Abstract: Systems and methods for automatic interconnection discovery in an optical communication system, including: a fiber optic waveguide connecting a first port to a second port, wherein the fiber optic waveguide carries a primary optical signal; and transmitting a secondary acoustic signal over the fiber optic waveguide, wherein the secondary acoustic signal is encoded with information related to one or more of the first port and the second port and/or the interconnection there between. The secondary acoustic signal is transmitted one of continuously, synchronously intermittently, and asynchronously intermittently, and does not interfere with the primary optical signal.

Abstract: A modulating apparatus includes a branch that branches input light; a first modulating unit that modulates the phase of a first branch obtained by the branch; a second modulating unit that modulates a second branch obtained by the branch; a third modulating unit that is connected in series to the first modulating unit, transmits the first branch without branching the first branch, modulates the phase of light transmitted by controlling a refractive index of the light transmitted; a fourth modulating unit that is connected in series to the second modulating unit, transmits the second branch without branching the second branch, and modulates the phase of a light transmitted by controlling a refractive index of the light transmitted; and a coupler that couples the first branch modulated by the first and the third modulating units and the second branch modulated by the second and the fourth modulating units, at different intensities.

Abstract: Optical fiber-based distributed antenna systems that support multiple-input, multiple-output (MIMO) antenna configurations and communications. Embodiments disclosed herein include optical fiber-based distributed antenna system that can be flexibly configured to support or not support MIMO communications configurations. In one embodiment, first and second MIMO communication paths are shared on the same optical fiber using frequency conversion to avoid interference issues, wherein the second communication path is provide to a remote extension unit to remote antenna unit. In another embodiment, the optical fiber-based distributed antenna systems may be configured to allow to provide MIMO communication configurations with existing components. Existing capacity of system components are employed to create second communication paths for MIMO configurations, thereby reducing overall capacity, but allowing avoidance of frequency conversion components and remote extension units.

Abstract: Systems and methods for reducing modal group delay when transmitting a plurality of optical signals over a transmission line that supports a plurality of modes are disclosed. The modes are converted at a plurality of positions along the transmission line so the signals in the end have minimal group delay. The method comprises the steps of receiving N number of optical signals into a multimode fiber having at least N modes, transmitting each of N signals into a mode of the at least N modes of the multimode fiber, and converting each of the N modes into another of the N modes at N positions along the transmission line, such that the net modal group delay generated between the N signals along the transmission line is minimized.

Abstract: An optical transmission system includes an optical transmitter, an optical receiver, and an optical transmission path connecting the optical transmitter and the optical receiver, wherein the optical transmitter has a first polarization scrambler to change a polarization state of an optical transmission signal in a first direction at a first polarization scrambling frequency synchronized with a transmission signal frequency, and the optical receiver has a second polarization scrambler to change a polarization state of an optical signal received from the optical transmission path at a second scrambling frequency synchronized with a received signal frequency in a second direction opposite to the first direction.

Abstract: An optical transmitter module installing a thermo-electric controller (TEC) is disclosed. The optical module has a rectangular box portion as a package made of a multi-layered ceramics, within which the TEC is installed. The TEC has electrodes through which a current to driver the TEC electrically is provided. The module has a feature that the electrodes of the TEC is directly in contact with a pad provided in the back surface of the multi-layered ceramic housing.

Abstract: A transmitter optical module is disclosed. The optical module includes a plurality of LDs each emitting light with specific wavelengths different from others, a TEC including a post in bottom plate thereof through which currents to driver the TEC is supplied, and a body portion including an electrical plug made of multi-layered ceramics. The multi-layered ceramic in a lowermost ceramic layer thereof provides electrical pads to supply current to the TEC through the post. The post and the pads are configured in side-by-side arrangement such that the post in the TEC is put between two pads in the lowermost ceramic layer.

