Abstract: The efficiency of a full form hull is improved by moving the position of the forward shoulder (3) forwards and upwards to obtain at least a partial antiphase interaction between the shoulder wave and bow wave, sufficient to prevent the bow wave from breaking at its second crest, and introducing a forwardly tapered portion (7) between the forward shoulder and the mid-body (1).

Abstract: Rudder group (10) for boats (100) comprising a rudder blade (12) releasably coupled to a rudder pin (11), the rudder pin (11) being able to rotate along an axis (A) passing on the plane of the rudder blade (12) to define the forward direction of the boat (100), the rudder blade (12) also being connected in a rotatable manner to a support element (14) fitted onto the rudder pin (11) so that the rudder blade (12), when released by the rudder pin (11), can freely rotate between a lowered position, in which it is arranged longitudinally with respect to the rudder pin (11), and a maximum raised position in which it is substantially perpendicular to the rudder pin (11), in which the releasable coupling of the rudder blade (12) with the rudder pin (11) is obtained through a connection element (13) that can break at a predetermined load to free the rotation of the rudder blade (12) with respect to the support element (14).

Abstract: A trim vane assembly for amphibious armored vehicles and having a trim vane movable along a generally horizontal path between a deployed position in which the trim vane extends rearward from the vehicle and a stowed position in which the trim vane is positioned beneath the amphibious vehicle. In the retracted position, the trim vane movable is flush against or received within the vehicle bottom such that the trim vane supplements the belly armor. Similarly, the trim vane extends from or overlaps with the bottom of the vehicle when extended into the deployed position to provide continuous bottom face of the vehicle extending from the front of the vehicle to the end of the trim vane. Conventional trim vanes are rotated between a vertical orientation against the rear of the vehicle and a horizontal position extending from the rear of the vehicle reducing viscous drag.

Abstract: A system and method of installing an outer cover over a buoyancy tube associated with a rigid hull buoyant boat includes installing a first portion of an outer cover onto the rigid hull buoyant boat, the first portion including a plurality of grommets. A second portion of the outer cover is installed onto the rigid hull buoyant boat, the second portion including a plurality of female connective elements, each female connective element associated with a male connective element. The first portion is connected to the second portion such that the first and second covers enclose the buoyancy tube, wherein connecting includes inserting each of the male connective elements through their associated grommet to be further received by their associated female connective element.

Abstract: A coverless towable is provided having a towing strap system that encircles the towable structure and comprises retention loops welded to the structure sides to retain a nylon webbing strap which is threaded through retention loops around circumference of towable to spread out the pull load.

Abstract: An LNG storage container carrier includes: one or more cargo holds provided on a hull such that upper portions thereof are opened; a plurality of first and second upper supports installed on the cargo holds in a width direction and a length direction to partition the upper portions of the cargo holds into a plurality of openings, wherein storage containers are vertically inserted into the openings and supported; and a lower support installed under the cargo holds and supporting the bottoms of the storage containers inserted into the openings. Accordingly, it is possible to efficiently and stably transport the storage containers storing LNG or PLNG pressurized at a predetermined pressure. Such storage containers may be transported through simple modification of the existing container carrier.

Abstract: The invention relates to a method for determining if a flexible joint means is out of alignment, i.e., if excess torque or pressure has caused malformation or malpositioning of the joint means. This is accomplished by incorporating a flexible leveling means onto a visible surface of the joint means. The leveling means has horizontal and vertical markings which permit simple visible inspection of the joint and a simple determination of the position and condition of the joint.

Abstract: A safety gauge prevents sling users from exceeding the safe working load of a sling. Unlike conventional devices, the safety gauge described herein has no interference from internal yarns and can be preset to a prescribed load. A strand of yarn (indicator yarn) can be disposed between inner and outer jackets of the sling, in a choke configuration, and attached to an indicator. The outer jacket is then closed in the traditional manner and a window tag in the outer layer is strategically placed over the indicator to permit a user to view the indicator during use of the sling. When pressure is applied, the indicator yarn begins to move in direct relation to the load being applied, causing the indicator to move in the window tag. At a predetermined point, a red color shows, alerting the user that they are in danger of an overload.

Abstract: A disposable ophthalmic or medical apparatus has a portion with a color changeable dye disposed thereon. The dye changes color after being exposed to oxygen for a controlled and predetermined period of time indicating that the apparatus should no longer be used.

