Abstract: A thermal spray powder 20 is provided for use in a thermal spray technique, such as flame spraying, plasma spraying, cold spraying, and high velocity oxygen fuel spraying (HVOF). The thermal spray powder 20 is formed by water or gas atomization and comprises 3.0 to 7.0 wt. % carbon, 10.0 to 25.0 wt. % chromium, 1.0 to 5.0 wt. % tungsten, 3.5 to 7.0 wt. % vanadium, 1.0 to 5.0 wt. % molybdenum, not greater than 0.5 wt. % oxygen, and at least 40.0 wt. % iron, based on the total weight of the thermal spray powder 20. The thermal spray powder 20 can be applied to a metal body, such as a piston or piston ring, to form a coating. The thermal spray powder 20 can also provide a spray-formed part.

Abstract: In a manufacturing method of magnetic alloy powder including an alloy of Fe and Ni, a precursor made of powdered chloride expressed as FeCl2·2H2O·NiCl2·2H2O is prepared, and the precursor is reduced by heating with calcium hydride to form the, magnetic alloy powder having a coercivity of greater than or equal to 40 kA/m.

Abstract: Methods and compositions are disclosed for preparation of both open and closed nanowire metal rings. Such rings may be used in conductive layers of electronic devices.

Abstract: A adjustable jar opener comprising a pair of handles and a pivot connecting the handles is described herein. The pivot provides movement of the handles to rotate relative to each other and the pivot can be disengaged and re-engaged allowing one handle to slide along a blade increasing or decreasing in size to accommodate a variety of jar and bottle sizes. The pivot generally remains engaged by the action of a spring. Rubber grips used on the handles provide compliance between the jar opener and the jar or bottle lid and to increase the contact friction between the jar or bottle and the jar opener.

Abstract: An apparatus for turning a railway handbrake wheel having an axis of rotation and a circumferential wheel rim located along a wheel plane perpendicular to said axis spaced apart from said axis by spokes may comprise an inner block engagable upon an inner surface of the wheel rim, an outer block engagable upon an outer surface of the wheel rim, a connector extending between and fixedly connected to the inner and outer blocks and a handle extending from the outer block.

Abstract: The disclosed invention relates to a fire sprinkler shut-off tool for stopping water flow from an activated fire sprinkler head. Due to the lack of any automatic safety release mechanisms, such tools currently on market suffer the disadvantage of requiring constant monitoring in case fire rekindles. The shut-off tool comprising a pair of adjustable clamping arms and an actuator assembly for adjusting and fixing the clamping arms addresses the safety issue by integrating a fusible link locking tab into the actuator assembly. The presence of a nearby fire melts and separates the locking tab thereby releasing the clamping arms from an activated fire sprinkler head. The shut-off tool also addresses the safety problem of firemen or building maintenance personnel using a shut-off device that requires two hands while working from a ladder as this device can be easily used with one hand.

Abstract: Disclosed are various embodiments and a corresponding method for an adapter configured to attach an electronic identification device to an inventory item having a universal attachment fitting. A first end of the adapter body is configured to permanently attach to the universal attachment fitting. A second end of the adapter body is configured to attach to a tool configured to attach to the universal attachment fitting. An electronic identification device is attached to the adapter body.

Abstract: Disclosed is a chuck including a body, at least one ball and a helical spring. The body includes an axial space defined therein and at least one radial bore with a small open end near the axial space and a large open end in an external side thereof. The ball includes a first section movably placed in the radial bore, a second section movable into the axial space, and a third section movably placed outside the radial bore. The helical spring is placed around the body and in contact with the third section of the ball for biasing the second section of the ball into a recess defined in a bit inserted in the axial space.

Abstract: A punching apparatus includes a plurality of punches for punching a workpiece, a pad, and a single piston supporting the pad. The punches are disposed on a top surface of a portion of the pad. The top surface has a circumference circumscribing circumferences of outermost ones of the punches. A diameter of the piston is larger than a diameter of the portion of the pad.

