Abstract: A railroad tanker car 10 with a fluid cargo tank 11 and a manway assembly 12 is disclosed. The manway assembly 12 includes a nozzle 17 having a nozzle sealing surface 24 and a cover 18 having a cover sealing surface 33. An attachment device 19 supplies a closing force to bias the cover 18 toward the nozzle 17. A fluid seal 51 prevents egress of fluids from and ingress of contaminants into the tank 11. The seal 51 includes a cover seal member 54, a nozzle seal member 55, and an expander 56 that forces the members 54 and 55 against their respective cover and nozzle sealing surfaces. The fluid seal 51 also includes a compression limiting carrier 52 with integral locating tabs 53 that locates the seal 51 and controls the compression of the elastomeric components of the seal 51.

Abstract: A device has a pneumatic spring for supporting a load on a bogie of a rail vehicle and a compressed air supply which is pneumatically connected to the air spring via an air spring valve in order to vent and to fill the air spring with compressed air. A closed-loop control unit adjusts the air volume and/or the air pressure in the air spring. A compressed air line provides for the pneumatic connection between the compressed air supply, air spring, air spring valve and control unit. Unnecessary filling and venting of the air spring is prevented by way of a device for limiting the volume flow into the compressed air line in dependence on the speed of the rail vehicle.

Abstract: A leg assembly for a table and notably for a desk includes a base resting on the ground, shaft with a vertical appearance, attached to the base, and an upper sole surmounting the shaft and provided for supporting a platform. The sole has a hook positioned at a free end of the sole localized in the vicinity of a border of the platform.

Abstract: A worksurface arrangement comprising at least a first support member, a first worksurface forming member supported by the first support member at a first vertical height and extending to a first side from the first support member, a second worksurface forming member supported by the first support member at a second vertical height and extending to a second side opposite the first side of the first support member and a housing including, a front cover extending below the first worksurface forming member, a substantially vertical upper back cover extending downward from the first worksurface forming member substantially to the second vertical height proximate the second worksurface forming member and spaced from the front cover wherein the upper back cover and the front cover bound an upper housing cavity width and a lower back cover extending below the second worksurface forming member and spaced from the front cover wherein the lower back cover and the front cover bound a lower housing cavity width that is la

Abstract: A structurally reinforcing and three dimensional article, such as a pallet, having a structural insert of specified shape and size. A composite plasticized material is over-molded or otherwise applied upon the structural insert according to a selected thickness to encapsulate the insert. The pallets are stackable when not in use and may also include built in straps for securing cargo thereupon.

Abstract: Fitted tablecloth covering may be affixed to a table for use in trade shows without the use of a tool or affixing devices. A tablecloth may conveniently and quickly be affixed to a table and provide an appealing visual presentation that does not require the use of installation tools and that will not damage the table.

Abstract: Foldable table that is easy to handle is described, which is provided for use by a plurality of people but do not require a plurality of people when it is folded. The table can be unfolded and be folded in a fast and simple way, and can be provided with a parasol, wherein the table and the parasol can be unfolded simultaneously.

Abstract: The Christmas tree supporting table includes a box support, a circular tabletop that has a hole about the middle and is divided into two sections that are hingedly connected. The box support contains the Christmas tree stand and a power strip for powering the Christmas tree lights. The circular tabletop folds flat upon the box and the Christmas tree stand and base of the Christmas tree. The supporting table elevates the Christmas tree, hides the Christmas tree stand, and provides a hiding place for a power strip to supply electricity to the Christmas tree lights.

Abstract: Disclosed is a burner for oxidant gasification of pulverized fuels under high pressures, e.g. 80 bar, and temperatures, e.g. 1200 to 1900° C., in reactors with liquid slag removal for oxygen gasification. The individual pulverized coal supply tubes in the burner are inclined toward the burner axis in the direction of the burner mouth, are implemented equiareally from the burner inlet up to the burner outlet, and end at the burner mouth adjacent to the oxidant outlet. Owing to the pulverized fuel feeding elements being implemented right up to the burner mouth and the instantaneous entry of the pulverized coal into the rotating oxygen stream there is no longer any areal discontinuity at the dust outlet, since here the pulverized coal stream is immediately sucked into the oxidant stream. At the outlet of the media the individual pulverized coal streams merge into a single rotating pulverized coal/oxygen stream, thereby achieving an even flame spread and stabilization.