Abstract: A wrist-worn game score keeper is disclosed herein. The wrist-worn game score keeper includes a band portion operable to be worn on a wrist by a user. The wrist-worn game score keeper also includes a body portion connected to opposite ends of the band portion. The wrist-worn game score keeper also includes a display module mountably supported by the body portion. The display module has a display screen and a plurality of buttons. The display screen is operable to generate a display of a score of a game. The buttons are operable to be engaged to change the display generated by the display screen. The display module is operable to display scores in a plurality of different formats.

Abstract: An improved tennis scoring system using dual purpose flipping cards showing either game counts or alternatively tie break scores, which include a mounting bracket placeholder to maintain accurate positioning as the cards are flipped, an indicator showing when the dual purpose cards reflect tie breaker scoring, and coding indicating the players or doubles teams associated with the scores displayed by the flipping cards.

Abstract: A method of preparing a silicon melt in a crucible for use in the manufacture of cast silicon, wherein the crucible comprises an opening, an opposing bottom surface, and at least one sidewall joining the opening and the bottom surface. The method comprises charging a silicon spacer to the bottom surface of the crucible; arranging a monocrystalline silicon seed crystal on the silicon spacer such that no surface of the monocrystalline silicon material is in contact with the bottom surface of the crucible; charging polycrystalline silicon feedstock to the crucible; and applying heat through at least one of the opening and the at least one sidewall in order to form a partially melted charge of silicon in the crucible.

Abstract: A method for synthesizing monocrystalline alumina nanofibers by controlled liquid phase oxidation of a melt including molten aluminum. The method comprises two stages. During the first stage, metallic aluminum is melted and various additives are introduced into the melt. During the second stage, the alumina nanofibers are synthesized from the resulting melt in the presence of oxygen. In one or more embodiments, the inventive method is performed in a reactor. The reactor is designed to provide the heating and to enable melting of metallic aluminum. In addition, the reactor is designed to maintain a sustained temperature of between 660° C. and 1,000° C. When the additives are introduced into the molten aluminum, it is desirable to provide steady and uniform the stirring of the melt. To this end, the reactor may be provided with a stirring mechanism.

Abstract: A single crystal of semiconductor material is produced by a method of melting semiconductor material granules by means of a first induction heating coil on a dish with a run-off tube consisting of the semiconductor material, forming a melt of molten granules which extends from the run-off tube in the form of a melt neck and a melt waist to a phase boundary, delivering heat to the melt by means of a second induction heating coil which has an opening through which the melt neck passes, crystallizing the melt at the phase boundary, and delivering a cooling gas to the run-off tube and to the melt neck in order to control the axial position of an interface between the run-off tube and the melt neck.

Abstract: The present invention relates to an apparatus which coats a substrate inside the vacuum chamber with the powder transported and entrained on the air from the outside without any extra gas supplier. Namely, the apparatus can coat the powder transported and entrained on the air naturally sucked in from the outside on a substrate through the spray nozzle inside the vacuum chamber as the pressure of the vacuum chamber is controlled and the pressure of the front of the spray nozzle is set under the atmospheric pressure.

Abstract: A nozzle for dispensing a random pattern of liquid adhesive filaments generally includes a plurality of liquid outlets positioned in a liquid discharge plane and first and second pluralities of air passages. The first plurality of air passages is positioned in a first plane oriented at a first angle relative to the liquid discharge plane, while the second plurality of air passages is positioned in a second plane oriented at a second angle relative to the liquid discharge plane. The first angle is different than the second angle so that pressurized process air streams from the first and second pluralities of air passages are directed asymmetrically toward adhesive filaments discharged from the liquid outlets to produce the random pattern.

Abstract: The disclosure provides a compensating design method for a shadow mask including: providing a first shadow mask having a first opening pattern and a first material pattern; disposing the first shadow mask on a substrate having a predetermined depositing film area with first and second sides; performing a deposition process by using the first shadow mask as a mask to form a film on an actual depositing film area, wherein the distance between the first and the third sides is a first bias, and the distance between the second and the fourth sides is a second bias, and a single side gray zone of the actual depositing film area relative to the predetermined depositing film area is substantially half of the sum of the first and the second biases; and designing a second shadow mask according to the single side gray zone.

