Abstract: A wind turbine including a housing, an electrical generation unit including a field magnet and an armature, the electrical generation unit being rotatably disposed within the housing, a first blade assembly non-rotatably fixed to one of the field magnet and the armature of the electrical generation unit, and a second blade assembly non-rotatably fixed to the other of the field magnet and the armature of the electrical generation unit, wherein the first blade assembly rotates in a first direction with respect to the housing and the second blade assembly rotates in an opposite second direction with respect to the housing.

Abstract: A transition body may be disposed between upper and lower tower sections of a tower for a wind power station. Some example transition bodies may include a substantially annular upper connection flange for connection to the upper tower section, and at least three substantially annular lower connection flanges, each of which may connect to a corner leg of the lower tower section. The transition body may have several segments disposed about a central tower axis, with the number of segments corresponding to the number of corner legs. Upper peripheral sections of the segments may form an annular circumferential connection envelope that supports the upper connection flange. Lower sections of the segments may form annular circumferential segment envelopes that support the lower connection flanges. The segments may be disposed at acute angles and converge into one another at or near the upper connection flange.

Abstract: A semi-submersible wind turbine platform is capable of floating on a body of water and supporting a wind turbine, and includes a keystone. At least three bottom beams extend radially outward of the keystone, and a center column extends perpendicularly from an upper surface of the keystone, a first axial end of the center column attached to the keystone; the center column configured to have a tower attached to a second axial end thereof. One of a plurality of outer columns ex-tends perpendicularly from an upper surface of each bottom beam, wherein first axial ends of the outer columns are attached to a distal end of each bottom beam. One of a plurality of top beams extends between a second axial end of each outer column and a second axial end of the center column, wherein the top beams are configured substantially not to resist bending moment of a tower attached to the center column.

Abstract: The invention provides a locomotive solid-state device and an implantable medical system having the same. The locomotive solid-state device comprises a substrate, a signal receiving unit and a micro-controller. On the substrate at least one electrode is formed, and the signal receiving unit receives a plurality of electrical signals. The micro-controller electrically controls the electrode, in which the voltage applied on each electrode according to the electrical signals received by the signal receiving unit, so that the locomotive solid-state device moves along at least one direction.

Abstract: Examples of a lever-driven pumping system are described. The lever-driven pumping system can comprise a motor that is configured to provide an input energy to drive a crank shaft, a positive displacement pump with at least one piston and a pump chamber arranged in a pump housing, and a lever driver with at least one lever that has a load end in communication to the crank shaft and a force end in communication with the at least one piston. A fulcrum point of the lever is formed at a predefined distance from the load end and the force end so that a distance from the fulcrum to the load end is greater than a distance from the fulcrum to the force end. A load connector is configured to connect the load end of the at least one lever to the crank shaft while a force connector is configured to connect the force end of the at least one lever to the piston rod.

Abstract: A hydraulic device 1 comprises a first member 2 movable relative to a second member 5. In such a device the risk of cavitation noise and cavitation damage should be minimized. To this end said first member 2 having a pressure chamber 3 opening in a face 7 of said first member 2 which face 7 is in contact with a contact face 6 of said second member 5, said second member 5 having a low pressure area 9, wherein a throttling flow path is provided in a groove 11 connecting said pressure chamber 3 and said low pressure area 9 when pressure chamber 3 is approaching said low pressure area 9, characterized in that a throttling resistance of said groove 11 increases in a direction of the flow through said groove 11.

Abstract: A delivery device, with a delivery piston (27) which is movable in a pump chamber (31) by means of an actuation device (3) and which, in one delivery direction, removes fluid from a fluid line (35) in a pressure-reducing manner and, in a further and preferably opposite delivery direction, discharges fluid into a further fluid line (37) in a pressure-increasing manner, is characterized in that a valve device (39, 41) is introduced into the respective fluid line (35, 37), each with an opposite mode of action, in such a way that, in the pressure-reducing removal process, the respective valve device (39, 41) opens in one fluid line (35) and closes in the further fluid line (37) and, in the reverse case, in the pressure-increasing discharging process, the respective valve device (39, 41) closes in one fluid line (35) and opens in the further fluid line (37).

Abstract: A microfabricated gas flow structure includes an array of vertical gas flow channels in a side-by-side parallel flow arrangement. Adjacent gas flow channels are separated by a thin wall having a thickness which can be an order of magnitude or more less than the channel width, offering exceptionally high area efficiency for the array. Channel walls can be formed from a dielectric material to provide the walls with sufficient integrity at nanoscale thicknesses and to provide thermal insulative properties in the lateral direction, thereby controlling power losses when the gas flow structure is employed as a Knudsen pump. The gas flow structure can be microfabricated as a monolithic structure from an SOI wafer, with the gas flow channels formed in the device layer and the heat sink formed from the handle layer.