Abstract: A combustor 110 combust a fluidized bed of fossil fuel 114, 114? to heat a working fluid 102 and generate flue gas 104. An air preheater 144 has first and second gas passageways 144a, 144b for respectively directing the generated flue gas 150 and another gas 250 with captured CO2 generated by combustion outside of the combustor 110. When operated in a non-CO2 capture, the air preheater 144 receives the flue gas 150, but not the other gas 250, and the first gas passageway 144a directs the flue gas 150 so as to preheat the air 188. However, when operated in the CO2 capture mode, the air preheater 144 receives the flue gas 150 and the other gas 250, and the second gas passageway 144b also directs the other gas 250 so as to preheat the air 188?. In either mode, the preheated air 188, 188? is applied by the combustor 110 to fluidize a bed of fossil fuel 114, 114?.

Abstract: A method for operating a fluidized-bed reactor includes introducing an alkali-containing material into a fluidized-bed reactor and introducing hydrous clay into the fluidized-bed reactor, the hydrous clay having a moisture content of at least about 5% by weight. The method further includes heating at least a portion of the alkali-containing material and hydrous clay, such that at least a portion of the hydrous clay is at least partially calcined and the at least partially calcined clay adsorbs at least a portion of alkali present in the fluidized-bed reactor. The method further includes removing at least a portion of the at least partially calcined clay and adsorbed alkali from the fluidized-bed reactor.

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: A sewing machine includes an image pickup device that picks up over a sewing machine bed; a feature point coordinates calculation device that extracts feature points from the picked up image and calculates two-dimensional coordinates of the extracted feature points; a reference coordinates storage device that stores reference coordinates, which are previously measured three-dimensional coordinates of the feature points; a correlation device that correlates the reference coordinates stored in the reference coordinates storage device with the feature point coordinates, which are the two-dimensional coordinates of the feature points calculated by the feature point coordinates calculation device; and a parameter calculation device that calculates a parameter about the image pickup device based on a result of correlation by the correlation device.

Abstract: An apparatus to reduce skin friction drag on a marine hull by imparting ultrasonically-induced cavitation at a boundary layer of a hull-water interface. The apparatus comprises a sonification plate mounted or adapted to be mounted on at least a portion of a wettable area of the hull (interior or exterior) to define a boundary layer region with the water medium, a power source to energize the sonification plate, and a controller to regulate the frequency and/or intensity of microcavitation bubbles produced at the boundary layer whereby to alter the Reynolds number, kinematic viscosity, and coefficient of friction. The sonification plate is hermetically sealed and includes an array of ultrasonic transducers therein, which may be mounted on all or a portion of the hull. Energizing the transducers nucleates microcavitation bubbles upon entrained gases and/or particulate matter residing in the water medium.

Abstract: This WIG craft has a configuration of tandem/canard type, comprising: a body; a front wing having a relatively small aspect ratio, as installed in the lowest portion of the fore half of the body; and a rear wing having a longer span and a shorter chord length than the front wing, as installed in the rearmost portion of the body. Since the front wing, which is also used for planing, is not fixed directly to the body, but installed through a suspension system, so as to travel up and down while planing along the rough water surface, the WIG craft can take off and land stably even in high waves, and further cruise at a extremely low height safely without worrying about the impacts of the wave.

Abstract: This invention relates to a mooring aid for use at marine installations, such as jetties and the like, wherein the mooring aid comprises a support (2), a member (18) which is mounted to the support (2) and to which a mooring rope can be detachably secured, wherein the member (18) is moveable reciprocally between a retracted position which corresponds to a storage position for the rope secured thereto and an extended position which renders a rope secured thereto accessible to a user. Wherein the mooring aid preferably further comprises biasing means (7, 8, 9, 10, 11) for urging the member (18) from its external position to its retracted position, wherein the biasing means may be housed in the support (2).