Abstract: Preferably, a frame supporting a containment chamber, with a sealed process chamber confined within the containment chamber, and at least one fluid inlet structure in fluidic communication with an exterior of the sealed process chamber, the fluid inlet structure including at least a flow adjustment structure to control a fluid flow from a fluid source around the exterior of the sealed process chamber; and an open loop fluid convection system in fluidic communication with an interior of the sealed process chamber, wherein the fluid convection system includes a rotary compressor assembly that extends into the sealed process chamber is disclosed.

Abstract: The present invention discloses systems and methods for printing functional blocks from a plurality of printheads to a target substrate. In exemplary embodiments, the printing system comprises a main printhead for the majority of printing process, and a secondary printhead for supplemental printing. The system further comprises a controller, utilizing a positioning intelligence system to distribute the printing of the functional blocks between the main printhead and the secondary printhead, to minimize the motions of the printheads while maximize the printing speed.

Abstract: A processing chamber having a plurality of movable substrate carriers stacked therein for continuously processing a plurality of substrates is provided. The movable substrate carrier is capable of being transported from outside of the processing chamber, e.g., being transferred from a load luck chamber, into the processing chamber and out of the processing chamber, e.g., being transferred into another load luck chamber. Process gases delivered into the processing chamber are spatially separated into a plurality of processing slots, and/or temporally controlled. The processing chamber can be part of a multi-chamber substrate processing system.

Abstract: A dairy inflation includes a barrel portion connected to a milk tube portion for extracting milk from a teat of an animal. The barrel portion includes an axial passage defined by a wall, the wall having an exterior surface defining an outer periphery having a substantially circular shape. The wall further includes an interior surface defining an inner periphery having a substantially elliptical shape. The elliptical inner periphery includes a major axis and a minor axis, and the disposition of the elliptical inner periphery within the circular outer periphery creates reduced-thickness regions on opposing sides of the wall along the major axis. The reduced-thickness regions allow a controlled collapse of the barrel portion during milking operations.

Abstract: An animal data communication system, including a rover unit to be carried by an animal, an animal accessory device to interact with the rover unit and/or animal, at least one detector to detect an occurrence of an action engaged in by the animal, and to generate a signal indicative of a detected action, a processing unit to generate animal data identifying the detected action based on the generated signal, and a communication unit disposed on at least one of the rover unit and the animal accessory device to transmit the animal data over a network in response to an occurrence of one or more particular conditions associated with the detected action.

Abstract: In accordance with the disclosed subject matter, an automatic feeder comprising a feed bin for storing bulk material, a trough for dispensing the feed to livestock, and a vein assembly positioned horizontally between the feed bin and the trough for transferring the bulk feed from the feed bin to the trough is provided. The vein assembly comprises a vein tube that houses a rotatable vein shaft and flexible wipers affixed as spokes to the shaft that form vein compartments for the feed. A motor assembly with a programmable timer rotates the vein shaft within the vein tube thereby transferring feed from the feed bin, to the vein compartments, and then to the trough.

Abstract: A pet bowl device designed primarily for pet owners comprises a bowl unit and an insert component. The bowl unit comprises an interior and exterior portion, with the insert component being positioned on the interior portion. The insert component comprises a top surface and a bottom surface and a plurality of individual openings positioned in a spaced apart relationship along the top surface. The plurality of individual openings is smaller in diameter than the bowl unit. The individual openings will divide up the serving size of pet food. Thus, the individual openings separate the food into smaller sections, which prevents the pet from opening their mouth wide enough to consume large gulps of food at once. Pets will then be forced to take smaller bites while eating, which slows down the rate at which the pet consumes its food and aids in the prevention of abdominal bloating (GDV).

Abstract: A self-filling bowl formed in a supply reservoir is disclosed herein. The self-filling bowl may provide a sustainable water level in a drinking cavity during travel, even when the self-filling bowl is subjected to movement typical in common forms of travel, such as travel by an automobile, travel by commercial aircraft, and travel by a water vessel. The self-filling bowl may include an integrated reservoir, a base, and a drinking cavity at least partially formed within the reservoir. By integrating these components, the self-filling bowl may easily be transported between various locations. The drinking cavity may include at least two apertures that discharge liquid from the reservoir into the cavity to fill the cavity up to the upmost aperture.