Abstract: A manner of processing bit-interleaved data traffic in a communication network. In the increasingly-common scenario where data traffic is bit interleaved and scrambled using a PRBS (pseudo-random binary sequence) before it is transmitted from a sender to a receiver, the receiver is configured to receive the transmitted bit stream and decimate it, that is, remove the bits of the bit stream that are allocated for the receiver, prior to descrambling. To accomplish this, the receiver employs an LFSR (linear feedback shift register) similar or identical to the one used by the sender to scramble the data. The LFSR is initialized by employing helper bits inserted by the sender or an initialization unit, and may employ other techniques for phase adjustment or state skipping depending on the nature of the transmitted bit stream.

Abstract: An image forming apparatus includes a body; a paper supply tray mounted in the body; a first sensor including a light emitting element and a light receiving element; a first actuator including a first actuating arm to sense the presence of the printing medium stored in the paper supply tray by coming into contact with and being moved by the printing medium, a second actuating arm to sense a width of the printing medium by selectively coming into contact with and being moved by the printing medium fed to the printing path according to the width of the printing medium, and a first sensing arm placed between the first actuating arm and the second actuating arm to intercept the light that would otherwise be transmitted to the light receiving element by being moved in linkage with the first actuating arm and the second actuating arm.

Abstract: A developing apparatus includes a development unit configured to supply toner to a photoconductor on which an electrostatic image is formed, a supply unit configured to supply toner to the development unit, a sensor configured to detect a concentration of toner in the development unit, and a control unit. The control unit is configured to, when the detected concentration of the toner is lower than a first value, control the supply unit to perform a toner supply process, control the sensor to detect the concentration of the toner after the toner supply process, count the number of times the sensor detects the concentration of the toner to be higher than a second value that is higher than the first value, and control the supply unit to repeat the toner supply process, when the counted number is less than a predetermined number that is equal to or greater than two.

Abstract: An image forming apparatus includes a heating element that generates heat, a temperature detector that detects a temperature of the heating element, a resistor that divides a detection result of the temperature detector and a predetermined reference voltage, a disconnection detector that detects a disconnection of the temperature detector, a converter that converts the divided voltage value into a digital signal and outputs the digital signal to a controller, a comparing unit that inverts its output on the basis of a predetermined threshold, a delay circuit that delays an increase in an output voltage of the comparing unit, a discharge circuit that quickly discharges the output voltage of the comparing unit, a latch circuit connected to an output of the discharge circuit, and a power supply path connecting and disconnecting unit that is connected to the latch circuit and connects and disconnects a power supply path to the heating element.

Abstract: An optical scanning device includes a MEMS mirror, a driving unit for oscillating the MEMS mirror using a drive voltage which varies in a basic cycle, a light detection unit for receiving laser light deflected by the MEMS mirror and outputting a detection signal, a correction value calculation unit for calculating a correction voltage value used in correcting the drive voltage, a DC voltage generation unit for generating a DC voltage having a voltage value smaller than the correction voltage value, a DC voltage amplification unit for amplifying the DC voltage generated by the DC voltage generation unit to have a voltage value equal to the correction voltage value, and a waveform shaping unit for shaping the waveform of the amplified DC voltage so that the DC voltage varies in the basic cycle and outputting the shaped DC voltage as the drive voltage to the driving unit.

Abstract: An image forming apparatus according to an aspect of this invention controls a fixing temperature when a fixing device of a printer engine fixes an image on a recording material. More specifically, the image forming apparatus sets the fixing temperature to a value lower than that in a normal mode when printing an image in a power saving mode, and decides an amount of applied toner with which the fixing device can fix the image on the recording material at the set fixing temperature. Furthermore, the image forming apparatus generates print data corresponding to the decided amount of applied toner from input image data, and prints the image on the recording material based on the generated print data.

Abstract: An image forming apparatus includes a housing; an image forming section that is provided within the housing and forms an image onto a recording medium; an output section that outputs the recording medium, having the image formed thereon by the image forming section, outward from the housing; a loading section on which the recording medium output from the output section is loaded and that is provided with an air hole; and a cooling unit that allows air to flow between an interior of the housing and the loading section via the air hole so as to cool a surface, which faces the loading section, of the recording medium loaded on the loading section.