Abstract: An offshore platform includes a buoyant hull comprising three or more interconnected pontoons and a plurality of support columns. The support columns support a deck or structure that supports equipment and/or payloads above a water surface. The support columns extend upwardly from respective ends of the pontoons to the deck or structure supported above the water surface. Anchoring members anchor the platform to the seabed.

Abstract: A harmonic apparatus designed to affect the performance of waterborne vessels. The vibratory generator is tuned with respect to the fundamental frequency of the vessel at the onset of planning, the various wave patterns generated by the moving vessel and the kinematics of the vortex sheet. As the vessel moves through water, vibrational reactions occur that assist the performance of the vessel. The harmonic apparatus can be reconfigured to operate on several different modalities.

Abstract: A personal support system for persons in the cockpit of a nautical vessel is disclosed. The system includes a personal support device that releasably engages a nautical winch located near the cockpit to provide support or securing for the back or other parts of the body of a person seated, standing, or otherwise located in the cockpit. The system also includes a winch-substitute device that attaches to the vessel and releasably engages the personal support device, allowing use of the personal support device in locations in the cockpit that are not near a winch.

Abstract: A towing apparatus comprises a structural assembly extending between opposing first and second bases for pivoting between operating and stored positions. A locking assembly includes a pin in each base and a hook carried at opposing ends of the structural assembly. A cam is pivotally connected to the hook for movement between locked and released positions. In the locked position, the hook is secured to the pin for preventing rotation of the structural assembly. In the released position, the hook is spaced from the pin to permit rotation of the structural assembly. The hook is rotatable with the cam from the released position to adjacent the pin by rotation of a shaft and slidable along the pin into the locking position by a continued shaft rotation. A cable is attached between the base and a spring within the structural assembly for biasing the structural assembly toward the operating position.

Abstract: A defect repairing apparatus (1) capable of efficiently repairing defects includes: a substrate-mounting plate (3) for securing a substrate conveyed; a plurality of droplet discharge units (11) disposed along a direction different from the direction of conveyance of the substrate as seen from a direction perpendicular to the substrate secured by the substrate-mounting plate (3), which discharge droplets onto defects scattered about on the substrate; a head gantry unit (7) on which the plurality of droplet discharge units (11) have been mounted; and a gantry sliding mechanism (4) for moving the head gantry unit (7) relatively at a constant velocity along the direction of conveyance of the substrate, the droplet discharge units (11) moving each independently along a direction different from the direction of conveyance in accordance with data indicative of the positions of the defects scattered about on the substrate, while the head gantry unit (7) is moving along the direction of conveyance of the substrate.

Abstract: A machine controlled by a computer for depositing a liquefied electronically-interactive material on a sheet or support card, which includes: a base (1) to support the mobile bed (2) which is moved longitudinally (Y) by means of a worm screw (20) whose movement is controlled by a computer, and for the support and fixing of the said support sheet or card “S” on which the layer of electronically-interactive material is to be formed; a bridge above the said base with a transversal shaft (30) which also has a worm screw and whose movement is also controlled by the said computer, in which the transversal shaft (30) moves the said distribution unit for the electronically-interactive material to be deposited (3) in an orthogonal direction (X).

Abstract: In order to manufacture an epitaxial wafer having satisfactory flatness over its entire surface, epitaxial layers are experimentally grown upon actual wafer samples under various different layer formation conditions, the thickness profiles are measured over the entire surfaces of these wafers before and after growth of the layers, and, from the differences thereof, layer thickness profiles over the entire areas of the epitaxial layers under the various different layer formation conditions are ascertained and stored. Thereafter, the thickness profile of a substrate wafer is measured over its entire area, this is added to each of the layer thickness profiles under the various different layer formation conditions which have been stored, and the planarities of the manufactured wafers which would be manufactured under these various different layer formation conditions are predicted.