Abstract: A litter box for pets is provided having a container defined by a bottom and side walls and a germicidal ultraviolet light lamp positioned parallel to the bottom of the container and around the interior peripheral edge of the container, whereby the light from the lamp has an unobstructed path to the absorbent granular material in the container. The interior surface of the container is reflective to maximize the incident UV light treating the granular material. A motion detector may be provided to turn the lamp off and on when a pet approaches the litter box.

Abstract: A device for habitat development of marine fauna in an underwater region of an offshore structure having foundations laid in a bed of a body of water includes climbing aids disposed on the offshore structure in the underwater region and at the bed of the body of water. The climbing aids include guide profiles configured to allow vagile hard floor animals to climb the offshore structure that are disposed on the offshore structure, in sections or continuously, in at least one of a vertical, horizontal and diagonal direction.

Abstract: A dynamic kennel system for use in combination with a pre-existing barrier. One dynamic kennel system comprises at least one side panel rotatably interconnected to the pre-existing barrier and a gate rotatably interconnected to the at least one side panel. The at least one side panel and the gate are positionable in a first collapsed configuration such that the at least one side panel and the gate are situated substantially parallel with each other. The at least one side panel and the gate are also positionable in a second expanded configuration such that the at least one side panel and the gate are situated transverse with each other.

Abstract: A portable structure having a frame which is foldable between a stored position and a deployed position is provided in the form of a dog house. Preferably the dog house includes a peaked roof construction and the material forming the walls, floor and roof all are self-contained with the frame in the stored position and is defines the confines of the dog house in the deployed position.

Abstract: Equine training equipment which is a receptacle comprising a sheet of material forming an envelope for retaining a bulk material in the form of a stackable unit, wherein one or more units may be stacked to form a solid component of a jumping hurdle, such that a face of the/or each unit visible when the jumping hurdle is approached from the front presents a visible image located on the sheet material. The invention also extends to processes of preparing the equipment and use thereof.

Abstract: Dog retrieval toy consists of both a retrievable component and an attachable throwing arm. The retrievable component is composed entirely of rubber with its symmetry based around a hollow axis. The axis of the retrievable component is designed to fit perpendicularly into the distal gripping fingers of the attachable throwing arm. The axis of the retrievable component is hollow to accommodate treat material as well as decrease production costs by reducing the amount of material. While holding onto the handle of the attachable throwing arm, picking up the retrievable component is accomplished by fitting the retrievable components' axis into the throwing arm's distal gripping fingers by pressing the retrievable component against the ground with the attachable throwing arm. The retrievable component is released from the grip of the throwing arm simply by the force of the throw.

Abstract: A pet exercise and training device for exercising and training dogs comprising a rod constructed of a sturdy, yet light weight, class 200 or comparable PVC pipe and a bungee cord tether line preferably covered with a Dacron® polyester sheathing for greater strength, durability and weather resistance, and for preventing whiplash to the dog. The hand held flirt pole of the present invention is especially suitable for exercising and training dogs such as pit bulls and other hyperactive and powerful dogs that require the use of a sturdy and unbreakable flirt pole.

Abstract: An improved electrode design is provided for a baited, shock-producing, deer repellent device deployed in an area to be protected. This device has straight, parallel, positive and negative, un-insulated metal electrodes extending vertically from the top. The electrodes are spaced and sized so that they surround and protect the bait. This electrode design increases the chance that a deer will make effective contact with the electrodes while also allowing easy access to the bait for servicing. This electrode design also decreases the chances of the device collecting ice or snow, and it decreases the chance of discharge of the device by moisture or by contact between the electrodes.

Abstract: A fully automated, sensor-driven, catch system for a hydraulic livestock squeeze chute which includes a plurality of spaced-apart sensors positioned on the chute. One of the sensors is positioned just outwardly of the tail gate assembly of the chute and another sensor is positioned just inwardly of the tail gate assembly of the chute. A plurality of middle sensors are positioned between the tail gate and head gate assemblies of the chute. One of the sensors is positioned just inwardly of the head gate assembly and another sensor is positioned just outwardly of the head gate assembly. The sensors send signals to a control module which controls the hydraulic cylinders of the tail gate assembly, the side squeeze panels and the head gate assembly. The sensors sense the movement of the animal as it passes through the chute.