Abstract: A pump system is equipped with a body, a displacement body, a bellows member, an indirect medium, and a diaphragm. The pump system is further equipped with a pressure sensor configured to detect a pressure of the indirect medium in a charge chamber, the charge chamber being formed to include an interior space of the bellows member in the interior of the body. A controller of the pump system determines an abnormality of the diaphragm based on detection values detected by the pressure sensor.

Abstract: A gas compressor includes a compressor unit having a compressor body for compressing gas and an electricity-generation device generating electricity by obtaining a driving force by vaporizing a working fluid utilizing exhaust heat generated by a compressing action in the compressor body and expanding the working fluid so as to utilize the power generated by the electricity-generation device as a power source, and includes a switch device switching between power from the electricity generation device and power from a commercial power supply to supply power to the power consumption equipment, and a control device detecting an electricity-generation amount or a value correlative to the electricity generation amount and switching between the powers by the switch device, thereby generating the power using exhaust heat as a heat source to surely drive an auxiliary machine by a simple configuration regardless of a shortage of the electricity generation amount.

Abstract: A bi-directional pump system that can be configured for a plurality of operating modes. The bi-directional pump system includes a plurality of bi-directional pumps each having their own valving system that are connected to a common high pressure manifold, a low pressure manifold and a suction manifold. Via the respective valve systems, each pump can be configured into: (1) a single-acting pumping mode; (2) a double-acting pumping mode; (3) an inactive free motion mode; and (4) an inactive rigid mode. One exemplary application of the bi-directional pump system is on an articulated wave energy conversion system that consists of three floating barges: a front barge, a center barge and a rear barge where the front barge and center barge are hingedly connected as are the center barge and the rear barge. A first set of the bi-directional pumps span the first hinge connection and the second set of bi-directional pumps span the second hinge connection.

Abstract: Various embodiments include approaches for determining a top-dead-center (TDC) of a reciprocating compressor. In some cases, an apparatus includes: a pressure transducer configured to measure pressure fluctuations inside a compressor cylinder and convert the pressure fluctuations into an asynchronous waveform; and at least one computing device operably connected with the pressure transducer, the at least one computing device configured to: extract a data set representing piston angles over a single revolution of a piston within the compressor cylinder from the asynchronous waveform; remove data representing invalid piston angles from the data set to form a refined data set; determine an average piston angle for the single revolution from the refined data set; and adjust the refined data set to identify a top-dead-center (TDC) position of the piston within the compressor cylinder.

Abstract: A vehicle hydraulic supply apparatus with an oil passage component member that includes a first surface being in contact with a first rotor that is a pump rotor of the mechanical oil pump, a second surface facing in a direction opposite to a direction in which the first surface faces and being in contact with a second rotor that is a pump rotor of the electric oil pump, and a suction oil passage and a discharge oil passage of the mechanical oil pump which are located between the first surface and the second surface, and a suction oil passage and a discharge oil passage of the electric oil pump which are located between the first surface and the second surface.

Abstract: A vane cell machine is provided comprising a housing having a stator bore with an outer limitation formed by a circumferential wall and two axial end faces (5), a rotor mounted rotatably in said stator bore, a plurality of vanes moveable in radial direction relative to said rotor and sliding along said circumferential wall, and sealing means (12) at least at one of said end faces (5), said sealing means (12) acting on said rotor in axial direction. Such a vane cell machine should have a simple construction. To this end said end face (5) is formed at an end plate (11) of said housing wherein said end plate (11) comprises a recess in which said sealing means (12) are rotated.

Abstract: A vane pump (1) is disclosed comprising a housing (2) having a stator bore, a rotor (4) being rotatably mounted within said stator bore, and having a number of vanes (5) slidably mounted in said rotor (4) in radial direction of said rotor (4), an inlet (11) and an outlet (12). Such a vane pump should have a good efficiency. To this end said inlet (11) opens in an axial end wall of said stator bore (3) and said outlet (12) is connected to an outflow area formed in a circumferential wall (3) of said stator bore.

Abstract: A scroll-type fluid machine including: a scroll unit (4) having a fixed scroll (2) and a movable scroll (3) in which a bottom plate center (3c) and a wrap spiral center (3d) are made eccentric; and a rotation-inhibiting mechanism (30) with multiple rotating-inhibiting parts (33), each part (33) being composed of a circular hole (31) and a pin (32), wherein the rotation-inhibiting mechanism (30), a straight line A connecting the bottom plate center (3c) and the wrap spiral center (3d) is rotated on the bottom plate center by 90° in a direction opposite to a wrapping direction of the wrap (3b), a point at which the rotated straight line A intersects a pitch circle is set as a center position of one of the rotation-inhibiting parts (33), the other rotation-inhibiting parts (33) are arranged on the pitch circle at even intervals based on one of the rotation-inhibiting part (33).

