are harmful for the growth and that as a significant novelty is placed outside the reaction area.

Abstract: A silicon single crystal pull-up apparatus is used to pull up a doped silicon single crystal from a melt by means of the Czochralski process and includes a pull-up furnace, a sample chamber which is externally mounted on the pull-up furnace and houses a sublimable dopant, a shielding means for thermally isolating the interior of the pull-up furnace and the interior of the sample chamber, a sample tube which can be raised and lowered between the interior of the sample chamber and the interior of the pull-up furnace, and a raising and lowering means which is provided with guide rails on which the sample tube can slide and a wire mechanism by which the sample tube is raised and lowered along the guide rails.

Abstract: There is provided a pellicle in which the frame is chamfered along all of its horizontal edges (as viewed when the pellicle frame is laid flat), and in particular those edges of the frame where the membrane-bonding frame face meets the external side walls of the frame are chamfered to the extent of C:0.01 mm-C:0.12 mm; in relation to this chamfer, a method is also provided wherein, after attaching a preformed pellicle membrane to the membrane-bonding frame face, the excessive part of the preformed membrane which extends beyond outer edges of the frame face is cut off in a manner wherein a blade of a knife is caused to scour the chamfer over the membrane in a manner such that the knife blade is kept in such an angle that the blade gets in a face-to-face contact with the chamfer face or that the blade touches only that edge of the frame where the chamfer face meets the first frame face while the knife blade is moved along the chamfered edge of the frame.

Abstract: An electrostatic chuck is provided which is arranged that, at the time of performing processing treatments of irradiating light to a to-be-processed substrate while holding the translucent to-be-processed substrate, the to-be-processed substrate can surely be held even in case the attraction force lowers due to photoelectric effect. An electrostatic chuck has a chuck plate made of a dielectric material, and a first electrode and a second electrode, both electrodes being disposed in the chuck plate. A voltage is applied between the first and the second electrodes to thereby attract the to-be-processed substrate S to the surface of the chuck plate. The electrostatic chuck has, on part of the surface of the chuck plate, a substrate holding section 64 which is made of an adhesive sheet and the like having an adhesive force with respect to the to-be-processed substrate.

Abstract: A manufacturing apparatus is provided, which can improve a utilization efficiency of an evaporation material, reduce manufacturing costs of a light emitting device having an organic light emitting element, and shorten manufacturing time necessary to manufacture a light emitting device. According to the present invention, a multi-chamber manufacturing apparatus having plural film forming chambers includes a first film forming chamber for subjecting a first substrate to evaporation and a second film forming chamber for subjecting a second substrate to evaporation. In each film forming chamber, plural organic compound layers are laminated, thereby improving the throughput. Further, it is possible that the respective substrates in the plural film forming chambers are subjected to evaporation in the same manner in parallel, while another film forming chamber undergoes cleaning.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for depositing a film on a substrate includes introducing a material and a carrier gas into a heated chamber. The material may be a semiconductor material, such as a cadmium chalcogenide. A resulting mixture of vapor and carrier gas containing no unvaporized material is provided. The mixture of vapor and carrier gas are remixed to achieve a uniform vapor/carrier gas composition, which is directed toward a surface of a substrate, such as a glass substrate, where the vapor is deposited as a uniform film.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for depositing a film on a substrate includes introducing a material and a carrier gas into a heated chamber. The material may be a semiconductor material, such as a cadmium chalcogenide. A resulting mixture of vapor and carrier gas containing no unvaporized material is provided. The mixture of vapor and carrier gas are remixed to achieve a uniform vapor/carrier gas composition, which is directed toward a surface of a substrate, such as a glass substrate, where the vapor is deposited as a uniform film.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for depositing a film on a substrate includes introducing a material and a carrier gas into a heated chamber. The material may be a semiconductor material, such as a cadmium chalcogenide. A resulting mixture of vapor and carrier gas containing no unvaporized material is provided. The mixture of vapor and carrier gas are remixed to achieve a uniform vapor/carrier gas composition, which is directed toward a surface of a substrate, such as a glass substrate, where the vapor is deposited as a uniform film.

Abstract: A method of collecting a sample of milk while milking a succession of animals comprises diverting a portion of milk from an animal into a flowpath (74, 77) leading to an extraction point (80). The flowpath (74, 77) is dimensioned such that milk flows along the flowpath as a plug occupying the whole of its cross-section and allows some of the milk from the animal to pass the extraction point (80). Thereafter the milk is transferred into a container or other receiver and at least some of the remaining milk of that animal reaching the extraction point.