Abstract: A leash has a first end for gripping and a second end for securing to an animal, a length of elastic material, and a length of inelastic material including first and second portions. The length of elastic material and length of inelastic material are configured so that application of tensile force to the first or second end of the leash extends the length of elastic material. Extension of the length of elastic material causes the first portion of the length of inelastic material to lengthen and the second portion of the length of inelastic material to correspondingly shorten. Contraction of the length of elastic material causes the second portion of the length of inelastic material to lengthen and the first portion of the inelastic material to correspondingly shorten, preventing slack in the leash upon sudden deapplication of a tensile force.

Abstract: A power plant is suggested with an additional heat transfer between the flue gas that flows through a flue gas line (5) and the feed-water in a feed-water line (19). The claimed arrangement of the first heat exchanger (13) upstream and adjacent to a precipitator (7) leads to a reduced space demand and optimises dust precipitation as well as the pressure drop of the flue gas.

Abstract: A method and a corresponding device for controlling the temperature of steam in a boiler of a steam generator are provided. The gradual accumulation of dirt on heat exchanger surfaces inside the boiler is incrementally regulated by soot blowers. The targeted influencing of the heat transfer on the heat exchanger surfaces enables the steam temperatures to be controlled and regulated.

Abstract: An apparatus for using a water coil air heater with a single bank economizer. A boiler economizer arrangement includes an economizer bank which has separate hot pass bank and cold pass bank economizer portions in a parallel arrangement, each facing the same flow of hot flue gas. Feedwater enters the cold pass bank economizer where it is heated by the hot flue gas, and then flows to a water coil air heater away from the hot flue gas. The feedwater dissipates heat energy in the water coil air heater which may be used to heat air bound for combustion. The feedwater continues into the hot pass bank economizer portion of the economizer arrangement where it absorbs additional heat from the flue gas. The heated feedwater flows out of the economizer arrangement and may be subject to additional heating by a boiler or other heat exchanger.

Abstract: The invention relates to a device for introducing biomaterial into a pressure-loaded combustion or carburetor chamber (1), comprising a feed apparatus (2) for feeding biomaterial to a pressure pipe (3), in which a plunger (4) is guided in such a way that the plunger can be moved back and forth against a pressure lock (5) to the combustion or carburetor chamber (1) in order to form a compressed plug (6) comprised of biomaterial, which is sealed against the combustion chamber (1) and which is periodically advanced toward the combustion chamber (1).

Abstract: A snowmobile coolant system that includes an engine outlet line, an engine inlet line, and an inlet thermostat. The engine outlet line provides coolant flow between an engine and a heat exchanger of the snowmobile. The engine inlet line provides coolant flow between the heat exchanger and the engine. The inlet thermostat is positioned in the engine inlet line and is operable between open and closed states based on a temperature of coolant flowing from the heat exchanger to the inlet thermostat.

Abstract: Embodiments for indicating degradation of a piston-cooling jet system are provided. In one example, an engine method comprises indicating degradation of a piston-cooling jet system in response to a relationship between engine speed and oil pressure at maximum oil pump displacement conditions. In this way, engine operation may be adjusted in response to an indicated degradation.

Abstract: A coolant jacket is provided for a liquid-cooled cylinder head for an internal combustion engine having a crankcase. The cylinder head has a gas exchange intake side having two gas exchange intake valves and a gas exchange exhaust side having two gas exchange exhaust valves. A fuel injection valve is provided on the intake side and an ignition device is provided on the exhaust side between the gas exchange valves. The coolant jacket extends as a first partial coolant jacket on the exhaust side, coming from the crankcase, between the gas exchange exhaust valves and then radially outside around the ignition device and the fuel injection valve and further in the direction of the intake side and the crankcase. Optimal cooling of the ignition device and the fuel injection valve is achieved which enables high specific powers and pressures leading to fuel consumption and cost advantages.