Abstract: A positive displacement pump (1) comprises a casing with a central body (2) and two closing lids (20), said central body (2) being provided with two cylindrical communicating chambers (22, 23), one suction pipe (I) and one discharge pipe (O), and two rotors (3, 4) revolvingly mounted in said chambers (22, 23) of the central body and supported by shafts (5, 6) revolvingly mounted in said closing lids (20). The two rotors comprise: a male rotor (3) comprising only protuberances (30), not cavities, and a female rotor (4) comprising only cavities (40), not teeth or protuberances.

Abstract: A hydraulic arrangement (1) is provided comprising a pressure exchanger (2) having an axis (3) of rotation, and a booster pump (4), said pressure exchanger (2) and said booster pump (4) being connected to each other. Such a hydraulic arrangement should have a good efficiency. To this end a single connection flange (5) is provided between said pressure exchanger (2) and the booster pump (4).

Abstract: A method comprising determining a first temperature of an oil inside a compressor; determining a second temperature at a moveable part of the compressor, wherein the second temperature at the moveable part is determined at a stationary part of the compressor being in contact with the moveable part; and deriving whether the compressor operates in a safe mode or in an unsafe mode based on an analysis of the determined first temperature and the determined second temperature at the moveable part.

Abstract: A compressor may include a shell, a terminal assembly and an electronics module. The terminal assembly may engage the shell and may include an outwardly extending conductor and a terminal fence at least partially surrounding the conductor. The electronics module may include a back plate having an opening through which the terminal fence may be received. The back plate may include an engagement feature and a spring element. The engagement feature may removably engage the terminal fence. The spring element may contact the shell and bias the back plate away from the shell.

Abstract: A scroll compressor includes a stationary scroll; an orbiting scroll having a pair of first Oldham keyways on one surface thereof, the orbiting scroll defining a compression chamber in combination with the stationary scroll; a frame having a pair of second Oldham keyways and supporting the orbiting scroll; and an Oldham ring for inhibiting rotation of the orbiting scroll, the Oldham ring having a pair of first Oldham keys on one surface thereof and a pair of second Oldham keys on the other surface thereof, the first Oldham keys slidably engaging with the respective first Oldham keyways, the second Oldham keys slidably engaging with the respective second Oldham keyways.

Abstract: A scroll compressor includes a pair of spiral plate bodies between which a compression chamber that compresses refrigerant is formed; a support configured to support one of the spiral plate bodies; a plurality of refrigerant paths extending through the support so as to provide communication between the compression chamber and an outside of the scroll compressor; and a plurality of check valves each of which is provided in the support for a corresponding one of the refrigerant paths, wherein each of the plurality of check valves includes a valve element and a valve chamber in which the valve element is accommodated, and at least one of the check valves is placed at a position away from a rest of the check valves in a rotation axis direction of the scroll compressor such that the valve chambers of the check valves do not interfere with each other.

Abstract: A pump with a housing, in which an electric motor of a pump step which can be driven by a shaft of the electric motor is arranged. A second pump step which can be driven by the shaft is arranged in series with the first pump step, both pump steps being designed as peripheral or lateral channel steps and the running wheels of both pump steps are arranged counter to the direction of conveyance of other pump step.

Abstract: A highly efficient circulator system is provided, useful for hydronic systems, including both heating and cooling systems. The stand-alone circulator motor is controllable by input from certain sensors, preferably thermal sensors, which provide data enabling the controller of the brushless pump motor to vary its flow output to meet changes in systems loads. The circulator has a ceramic permanent magnet rotor, such as a ferrite, with an electronically, preferably sinusoidally, commutated, electro-magnetic stator controlling the input of electrical power.

Abstract: An axial compressor includes a housing and a plurality of stages arranged within the housing and along an airflow direction, each stage of the plurality of stages including a first blade assembly and a second blade assembly, wherein the first blade assembly is a rotor, each rotor being drivable independently from the rotors in the other first blade assemblies.

Abstract: A sintered metal bearing is formed of a porous body formed through sintering of a compact obtained through compression molding of raw-material power. The sintered metal bearing includes a dynamic pressure generating portion formed on an inner peripheral surface, the dynamic pressure generating portion including dynamic pressure generating groove array regions formed continuously to each other in an axial direction of the sintered metal bearing. The dynamic pressure generating groove array regions each include a plurality of dynamic pressure generating grooves arrayed so as to be inclined with respect to a circumferential direction of the sintered metal bearing. An axial dimension of the sintered metal bearing is set to 6 mm or less, and a density ratio of the sintered metal bearing is set to 80% or more and 95% or less.

