Abstract: A method for controlling the relative and absolute growth rates of all possible crystallographic planes of a group-III nitride crystal during ammonothermal growth. The growth rates of the various exposed crystallographic planes of the group-III nitride crystal are controlled by modifying the environment and/or conditions within the reactor vessel, which may be subdivided into a plurality of separate zones, wherein each of the zones has their own environment and conditions. The environment includes the amount of atoms, compounds and/or chemical complexes within each of the zones, along with their relative ratios and the relative motion of the atoms, compounds and/or chemical complexes within each of the zones and among the zones. The conditions include the thermodynamic properties each of the zones possess, such as temperatures, pressures and/or densities.

Abstract: Methods and apparatus for deposition processes are provided herein. In some embodiments, an apparatus may include a substrate support comprising a susceptor plate having a pocket disposed in an upper surface of the susceptor plate and having a lip formed in the upper surface and circumscribing the pocket, the lip configured to support a substrate on the lip; and a plurality of vents extending from the pocket to the upper surface of the susceptor plate to exhaust gases trapped between the backside of the substrate and the pocket when a substrate is disposed on the lip. Methods of utilizing the inventive apparatus for depositing a layer on a substrate are also disclosed.

Abstract: An apparatus is provided for assembling a pizza, including a pizza sauce spreading station, a cheese spreading station and a pepperoni applying station. A robot including a stationary base and an articulating arm having a gripper attached to the end is operable to grip a pizza pan having pizza dough therein to allow said robot to move the pan throughout the pizza sauce spreading station, and to a rotary dial system including the cheese spreading station and the pepperoni applying station. The robot arm manipulates the pizza pan in the sauce spreading station and the rotary dial system manipulates the pizza pan in the cheese station and the pepperoni applying station to properly distribute the cheese and pepperoni on the pizza.

Abstract: The present invention provides a method for manufacturing a vacuum processing chamber comprising a volume which is defined by a wall and which can be evacuated, said wall being made of aluminum by casting, said wall comprising an outer face and an inner face, said inner face faces the volume, and a method for improving the inner face of the wall of a vacuum processing chamber, wherein the inner face of said wall is smoothened by grinding and is subsequently pearl-blasted or shot-blasted. Vacuum processing chambers obtained by said methods are provided too.

Abstract: The various embodiments of the invention provide for relative movement of the substrate and a process head to access the entire wafer in a minimal space to conduct combinatorial processing on various regions of the substrate. The heads enable site isolated processing within the chamber described and method of using the same are described.

Abstract: A substrate processing apparatus comprising: a processing chamber which is to accommodate at least one substrate; a gas supply system which is to supply processing gas into the processing chamber; an exhaust system which is to exhaust atmosphere in the processing chamber; and at least one pair of electrodes which are to bring the processing gas into an active state and which are accommodated in protection tubes such that the electrodes can be inserted into and pulled out from the protection tubes, wherein the electrodes are accommodated in the protection tube in a state where at least a portion of the electrodes is bent, and the electrodes are formed of flexible members, is disclosed.

Abstract: This invention is a two-piece pet food and water dish that gives the appearance of a single dish. The pet dish invention consists of a water cavity that connects to a water channel. The water channel surrounds a dry island from three sides. The dry island has a boundary wall higher than the outer wall and lip of the water bowl. The food bowl slides freely in one direction inside the dry island walls and rests at the bottom of the dry island. The wide top lip of the food bowl stays higher than the lip of the water bowl, thus leaving a space between the food bowl lip and the water bowl lip, a distance equal to the width of the water channel. This prevents pet food from falling into the water cavity and channel when the pet is feeding or when refilling. Also, the portable food bowl can simply be removed to be cleaned or refilled. This pet food dish has a low center of gravity, is ant proof, holds and isolates food from the water cavity and channel, and can be left unattended for long periods of time.

Abstract: A liquid hummingbird feeder is provided with a liquid container having a sealable top opening and a bottom opening, a liquid tray adapted to immerse the bottom opening in liquid, and a valve mechanism adapted to close the bottom opening to enable the liquid container to be filled through the sealable top opening.

