Abstract: A nanopowder and a method of making are disclosed. The nanopowder may be in the form of nanoparticles with an average size of less than about 200 nm and contain a reactive transition metal, such as hafnium, zirconium, or titanium. The nanopowder can be formed in a liquid under sonication by reducing a halide of the transition metal.

Abstract: Methods and systems for recovering or extracting rare earth elements under mild conditions include subjecting a material including rare earth element to a rare earth element crystallization medium under solvothermal conditions sufficient to form rare earth element crystals capable of gravity separation and purification.

Abstract: A method of producing molten steel supplies gaseous oxygen from a top blowing lance into a converter to perform decarburization refining of molten iron while adding a CaO-containing powdery dephosphorizing agent to simultaneously decarburize and dephosphorize the molten iron and includes supplying the dephosphorizing agent to a bath surface of the molten iron together with at least one gas jet from the top blowing lance and a dynamic pressure determined when a gas jet blown from respective lance nozzles of the top blowing lance impinges onto the bath surface of the molten iron is controlled to not more than 0.50 kgf/cm2.

Abstract: A method for leaching a sulfidic metal concentrate in hydrometallurgical production of metal in a leaching process from which hot water vapor containing off-gas is conducted out and to which an acid solution warmed up to an elevated temperature is conducted. The acid solution is warmed up to an elevated temperature by bringing off-gas of the leaching step into direct contact with the acid solution.

Abstract: Methods for recovering gold from gold-bearing materials are provided. The methods rely upon on the self-assembly of KAuBr4 and ?-cyclodextrin (?-CD) in aqueous solution to form a co-precipitate, a 1:2 complex, KAuBr4•(?-CD)2 (“?•Br”), either alone or in an extended {[K(OH2)6][AuBr4]?(?-CD)2}n chain superstructure (FIG. 1). The co-precipitation of ?•Br is selective for gold, even in the presence of other metals, including other square-planar noble metals. The method enables one to isolate gold from gold-bearing materials from diverse sources, as further described.

Abstract: A compound tool formed preferably of a single piece, having a grip stem adapted to be gripped by the jaws of adjustable pliers received in a recess on the tool, and having a hammer head. Together the plier and tool are useable as a hammer.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a shock absorbing hammer whose head has housings filled with pellet assembly inside. The pellet assembly includes both rigid pellets and soft pellets to absorb shock from external striking force impacted on the head of the main frame.

Abstract: A ratchet tool device includes a wrench body, a receiving hole and a receiving space opened at a top end of the wrench body, the receiving space axially opened from an inner wall of the receiving hole toward a bottom end of the wrench body, the receiving space communicating with the receiving hole, a ratchet wheel received in the receiving hole, a pawl set having a first pawl, a second pawl and an abutting elastomer, a switching set having a switching member and a positioning member, the switching member assembled to the wrench body and sealing the receiving space, the switching member having a driving block, the first pawl and the second pawl both assembled to the driving block.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a tool having dual flex heads. The tool may have a flex head having a ratchet head and a flex head having a bit driver head. The flex heads may include a locking mechanism.

Abstract: The socket holder comprises a cylindrical socket section, and a hexagonal prism-shaped shank section which is held in the socket section for transmission of torque to the socket section, and receives torque from a rotating tool. The shank section is detachably fitted to the socket section via a retention mechanism composed of a coil spring and a steel ball. The front end of the shank section is fitted with a thin, cylindrical magnet.

Abstract: A screwdriver gripping tool is disclosed, comprising a sheath having an integrated unibody structure, and symmetrical elastic pinchers disposed at a tip of the sheath. The sheath is used for wrapping around a screwdriver handle; the elastic pinchers are used for holding on the screw head. The elastic pinchers also extendedly stretch to form two symmetrical, inwardly curving flanges that face each other, for use to capture a screw head so as to assist a driving motion of a screwdriver to set a screw into a work piece.

Abstract: A pill splitter includes a base, a cover pivotably secured to the base, a cutting blade attached to the cover, and a pill holder arrangement. The pill holder arrangement includes a slideable fixture constructed and arranged to be movable relative to the base and hold the pill. The pill holder arrangement allows a pill to split when the cover is moved in a closed position.