Abstract: A shearing apparatus has a movable shearing blade that is moved between retracted and extended positions with a piston cylinder assembly that supplies shearing force to the blade such that the movable shearing blade may be driven through a variety of items such as metal pipes and solid items such as channels or struts. The movable shearing blade can cooperate with a fixed shearing blade disposed on the opposite side of the item being sheared as the movable shearing blade. The movable shearing blade also can cooperate with a support block without the fixed shearing blade. First and second clamp assemblies are provided on different sides of the movable shearing blade.

Abstract: A cutter including a base, a holder, a cutter blade portion, and a laser generator. The holder is supported on the base portion in an upright posture. The cutter blade portion supports a moving blade. The cutter blade portion is supported on the holder movable between an upper position and a lower position. The cutter blade portion is moved into the lower position to cut a workpiece supported on the base using the moving blade. The laser generator is attached to the holder or the cutter blade portion in an orientation to direct at least a portion of the laser light onto a position on the workpiece that is directly beneath the cutter blade portion when the cutter blade portion is in the upper position.

Abstract: A rotary microtome (1) for producing thin sections for histology is used for specimens (6) of different sizes. To maintain optimized cutting conditions, an adaptation to different specimen sizes is required without incurring disadvantages in terms of operation. An adjustment possibility is provided for the length of the vertical cutting movement (10). However, the moment that is generated by the vertical carriage (7) and that acts on the drive shaft (12) then changes. To maintain balanced moments of the drive movement, the counterweight has to be accordingly adapted by an adjustment weight (31). For this purpose, means are provided which, in an ergonomic and effective manner, permit the adjustment of the cutting stroke and also the necessary adaptation of the counterweights in one operation step.

Abstract: A system and method to secure a piano fallboard is provided. In one embodiment, a method of retaining the piano fallboard in the upright position includes securing the fallboard to the back panel with a fallboard retaining device. In another embodiment, a method of retaining the piano fallboard in the closed position includes securing the fallboard to the keyslip with the fallboard retaining device. The fallboard retaining device can be a clamping structure or a magnetic device.

Abstract: A piano action flange with an open-slotted rail attachment feature that is a slot-shaped void completely through the piano action flange, running in the longitudinal direction of the piano action flange, with width slightly larger than the outer diameter of the thread end the flange screw but smaller that the head diameter of the flange screw, where the slot-shaped void is open on one end, breaking through the end of said piano action flange, to leave the slot-shaped void open and accessible from the end of the piano action flange.

Abstract: An upright piano main action rail with a thinner cross section and relocated lower front surface so that when the main action rail is installed an the upright piano, the lower front surface of upright piano main action rail resides in the same location as the lower rear surface of prior art upright piano main action rails. An upright piano main action rail also has all whippen mounting holes located on the lower front surface instead of the lower rear surface as is traditional.

Abstract: A hammer butt for an upright piano with a half-conical hammer shank hole located on the top of said hammer butt which has a cylindrical-shaped cross section as viewed from the side of said hammer butt flange and a trapezoidal-shaped cross section as viewed from the front of said hammer butt, with the bottom of said half-conical hammer shank hole representing the short side of said trapezoidal-shaped front cross section.

Abstract: A musical instrument tuner for string instruments is provided which comprises a signal classifier for determining a signal class of an input signal from a number of monophonic signal classes and a number of polyphonic signal classes, a signal analyzer for determining at least one representation of a pitch frequency of the input signal, and an indicator for displaying an output established on the basis of the signal class and the representation of a pitch frequency.

Abstract: A neck construction for a stringed instrument such as a guitar has an asymmetric, preferably trapezoidal, profile of the neck. The asymmetry is opposite at the distal end, depicted in FIG. 9, and proximal end, depicted in FIG. 10. As the musician plays the instrument, the hand will move between the proximal and distal ends of the neck, using the thumb and palm as a support to press the fingers against the front portion of the neck. By changing the angles of the surfaces denoted as (15) and (19), and (16) and (20) from the proximal to the distal end, the musician's wrist is encouraged and guided to move in a comfortable and relaxed angle throughout the playing range of the instrument, while the musician's muscles and tendons are supported, thereby reducing the risk for the musician to develop repetitive strain injuries and allowing the musician to play better.