Abstract: An engine includes a fluid pump configured to pressurize oil and a cylinder configured to combust a mixture of fuel and air therein. The engine also includes a valve arrangement configured to deliver air or fuel and air mixture to and exhaust post-combustion gases from the cylinder. The engine additionally includes fluidly connected first and second switching mechanisms, and an oil gallery fluidly connecting the fluid pump and the second switching mechanism. The engine additionally includes an oil squirter in fluid communication with the second switching mechanism and configured to spray the pressurized oil into the cylinder. The second switching mechanism is operated by the pressurized oil to selectively activate and deactivate operation of the valve arrangement. Moreover, the first switching mechanism is configured to alternately direct the pressurized oil to the second switching mechanism to deactivate the operation of the valve arrangement and to feed the oil squirter.

Abstract: A variable valve timing apparatus for an internal combustion engine, includes an actuator (15) that operates a first variable valve timing mechanism; a detecting portion (35) that detects a driving position of the actuator (15); and a control portion (21) that executes an initialization process only when a preset execution condition is satisfied. In the initialization process, the control portion drives the actuator (15) to one end of a driving range and sets the driving position detected in this state as an initial value, and then drives the actuator (15) to an opposite end of the driving range and reflects an offset amount of the driving position detected in that state with respect to an optimum value in the driving position to compensate for the offset amount. The execution condition includes a condition that an increase amount in acceleration required of the internal combustion engine (1) be equal to or greater than a preset first determining value.

Abstract: A control system for a variable valve timing apparatus that changes a valve timing of an internal combustion engine using a motor which is controlled by operating a switching element includes: an oil temperature estimating portion; a substrate temperature estimating portion; and a current limit controller. The oil temperature estimating portion estimates a temperature of lubricating oil of the engine. The substrate temperature estimating portion estimates a temperature of a substrate to which the switching element is mounted based on the temperature of the lubricating oil. The current limit controller limits a current flowing through the switching element based on the temperature of the substrate in a manner that a temperature of the switching element is restricted from exceeding a predetermined upper limit value.

Abstract: A torque pulsated variable cam timing camshaft arrangement for a reciprocating piston, internal combustion engine is provided. The arrangement includes a sprocket. A torque pulsated phaser unit is operatively associated with the sprocket. A camshaft is operatively associated with the sprocket and the camshaft torsionally powers the phaser unit. The camshaft has a cam lobe engaged with a first cam follower for controlling a position of a spring biased valve. A spring biased second cam follower is engaged with the cam lobe providing a torsional input to the camshaft.

Abstract: A valve timing controller includes a reed valve interposed between an end surface of a vane rotor and an end surface of a driven shaft. The reed valve has a fixed part, a first reed part and a second reed part. Each of the first reed part and the second reed part has each lower limit pressure for allowing working oil to flow from a first supply passage to a second supply passage. The lower limit pressure of the first reed part is different from the lower limit pressure of the second reed part.

Abstract: The inventive phase varying apparatus (50) has a drive rotor (51) driven by the crankshaft of the engine, a phase angle varying mechanism (54) for varying the phase angle of the camshaft relative to the crankshaft, and a self-locking mechanism (56) for preventing a gap in phase angle between the drive rotor and the camshaft due to an externally input disturbing torque. The self-locking mechanism has a cylinder section (69) mounted on the drive rotor, a circular eccentric cam (64) integrated with the camshaft and having inside thereof a cam holding groove (68a), and a lock plate (68) rotatably supporting the periphery of the circular eccentric cam and having on the outer periphery thereof at least four radial abutment protrusions (74-77) that are adapted to abut against the inner periphery (69a) of the cylinder section (69) to perform self-locking.

Abstract: In a cam housing structure for a three-dimensional cam including: plural intake side supporting parts rotatably supporting an intake side camshaft from above; and plural exhaust side supporting parts rotatably supporting an exhaust side camshaft from above at an upper part of a cylinder head, any one of the supporting parts of the intake side supporting parts or the exhaust side supporting parts is coupled to two or more pieces of the other supporting parts via reinforcing members.

Abstract: There is provided a lubricating structure for an internal combustion engine which has a crankcase, a cylinder block, a cylinder head housing a valve driving device, and a cam housing provided on an upper portion of the cylinder head to support an intake-side camshaft and an exhaust-side camshaft, the lubricating structure including: a main oil passage formed in the cam housing; an oil passage formed in an outer wall upper portion of the cylinder head so as to communicate with the main oil passage; and a pipe connection portion formed so as to allow an external oil pipe to be connected to the oil passage from an outside.