Abstract: Methods and apparatus provide for: a first source of plasma, wherein the plasma includes a first species of ions; a second source of plasma, wherein the plasma includes a second species of ions; selection of the plasma from the first and second sources; and acceleration the first species of ions or the second species of ions toward a semiconductor wafer.

Abstract: An animal potty chair, particularly for a dog or cat, is to be used indoor and/or outdoor to aid civilization of domestic animals and to improve quality of life for millions of families with animals. The animal potty chair comprising: (1) a defined space with a surrounding wall-like structure with a one-way entry and one-way exit mean for an animal to release waste to a designated area without leakage to the outside of the top part of the potty chair; (2) a downwards operable mesh surface of the potty chair for an animal to stand on safely and to release waste within a protective space; (3) a fitting-sealing-fixing adaptor between the potty chair and a toilet, which is to fix the potty chair onto the toilet and to prevent leakage of the animal waste; (4) an easy cleaning container for holding animal waste, and (5) a signal system comprising a trigger mean to open the mesh and to flush the toilet by an animal with its body weight. The method on how to use the animal potty chair is also presented.

Abstract: A method and a compartment within an incubator, capable of allowing chicks to feed during the hatching process without reducing hatchability or livability. Thanks to immediate post hatch nutrition, the development during the chicks first days is significantly improved, resulting in a significant improvement in their weight as well. Furthermore, the accessibility of feed for the chicks is enabled and improved immediately after their hatching thanks to suitable lighting and the use of feeding troughs with transparent walls.

Abstract: The assemblies of the invention are suitable for mounting to, or being an integral part of, an animal enclosure such that the height of a valve-controlled liquid outlet may be adjusted according to the changing needs of growing animals. The adjustable liquid delivery assemblies comprise an elongated rail, a liquid delivery unit having at least one liquid delivery head slideably engaged with the elongated rail, a flexible liquid delivery tube for connecting a liquid delivery head to a liquid source, and a means for securing the liquid delivery unit at a selected position on the elongated rail.

Abstract: A solar-powered ball is described. The solar-powered ball includes a member positioned in an interior of the solar-powered ball. The member comprises a solar panel that powers motion-activated lights. The solar-powered ball provides a pet toy. The solar-powered ball further includes an internal frame that supports an outer shell. The outer shell allows solar or light radiation to pass through to the solar panel in order to power the motion-activated lights.

Abstract: A simulated mouse toy having a prerecorded sound chip therein is provided which emits a prerecorded sound upon physical movement, such as when swatted, rolled or carried, to encourage pets to continue to play. A motion imparting device formed of a solenoid is operatively connected in conjunction the prerecorded sound chip to simultaneously provide a jittery or twitching visual stimulation.

Abstract: A system to reduce standby losses in a hot water heater is presented. The system utilizes a safety relay valve between the combination gas controller and the burner. The safety relay valve bypasses gas to a damper actuator valve to position a flapper valve located over the flue pipe. Once the flapper valve has opened to ensure combustion, the gas is allowed to flow back to the safety relay valve. Some of the bypass gas may be diverted to boost the pilot or to supply a booster. The safety relay valve is then opened to allow the gas supply to the burner. Once the burner is turned off by the combination gas controller, the small amount of bypass gas bleeds out of the damper actuator valve to close the flapper valve to reduce standby losses through the flue pipe, and to allow the safety relay valve to close tightly.

Abstract: A cooling system for an internal combustion engine of a motor vehicle having a rotating member and using coolant in a liquid cooling system, is provided that comprises a radiator for dissipating the heat from the coolant, an electric pump for pumping the coolant through the cooling system, a mechanical pump operatively connected to the rotating member for pumping coolant through the cooling system, and a clutch for disengaging the second pump for minimizing the parasitic loss of the system and improving total fuel economy of the vehicle.