Abstract: The improved tuning mechanisms are shown including a novel string clamping arrangement comprising a lever based clamping element utilizing an enlarged radiused underside to provide a variable clamping point depending from the various diameters of string which can be utilized in fine-tuner as well as Macro-tuner arrangements, an improved Global-tuner for use with vintage fulcrum tremolos, multi-tier insert plates for at least two bridge elements to variably meet the requirements for various fingerboard radii as well as two separate improvements directed towards integrated riser posts for bearing arrangements on the pivot axis of a fulcrum tremolo, one providing a slotted axel recess and another providing a separate threaded outer sleeve-like portion to allow alignment to bearing axis regardless of the position of riser post within body for adjustably mounting the fulcrum tremolo to the instrument, which, in the preferred embodiment, all work cooperatively together.

Abstract: A tuning apparatus for a musical instrument is provided. The instrument includes a neck having a front surface over which a plurality of strings is stretched. The apparatus includes a clamp and a plurality of string-contacting members. The clamp is adapted to removably attach to a desired longitudinal position on the neck. Each of the members is rotatably supported by the clamp and is adapted to rotate on the clamp independently of the other members, this rotation occurring along a plane which is substantially parallel to either a given string or course of strings. Each of the members is further adapted to adjustably impinge upon and urge the given string or course of strings toward a user-selectable one of three different longitudinal positions on the front surface, these positions including a home position, a home?1 position, and a home+1 position.

Abstract: The present invention provides a hinge tube which is disposed in a musical instrument to connect to keys and valves of the musical instrument. The hinge tube forms at least one recess portion on a periphery of the hinge tube. Thereby, the positions on which the valves and the keys disposed are able to be identified easily, and the valves and the keys are fixed to the hinge tube more firmly to improve the stability of the musical instrument.

Abstract: A musical performance training apparatus of the present invention receives an input of a note of a musical sound; stores a keying frequency received during a predetermined unit time to be associated with a practice status variable (such as a single-hand partial practice); evaluates motivation change of a user based on the keying frequency stored for every identical practice status variable; evaluates a musical performance technique level change of a user based on the keying frequency stored for every identical practice status variable; and generates advice based on the motivation change thus evaluated and the musical performance level change for every practice status variable.

Abstract: A music score display device displays a music score representing a predetermined piece of music at a display, and stores a playing result for each measure of the music score in a memory when the piece is played. On the basis of the playing results of the measures stored in the memory, the music score display device generates graph images representing the playing results of the measures, and displays the generated graph images of the measures, superposed on images of the corresponding measures of the music score displayed at the display, such that the images of the measures are visible.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a method for representing musical scales by means of tiles, including pentatonic scales (arbitrary scales with five notes per octave), heptatonic scales (arbitrary scales with seven notes per octave). Major blues and Minor blues scales (specific scales with six notes per octave), and to an electronic musical device with an interface that uses this representation. More specifically, the device uses a multi-touch interface with or without strings which allows the musician to concentrate on the melodic line only, making it easier to improvise and perform music composed in one of said scales. The representation differs from the traditional interfaces on string instruments (such as a guitar) in that only the notes of a given scale (with five, six or seven notes per octave) can be played.

Abstract: Apparatus, systems, devices, methods and computer program products are configured to package products using automated movement of components that fill, then clip bags in a manner that is particularly suitable for packaging blasting powder and/or explosives in shot bags.

Abstract: A portion of a work-hardened essentially tubular work piece such as a metallic firearm cartridge case is annealed by contact with solid or granular tooling material which has been heated to a temperature approximately that of the appropriate annealing temperature, thereby reducing the possibility of overheating the work piece, and also thereby permitting the annealing of only that portion of the work piece contacted or in close proximity to the point(s) of contact.