Abstract: A ventilation structure includes a duct unit between a heat generating structure and a heat insulating structure. The ventilation structure includes a heat generating structure side flow channel formed on the heat generating structure side in the duct unit to take in and let fresh air flow along a long side of the duct unit and a heat insulating structure side flow channel formed on the heat insulating structure side in the duct unit to exhaust air outputted from an exhaust system provided in the heat generating structure by letting the air flow and evacuate along the short side of the duct unit.

Abstract: A developer contains a toner having an external additive deposited thereon. The developer is used with an image-forming apparatus including an image carrier including a surface layer in which fluoropolymer resin particles are dispersed and a cleaning member disposed in contact with an outer surface of the image carrier. The external additive is a nonspherical external additive whose volume average particle size is smaller than the average particle size of exposed portions of the fluoropolymer resin particles in the surface layer of the image carrier.

Abstract: A cartridge includes: a toner chamber, provided with an opening, for accommodating a toner; and a seal member including a sealing portion, elongated in a longitudinal direction of the cartridge, for unsealably sealing the opening and a mounting portion for being mounted on an unsealing member to unseal the opening. The sealing portion includes a first sealing portion located at a longitudinal end portion and a second sealing portion located at a longitudinal central portion. With respect to a direction crossing the longitudinal direction, a length between the first sealing portion and the mounting portion of the seal member is shorter than a length between the second sealing portion and the mounting portion.

Abstract: An image forming apparatus, comprising: a housing having an opening; a drawer member to support photosensitive drums disposed to have intervals therebetween to be parallel with each other and to be movable in an arrangement direction of the photosensitive drums such that the drawer member moves between an attached position where the drawer member is attached in the housing and a drawn position where the drawer member is drawn to an outside of the housing; and a presser member that is provided in the housing and is configured to press the drawer member toward one side in an axial direction each photosensitive drum, wherein the presser member presses a downstream end part of the drawer member defined in a moving direction of the drawer member, at a position overlapping with the photosensitive drums in the arrangement direction, in a state where the drawer member is at the attached position.

Abstract: A photosensitive drum, for use with an image forming apparatus, includes a cylinder, which has a photosensitive layer at its surface, to which a processing unit is contacted, and a flange provided at its longitudinal end portion. The flange includes a portion to be supported inside the cylinder by a supporting shaft supporting the photosensitive drum, and a supporting portion for supporting an inner peripheral portion of the cylinder in a contact area in which the processing unit contacts the cylinder. The supporting portion is placed in a state in which the supporting portion supports the inner peripheral portion of the cylinder by supporting the photosensitive drum by the supporting shaft.

Abstract: An image forming apparatus according to an embodiment includes: a separating mechanism configured to move a transfer belt between a first position in which the transfer belt contacts a photoconductor to a second position, a separating shaft configured to rotate to cause the separating mechanism to move from the first position to the second position. The image forming apparatus further includes a lever configured to be removably mounted on a first end of the separating shaft, and an accommodation section configured to accommodate the lever in a body of the image forming apparatus. A second end of the separating shaft prevents the accommodation of the lever in the accommodation section when the lever is removed and when the separating shaft is in the first rotation position.

Abstract: Provided is a driving force transmission device including a sun gear that rotates by receiving a driving force from a driving source, an internal gear that is arranged coaxially with the sun gear, a planetary gear that engages with the sun gear and the internal gear, a rotary member that is provided coaxially with the sun gear and the internal gear and installed with the planetary gear so as to rotate corresponding to revolution of the planetary gear, and an urging member that urges the planetary gear toward the rotary member.

Abstract: Apparatus, printers, and charge roller assemblies are disclosed. An example apparatus includes a roller to charge a printer surface when closer to the printer surface than an upper threshold, and a damper to reduce movement of the roller and to keep the roller closer to the printer surface than the upper threshold.

