Abstract: A cutter includes a stopper with which a blade after cutting a harness with a cutting portion collides and stops. The blade includes a flexible guide portion which protrudes further in a forward direction of the blade than the cutting portion.

Abstract: A cutter includes a blade member configured to cut a current-carrying member by an edge portion, a gas generator configured to move the blade member toward the current-carrying member, a receiving member arranged on a side opposite to the blade member relative to the current-carrying member and defining a receiving surface for receiving the current-carrying member upon cutting thereof, and a stopper configured to restrict forward movement of the blade member such that the blade member stops at a predetermined position. An insulating protective film softer than the current-carrying member is formed on a surface of the edge portion, inner surfaces of guide portions formed in a front end portion of the blade member, and the receiving surface of the receiving member.

Abstract: A neck for a string instrument is provided with a shape that varies along the length of the neck to facilitate an appropriate hand posture at various longitudinal positions on the neck. The neck has a heel end for receiving a body of a string instrument, a head end relative to the heel end, and a fingerboard surface. Adjacent the fingerboard surface, the bass side of the neck is chamfered, relative to the treble side of the neck, from an intermediate position between the heel end and the head end of the neck toward the heel end of the neck, for accommodating a user's thumb when fretting in an upper register portion of the neck.

Abstract: A bracing structure for a soundboard for a musical instrument is disclosed, the bracing structure being a unitary sheet structure having a plurality of elongate semi-tubular elements. Each of the elongate semi-tubular elements has a length, a thickness, a width, a height and an interior resonance space. The sheet structure may be formed of two or more layers. The elongate semi-tubular elements function as traditional braces, however, the shape of the elongate semi-tubular elements may be modified to provide a desired tonal quality.

Abstract: An adjustable saddle for a musical instrument having a base with a plurality of depressions. The depressions receive a plurality of support guides that are releasably and slidably connected to the base. The support guides have an upper front edge with a front slot and an upper rear edge with a rear slot.

Abstract: A guitar having a tremolo device with tonal stability is provided.

Abstract: A Horn Performance Stand has a tripod (1) on which is mounted a support block (3) on which is mounted a foam tubing cylinder (6). The foam cylinder is cut to accept and support a brass musical instrument to minimize pressure on the lips while performing.

Abstract: Whereas ordinary unmodified brass instruments have too wide of a pitch center to be played with utmost precision, this invention solves that by manipulating the physics of the path of the sound exiting a bell of a brass instrument, therefor creating tighter pitch centers throughout the range of the instrument to which it is applied. Two layers of cork are cut from a template and glued together with an inner liner of plastic and sealed with a rubberized sealant on the entrance and exit holes of the cone the final product produces. The outside of the exposed cork is then sealed for durability and water resistance. This product is customized for all brass instruments.

Abstract: The invention provides a sound reduction enclosure for hi-hat cymbal assemblies, enclosure which can be fastened directly to the hi-hat stand to greatly reduce sound leakage and offer more precise control of sound emissions during recording sessions and live performances. The enclosure is made up of two (2) primary elements: 1—the main, funnel-shaped body that attaches to the hi-hat stand and surrounds the cymbal assembly, containing and allowing control of the sound; 2—the different lids that provide yet greater sound reduction and control. With or without its lid, the invention allows the user to both: 1—activate the hi-hat cymbals using the pedal; 2—strike the hi-hat cymbals using the drumsticks.

Abstract: A stand and cradle suitable for resting a bass or cello instrument upon a floor includes an angled base forming a back support and C-bout support upon which a bass or cello may be rested. The base is further supported by a pivotally coupled angled support which maintains the angle of incline of the base. In one embodiment, a pair of generally planar wood members are used to fabricated the base and angled support. In an alternative embodiment, the base is formed of a pair of tubular legs pivotally joined to together with a pivotally secured angle support also formed of a tubular member. In each embodiment, the cradle and base support is foldable to a collapsed configuration for easy storage and transport.

Abstract: There is provided a tonal component detection method including performing a time-frequency transformation on an input time signal to obtain a time-frequency distribution, detecting a peak in a frequency direction at a time frame of the time-frequency distribution, fitting a tone model in a neighboring region of the detected peak, and obtaining a score indicating tonal component likeness of the detected peak based on a result obtained by the fitting.