Abstract: An apparatus for storing aquatic animals comprises a tank for receipt of the aquatic animals, and an arrangement to create a foam environment in the interior of the tank such that at least a majority of the aquatic animals when stored in the tank are submerged in foam. The arrangement to create a foam environment may be configured to deliver a synthetic foam to the interior of the tank, or may be configured to generate the foam, preferably from the natural proteins of the aquatic animals. A fluid recirculation arrangement may recirculate fluid to generate the foam.

Abstract: The invention relates to an aquarium with a pressure-tight aquarium tank (7-12), which during operation is filled with a liquid, and with a pressure-resistant rising pipe (1), which opens out into the aquarium tank (7-12) and is intended for producing an increased hydrostatic pressure in the aquarium tank (7-12) by a liquid column located in the rising pipe (1).

Abstract: A tug toy that includes at least two gripping members and a central portion, wherein the at least two gripping members are attached to the central portion, and wherein the central portion further includes a noise maker.

Abstract: A pet entertainment device includes a base having means for securing the base to a support. A platform is attached to the base. A retractable device is attached to the platform and includes a resiliently mounted tether forcibly extendable and automatically retractable relative to the platform. A pet toy is attached to a terminal end of the tether adjacent to the platform. In this manner, the toy can be forcibly extended away from and automatically retracted toward the platform.

Abstract: A solar powered and solar actuated pet toy designed to be attached to a window or sliding glass door. The solar powered and solar actuated pet toy will entertain a pet whenever sunlight is available, without requiring the presence or intervention of the pet owner.

Abstract: The invention relates to apparatuses for a reversible pet spiral staircase. Embodiments of the invention comprise: a “bottom tread storage platform member”; a plurality of “tread platform members”, elevated above the bottom storage platform member; a “center leg support member”, and a plurality of “outer leg support members”, which support the tread platform members; and a helical “skirt board railing member” that supports the tread platform members and traverses the perimeter of the apparatus. Embodiments of the invention are capable of being configured in either the “left-hand spiral configuration”, or the “right-hand spiral configuration. Embodiments of the invention allow the apparatus to be self-supporting; reversible; space-saving; compactable for storage; safe for pet elevation; easily assembled; reconfigurable; and environmentally safe.

Abstract: An animal leg cover that has two tubular portions that fit securely over two legs, front or rear, of an animal and is secured in place a strap over the animal's body. The cover can be comprised of two separate removably connected straps.

Abstract: A dog collar comprises a flexible non-metallic cord component having first and second ends and comprising an inner cord surrounded at least in part by an outer cord sheath. A fastening mechanism is provided and has a band defining a space at the first end of the cord component and a fastening bar at the second end of the cord component. The fastening bar has an aperture therein for receiving the first or second end of the flexible non-metallic cord, and the aperture is of sufficient size and dimension to permit easy pivotable or rotational movement of the first or second end therein. The fastening bar and band are dimensioned such that the fastening bar is able to pass through the space in one orientation and not able to pass through the space when in other orientations.

Abstract: A male dog diaper of the present invention is specifically adapted for the male dog or 4 legged animal anatomy. The diaper includes a moisture barrier, a liner bonded to the moisture barrier, and an absorbent assembly sandwiched therebetween. The moisture barrier is gathered along each of its longitude sides edges between terminal points. The moisture barrier is gathered along its elasticized sides. A male dog diaper is disposable. In addition, the diaper is for removable emplacement and securement circumferentially about a dog's rear torso and his inguinal region. A lower body sheet and upper body “Male Dog Diaper”, together with Velcro™ like stretch tabs, allow such wrap-around emplacement and securement without slipping, gathering or “bunching up”, and, together with removable engagement via the Velcro™ like stretch tabs, maximum comfort is afforded the dog. Highly absorbent material fixedly carried by the body sheet absorbs and retains body fluids, such as urine, discharged by the dog.

Abstract: A fan drive system is provided that is hydraulically controlled having an electrical failure mode wherein midrange operation of the fan drive system is maintained. Accordingly, in the failure mode, a fan drive system hydraulic relief valve is not closed thereby ensuring a degree of operation of the fan drive system even during periods of electrical failure.