Abstract: Aspects described herein relate to a cap for a toner cartridge. In one example, the cap may be configured to close a toner supply opening of the toner cartridge. According to one or more aspects, the cap may include a sealing or covering portion configured to cover the toner supply opening and a shaft portion for rotatably supporting a to-be-detected rotary member. The to-be-detected rotary member 56 is rotatably supported around and fitted onto the shaft portion. Therefore, even if a toner supply opening of a cartridge is provided in a sidewall of the housing on a side where the to-be-detected rotary member is provided, e.g., a left sidewall, the toner supply opening and the to-be-detected rotary member can be provided in such a manner as to overlap each other.

Abstract: A developing roller in which the decay rate of the surface potential is high and in which an image failure caused by the accumulation of electric charge does not occur is provided. The developing roller 10 includes a shaft 1, an elastic layer 2 supported on the outer periphery of the shaft, and at least one coating layer 3, 4 formed on the outer periphery of the elastic layer. The volume resistivity of a layer on the inner periphery side of the elastic layer and the coating layer is smaller than the volume resistivity of a layer on the outer periphery side, and the difference between the volume resistivities of the elastic layer and the coating layer positioned on the outermost periphery side is in the range of 2.8 to 4.3 (Log ?km).

Abstract: Disclosed herein are resistive composites comprising at least one resin; at least one carbon black having a surface hydrophobically modified with at least one organic group, the at least one organic group having a molecular weight of the composite of 4000 or less and comprising the formula —X(G)-, wherein X is directly attached to the at least one carbon black and is selected from arylene, heteroarylene, and alkylene, G is a substituent of X, and —X(G)- is nonionic; and wherein the resistive composite has a volume resistivity, volume fraction, XCB, of the at least one carbon black in the coating, where Rv is at least 106 ohm-cm; and log Rv has a substantially linear relationship with XCB when XCB is varied from 0.1 to 0.5. Also disclosed are coatings made from such composites, such as coatings for rollers/belts for office automation machines, and methods of making such coatings.

Abstract: An image forming apparatus (10) capable of releasing pressure of toner accumulated between photoreceptor drums and cleaning blades without affecting the life of the photoreceptor drums includes photoreceptor drums (21A to 21D), an intermediate transfer belt (31), cleaning blades (250A to 250D), a cam mechanism (36), and a drive motor (26). The photoreceptor drums (21B to 21D) bear a toner image. The toner image is transferred from the photoreceptor drums (21A to 21D) to the intermediate transfer belt. The cleaning blades (250A to 250D) remove toner remaining on the photoreceptor drums (21A to 21D) after the toner image transfer. The cam mechanism (36) switches, after an image forming process, a contact state of the photoreceptor drums (21A to 21D) and the intermediate transfer belt (31) to a separation state. The drive motor (26) rotates the photoreceptor drums (21B to 21D) backward after switching the contact state to the separation state.

Abstract: An imaging device is shown, including a plurality of color imaging units, each color imaging unit selectively depositing toner forming a distinct color toner image; an intermediate transfer member for cooperating with the color imaging units such that the color toner images are deposited thereon; and a black imaging unit for depositing black toner having a photoconductive member on which the black toner is deposited to form a black toner image. The intermediate transfer member and the black imaging unit are configured so that during a color print operation, color toner images deposited on the intermediate transfer member are deposited therefrom onto the photoconductive member of the black imaging unit, and the color toner images and the black toner image are subsequently deposited onto a to media sheet.

Abstract: A fixing apparatus according to an embodiment includes: a first roller; a second roller that forms a nip between the second roller and the first roller and presses a sheet passing through the nip against the first roller; a heater that heats at least one of the first roller and the second roller, a heating range of the heater being greater than a maximum printing width of a predetermined maximum sheet width, and a heat-uniformizing member that distributes heat of the heater along a longitudinal direction thereof, an effective length of the heat-uniformizing member in the longitudinal direction being the same as, or greater than, the predetermined maximum sheet width.