Abstract: A coin-roll opener, e.g. a sleeve or the like for opening a roll of coins, and a method of using the same is described. The coin-roll opener comprises first and second sides with a transverse connector between them. Angles formed by joining the first and second sides of the coin-roll opener to the transverse connector form acute angles, or cutting edges of the transverse connector, abutting the transverse connector. The coin-roll opener is used by fitting it over at least one divider of a cash till or coin tray of a cash register. The coin-roll opener is used by striking a roll of coins against one of the acute angles, or cutting edges of the coin-roll opener, freeing the coins so that they can be deposited within the cash till or coin tray.

Abstract: A cutting unit for a hair cutting device, comprising a stationary cutting member, wherein the stationary cutting member comprises a plurality of stationary blade pieces, and a moving cutting member (10), wherein multiple cutting elements (11) are extending along a middle axis (A) from a base sheet (12) of the moving cutting member (10), wherein each cutting element (11) of the moving cutting member (10) comprises a proximal end (14) with a first width (W1) connected to the base sheet (12) and a distal end (16) with a second width (W2) facing away from the base sheet (12), a first flank (18) and a second flank (20) each extending from the proximal end (14) to the distal end (16), wherein the first flank (18) and/or the second flank (20) each comprising a blade edge (22) extending at least partially along the first flank (18) and/or the second flank (20), wherein the second width (W2) of the distal end (16) is larger than the first width (W1) of the proximal end (14).

Abstract: An Avocado Cutting and Splitting Device. The device uses a single cutting blade to cut through both the seed and meat of incoming avocados. To increase uptime, the device allows the cutting blade to be sharpened while in operating condition (without removing the blade from the machine). There are a series of guides, elements and other apparatus that will place the incoming avocados in a consistent orientation relative to the cutting blade before they are cut. Belt agitation fingers have further been added to cause the feed belt to vibrate during operation, in order to assist in positioning the avocados properly prior to their being cut. To improve throughput and reduce the need for human involvement, the device includes a set of custom-shaped ramps designed to guide and transport the cut avocado halves to the moving exit conveyor so that the halves land face-down on the exit conveyor.

Abstract: A method for producing an energy-absorbing profile for a motor vehicle includes: providing an extruded hollow profile, the extruded hollow profile having outer walls and at least one inner wall which connects two of the outer walls; inserting a cutting tool into the hollow profile; actuating the cutting tool and cutting an inner wall section out of the inner wall; and removing the cut out wall section and the cutting tool from the hollow profile.

Abstract: In one preferred form there is provided a cutting assembly (10) for use in a kitchen. The cutting assembly includes a housing (12) adapted to house a roll of sheet material such as plastic wrap. There is provided a cutting surface (24) having a slit (28); and a slideable cutting arm (22) having a cutting edge (27) adapted for receipt in the slit (28) when moved along the slit (28) to cut the sheet material. The cutting surface (24) includes a high friction gripping surface (74) having a gloss finish for gripping the sheet material on the cutting surface.

Abstract: A power table saw has a saw blade driven by a drive motor with power selectively supplied to the drive motor by actuation of a mains switch. A riving knife is provided that can be selectively positioned in an extended position and a retracted position relative to the blade. A blade guard is removably mounted to the riving knife in a position above the blade. A sensible element on the riving knife can be detected by a first sensor when the riving knife is retracted, the first sensor having a non-null state when the sensible element is adjacent the first sensor and a null state otherwise. A second sensor is configured to detect the presence of the blade guard and has a null state when the blade guard is detected and a non-null state otherwise. A controller is operable to determine the states of the first and second sensors and to disengage power to the drive motor when the mains switch is actuated when the states of the first and second sensors are different.

Abstract: The invention relates to a device (1) which is suitable for producing a stripping tool. Said device comprises—a control unit (2), —a receiving portion (3) for a stripper plate (4), —a stripper flat-strip insertion device (5), and—a stripper pin insertion device (6).