Abstract: Mounting port, provided adjacent to a cooling water passageway, has a hole opening from the passageway for mounting an anode metal in the passageway. Lid member, which closes the outer end of the hole, has a head portion formed at its outer end and an externally threaded portion engageable with an internally threaded portion of the hole with a sealing member sandwiched therebetween. The lid member having the anode metal fixed thereto is inserted in and attached to the port with the threaded portions engaging with each other with a sealing tape sandwiched therebetween. Space is defined between an outer end portion of the port and an outer end portion of the lid member between the head portion and the externally threaded portion so that part of the sealing member protruding from between the threaded portions can be received in the space.

Abstract: An engine room for construction equipment is provided, which can minimize emission of noise generated in an engine room due to driving of an engine and a ventilating fan to an outside of the engine room by absorbing the noise through a noise trap, and can improve the cooling performance of corresponding components by smoothing inhalation/discharge of an external air to/from the airtight engine room.

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

Abstract: A plasma jet ignition plug including an insulator having an axial hole extending therethrough in the direction of an axis CL1, a center electrode inserted into the axial hole, and a ground electrode disposed frontward of the front end of the insulator. The insulator has a cavity defined by the wall surface of the axial hole and the front end surface of the center electrode and opens frontward. The ground electrode has a through hole for establishing communication between the cavity and an ambient atmosphere. A front end portion of the center electrode is formed into a taper portion whose diameter reduces frontward in the direction of the axis CL1. The outside diameter of a front end of the taper portion is smaller than the diameter of the through hole. The cavity has a substantially constant diameter with respect to the direction of the axis CL1.

Abstract: In a system, a starter includes a motor for rotatably driving an output shaft with a pinion and an actuator that shifts the pinion toward a ring gear to be engaged with the ring gear. A monitor unit monitors a rotational speed of the internal combustion engine. The rotational speed of the internal combustion engine drops after an automatic control for stop of the engine. When an engine restart request occurs with the rotational speed being within a preset range during the rotational speed of the internal combustion engine dropping by the automatic control for stop of the engine, a drive unit drives the actuator to shift the pinion toward the ring gear to be engaged with the ring gear. The drive unit rotatably drives the motor with the pinion being engaged with the ring gear to thereby crank the crankshaft.

Abstract: A device for removing a fluidic contaminant from lubricating oil in an internal combustion engine includes a fluid absorbing element comprising a mounting element and a fluid absorption media assembled into a sump of a crankcase of the internal combustion engine. The fluid absorbing element is immersed within the oil contained in the sump when the engine is not operating. The fluid absorption media is configured to absorb a fluidic contaminant in the engine oil when the engine is not operating and to desorb the absorbed fluidic contaminant.

Abstract: A multi-hole injector directly injects fuel into a combustion chamber. Intake air is introduced into the combustion chamber through intake ports to provide tumble flow in the combustion chamber. A cavity is formed in a part of the top surface of a piston which is eccentric to the exhaust side. In the intake stroke, fuel injection ends in a downstroke of a piston. When the crank angle is 100 degrees after the top dead center in the intake stroke at which the fuel injection ends, a most downward lower spray collides with a part of the top surface of the piston which ranges on the intake side from the edge on the exhaust side of the cavity. A most upward upper spray does not come into contact with a spark plug. Thus, the fuel injection can enhance the tumble flow to promote homogeneous dispersion of fuel-air mixture in the combustion chamber.

Abstract: A bottom face of a cylinder head (3) defining a combustion chamber (1) is formed substantially in a shape of a spherical shell, and ignition points (21) are arranged in three or more on a concentric circle of 55 to 70% of a diameter of a cylinder block (30) or the vicinity thereof, and combustion is performed with an air excess ratio of the combustion chamber (1) of 1.5 or more.

Abstract: A throttle opening control device for a vehicle having an engine with an electronically controlled throttle valve and an accelerator operated by a rider is provided. The throttle opening control device includes an accelerator opening acquisition module for acquiring an opening of the accelerator, an engine rotation speed acquisition module for acquiring a rotation speed of the engine, and a throttle opening control module for controlling an opening of the throttle valve based on the opening of the accelerator and the rotation speed of the engine. The throttle opening control module is configured to limit the opening of the throttle valve when the rotation speed of the engine is lower than a pre-determined idle rotation speed to prevent reverse rotation of the engine.