Abstract: A heating member includes: a resistive heating layer including: a medium-passing area, and non-medium-passing areas respectively on opposing sides of the medium-passing area at opposing side portions of the resistive heating layer; a core which supports the resistive heating layer; a thermally conductive layer between the resistive heating layer and the core, and disposed in a non-medium passing area at a side portion of the resistive heating layer; and an electrode which is between the resistive heating layer and the core, contacts the side portion of the resistive heating layer and supplies current to the resistive heating layer. A ratio of a contact area between the thermally conductive layer and the resistive heating layer to an area of the non-medium-passing area in which the thermally conductive layer is disposed, ranges from about 5% to about 25%.

Abstract: An image forming apparatus includes an image forming device forming an image on a recording medium; and a light source that, after the image has been formed by the image forming device, irradiates the recording medium with light to fix the image on the recording medium, while the recording medium moves relatively in a predetermined movement direction. The light source includes a current supply section, a light emitting section, and a current output section. Current for light emission is supplied to the current supply section. The light emitting section includes light emitting elements that are disposed two-dimensionally. At least the light emitting elements provided side by side in the movement direction are electrically connected in parallel. The current output section outputs the current that has passed through the light emitting section. The current supply section and the light emitting section are provided side by side in the movement direction.

Abstract: An image forming apparatus includes a first image forming device, a plurality of second image forming devices, a first bias voltage supply device, and a second bias voltage supply device. The first image forming device and the second image forming device form a toner image. The first bias voltage supply device applies a bias voltage to a first component of the first image forming device. The second bias voltage supply device applies a bias voltage to a second component of each of the plurality of second image forming devices.

Abstract: An image forming apparatus is provided. The image forming apparatus includes a chassis having an opening, a cover, photosensitive members, an intermediate transfer belt, a primary-transfer member, a secondary-transfer roller, a cleaner device, a waste toner container, which is movable along a predetermined direction to be removably installed in the chassis through the opening and stores residual toner, a connector, and a feed roller, which is arranged within the feeding path to feed the recording sheet in the feeding path. The feed roller is arranged in a position to at least partially fall within a vertical range of the waste toner container and to be aligned with the waste toner container along an axial direction of the second feed roller.

Abstract: A present sheet processing apparatus controls to stack sheets on a sheet stack unit and controls to align sheets by a plurality of alignment members. When the alignment unit cannot align sheets, the apparatus prompts a user to move the alignment members.

Abstract: A representative configuration of an image forming apparatus according to the invention includes: an image forming portion; a transfer portion; a fixing portion; a curl correcting unit which is provided on a downstream of the fixing portion in a sheet conveyance direction and includes a first roller and a second roller; a holding portion which movably holds the second roller; a biasing member which applies a force to the holding portion; a door which rotatably holds the first roller, is supported to be opened and closed, and separates the first roller from the second roller by being opened; and a retracting portion which allows the holding portion to be retracted to a position where the second roller deviates from a movement path of the door against a biasing force of the biasing member according to a closing operation of the door.

Abstract: An improved Braille erasure mechanism may comprise a reverse-embosser or impressing mechanism to imprint a negative Braille cell. A negative Braille cell is the reverse of a normal Braille cell, with one or more dots lowered or pressed into the printing medium in an opposite direction to the raised dots of a normal Braille cell. Because the dots of a negative Braille cell are lowered past the surface of the printing medium, they may be ordinarily undetectable to the fingers of a Braille user. Accordingly, by imprinting a full negative Braille cell on top of a Braille cell to be erased, all of the previously raised dots of the Braille cell may be lowered beyond the surface of the printing medium. Any further Braille cell embossed over the erased cell will be free from corruption, because any dot not used by the new cell will remain lowered and undetectable.