Abstract: A hydraulic assembly (1), particularly for an electrohydraulic valve control of an internal combustion engine, and a hydraulic valve (2) for forming such an assembly are provided. The assembly includes a hydraulic valve with a valve housing (4) and a valve carrier (3) with a valve receiver (5) in which the valve housing is received. The valve housing has a first circumferential groove (9) and a second circumferential groove (10), with the grooves (9 and 10) being defined respectively by groove walls (13, 15 and 14, 16) and extending on two sides of a hydraulic connection (6) which extends through a peripheral wall of the valve housing (4). A bead (11, 12) formed by a plastic deformation of material of the valve carrier being received in each of the two said grooves (9, 10), so that the groove walls and the beads not only fix the valve housing in the valve receiver by positive engagement but also cooperate with each other to hydraulically seal the valve housing.

Abstract: In one embodiment, an improvement to a four-stroke engine having a single cylinder block arrangement including an engine block, timing gears, crankshaft and gear, timing belt/chain, intake port, exhaust port, and cylinder head arrangement includes a ported rotating shaft, the ported rotating shaft having a first port, the ported rotating shaft synchronized with the crankshaft, such that the first port periodically aligns with the intake port to allow for intake during the four-stroke cycle.

Abstract: The disclosed structure achieves a desired balance between higher-rigidity and weight saving in a connection-type rocker arm which integrally rocks a plural of arm portions. The rocker arm has a plurality of arm portions integrally formed on a swinging base end side of the rocker arm which are forked and extend towards a swinging end of the rocker arm, a connecting portion which integrally connects each swinging end of the arm portions, and a concave thinning portion which overlaps a swinging trajectory of the connecting portion, when viewed in the axis direction of the pivot shaft of the rocker arm.

Abstract: In an internal combustion engine having a pair of balancer shafts (53, 54), an engine torque is transmitted from a crank gear (28) to an oil pump gear (74) on a drive shaft (73) of an oil pump (71) via a first idler gear (84) and the first balancer shaft gear (64). The engine torque is also transmitted to a fuel pump (72) from the crank gear to a fuel pump gear (78) via the first idler gear and a second idler gear (86), and to the second balancer shaft gear (67) via the first idler gear and second idler gear. Alternatively, the engine torque may be transmitted to the fuel pump from the crank gear to the fuel pump gear via the first idler gear, second balancer shaft gear and second idler gear. As the oil pump gear is actuated by the crank gear via the first idler gear, the oil pump gear is not subjected to the loading caused by the balancer shaft, and hence can be made of a compact and light-weight gear.

Abstract: A fastening apparatus includes a compression limiting member having a dowel portion and a belleville washer portion. A first member defines a first hole, a second member defines a second hole, a third member defines a third hole, and the dowel portion defines a fourth hole. The second member is between the first and third members, and the dowel portion extends through the second hole. The dowel portion is substantially rigid to prevent excessive compression of the second member between the first and third members. The belleville washer portion is elastically compressed between the second and third members such that the washer portion biases the second member toward the first member.

Abstract: An oil circulating control system for an engine includes an engine speed module and a mode selection module. The engine speed module determines a speed of the engine. The mode selection module is configured to select a first pressure mode and a second pressure mode of an oil pump of the engine for the speed. The selection module selects one of the first pressure mode and the second pressure mode based on at least one mode request signal. The mode selection module signals a solenoid valve of a variable oil pressure circuit of the oil pump to transition to a first position when operating in the first pressure mode and to a second position when operating in the second pressure mode.

Abstract: A method of operating a spark ignition engine comprises introducing a fuel comprised of a water soluble organic compound and at least 30% by volume water mixed in a homogeneous charge air-fuel mixture. The air-fuel mixture is compressed in an engine having a compression ratio of at least about 16, with such compression ratios including the effective compression ratios arising from precompressing the intake air (e.g., turbocharging). The compressed air fuel mixture is then ignited by a spark or like controllable ignition source.

Abstract: A sonic saturation system is provided that comprises at least one tank for containing a reservoir of liquid solvent; at least one gas-inlet in fluid communication with a gas compressor, for introducing gaseous solute into the reservoir, and at least one sonic agitator (146) for agitating the liquid reservoir thereby increasing the rate of impregnation of the solute into the solvent.