Abstract: A musical instrument includes: a body including a keybed having a plurality of keys, wherein activation of each key creates an electrical signal at an output, wherein said electrical signal represents a pitch associated with a musical note; an elongated neck connected to the body; and a plurality of transpose buttons located along the length of the neck, wherein the transpose buttons of the fretboard are configured to control the tuning of the keys in the keybed such that activation of each of the transpose button alters the pitch represented by the electrical signal that is output by of each of the keys.

Abstract: Provided are a method, automatic accompaniment device, and electronic keyboard for controlling automatic accompaniment in an electronic musical instrument. Recognition is made of chords played on the electronic musical instruments from at least one note played on the electronic musical instrument. Automatic accompaniment is initiated in response to pressure applied to a pedal coupled to the electronic musical instrument. The automatic accompaniment automatically plays sounds of at least one instrument to accompany the playing of the electronic musical instrument. Recognition is made of a chord played based on at least one played note after initiating the automatic accompaniment and the automatic accompaniment is played in the recognized chord.

Abstract: A sensor obtains an angular rate of a stick member. A sound source map includes plural areas disposed in a virtual space. CPU presumes a direction of a turning axis of the stick member based on the angular rate obtained by the sensor, while a user is operating the stick member, calculates an angular rate of a top of the stick member based on the angular rate obtained by the sensor with the angular rate in the longitudinal direction of the stick member removed, calculates a position of the holding member in the virtual space after a predetermined time, based on the recent direction of the turning axis of the stick member and recent angular rate of the top of the stick member, and sends a sound generating unit a note-on event of a musical tone assigned to an area corresponding to the calculated position among the plural areas.

Abstract: A system for controlling for at least one string of a musical instrument by selectively exciting or damping vibration of the string is provided. The system includes at least one transducer configured to sense a lateral vibration of the string and/or to apply an actuating force to the string. A controller is configured to determine an actuating signal for driving the actuator to apply a longitudinal actuating force to the string at a termination point of the string. The longitudinal actuating force are operable to modulate a tension of the string that increases and/or damps the lateral vibration and/or selected harmonics thereof.

Abstract: A system and method for charging a handgun. A body is frictionally fit over the slide of a handgun and placed against a hard surface. The grip of the handgun is depressed, thereby retracting the slide and ejecting any spent cartridge. As pressure on the grip is released, the recoil spring forces the slide forward relative to the frame of the handgun, stripping a cartridge from the magazine and inserting the cartridge into the barrel of the handgun. The body is then removed from the slide and the handgun may be fired. The body is configured to fit into frictional mating engagement with the slide and allow the barrel of the handgun to extend into a cavity in the body as the slide is retracted relative to the frame of the handgun.

Abstract: A compressed air single-action actuator includes an actuator body, a solenoid valve is provided in the actuator body, a solenoid valve plate is provided between the actuator body and the solenoid valve, a gas chamber is provided on the side face of the actuator body, an O-ring seal is provided between the gas chamber and the actuator body; a first inlet passage communicated with the gas chamber is provided on the actuator body, a check valve is provided at one end of the gas chamber of the first gas inlet passage, the other end of the outlet is provided at a right back side of the Namur interface; a second gas inlet passage is provided on the actuator body communicated with the gas chamber, the outlet of the second gas inlet passage is provided at an upper left side of the Namur interface.

Abstract: The present invention discloses an actuator, which is a combination of a hydraulic control unit and a spring-mass mechanical unit, comprising: a housing, with upper and lower ports; an actuation cylinder in the housing; an actuation piston in the actuation cylinder moveable along the longitudinal axis; a first fluid space; a second fluid space; a first piston rod connected to a first surface of the actuation piston; the second piston rod connected to a second surface of the actuation piston; a fluid bypass; a first spring system connected to the first piston rod, biasing the actuation piston in the second direction; a second spring system biasing the actuation piston in the first direction; a first flow mechanism; a second flow mechanism. The present invention also discloses two other preferred embodiments. The actuator features variable valve lift, low energy consumption, fast dynamic response, soft seating and easy controllability.