Abstract: A rotary cutter apparatus comprises a rotary body and a holding body. The rotary body is supported by a housing so as to rotate along a rotating direction. The holding body is supported by the housing. The rotary body has a rotary blade including a first edge portion. The holding body has a fixed blade including a second edge portion. The first edge portion is configured to be in contact with the second edge portion and to be rubbed with the second edge portion. The first edge portion and the second edge portion are configured to perform cutting of an object to be cut. The object is located in an introduction path. The rotary cutter apparatus further comprises a guide member configured to be in contact with the object and to guide it when the object is fed to an inside of a rotation trajectory of the rotary body.

Abstract: A double-headed deodorant dispenser is configured to separately and independently dispense two deodorants from different ends thereof The deodorant dispenser includes a container having first and second openings, the first opening allowing a first deodorant to be dispensed from the first end of the container and the second opening allowing a second deodorant to be dispensed from the second end of the container., a first dispensing mechanism associated with the first deodorant for dispensing the first deodorant from the first end of the container, and a second dispensing mechanism associated with the second deodorant for dispensing the second deodorant from the second end of the container. First and second knobs of the first and second dispensing mechanisms are accessible through the container for user manipulation of the first and second dispensing mechanisms. The container may be configured to accept deodorant refills. The deodorants may be a solid, gel or similar composition.

Abstract: A single-piece, injection molded, hand-held liquid dispensing applicator. The single-piece applicator comprising a source of fluid and a frangible applicator tip attached to the fluid source. When the frangible applicator tip is broken, the fluid flows from the source to an absorbent member attached to the applicator tip to spread the liquid on a surface. The frangible tip may comprise a support element permanently connected to the fluid source, a relatively rigid tongue element, and a frangible region therebetween. The tongue element may comprise ribs for reinforcement. The frangible tip may comprise a semi-permeable or non-permeable cover to control the speed and direction of the dispersion of the fluid. The dispensing applicator may be used in various medical applications.

Abstract: A binder including a front cover including a front cover exterior layer, a front cover interior layer, a front cover base plate between the front cover exterior layer and the front cover interior layer, an exterior pocket formed between the front cover exterior layer and the front cover base plate, and an interior opening formed through the front cover interior layer and the front cover base plate to the exterior pocket. Methods of manufacturing the binder are also disclosed.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a multi-axial joint (1), particularly for robotics. The multiaxial joint comprises a distal joint section (2) and a proximal joint section (4) that are pivotably and swivably connected relative to each other via at least one rotatory pivot joint (26) with a rotational axis (P) and at least one rotatory swivel joint (13) connected in series with the pivot joint (26) and having a swivel axis (R) extending perpendicular to the rotational axis (P). With such a multiaxial joint it is possible to realize two degrees of freedom. To achieve a compact constructional shape, the pivot joint (26) and the swivel joint (13) are united by being slid into each other to form a structural unit. The multiaxial joint (1) is particularly intended to enable an operation via traction means so as to simulate the movement of an animal or human joint. To absorb great forces, a forked (28) structure may be chosen.

Abstract: A quick-release knife connector for use on a rotary disc cutterhead having a shaped knife nut with a first portion providing a bearing surface for an aperture in the knife and a second portion which inhibits axial movement of the knife from contact with the first portion. A based capture element normally retains the knife in position on the first portion of the bearing surface. The second portion of the bearing surface is provided to minimize axial movement of the knife in the event of unintentional release of the capture element. The connector is configured to allow allows installation and removal of knives using simple tools for the task.

Abstract: A split end tube connector connects fiber reinforced composite tubes, and in particular carbon fiber tubes. The tube connector end inserted into the carbon fiber tube is split lengthwise to alleviate peel stresses caused by thermal contraction of the connector as a result of temperature changes. In a preferred embodiment, the split end tube connector is made from a metal, such as aluminum, steel, or titanium.