Abstract: Methods and systems are provided for heating a catalyst during engine cold-start conditions. One example embodiment uses positive valve overlap to drive a boosted blow-through airflow through the cylinders of an engine. Fuel is injected with the blow-through airflow during the valve overlap, and also injected into engine cylinders outside the valve overlap. The catalyst is heated by the resulting exothermic reaction of the blow-through airflow with the combustion products and the injected fuel in the exhaust manifold.

Abstract: The present invention provides an automotive fuel injection system for a compression ignition engine, comprising a fuel injector configured to receive a fuel having an octane rating between 87 and ?30 and configured to meter the fuel into the compression ignition engine, and a heater coupled to the fuel injector and configured to heat the fuel injector such that the fuel is heated to a predetermined minimum temperature, whereby the ignition delay of the fuel is reduced below a predetermined maximum ignition delay.

Abstract: The invention relates to a high-pressure fuel pump for an internal combustion engine with direct injection, comprising a pump housing, a low-pressure region on the intake side, and a high-pressure region on the output side. The high-pressure fuel pump comprises a purely mechanical pressure regulating device for regulating a constant pressure in the high-pressure region.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a method of operating an internal combustion engine. With reference to FIGS. (1), (2) and (5), fluid is supplied to charge air using an injector (116, 3116a, 3116b) which in each operation delivers a set amount of fluid. The amount of fluid supplied to the charge air in each engine cycle is controlled by how many times the injector (116, 3116a, 3116b) operates in each cycle. A desired fluid demand is calculated as a number of operations of the injector per cycle, calculated to at least one decimal place. The desired fluid demand is always rounded down or always rounded up to a near integer to provide an output fluid demand for the injector as a number of operations of the injector for the next operating cycle in varying operating conditions of the engine. The rounding difference is aggregated and when the aggregate passes an integer then the fluid demand is adjusted.

Abstract: A fuel system (10) of an engine (16) has a first fuel tank (12), a second fuel tank (14), and a pump (36) for pumping fuel from the tanks to the engine. A first valve mechanism (32) is selectively operable to a first position that allows fuel to be pumped concurrently from both the first and second tanks to the engine, a second position that allows fuel to be pumped from the first tank, but not the second, and a third position that allows fuel to be pumped from the second tank, but not the first. A second valve mechanism (34) is selectively operable to a first position that allows fuel to return from the engine concurrently to both the first and second tanks, a second position that allows fuel to return to the first tank, but not the second, and a third position that allows fuel to return to the second tank, but not the first.

Abstract: Systems and methods for supplying air to an engine are disclosed. In one example, an air inlet throttle is at least partially closed in response to a change in engine torque request. In another example, the air inlet throttle is adjusted in conjunction with adjusting an engine throttle. The approach can reduce compressor noise and may reduce the possibility of compressor surge.

Abstract: A working gas circulation engine includes a combustion chamber that can expand a working gas, which has a specific heat ratio higher than that of the air, with the combustion between an oxidizing agent and a fuel; a circulation path that can allow the working gas to circulate from a suction side to an exhaust side of the combustion chamber and can supply the same again to the combustion chamber; a feed means that can feed the gas in a pressure-reduction target section, which is the section whose pressure is to be reduced, to the outside, and a control means that operates the feed means for feeding the gas in the pressure-reduction target section, when the pressure in the pressure-reduction target section is higher than a predetermined pressure that is set in advance.

Abstract: A battery operated concrete saw system (10) includes an electric saw (12) and a battery pack cart (14) as well as an electrical cord (62) for facilitating cutting in small places with a battery pack cart at a remote location.

Abstract: The silicon heating furnace is constructed by combining two semi-cylindrical furnaces. Each of the semi-cylindrical furnaces has a semi-cylindrical housing, an insulator, heaters, and an isothermal material. Radial direction separation preventing members are arranged in inner side of both ends of circumferential direction of the housing to prevent a separation of the insulator to radial direction. End face of circumferential direction covers are fixed on the radial direction separation preventing members to cover the end faces of circumferential direction of the insulator. Cooling pipes for end faces of circumferential direction through which cooling water passed are arranged between the end faces of circumferential direction of the insulator and the end face of circumferential direction covers.