Abstract: The present invention provides a device for shoulder-launching operation. Stability and convenience on operation are enhanced. Furthermore, production is improved and maintenance difficulty is reduced.

Abstract: A forced entry system for a framed opening including a bracket assembly secured to the framed opening; a mounting tube including a saddle, the saddle being secured to the bracket assembly; and a mesh panel secured by the mounting tube to cover the framed opening.

Abstract: The present invention relates to an actuator system comprising one or more expansion chambers comprising one or more cylindrical chambers serially connected through a connection channel. The present invention further relates to the use of an actuator according to the present invention for providing a linear or other type of displacement.

Abstract: An air pump has a body, a piston rod and a handle. The piston rod is movably inserted into the body and has a rod body, a convex ring and a first engaging part. The convex ring is laterally protruded from the rod body and has a retaining surface. The first engaging part is longitudinally mounted on the convex ring. The handle is mounted on the rod body and has a fixation trough, a retaining ring and a second engaging part. The retaining ring abuts against the retaining surface of the convex ring for preventing a relative rotation between the handle and the piston rod. The second engaging part is longitudinally mounted on the inner surface of the fixation trough and is engaged with the first engaging part of the piston rod. Therefore, the air pump increases the stability between the piston rod and the handle.

Abstract: A sliding block for a piston of a hydraulic piston machine, includes a concave recess to receive a piston head and a sliding surface to support the piston. A lubricant channel passes through the sliding block from the concave recess to the sliding surface, and the concave recess transforms with a constant tangent i.e. without kinking into a transition segment of a constantly narrowing taper segment of the lubricant channel. The transition segment is convex.

Abstract: This disclosure describes an automatic adjusting natural gas dehydration system. The dehydration system includes a still column, a reboiler, a pump and an absorber column suitable for circulating a desiccant, The absorber column includes inlet and outlet ports for receiving a stream of natural gas. The method automatically adjusts the flow rate the desiccant and the temperature of the desiccant within the reboiler in response to the moisture content of the natural gas exiting the absorber column after contacting the desiccant.

Abstract: A vapor particle separator including a temperature controlled chamber for desorbing vapors from the particulates of an exhaust gas and a separation chamber including a micro porous membrane. The micro porous membrane provides an interface between at least one particle passageway and at least one vapor passageway through the separation chamber. The particle passageway extends from an entrance to the separation chamber to a particle exit from the separation chamber. The vapor passageway extends from the micro-porous membrane to a vapor exit from the separation chamber that is separate from the particle exit from the separation chamber.

Abstract: Vane electrostatic precipitators preferably have the leading edges of the vanes directly opposite the discharge electrodes, and/or the distance between the discharge electrode and the leading edge of the vane electrode is less than the distance between the discharge electrodes improves the collection process. These designs improve collection efficiency of the vane electrostatic precipitators.

Abstract: A de-powdering plant is able to be used downstream of a shredding machine and comprises a first section for processing a primary stream of powder and air arriving from a first exit line from the shredding machine, which comprises a unit for damping powders using humidity connected to an air intake downstream of the shredding machine. The first processing section also comprises a processing unit using active carbons filtration, downstream of the unit for damping powders using humidity, suitable for the adsorption of the volatile organic substances present in a stream of air exiting from the unit for damping powders using humidity. The plant comprises heating means to heat, directly or indirectly, the stream of air saturated with humidity exiting from the unit for damping powders using humidity, before it enters into the processing unit using active carbons filtration.

Abstract: A method for capturing ammonia present in combustion flue gas subjected to carbon dioxide removal, using a water wash unit (102) included in a chilled ammonia process, comprises: providing CO2 loaded liquid (122) comprising CO2 dissolved in the liquid; providing wash water liquid (108, 138); combining the CO2 loaded liquid with the wash water liquid to form CO2 enriched wash water liquid (105, 106) before the liquid is added said water wash unit (102); and bringing said combustion flue gas into contact with said CO2 enriched wash water liquid by adding the CO2 enriched wash water liquid to said water wash unit (102).