Abstract: A vent plug for a milking liner has an outlet that discharges the vent air in the downstream direction. The vent plug has an outlet disposed in the downstream portion of the inner flange of the vent plug so that vent air is directed toward the outlet of the short milk tube. The vent plug outlet also may be disposed in the upstream portion of the inner flange while being configured to direct the vent air in a downstream direction.

Abstract: A feeder includes a vertical housing enclosing a feed reservoir. The upper portion of the feed reservoir is secured by a hinged horizontal extension of the vertical housing. The hinged portion of the vertical housing contains a lid through which the feed reservoir may be replenished. The feed reservoir narrows at its lower end to form a funnel. A shaft with helical screw extends through the feed reservoir, secured to the hinged portion of the housing at its upper end and is restrained by the funnel outlet of the reservoir at its lower end. The shaft protrudes through the outlet of the reservoir where the horizontal lever is affixed to the protruding end of the shaft. The animal dispenses feed through the back-and-forth motion of this lever. A chute is secured to the lower portion of the housing to direct dispensed feed into the animal's feed bowl.

Abstract: A material-shifting system for shifting scattered material, such as livestock feed, closer to a barrier. The system includes at least one traveling unit having an angled push-head which is coupled to a shuttle. Preferably, the shuttle is driven along a rail by a remote driving. As the shuttle travels along the rail, the push head pushes material scattered over a surface towards the barrier.

Abstract: An animal watering system including a water tank, interior container and base for connecting to a bowl. The interior container fluidly connects the water tank and the base/bowl. The interior container in addition to supplying water from the water tank to the bowl, also receives water from the bowl as it circulates. The interior container includes a filter to filter the water as it leaves the water tank and enters the bowl and as it flows from the bowl into the interior container.

Abstract: A pet waste disposal system incorporates a rear molding having an interior volume for a rear compartment and includes a bag roll containment chamber moiety adjacent an aperture in a bottom wall. A center molding has an extrusion received in a circumferential lip of the rear molding in a closed position and provides a center wall. The center molding also includes a bag roll containment chamber mating moiety extending from the center wall for engagement of the bag roll containment chamber moiety of the rear molding in the closed position. The extrusion houses a second interior volume for a portion of a forward compartment. A front molding has a sealing surface to engage a front sealing surface on the center molding. The front molding is closely received against the center molding in a closed position opposite the rear molding.

Abstract: A handle capable of being used by a household pet to access food or litter is described. The handle includes: (i) a front portion capable of supporting thereon features to attract the household pet; (ii) a back portion that is disposed on or capable of being disposed on an opposite side of the front portion and the back portion protrudes outwardly away from the front portion such that a space is created between the front portion and the door when the back portion is connected to the door; and (iii) wherein the space allows the household pet to open the door and access the food or litter.

Abstract: A method for the mass production of fish belonging to the order of Cypriniforms, notably to the family of Cobitidae, from spawners which are raised in closed circuit.

Abstract: A disposable rodent cage used in both static and/or ventilated cage and rack systems, wherein the disposable cage includes a cage bottom. The cage may further be provided with a grommet disposed on the cage bottom and a bonnet constructed and arrange to fit over the cage bottom. The bonnet may further include a feeding and watering assembly. The cage may further include a filter cover that may be placed over an opening in the bonnet to cover the feeding and watering assembly. The bonnet may also include one or more elevated ribs disposed thereon to create an air seal when it is inserted into a canopy of a rack.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a method of forming an enclosure assembly without using tools or fasteners to complete the assembly. The method includes forming a base from a side support, front support, and a plurality of casters. A door assembly and back wall are coupled to the base by aligning a plurality of pegs therefrom with corresponding openings defined in the base. A plurality of protruding wires of a bottom wall are aligned and inserted into corresponding openings defined in the door assembly and back wall. In addition, a plurality of pegs that protrude from a side wall are inserted into a plurality of corresponding openings defined in the door assembly and back wall such that the side wall couples to the door assembly and back wall. The method also includes coupling a top wall to the door assembly, side wall, and back wall. A shelf assembly can be coupled to the side wall and/or back wall, and a ramp can be pivotably coupled to the shelf assembly.