Abstract: As seal assembly for a ram assembly is provided. An elongated ram extends through the seal assembly. The seal assembly includes a housing body, a plurality of seals and a retaining, and compression, device. The seals, as well as a male energizer and a female energizer, each have a split body. In this configuration, the seals and energizers may be replaced without removing the seal assembly housing body and retaining device from about the ram. This further allows for the ram to remain in place during seal replacement. That is, the split seals may be separated an placed about the ram. Once in place, the ends of the split seal are joined at an interface. The retaining/compression device compresses the seals so that the interface is sealed.

Abstract: Technologies are presented for applying electrical energy to a combustion reaction to produce agglomerated combustion particulates. For example, a system may include: one or more electrodes configured to apply electrical energy to a combustion reaction; a combustion zone configured to support the combustion reaction of a fuel at a fuel source; and an electrical power source operatively coupled to the one or more electrodes and configured to apply electrical energy to the combustion reaction. The combustion reaction is controlled to produce a distribution of agglomerated combustion particulates characterized by an increase in at least one of an average particulate diameter or an average particulate mass.

Abstract: A fast gas is recovered from a feed gas containing a fast gas and at least one slow gas using a gas separation membrane. A controller may control a control valve associated with a partial recycle of a permeate gas from the membrane for combining with the feed gas. A controller may control a control valve associated with the backpressure of a residue gas from the membrane.

Abstract: A system and method for operating a stripper tower is disclosed. The temperature TM of an aqueous solution is measured at a first elevation in the stripper tower. Temperature TC, which corresponds to the temperature of saturated steam at the operating pressure of the stripper tower, is calculated. A temperature TOVER, the difference between a temperature of an aqueous solution in the stripper tower subject to over stripping conditions and a temperature of an aqueous solution in the stripper tower subject to normal stripping conditions. The method further includes the step of adjusting a flow rate of saturated steam into the stripper tower so that TM is substantially equivalent to the difference between TC and TOVER.

Abstract: A system is provided for removing particulate matter from a particulate collection device utilized to collect particulate matter from a flue gas stream. The system includes a pressure vessel for storing a pressurized gaseous medium in an interior area defined by the pressure vessel. A first pressure sensor is in communication with the interior area and configured to measure pressure therein. A particulate collection device for collecting particulate matter from a flue gas stream includes a conduit in communication with the pressure vessel. A valve is disposed in the conduit and adapted to open to release a pulse of the pressurized gaseous medium from the pressure vessel into the particulate collection device. A control system is in communication with the valve and the first pressure sensor, and includes a controller configured to operate the valve based upon at least one pressure measurement received from the first pressure sensor.

Abstract: A separation system including a source of a gaseous mixture, the gaseous mixture comprising at least a first constituent and a second constituent, and a separation unit in communication with the source to receive the gaseous mixture and at least partially separate the first constituent from the second constituent, wherein the separation unit comprises at least one of a vortex separator and a pressure vessel.

Abstract: A gas separation unit 102, 200, 300 for permeating a gas out from a pressurized feed mixture includes an input manifold 104, 204, an exhaust manifold, 106, 206 and a permeate assembly 108, 208, 303. The permeate assembly supports one or more permselective foils 130, 132, 218, 232, 318 over a hollow cavity 134, 272, 306 supported by a microscreen element 142, 144, 228, 230, 326. The microscreen element includes non-porous perimeter walls 190, 192, 278 supported on a frame surface and a porous central area 194, 280 supported over the hollow cavity. A porous spacer 138, 140, 174, 234 disposed inside the hollow cavity structurally supports the entire microscreen surface spanning the hollow cavity while also providing a void volume for receiving fluid passing through the porous central area and for conveying the fluid through the hollow cavity.

Abstract: An apparatus for capture and sequestration of CO2 from fossil fuel-fired power plant flue gas includes a polymer matrix embedded with a sorbent suitable for removing CO2 from the flue gas and a spacer mated with the polymer matrix. The spacer is adapted to create channels between adjacent portions of the polymer matrix such that the flue gas flows through the channels and comes in contact with the sorbent. Further, an apparatus for the capture and sequestration of CO2 from fossil fuel-fired power plant flue gas includes a hollow fiber membrane embedded with an adsorbent or other suitable material for removing CO2 from the flue gas. The adsorbent particles may be embedded into a wall of the membrane.

Abstract: A conditioner for conditioning fuel passing therethrough includes a deoxygenator having a body in which oxygen is removed from the fuel, and a heat exchanger attaching directly to the body for moderating a temperature of the fuel.