Abstract: A table saw includes a support arrangement and a table top assembly including a work piece support surface defining a plane and a saw blade opening in the work piece support surface. An undercarriage assembly, mounted to the table top assembly, supports a saw blade in an adjustable angular position and includes a motor assembly and an arbor shaft to support the saw blade in the saw blade opening. The bevel pivoting mechanism is configured to increase a distance between the motor or arbor shaft and the plane of the work piece support surface with a change to the angular position of the saw blade to substantially prevent the motor or arbor from contacting the table top assembly.

Abstract: A device includes a bearing assembly, a supporting assembly, a cutting assembly, a rotation pole, and a transmitting assembly. The supporting assembly includes a driving pole rotatably supported on the bearing assembly and a pair of guiding rails positioned on the bearing assembly. The cutting assembly screws on the driving pole and is slidably supported on the guiding rails. The cutting assembly includes a cutter protruding from the top plate. The rotation pole is rotatably positioned on the bearing assembly and is configured for supporting a lens module. The transmitting assembly drives the rotation pole and the driving pole to rotate. The driving pole drives the cutting assembly to move and the rotation pole to rotate, the cutter cuts the lens module during moving along the driving pole.

Abstract: A vertical or upright piano action includes a key bed, a key frame, a wippen, a damper action, a hammer action, a repetition lever, a sustain mechanism, sostenuto mechanism, and an una chorda or action shift mechanism. Butt directly engages damper, improving response to professional standard. Touch resistance is unchanged by sustain mechanism.

Abstract: A musical instrument includes a body having an outer shell, an internal cavity defined by that outer shell and a center plate dividing that internal cavity into a first chamber and a second chamber. In one embodiment, a foam core fills the internal cavity.

Abstract: A coated string for a stringed device which includes a coating applied to the surface of the string. The coating includes a base layer bonded to the surface of the string and an at least partially transparent low-friction top coat applied to the base layer. The base layer includes heat activated pigments that change color when heated above a color shifting temperature. In one embodiment, the color of the pigment in one area contrasts with the color of the pigment in an adjacent area without otherwise affecting the low-friction surface of the coating. The areas of different color created in locations along the length of the low-friction coated string.

Abstract: Guitar bridge pins are formed of hard materials shaped to mechanically cooperate with standard guitar bridge configurations. Either molded or machined into a prescribed shape, guitar bridge pins fit into tapered shaped holes of most common guitar bridges. Guitar bridge pins of these systems include a main body portion into which a recess seat is formed. Further a string via is arranged from the recess seat to an exit aperture, the string via provides a path through which a guitar string may pass. These guitar pins provide a high-performance system for mounting and fixing guitar strings at the bridge of a standard guitar. Specifically these bridge pin devices include at least four major integrated elements including a main body, a recess seat, a string via and a stud element. Additionally, these bridge pin systems may also include cooperating spacing and locking washers which may be used in conjunction with threaded fasteners.

Abstract: Generally, a body having body upper face, a closed-end aperture element disposed in the body communicating with the body upper face, and a securement element affixed to the body opposite the body upper face, which can removably couple to a support surface. Specifically, a pick holder having body upper face, a closed-end aperture element disposed in the body communicating with the body upper face, which can be configured to removably retain a pick, and a suction cup affixed to the body opposite the body upper face, which can removably couple to a stringed instrument.

Abstract: In some aspects, a musical percussion support stand includes a stand tube, legs that are configured to be deployed perpendicular to the stand tube in supporting arrangement and a set of two or more height adjustable foot elements. The height adjustable foot elements include a body with at least one rest surface and a first recess. The first recess is configured to receive a leg, with a central axis of the first recess substantially parallel to a horizontal central axis of the body. The body has a first position and a second position relative to a central axis of the leg. In the first position, the rest surface may be disposed on a supporting surface for supporting the stand, with the leg relatively more spaced above the supporting surface than in the second position.