Abstract: An animal enclosure including a frame having a first frame end, a second frame end, and a biasing member between the frame ends, wherein the biasing member biases the first frame end away from the second frame end; a shell overlying the frame to define an enclosed space within the frame, the shell being flexible such that the frame and the shell are movable between a collapsed condition and an opened condition; wherein the first frame end defines an opening through which the animal enters the enclosed space.

Abstract: A pet training collar includes a pet collar (10) placed around a neck of a pet, a balloon assembly (20) used for stimulating the neck of the pet during training of the pet, and a movable neck plate (30). Two ends of the neck plate (30) are movably connected to a lower part of the collar (10). The balloon assembly (20), the collar (10), and the neck plate (30) are disposed together. The balloon assembly controls relative movement of the collar (10) and the neck plate (30) through inflation or deflation to tighten or loosen the collar (10).

Abstract: The invention relates to a treatment platform for animals, particularly for hoofed animals, comprising two side walls (2a, 2b) that are disposed at a distance from each other and define an interior space of the treatment platform (1), and comprising a blocking element (3, 3?) on at least one end (1?, 1?), wherein a passage that is delimited by the two side walls can be locked by said blocking element. The invention provides that feet (4) projecting toward the outside engage on the side walls (2a, 2b), wherein the contact points (P) of said feet with a support (5) carrying the treatment platform (1) are disposed at a distance from the planes defined by the side walls (2a, 2b), and that the side walls (2a, 2b) are disposed at a distance from the plane defined by the lower ends (4?) of the feet (4) of the treatment platform (1).

Abstract: An animal restraint system for use during the transportation of animals comprising a region in which an animal is confined, one or more inflatable restraining means located within the region, at least one regulator for selectively increasing and/or decreasing the size of the one or more restraining means, and wherein a preselected value of inflation or deflation of the restraining means is maintained by the regulator.

Abstract: A system and method of release and dispersion of genetically altered flies or other insects to control insect population. Disclosed is an apparatus designed to be carried by an aircraft which implements a method of insect population control. The apparatus features one or more removable fly chambers that contain fly containment cylinders. The fly chambers are seated upon one or more nesting chutes. A refrigeration system operates to physically retard the fruit flies. Once the flies have been successfully immobilized by the refrigerated air, they are released from the fly containment cylinders and fall to the bottom of the fly chamber. Gates on the bottom of the fly chamber are opened manually or remotely to allow the refrigerated flies to fall through the nesting chute into the spiral release controllers. The spiral release controllers dispense the genetically altered flies into the exit chute.

Abstract: The equipment of the invention includes a boiler, a hot water storage tank, a duct for supplying domestic cold water, and a duct for tapping domestic hot water, wherein said equipment is characterized in that the duct for supplying cold water comprises a T-shaped connector connected by a duct provided with a storage vessel to a re-circulation duct connecting the tank to the inlet duct, provided with a pump, of the boiler, and in that the outlet duct of the boiler is provided with a three-way valve connected by a by pass duct to said T-shaped connector, wherein said valve can selectively assume a position in which it ensures communication between the boiler outlet and the central portion of the tank, or a position in which it ensures communication between the boiler outlet and said bypass duct.

Abstract: The carbon-free fire tube boiler is a boiler for heating water by combustion of hydrocarbon fuels with oxygen. The boiler includes a housing defining first and second heat transfer stages. At least one oxygen transport reactor is received within the first heat transfer stage. The oxygen transport reactor includes an outer wall and an inner cylindrical ion transport membrane. The membrane receives pressurized air and separates gaseous oxygen therefrom, transporting the oxygen into an annular region between the membrane and the outer wall. The gaseous hydrocarbon fuel is delivered into the annular region for combustion, producing gaseous carbon dioxide and water vapor. A water reservoir is defined within the first and second stages, with the at least one oxygen transport reactor and at least one transfer tube passing therethrough. The carbon dioxide and the water vapor are delivered through the at least one transfer tube for heating water contained therein.