Abstract: The present invention generally relates to a crosslinked silane-modified molecularly self-assembling material, cured manufactured article comprising the crosslinked silane-modified molecularly self-assembling material, semipermeable membrane comprising the crosslinked silane-modified molecularly self-assembling material, method of using the semipermeable membrane to separate an acid gas from a separable gas mixture comprising the acid gas and a permeation-resistant gas, and method of preparing the cured manufactured article from a curable manufactured article comprising a shaped reactive silane-modified molecularly self-assembling material.

Abstract: A method and apparatus are provided for reducing waste effluent from a system including a boiler and a wet electrostatic precipitator, the waste effluent having blow down water discharged by the boiler during a blow down operation and bleed water discharged by the wet electrostatic precipitator. The method includes collecting the blow down water and providing it to the wet electrostatic precipitator as a makeup water supplement, evaporating a portion the bleed water and leaving residual bleed water, providing the evaporated bleed water to the wet electrostatic precipitator as a further makeup water supplement, and using the residual bleed water to quench ash produced by combustion of solid fuel by the boiler. The apparatus includes an evaporator that provides direct contact between hot boiler flue gas and the bleed water such that a portion of the flue gas is quenched before being provided to the wet electrostatic precipitator.

Abstract: A process for separating a first gas, for example CO2, from a feed gas mixture comprising the first gas and a second gas, for example H2, in five or more adsorption beds each containing an adsorbent selective for the first gas. The process comprises subjecting each of the adsorption beds to a repetitive cycle comprising, in sequence, (a) a feed step, (b) a rinse step, (c) a pressure decreasing equalization step, (d) a blowdown step, (e) an evacuation step, (f) a pressure increasing equalization step, and (g) a repressurization step. The feed gas mixture may be a reformate from a steam-hydrocarbon reforming process.

Abstract: A fuel vapor removal method includes removing fuel vapor from ullage of a fuel tank of a vehicle, adsorbing the fuel vapor removed from the ullage onto adsorption media on the vehicle, and desorbing the fuel vapor from the adsorption media while on the vehicle. A fuel vapor removal method includes purging fuel vapor from ullage of a fuel tank using air added into the ullage, reducing a fuel-air ratio in the ullage using the air purging, and adsorbing the purged fuel vapor onto adsorption media. A fuel vapor removal system includes a fuel tank having ullage, an adsorption system including fuel vapor adsorption media fluidically connected to the ullage and to an ullage purging system, and a controller. The controller includes a flammability determination system and is configured to start fuel vapor removal by the purging system from the ullage onto the adsorption media before the ullage exhibits flammability.

Abstract: A nozzle for spraying a liquid, comprising a central body which comprises a connecting portion for connecting the nozzle to a supply of liquid, an atomizing portion forming droplets of the liquid, and a liquid supply pipe forwarding liquid to the atomizing portion. The nozzle further comprises a sleeve mounted on the central body, the sleeve comprising a central aperture, which at least partly encloses the atomizing portion of the central body, and a spray angle controlling rim which at least partly encircles the atomizing portion.

Abstract: Disclosed herein is a method comprising contacting a residual flue gas stream with a lean solution stream in an appendix stripper; where the residual flue gas stream comprises nitrogen, oxygen and moisture; and where the lean solution stream comprises ammonium, ammonium carbonate, ammonium bicarbonate and ammonium sulfate; forming a vapor phase that comprises ammonia vapor, water vapor, carbon dioxide and nitrogen; forming a liquid phase that comprises water, ammonium sulfate and ammonia; discharging the vapor phase to a capture system; and discharging the liquid phase to a direct contact cooler.

Abstract: An ionic liquid solvent and gas purification method using the same are provided. The ionic liquid solvent consists of a main absorbent, a regulator for the main absorbent, an auxiliary absorbent, an activator, an antioxidant and water. The ionic liquid involves a low synthetic cost, low viscosity and high absorption capacity, and can be easily regenerated and recycled. The method, compared with traditional processes, has advantages such as a greater absorption capability and lower operation cost.