Abstract: Operating an engine includes monitoring engine crank position, a corresponding engine torque, and an engine operating point. A state of an engine control parameter is adjusted in response to a difference between an identified location of peak torque and a preferred location of peak torque.

Abstract: In a method for determining a controlled variable of pressure control of a high-pressure accumulator of an injection system, a setpoint pressure gradient value is determined in the high-pressure accumulator as a function of the maximum possible actual pressure gradient value.

Abstract: A fluid injector assembly has a fluid injector (14) with a fluid inlet portion (16), a fluid injector cup (18) with an inner surface (30), an outer surface (28) and a heating device (32). The fluid inlet portion (16) of the fluid injector (14) has a sealing ring (26) being arranged and designed to sealingly engage the inner surface (30) of the fluid injector cup (18). The fluid injector cup (18) is designed to couple the heating device (32) thermally to the sealing ring (26) of the inlet portion (16) and to couple the fluid inlet portion (16) mechanically.

Abstract: A voltage generator used to generate a voltage for driving a vehicle fuel injector includes a microcomputer, a coil, and a capacitor. The microcomputer calculates an interval at which the fuel injector is driven. When the interval is less than or equal to a predetermined time period, the microcomputer causes a first current to flow through the coil so that the capacitor is charged to a first level by counterelectromotive force produced in the coil. When the interval is greater than the time period, the microcomputer causes a second current less than the first current to flow through the coil so that the capacitor is charged to a second level less than the first level. The fuel injector is driven by the capacitor voltage.

Abstract: Fuel is evacuated from a fuel rail by directing liquid fuel from the fuel rail to a fuel tank and then by directing gaseous fuel from the fuel rail to a fuel vapor canister.

Abstract: Methods and systems are provided for managing exhaust gases from an internal combustion engine are described. In one example system, hydrocarbons in engine exhaust gases may be stored during an engine cold start and later released into an intake manifold of the engine. The methods and systems may reduce engine hydrocarbon emissions.

Abstract: In a method for operating an internal combustion engine having exhaust gas recirculation, air is supplied to at least one combustion chamber via an intake manifold at least partially closable with the aid of a final control element, and a part of the exhaust gases flowing into an exhaust pipe is conducted via an EGR channel, which is at least partially closable with the aid of an EGR valve unit, into an area of the intake manifold, which lies between the final control element and the combustion chamber. A first variable, which characterizes the mass flow of the gas conducted through the EGR channel, is ascertained from a set of state variables of the internal combustion engine, which apply for an operating state in which the engine is in overrun operation and the final control element is essentially closed.

Abstract: According to one embodiment, a bow includes a handle portion and a bowstring. Compression members including primary compression elements and secondary compression elements are positioned on the ends of the handle portion. The compression elements are arcuate in shape and joined at the ends. As the bowstring is drawn, the compression members are compressed and energy is stored therein. The bow can include limbs that do not significantly deform or store energy as the bow is drawn. Upon release of the bowstring, the stored energy is rapidly returned to the bowstring.

Abstract: An apparatus, system, and method are disclosed for launching a granular substance. The method may include providing a granular substance, an air gun, a compressed air source, an insertion tube, a passage, a loading chamber, a recess, a cover, and a fastening assembly. The method may further include inserting the granular substance into the recess and dispensing the granular substance from the recess into the loading chamber. The method continues with releasing the stored, compressed air in the air gun. The compressed air moves into the insertion tube, through the passage, through the loading chamber disposed within the passage, and finally launches the granular substance from an outlet of the passage.

Abstract: The solar panel cone with rotating mirror includes a cone-shaped solar panel array that rests upon a base, and a rotating mirror. The rotating mirror rotates about the base via a series of gears and motor. The device includes an electrical converter that is wired to the motor and an electrical wire that supplies electricity.