Abstract: A drumstick that is produced from a pair of bonded wooden halves that form an elongated, structure having a circular bore therethrough. Into the circular bore is inserted a core tube that increases the rigidity of the drumstick, a multiplicity of glass micro-spheres that function to reduce drumstick vibrations that can affect a drummer, and a resilient sleeve that is inserted over the front end and partial rear end of the drumstick. The resilient sleeve increases the useful life of both the drumstick and the instrument struck by the drumstick.

Abstract: The purpose of my invention/method is to create good keyboard sight reading musicians. By marking skips between notes according to the method set forth in my detailed description and then playing them on the keyboard, the musician is able to develop good sight reading skills. The difference between my method and others is that my method uses letter names of notes only to find the beginning location of a piece of music and this is done through the use of a note/keyboard chart. All other reading is done by use of spacing and direction through recognition of skips on the staff. It is essential to the success of my method that letter names NOT be used because they interfere with the spatial and directional understanding of notes needed to sight read well. My method is useful at all levels because it is structured, concrete, and cumulative.

Abstract: The object of the present invention concerns a control device (100) for a generation module (GM) of sound effects (EFA, EFB) of a musical instrument (MI), such device comprising computer software configured for: —the capture, using a digital camera (10), of at least one digital image (I) comprising at least one portion of the user's (U) face; —processing of such at least one image (I) to define expression data (D_EXi, i being a positive integer) containing information relating to facial expressions (EXa, EXb) of the user (U); —an analysis of such expression data (D_EXi) using a predefined first database (DB1) to determine a sound effect data (D_EFj, j being a positive integer) containing information relating to at least one sound effect (EFA, EFB) corresponding to the facial expression (EXa, EXb) of the user (U).

Abstract: A high traction synthetic rope comprising a braided sheath (8) adhered to a synthetic strength member (7) by means of a first synthetic portion (9) and portions of material (23) adhered to the outside surface of the braided sheath by means of a second synthetic portion (21), where the portions of material (23) are formed of a substance that differs from a substance mainly forming the second synthetic portion (21) and exhibits greater friction when wet or with greasy conditions and measured on an iron surface than does the substance mainly forming the second synthetic portion. Also methods of manufacturing such a high traction synthetic rope are disclosed. The rope shows reliable traction on driven rotating elements during wet/greasy conditions.

Abstract: A tubular structure which includes a plurality of axial sites in circular relation to one another and a plurality of bias sites that interconnect the axial sites to form the tubular structure. The tubular structure's axial sites have a greater diameter than the structure's bias sites.

Abstract: An ammunition magazine contains an ammunition belt of linked ammunition cartridges to be fed into a machine gun, the magazine including a front opening, enabling a leading end of the ammunition belt to be accessible for feeding the machine gun and for linking with a trailing end of another ammunition belt, and a rear opening, enabling a trailing end of the ammunition belt to be accessible for linking with a leading end of another ammunition belt. An arrangement of consecutive and adjacent ammunition magazines allows movement of an ammunition belt from the distal magazine into the proximal magazine towards the machine gun during operation, enabling continuous feeding of ammunition belts into the machine gun. An ammunition loading system for conveying ammunition between a magazine platform and a hull region, including a lifting mechanism to lift an ammunition magazine into the magazine platform from the hull region.

Abstract: Armor panel comprising an aluminium alloy plate wherein: a) said aluminium alloy has the following chemical composition expressed in percentages per weight: 5.1%?Zn?9.7% 1.5%?Mg?2.9% 1.2%?Cu?2.1% Si?0.4% Fe?0.5% Mn?0.3% Cr?0.28% Ti?0.2% Zr?0.15% b) said plate comprises a face oriented towards the shocks and a face opposite said face oriented towards the shocks coated with a composite reinforcing layer comprising reinforcing fibres or bands with high ballistic protection performance, typically made of high mechanical performance glass, aramid or high performance polyethylene.

Abstract: According to the invention there is provided an arrangement of protective material for dissipating the kinetic energy of a moving object including one or more layers of fibrous armour material encased within a sealed encasement, in which the sealed encasement is formed from a textile armour material which is impregnated with a polymeric substance.