Abstract: A system for separating contaminants from an airstream, including a centrifugal fan and housing; a contaminant containment vessel mounted to an outer surface of the housing; and a diverter in the airstream downstream of the fan and within the housing, the diverter being configured to separate a portion of the airstream from a remainder of the airstream, accelerate the portion of the airstream towards the containment vessel, and thereafter guide the portion of the airstream towards the remainder of the airstream. The diverter preferably does not negatively impact the rated performance of the fan, such that a performance of the system is not measurably different than the rated performance of the fan and housing combination. The diverter may accelerate contaminants entrained in the airstream toward the containment vessel, thereby separating the contaminants from the airstream.

Abstract: The present invention pertains to a polyolefin-composite hollow-fiber membrane and a manufacturing method for the same, said polyolefin-composite hollow-fiber membrane having: a homogenous membrane layer formed from polyolefins having a metal flow rate measured in accordance with JIS K7210 code D of 1.0 g/10 minutes, or less, and an Mw/Mn ratio of not more than 4.0; and a porous membrane layer which is formed from polyolefins having an Mw/Mn ratio of 8.0-12.0. The present invention also pertains to a hollow-fiber membrane module which is equipped with the polyolefin-composite hollow-fiber membrane.

Abstract: A plasma spray method for the manufacture of an ion conducting membrane, in particular of a hydrogen ion conducting membrane or of an oxygen ion conducting membrane is suggested. In which method the membrane is deposited as a layer (11) on a substrate (10) in a process chamber, wherein a starting material (P) is sprayed onto a surface of the substrate (10) by means of a process gas (G) in the form of a process beam (2). The starting material is injected into a plasma at a low process pressure which is at most 10000 Pa and is partially or completely melted there. In accordance with the invention the substrate (10) has pores (30) which are connected amongst one another so that the substrate (10) is gas permeable and a portion of an overall pore area of an overall area of the coating surface (31, 131) amounts to at least 30%, in particular to at least 40%.

Abstract: An energy-saving dust collector includes a dust collection device (8) connected to a flue (1) and a fume afterheat recycling device (2) installed in the flue in the front of the dust collection device. The fume afterheat recycling device includes a heat exchanger. The heat exchanger includes a heat suction section (7) and a heat radiating section (3) connected with the heat suction section. The heat suction section is installed at a smoke inlet of the dust collection device, and the radiating section is connected with a condensation water tube. The energy-saving dust collector can reduce temperature of the smoke, improve dust collection efficiency, prevent the collector from corrosion of acid dew and prolong the service life of the collector.

Abstract: An oil mist filter is provided with a housing, a shell, a filtering assembly and a sucking mechanism which are disposed in the housing and the cover, and a filtering cylinder mounted outside the shell. The arrangement of the filtering space, the sucking space and the oil-collecting chamber inside the housing, and the interior of the shell being in communication of the filtering cylinder, changes the flow direction of the oil mist, so that the oil mist is guided to and discharged out of the filtering cylinder.

Abstract: There is provided an exhaust gas treatment system including a CO2 recovery unit with further enhanced energy efficiency. The exhaust gas treatment system (1) includes: a CO2 recovery unit (10) including a CO2 absorption column (11), an absorbing solution regeneration column (16), a condensate supply pipeline (15) for supplying condensate, which contains CO2 absorbing solution discharged from the CO2 absorption column (11) to a bottom portion of the absorbing solution regeneration column (16), and a CO2 separation section (22) for performing heat exchange, via a heat exchanger (23), between the CO2 discharged from the absorbing solution regeneration column (16) and the condensate; and an exhaust gas heat exchanger (5) provided on a gas upstream side of the CO2 recovery unit (10) for performing heat exchange between exhaust gas before flowing into the CO2 recovery unit (10) and the condensate.

Abstract: A system is configured to remove volatile organic compounds from a container. The system includes an enclosed contactor vessel having a first inlet to receive vapor containing volatile organic compounds from the container and a second inlet. The second inlet receives a vapor capture medium from a source. A contactor facilitates entrainment of the volatile organic compounds with the vapor capture medium while a first outlet recirculates treated vapor back to the container to effect a closed loop.