Abstract: A gas oven range and a reflector are provided. The gas oven range comprises an oven chamber in which food is cooked and an upper burner inside the oven chamber. The reflector reflects flame and heat and divides the oven chamber into a combustion space and an exhaust space. An exhaust hole is formed in the reflector to discharge combustion gas to the exhaust space, which is generated by combustion of gas at the burner in the combustion space. Therefore, incomplete combustion of gas is prevented, and leakage of flame and radiant heat generated by combustion of gas is prevented, thereby improving gas combustion efficiency.

Abstract: A height adjusting assembly for a barbecue stove has a grill pan, a mounting bracket securely mounted on the grill pan, a retaining panel transversely mounted slidably through the mounting bracket, a guiding ring attached to the retaining panel, a handle rotatably mounted on the mounting bracket and two struts pivotally mounted in the grill pan and connected to the retaining panel. When the handle rotates, the guiding ring and the retaining panel move up and down, and the struts pivot to lower or raise a grate mounted on the struts. Thus, the grate departs from or approaches a grill rack. A distance between a heat source and foods is adjusted and heat applied to the foods is controlled.

Abstract: A three point solar tracking system and method are provided.

Abstract: A modular panel for a solar boiler includes an inlet header, an outlet header, and a plurality of tubes fluidly connecting the inlet header to the outlet header. The tubes are substantially coplanar with one another forming a solar receiver surface and an opposed internal surface. The panel is modular in terms of height, width, number of tubes, and size of tubes, for improved handling of high heat flux and resultant thermally induced stresses.

Abstract: The device comprises: an inner chamber (56) which has an upper aperture or mouth (36) and is delimited by a lateral wall (20) and by a base wall (19), and which is intended to contain a primary fuel to be subjected to gasification and/or pyrolysis or vaporization to generate combustible gases; an outer chamber (58) delimited by an outer lateral wall (22) positioned coaxially with the outside of the lateral wall (20) of the inner chamber (56), by a base wall (14) which is located under the base wall (19) of the combustion chamber (56) and which has at least one aperture (28) communicating with the external environment, and by a top wall which unites the outer (22) and inner (20) lateral walls, in such a way that the outer chamber (58) comprises a lower portion positioned under the inner chamber (56) and an upper annular portion (59) which surrounds the inner chamber (56); a plurality of circumferentially staggered lower passages (50) through which the base of the inner chamber (56) communicates with the surrou

Abstract: A pharmaceutical or veterinary composition, comprises a first active agent selected from a dehydroepiandrosterone and/or dehydroepiandrosterone-sulfate, or a salt thereof, and a second active agent comprising a lipoxygenase inhibitor for the treatment of asthma, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, or other respiratory diseases. The composition is provided in various formulations and in the form of a kit. The products of this patent are applied to the prophylaxis and treatment of asthma, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, or other respiratory diseases.

Abstract: The inhalation therapy device according to the invention comprises a nebulizer chamber which accommodates an aerosol generator that emits aerosol into the nebulizer chamber. A valve that has a valve seat, a resilient valve member and a valve member positioning means is arranged at an opening of the nebulizer chamber. The valve member positioning means can be moved out of a first position and into a second position so as to position the valve member on the valve seat in such a manner that in the first position, the valve member, in a flow-free state, is positioned on the valve seat in a pre-tensioned manner and in a second position, is spaced apart from the valve seat.

Abstract: A removable nose pad cushion adherable to a medical face mask and more particularly to a positive pressure ventilation mask approximately where the mask rests on the upper nose area of a wearer's face providing a cushioning seal between the mask and wearer's nose. The nose pad cushion can be impregnated with medication to be adsorbed by the skin of the patient. The surface of the nose pad cushion which contacts the skin of the user is soft and pliable and selected to removably adhere only to dry skin and is incapable of sticking to a moist wound bed or sores formed on the bridge of the nose. The area covered by the cushion primarily covers the upper nose area but could cover the entire interface between the mask and the face of a user. The cushion can be pre-shaped to be applied to the desired area of the mask. The adhesive which holds the cushion to the mask is of a type such that the cushion can be removed cleanly and replaced with another cushion periodically.

Abstract: This disclosure describes systems and methods for ventilating a patient with a gas mixture containing a low molecular weight gas, such as helium. The disclosure describes a novel proportional solenoid valve for controlling a low molecular weight gas mixture in a medical ventilator with reduced leakage.