Abstract: Process for separating gases from a fluidized gas/solid mixture, comprising at least one injection of gas and optionally at least one injection of solids into and at least one discharge of solids from said fluidized bed, a discharge for gas from the mixture characterized in that it comprises a step of separating the solids entrained by the gas by means of an internal placed in that portion of the fluidized mixture where the voidage is greater than 0.7, occupying less than 10% of the free cross section of the bed.

Abstract: A gas purification apparatus, highly purifying gas containing salt derived from molten salt stored in a vessel (10), is provided with a reflux mechanism (35, 42) liquefying the salt, contained in the gas, for return to the molten salt in the vessel, and a filtration mechanism (39, 44) disposed in an exhaust flow path of the gas on a downstream stage of the reflux mechanism.

Abstract: An autonomous filter device and a method for improving the filter life and performance is disclosed. The filter element is equipped with one or more sensors, adapted to measure one or more characteristics. In response to the measured characteristic, the control logic within the filter element is able to determine an appropriate response. For example, the control logic may determine that a sudden, but temporary, blockage has occurred in the filter membrane. In response, the control logic may initiate a specific response designed to alleviate the blockage. The control logic will then determine the success of the response, based monitoring any change in the fluid characteristics. Based thereon, the control logic may alert the operator that the filter element must be replaced. Alternatively, if the response was successful in correcting the blockage, the control logic need not notify the operator, as the filter element is back to normal operating operation.

Abstract: An oxygen concentrator provides ambulatory oxygen utilizing a vacuum swing adsorption (VSA) oxygen separator powered by a power pack. The separator has a plurality of nitrogen-selective adsorbent beds, each operating in VSA cycles including feed, evacuation and repressurization phases. The concentrator also contains a delivery system for receiving oxygen produced by the VSA separator.

Abstract: An adsorption rotor has a surface layer which can be detached and replaced when performance degrades. A metal aggregate is extended in the width direction of the rotor element so that attachment-and-detachment adsorption rotor elements can be attached thereto using bolts and a perimeter griddle fixing bracket, thus resulting in protecting an upper part of the integral-type adsorption rotor element. In this way, the weight of the attachment-and-detachment adsorption rotor elements can be made light, resulting in them being fixable only using bolts, without special tools or skilled technicians. Moreover, because the detachment-and-replacement procedures can be performed from a rotor spindle side, thus from inside of a chamber, a heavy industrial machine is not required.

Abstract: A separator which includes a vessel with a horizontal section defining a horizontal chamber and a vertical section defining a vertical chamber. The vertical section extends upwardly from the horizontal section. A tubular member is positioned in the vertical section in such a way that the tubular member provides a fluid passage between the horizontal chamber and the vertical chamber and cooperates with the vertical section and the horizontal section to define a liquid receiving space. A deflector plate is spaced from the upper end of the tubular member in such a way that fluid passing up through the tubular member is deflected into the liquid receiving space and returned to the horizontal chamber.

Abstract: A filter system includes a housing, a filter medium disposed within the housing, an optical analyte sensor, and an optical reader. The optical analyte sensor is characterized by a first region that exhibit a first response to an analyte of interest and a second region that exhibit a second, different, response to an analyte of interest. The optical analyte sensor includes a detection medium and is disposed within the housing such that the detection medium is in fluid communication with the filter medium. The optical reader includes at least one light source and at least one detector.

Abstract: A coffee brewer for making coffee may include a receiving container for receiving the brewed coffee, an exterior container being detachably mounted on the receiving container, and an interior container to cooperate with the exterior container. The interior container may rotates with respect to the exterior container. The interior container may include an exterior surface having a male thread. The exterior container may include an interior surface having a female thread to cooperate with the male thread of the interior container. The exterior container may include substantially a cylinder. The interior container may include substantially a cylinder.