Abstract: A cartridge (10) for preparing a liquid product, for example a beverage such as coffee by introducing liquid and/or steam into the cartridge (10) contains a dose (12) of at least one substance, such as for example powdered coffee, which is able to form the aforesaid product using said liquid and/or steam. The dose is enclosed between foils (14, 16) that can be traversed by the aforesaid liquid and/or steam, said foils (14, 16) being connected together around the dose (12). The aforesaid foils (14, 16) are made of compostable material, i.e., a material that can be recovered by composting and biodegradation, and are connected together around the dose (12) using a connecting material (30), which is also compostable. The cartridge as a whole can hence be recovered by composting and biodegradation, in compliance with the European Norm UNI EN 13432:2002 and/or subsequent modifications and integrations thereof.

Abstract: A venturi-based wine aerator having a fluid passage that includes a throat portion for drawing air bubbles into the passing wine, the aerator including a plurality of differently sized air passages that lead to the throat portion of the fluid passage for producing air bubbles of a corresponding plurality of different sizes.

Abstract: A cooking vessel includes an upper element that defines a cook surface and a lower shell that defines a heat surface for contact with a heat source during heating. The upper element and the lower shell are joined together such that the cook surface and the heat surface are retained in a fixed spatial relationship with each other and a gas-filled cavity is defined between the heat surface of the lower shell and the cook surface of the upper element. An optional temperature sensor may be placed in contact with the gas for cooking temperature readout. Heat is transferred from the heat surface to the cook surface through the gas contained in the gas-filled cavity. Improved heat distribution is accomplished by static and dynamic means of enhancing gas convection. This promotes efficient and even heat distribution at low weight.

Abstract: The invention concerns a system for hot or cold thermal conditioning a food preparation intended for all types of catering premises and comprising at least one jar-type object containing the said food preparation and comprising at least one RFID marker, and a conditioning machine equipped with conditioning means coupled to command means and comprising control means equipped with at least one RFID marker suitable for reading the data from said RFID marker the said control means being coupled to the command means and arranged so as to authorize conditioning of the food preparation only if the RFID receiver the data carried by the RFID marker and the latter data are consistent with the previously established data recorded using the said control means.

Abstract: A convective cooking apparatus is provided. In some embodiments, the convective cooking apparatus includes a lid that provides for a more effective cooking environment through improved heat capture and/or by creating a convective cooker. Waste heat that normally escapes up the side of a pan is captured by an overhang of the lid and redirected back into the pan and onto the food. In some embodiments, the convective cooking lid includes topographical changes on the surface of the lid adjacent to the pan, the topographical changes inducing a turbulent air flow between the pan and the conductive lid.

Abstract: Disclosed is an electric pressure cooker with a removable flip cover comprising a cooker body (1) and cooker cover (2), wherein a supporting arm (3) is provided on the surface of the cooker cover (2), a positioning seat (5) corresponding to the supporting arm (3) is arranged at the edge of the cooker body (1), a positioning and supporting point (7) is provided on the positioning seat (5), and the lower part of the supporting arm (3) movably slips over and slidably contacts the positioning and supporting point (7). The electric pressure cooker has a simple structure and it is convenient to wash the flip cover without the need for special parts.

Abstract: One example embodiment includes an electric meat drainer for removing FOG from a meat product. The electric meat drainer includes a container. The container is configured to retain a meat product and allow FOG to freely exit the container. The electric meat drainer also includes a press. The press is configured to move relative to the container and apply pressure to the meat product within the container, where the pressure separates FOG from the meat product, allowing the FOG to exit the container. The electric meat drainer further includes a motor, where the motor is configured to move the press relative to the container. The electric meat drainer additionally includes a FOG container, where the FOG container is configured to receive the FOG which exits the container.

Abstract: An apparatus is provided for processing fruit or vegetables in order to obtain a flowable mass, such as juice or puree and includes a receptacle, an extraction unit for mechanically extracting juice and pulp from the fruit or vegetables, the unit being located within the receptacle for discharging the juice and pulp into the receptacle, a motor unit, drivingly connected to the extraction unit, an outlet unit for collecting flowable mass from the receptacle.

Abstract: Rectangular baler comprising a bale chamber adapted to contain one or more bales; a compacting plunger for advancing crop material in a direction towards a discharge opening of the bale chamber; wherein the rectangular baler further comprises at least one friction block mounted moveably in a wall of the bale chamber such that at least a part of each friction block is moveable out of the wall; and biasing means adapted for biasing said at least one friction block in a position wherein said at least one friction block protrudes out of the wall.