Abstract: A frictional weld joint couples first and second body portions of an article together. The frictional weld joint comprises a first bead extending from the first body portion of the article and a second bead extending from the second body portion of the article. The second bead has an interior stem and an exterior stem space from the interior stem defining a cavity therebetween. The first and second beads are placed in contact with each other with the centerline of the second bead offset from the centerline of the first bead. A force is applied to either the first or second body portions to generate friction between the first and second beads to plastically displace the first and second beads. The force is removed for fusing the first and second beads together to couple together the first and the second body portions of the article.

Abstract: A solder joint with a multilayer IMC structure is provided. The solder joint includes a Cu pad, a Sn-based solder, a first, a second, and a third IMC layer. The Cu pad is disposed opposite to the Sn-based solder. The first IMC layer is disposed between the Cu pad and the Sn-based solder. The first IMC layer is a Cu3Sn layer. The second IMC layer is disposed between the first IMC layer and the Sn-based solder. The second IMC layer is a (Cu1-x1-y1Nix1Pdy1)6Sn5 layer, wherein x1 is in the range between 0 and 0.15, and y1 is in the range between 0 and 0.02. The third IMC layer is disposed between the second IMC layer and the Sn-based solder. The third IMC layer is a (Cu1-x2-y2Nix2Pdy2)6Sn5 layer, wherein x2 is in the range between 0 and 0.4, y2 is in the range between 0 and 0.02, and x2>x1.

Abstract: A solder joint structure includes a metal pin in the shape of a prism or a circular or substantially circular cylinder; an aluminum wire including a wound portion wound around the metal pin; and a solder layer arranged to join the metal pin and at least one portion of the wound portion to each other. The at least one portion of the wound portion includes a deformed surface resulting from a partial disappearance or elimination of the aluminum wire in a cross-section perpendicular or substantially perpendicular to a direction in which the aluminum wire extends, and the solder layer is directly and closely adhered to the deformed surface.

Abstract: An example embodiment includes a latching mechanism configured to selectively secure a communication module to a receptacle of a host device. The latching mechanism includes a latch, a cam, and a latch release. The latch includes a latch hook and a latch protrusion. The cam is mechanically coupled to the latch release. The cam is positioned with respect to the latch such that an activation force applied to the latch release translates the cam to contact the latch protrusion and displace the latch hook.

Abstract: A locking mechanism is disclosed. The locking mechanism includes a locking member, a guiding member, three engaging members, and an elastic member. Three receiving holes are defined in an outer side surface of the locking member. The guiding member is slidably and partly received in the locking member. The guiding member comprises a latching portion. Each engaging member is received in the corresponding receiving hole. One end of the elastic member resists against the guiding member, such that the engaging member is latched by the latching portion and partly protrudes out from the receiving hole.

Abstract: A non-lethal vehicle device provides for the selective, remotely-deployed controlled stop of a targeted vehicle regardless of wheel or undercarriage configuration. The device is comprised of a combination of a remote arm/safe mechanism, a remote deployment controller, spike/snare deployment mechanism(s), a “speed bump” type housing that can protrude (be driven over until deployed) or be submerged, and one or more snares with a plurality of spikes. A combination of sensors may provide independent deployment once armed.

Abstract: A soil densification system and method is disclosed. The presently disclosed soil densification system includes an air delivery probe or pipe that can be driven or otherwise installed into a soil mass. An inlet of the air delivery probe is supplied by an air compressor and an air storage tank, which are used for the rapid delivery of air impulses or bursts into the air delivery probe, whereas the air impulses or bursts are expelled out of an outlet of the air delivery probe and into the soil mass. The method of using the presently disclosed soil densification system includes the steps of inserting the end of the air delivery probe into the soil mass to any desired depth and then releasing an impulse or burst of air into the soil mass, thereby forming a densified region in the soil mass via the forces of the air impulse.

Abstract: A mining can descender comprising a plurality of strand jacks configured to work in concert to lower a load disposed between a first strand jack and a second strand jack a base configured to accommodate said plurality of strand jacks mounted there to, wherein said base comprises a plurality of assembled sections.