Abstract: An artificial ventilation apparatus includes: a connecting portion which is connected to a respiratory system of a patient; an inspiratory circuit which is a flow path for flowing a gas from a ventilator to the connecting portion; an expiratory circuit which is a flow path for guiding a gas exhausted from the connecting portion to an exhaust portion of the ventilator; an expiratory valve which blocks a flow of a gas from the exhaust portion toward the connecting portion; a carbon dioxide concentration sensor which is disposed in a circuit that is provided at a downstream side of the expiratory valve and which detects a carbon dioxide concentration; and an alarm outputting unit which outputs an alarm based on an output of the carbon dioxide concentration sensor.

Abstract: This disclosure describes systems and methods for detecting and quantifying transmission delays associated with distributed sensing and monitoring functions within a ventilatory system. Specifically, the present methods and systems described herein define an event-based delay detection algorithm for determining transmission delays between distributed signal measurement and processing subsystems and a central platform that receives data from these subsystems. It is important to evaluate and quantify transmission delays because dyssynchrony in data communication may result in the misalignment of visualization and monitoring systems or instability in closed-loop control systems. Generally, embodiments described herein seek to quantify transmission delays by selecting a ventilator-based defining event as a temporal baseline and calculating the delay between the inception of the defining event and the receipt of data regarding the defining event from one or more distributed sensing devices.

Abstract: A method and apparatus is described for supporting the respiration of a patient. The spontaneous respiration of a patient can be detected by sensors and during inhalation an additional amount of oxygen can be administered to the lungs via a jet gas current. If required, during exhalation a countercurrent can be administered to avoid collapse of the respiration paths. This therapy can be realized by an apparatus including a transtracheal catheter, an oxygen pump connected to an oxygen source, spontaneous respiration sensor(s) connected to a control unit for activating the oxygen pump and, if needed, a tracheal prosthesis. The tracheal prosthesis may include a connection for the catheter and the breath sensor(s). The tracheal prosthesis, if used, and the catheter can be dimensioned so the patient can freely breathe, cough, swallow and speak without restriction, and the system can be wearable to promote mobility.

Abstract: A method of operating a ventilator that includes steps of (a) providing a specified ventilation therapy to a patient through a ventilator according to a specification; (b) determining and storing a backup parameter relating to the operation of the ventilator or the breathing of the patient during the step of providing the specified ventilation therapy; (c) determining that an alarm condition exists that indicates a problem with the ventilator that would prevent the ventilator from providing the specified ventilation therapy to the patient according to the specification; and (d) responsive to determining that the alarm condition exists, providing backup ventilation therapy to the patient through the ventilator that is based at least partially on the stored backup parameter. Also, a ventilator that is adapted to perform the method just described.

Abstract: This disclosure describes systems and methods for oxygen reprocessing of respiratory gases in mechanical ventilation. Embodiments described herein provide methods for oxygen reprocessing of expiratory gases wherein exhaled air is reprocessed using filters and adsorbers and delivered to a patient based on a clinically specified oxygen concentration. Embodiments described herein provide for graphical display of the oxygen concentration of the product gas of oxygen reprocessing. Embodiments described herein also disclose an automated ventilator functionality whereby oxygen concentration may be set by clinicians through a user interface display, or a “Oxygen Reprocessing Input” screen, from a general ventilation input screen. Embodiments described herein also disclose a ventilator system configured to undergo oxygen reprocessing of expiratory gases and to provide the product gas to the patient for inspiration.

Abstract: A device comprises a harness configured to secure a mask over a respiratory orifice of a head of a patient; an inflatable cushion, at least a portion of the first inflatable cushion being adjoined to portion of the harness, the first inflatable cushion being positioned over a predetermined area including a portion of a buccinator muscle of a cheek of a patient; and an inflation lumen having a first end and a second end, the first end receiving pressurized air, the second end connected to the first inflatable cushion to provide pressurized air. When pressurized air is provided to the respiratory orifice via the mask, (a) the inflatable cushion is inflated with the pressurized air, (b) a tension between the mask and the head is increased and (c) the pressurized air in the inflatable cushion counters a bowing of the cheeks during inspiration.