Abstract: Provided is a boiler structure with which, by reducing the pressure drop in boiler evaporation tubes correspondingly to the heat flux, which varies in accordance with the distance in the boiler height direction, it is possible to reduce auxiliary power for a water feed pump and so forth, in addition to improving the flow stability and the natural circulation characteristics. The boiler structure includes a number of boiler evaporation tubes that are arranged on a wall surface of a furnace and that form a furnace wall, water pumped into the boiler evaporation tubes being heated in the furnace during flowing inside the tubes to produce steam, wherein the boiler evaporation tubes are formed by connecting tubes of a plurality of types, in which tube wall thicknesses are adjusted on the basis of furnace heat flux such that the higher the furnace heat flux in a region is, the smaller the tube inner diameter becomes.

Abstract: This disclosure may relate generally to systems, devices, and methods for a injecting a solid compound in line with a pressurized fluid, typically through a sootblower, to be delivered to targeted areas on the inside of a utility furnace.

Abstract: During operation of a spark ignition engine, an ignition system produces an output (e.g., breakdown voltage, peak secondary coil current, and spark duration) used to combust a charge (e.g., mixture of air and fuel) in an engine cylinder. Ignition output is important to consider in engines including a second fuel with high ignitability, for example in engines with a fuel reformer system. Example methods, devices and systems are included for adjusting ignition output.

Abstract: A method for operating an engine with a fuel reformer is presented. In one embodiment a first fuel is reformed into a gaseous fuel comprising H, CO, and CH4. The engine is operated by injecting the gaseous fuel and a second fuel to a cylinder of the engine in response to an available amount of gaseous fuel, engine speed and engine load. Further, an engine actuator may be adjusted to vary cylinder charge in response to the available amount of gaseous fuel.

Abstract: A method for operating an engine with a fuel reformer is presented. In one embodiment a first fuel is reformed into a gaseous fuel comprising H, CO, and CH4 or the fuel may change state to vaporized alcohol. The present method provides for ramping injection of the gaseous fuel so that stoichiometric combustion may be maintained while gaseous fuel is injected to the engine.

Abstract: A method for operating an engine with a fuel reformer is presented. In one embodiment a first fuel is reformed into a gaseous fuel comprising H, CO, and CH4. The engine is operated by injecting the gaseous fuel and a second fuel to a cylinder of the engine in response to an available amount of gaseous fuel, engine speed and engine load. Further, an engine actuator may be adjusted to vary cylinder charge dilution in response to the available amount of gaseous fuel.

Abstract: Various systems and methods are described for a controlling a flow of reformate fuel in a fuel system which includes a reformer and a storage tank coupled to an engine in a vehicle. The system includes a pump located between the reformer and the storage tank that is selectively operated in order to reduce parasitic losses on the system.

Abstract: Systems and methods for monitoring a fuel reformer which reforms ethanol into a reformate gas comprising H2, CO, and CH4 for fueling an engine are provided. Degradation of the fuel reformer may be indicated based on an amount of ethanol injected into the fuel reformer and an amount of at least one of H2, CO, and CH4 produced by the fuel reformer.

Abstract: Systems and methods are provided for selectively storing gaseous reformate output by a fuel reformer for fueling an engine. Carbon monoxide produced by a fuel reformer may be continuously combusted in the engine and/or engine exhaust rather than being stored.

Abstract: A method for operating an engine with a fuel reformer is presented. In one embodiment a method for operating an engine by injecting a gaseous fuel and a liquid fuel to at least an engine cylinder is presented. The method may prioritize the injection of the gaseous fuel in response to an amount of gaseous fuel stored in a fuel storage tank.

Abstract: Various systems and methods are described for a cooling system coupled to an engine in a vehicle. One example method comprises, during engine off, operating an auxiliary pump to flow coolant through a heater core; and, during engine running, operating an engine pump to flow coolant through the heater core and radiator, and selectively operating the auxiliary pump to assist flow through the heater core based on operating conditions.

Abstract: Methods and systems are provided for reducing aerodynamic drag on a moving vehicle. One example method comprises, during a first vehicle moving condition, operating the cooling fan, and during a second vehicle moving condition, selectively applying a braking torque on the fan.

Abstract: A common rail single fluid injection system includes fuel injectors and control valve assemblies with an internal cooling fluid circuit to improve overall life and performance of the injector. This is accomplished by supplying cooling fluid to the injector and allowing the same to come in direct contact with one of the hottest locations within the fuel injector; the high-pressure leak split spot. By providing cooling fluid directly to this location and then allowing the cooling fluid to drain out of the injector, the present disclosure effectively and efficiently manages thermal loads within the injector.