Abstract: According to the invention there is provided a fibrous armour material for dissipating the kinetic energy of a moving object which is impregnated with a shear thickening fluid, in which the shear thickening fluid includes particles of a thickening agent suspended in a liquid, and the volume fraction of the thickening agent in the shear thickening fluid is selected so that the shear thickening fluid has a viscosity-shear stress characteristic substantially corresponding to curve B or lying between curve B and curve D as shown in FIG. 2.

Abstract: According to the invention there is provided a protective material for dissipating the kinetic energy of a moving object including a plurality of layers of fibrous armour material in which at least some adjacent layers of fibrous armour material are separated by one or more separator layers for reducing inter-layer friction.

Abstract: A blast mitigation method includes forming a body of solid material which transitions from a solid state to a non-flowing viscous fluid state when stressed which attaching it to the body of the undercarriage of a vehicle. The material of the body transitions from a solid state to a viscous fluid, state when an explosion occurs, is proximate the body and it absorbs at least some energy from the explosion mitigating impact on the vehicle. A plunger plate with blades extending outwardly therefrom is coupled to the body and oriented such that the blades are adjacent the body.

Abstract: The present disclosure provides a weapons mounting system, which may include a gun mount that may be used independent of a swing mount or with the swing mount. The gun mount may include a Picatinny rail assembly and be attached to an ammunition container. The swing mount may include a positive locking system and a friction locking system. The present disclosure also provides a travel lock assembly, which partially connects the gun mount to the swing mount.

Abstract: A method of operating a gas operated automatic or semi-automatic weapon that has a bolt that locks by a partial rotation of the bolt with respect to a bolt carrier, the bolt carrier in communication with a gas port on the barrel of the weapon, the method comprising utilizing the gas pressure from a cartridge received from a port in the barrel to unlock the bolt, and utilizing the expansion of a telescoping cartridge in the chamber to recycle the weapon after the bolt is unlocked. In embodiments the cartridge is a 5.56 mm cartridge. In embodiments, the propellant driving the projectile does not provide enough gas pressure to recycle the weapon and the telescoping cartridge supplements the needed power for recycling sufficient to accomplish the recycling. The invention include the telescoping cartridge providing a projectile with lethal energy and recycle capability for gas operated rifles. The subsonic cartridge may have at least 80 ft lbs of energy and operates subsonically.

Abstract: A central valve for a pivot motor actuator, the central valve including a housing tube including a first operating connection, a supply connection, a second operating connection and a tank drain connection; a piston enveloped by the housing tube and moveable relative to the housing tube, wherein the first operating connection is connected with the supply connection and the second operating connection is connected with the tank drain connection in a first position of the piston, wherein the piston is positioned in a center position in a second position, and wherein the second operating connection is connected with the supply connection and the first operating connection is connected with the tank drain connection in a third position of the piston, wherein the piston includes at least one first check valve on its outside.

Abstract: A plunger pump or plunger motor includes a block accommodating a first cylindrical chamber and a plunger movable in this chamber and a drive shaft connected to this plunger, as well as a second cylindrical chamber and a control valve movable in this second cylindrical chamber. Holes O3 and O4 can alternately be brought into communication with the connection for the delivery pipe by the plunger and with a connecting hole for a pressure line. The control valve can establish a communication between the hole O2 and the connecting hole. The drive shaft is connected to a further plunger which is movable in a third cylindrical chamber in which there is a suction hole or delivery hole. The control valve can alternately establish a communication between the suction hole or delivery hole with a connecting hole for a suction pipe and the connecting hole for the pressure line.

Abstract: An apparatus for lifting motor vehicles includes a first lifting device which is movable in a vertical direction and which is suitable for supporting a first region of the motor vehicle to be lifted, and a second lifting device which is arranged at a distance from the first lifting device and which is suitable for supporting a second region of the motor vehicle to be lifted. A first supply line supplies an hydraulic medium to the first lifting device, and with a second supply line supplies an hydraulic medium to the second lifting device.