Abstract: A coffee maker funnel comprises a funnel body (1) and a coffee-brewing head assembly (2), The coffee-brewing head assembly (2) comprises a funnel lid (4), a coffee powder press disc body (6), a sprinkler disc (9), and a connecting tube (13). The upper part of the funnel lid (4) is connected to the upper part of the funnel body (1). The lower part of the funnel lid (4) is connected to the upper part of the coffee powder press disc body (6). The connecting tube (13) connects a water inlet joint assembly (11) disposed on the funnel lid (4) and a water outlet joint assembly (10) disposed on the coffee powder press disc body (6). The sprinkler disc (9) is disposed below the water outlet joint assembly (10) and fastened on the bottom of the coffee powder press disc body (6). Disposed between the upper part of the funnel lid (4) and the lower part of the coffee powder press disc body (6) is a spring (5) for compacting coffee powder inside of the funnel body (1).

Abstract: The present invention relates to a brewing mechanism for coffee machine, comprising an upper cover assembly (2) and a lower main body (16), The upper cover assembly (2) comprises an inlet piercing needle (9) fixed in the upper cover assembly and a bottom piercing needle (14) fixed in the lower main body, with the inlet piercing needle connected with an inlet of a coffee machine. The upper cover assembly (2) also comprises a fell sliding block (3) and a right sliding block (3.1) arranged within sliding slots respectively provided at a left side and a right side of the upper cover assembly, with the left sliding block and the right sliding block capable of sliding along the sliding slots. A left reset spring (4) and a right reset spring (4.1) are respectively provided within the left sliding block and the right sliding block. A left fixing sheet (5) and a right fixing sheet (5.

Abstract: A method for cleaning the milk system of a drink machine for milk-containing hot beverages includes a feed line that feeds milk from a storage container, a central unit in which the milk is heated and processed, and an output unit via which the milk-containing hot beverage prepared in the central unit is dispensed, wherein the feed line is coupled to a cleaning device including an electrolytic cell, a cleaning solution is fed into the milk system from the cleaning device, which solution passes the electrolytic cell and an electrical current is applied to the cleaning solution by the electrolytic cell until electrolysis products having a disinfectant effect are forming and/or the electrical conductivity of the cleaning solution is monitored by the electrolytic cell.

Abstract: An apparatus for making puffed food products from starch-containing raw materials. The apparatus has a baking and molding chamber defined by several heatable mold elements. The mold elements are individually actuated by direct hydraulic drive systems. The hydraulic power for these drive systems is selectively derived from a common oil pressure supply system which provides continuously high oil pressure to the direct hydraulic drive system for each mold element. The apparatus also has an improved feed system enabling the supply of raw material into the mold cavity such that no material gets spilled and each mold receives an accurate predetermined quantity of raw material.

Abstract: The self-making bread method includes: weighing a certain amount of ingredients according to a bread recipe and placing them in a bread ingredient box; putting the bread ingredient box into the corresponding containing region of the top portion of the bread machine; using the jagged ring of the bottom portion of said containing region to open the thin film of the bottom portion of the bread ingredient box, so the ingredients will fall into the mixing container in the bread machine; controlling the water delivering mechanism inside the bread machine to deliver a certain amount of water into said mixing container; starting the mixing device inside the bread machine, which mixes the ingredients into an appropriate dough; turning off the mixing device; energizing the electric heating tube in the bread machine, to bake the dough inside the mixing container into bread.

Abstract: An appliance for the treatment of a liquid food comprises a container (2) for the liquid food, a support (3) for the container (2), a cover (4) to close container (2), a hermetically sealed chamber (6) within the cover (4), a tool (5) rotating inside the container (2) for the treatment of the liquid food, a primary electrical winding (9) held by the support (3) and suitable to transfer energy by magnetic induction to a secondary electrical winding (7) positioned inside the hermetically sealed chamber (6), and a motor (8) driving the rotation of the tool (5) positioned within the hermetically sealed chamber (6) and electrically powered by the secondary winding (7).