Abstract: A microhydraulic system includes a first hydraulically acting element as a master element with a master diaphragm, and a second hydraulically acting element as an actuator element with an actuator diaphragm. The master diaphragm is coupled fluidically to the actuator diaphragm such that deflection of the master diaphragm causes deflection of the actuator diaphragm and actuation of the master diaphragm, both via a compressive force and via a tensile force being provided. The master diaphragm, as a function of deflection of the master diaphragm, thus exerts a compressive or tensile force upon the actuator diaphragm.

Abstract: A piston (1) and cylinder (2) assembly that can reduce efficiency losses due to the gas in a linear compressor with aerostatic bearings. The space between the piston (1) and cylinder (2) in the piston-cylinder assembly was designed to decrease radial clearance (12) in the upper portion of the piston (1) when the piston approaches the headpiece (3), i.e., when the density of the gas not being used in the refrigeration process is the highest. The piston (1) and cylinder (2) assembly must exhibit such a geometric ratio that radial clearance (12) changes in inverse proportion to the density of the gas in the radial clearance (12).

Abstract: A hydraulic actuator with a minimal closed height includes a housing (11), a chamber (12), and a fluid inlet (13) formed within the housing and arranged for communicating high pressure fluid to the chamber (12), the chamber (12) being partially divided into an inner portion (P1) and a radially outer portion (P2) by a longitudinally extending sleeve (123) having an open end (1231) proximal to a base (121) of the chamber (12) and spaced apart therefrom, the outer portion (P2) being arranged to communicate high pressure fluid from the fluid inlet(13) to the inner portion (P1) through a space (S) defined between the end (1231) of the sleeve (123) and the base (121), and the inner portion (P1) being adapted to receive a piston (100) such that the piston (100) is slidably actuable in dependence on the high pressure fluid received from the outer portion (P2).

Abstract: An air purification system including a Particle Phase Pollutant (PPP) treatment section (9) having an air inlet (14) and an air outlet (15), a particle removal filter, (11) and a blower (12) to draw air from the air inlet (14) of the PPP treatment section (9) to pass through the particle removal filter (11) and exit through the air outlet (15) of the PPP treatment section (9). The system also includes a Gas Phase Pollutant (GPP) treatment section (10) installed at a downstream position of the particle removal filter (11) of the PPP treatment section (9), the GPP treatment section (10) having an air inlet (19) and an air outlet (20), a gas removal filter (16) with high filter air flow resistance, and a blower (17) located at a downstream position of the gas removal filter (16) to draw air from the air inlet (19) of the GPP treatment section (10) to pass through the gas removal filter (16) and exit through the air outlet (20) of the GPP treatment section (10).

Abstract: A method and apparatus for processing air. The apparatus comprises an air separation module, a first input, a first output, a second output, and a flow control system. The air separation module is configured to generate an inert gas. The first input for the air separation module is configured to receive first air. The first output for the air separation module is configured to output the inert gas from the air separation module. The second output for the air separation module is configured to output separated air from the air separation module. The flow control system is configured to control a flow of air in the air separation module that increases a rate at which the air separation module reaches a desired operating temperature for generating the inert gas using a number of ports in the flow control module.

Abstract: Articles for capturing or separating a target gas from a gas stream may include a porous substrate such as a flexible sheet or mat, or a rigid ceramic monolith impregnated or coated with a sorbent composition. The sorbent composition may include a polyamine and a coexistent polymer chemically bonded to the polyamine. The polyamine may include a polyethylenimine. The coexistent polymer may include a polyurethane, a polyolefin-acrylic acid copolymer, or a combination thereof. The sorbent composition may be substantially less water-insoluble than compositions containing only a polyamine and may have high durability and good adsorption capacity for acidic target gases such as carbon dioxide. Methods for preparing the articles using aqueous polymer solutions are provided. Methods for capturing or separating target gases using the articles are provided.

Abstract: The method of removing acid compounds contained in a gaseous effluent consists in contacting in column C1 a gaseous effluent with an absorbent solution 4 made up of an aqueous solution of one or more diamines belonging to the bis(amino-3-propyl)ether or (amino-2-ethyl)-(amino-3-propyl)ether family.