Abstract: The invention relates to a fan device with at least one locking element for securing the fan device to a wall portion, in particular to an electrical enclosure wall, with a front and a rear face. The fan device is inserted into a front-face wall portion opening in a pressureless manner, and the locking element is movable in the direction of the rear face of the wall portion in the inserted state.

Abstract: A geared turbomachine having a gear unit a drive unit, and output units integrated into a machine train a central large gear with a large gear shaft and at least two pinions with at least two pinion shafts meshing with the large gear. The geared turbomachine has a drive unit coupled to a first pinion shaft of the gear unit via a first clutch. A first output unit is a main compressor processes a first process gas. The first output unit is coupled to the first pinion shaft via a second clutch such that the first output unit is directly operationally connected to the drive unit with transmission of the gear unit remaining the same. A second output unit is a geared compressor to further process the gas. The second output unit is connected to at least one further pinion shaft of the gear unit in a rotationally fixed manner.

Abstract: A fuel pump includes a pump cover that is provided at one end portion of the housing and includes an inlet port, a cover end that is provided at the other end portion of the housing and includes a discharge port, a bearing that is supported by the cover end and rotatably supports an end portion of the shaft on the cover end-side. The cover end includes a base part that covers the other end portion, a discharge part that is connected to the base part and includes the discharge port, a bearing accommodating part which is formed such that a cross-section of the bearing accommodating part perpendicular to a rotation axis of the shaft has an annular shape and which includes an accommodating space that accommodates the bearing, and a connection part that connects together the base part and the bearing accommodating part.

Abstract: A rotor for a thermal turbomachine, in particular a gas turbine, is configured to conduct a medium in its interior. In order to conduct the medium in the interior with low flow losses, it is provided that a rotor disk of the compressor has holes, in order to feed the medium from outside into the rotor interior. For improved temperature control of the rotor disk, the holes conduct the medium through the rotor disk counter to the flow direction in the compressor.

Abstract: The present disclosure relates generally to a fan blade assembly. In an embodiment, the fan blade assembly includes an airfoil having a forward edge covered by a sheath. The airfoil and the sheath are made from dissimilar conductive materials. A nonconductive ceramic coating is applied to a sheath receiving surface of the airfoil before it is bonded to the sheath.

Abstract: Provided is a compressor including: a housing; an impeller rotatably installed in the housing; a guidance unit connected to the housing at a first end of the guidance unit and configured to guide a fluid discharged by the impeller, the guidance unit configured to change a flow direction; and a scrolling unit connected to a second end opposite to the first end of the guidance unit, wherein a width of an opening via which the fluid enters a circular space of the scrolling unit is about 1.5 to about 3.5 times a height of the guidance unit.

Abstract: A compressor is provided. The compressor includes a rotating member configured to rotate about an axis and a static member radially adjacent the rotating member with a clearance between the static member and the rotating member. A first groove is disposed circumferentially about the static member and radially adjacent the rotating member. A second groove is disposed circumferentially about the static member and a first axial distance aft of the first groove. A third groove is disposed circumferentially about the static member and a second distance aft of the second groove, wherein the first distance is different from the second distances.

Abstract: A portable fan includes a housing having a first face with a first ridge and a second face with a second ridge. A recess is defined between the first and second ridges. A support member is connected to the housing. The support member can be wrapped around the recess for storage and can provide mechanical support for the housing during therapeutic use of the fan. The support member can include a handle that can be disposed under a mattress to anchor the portable fan while the patient is in bed. A second recess can be defined in the housing to receive an electric cord for storage.

Abstract: An acoustic resonator assembly may include a first acoustic liner and a second acoustic liner. The first acoustic liner may define a first plurality of openings extending between first and second surfaces thereof. The second acoustic liner may be rotatably coupled to the first acoustic liner and at least one of the first acoustic liner and the second acoustic liner may be configured to rotate relative to each other to attenuate one or more frequencies of acoustic energy generated by working fluid flowing past the acoustic resonator assembly. The second acoustic liner may define a second plurality of openings extending between first and second surfaces thereof. A number of degrees of freedom of the acoustic resonator assembly may be varied by rotating the first acoustic liner and/or the second acoustic liner.

Abstract: A cartridge which includes a tubular body having a cylindrical surface enabling it to be inserted in a cylindrical housing in an axial direction (X), the cartridge being such that, in the tubular body, the following are integrated coaxially with one another: electrical connection method; control method; a first chamber which includes a first lateral orifice for admitting compressed air; at least a second chamber situated at a second end of the tubular body and including an air outlet orifice. the control method being suitable for selectively putting the first chamber and the second chamber in pneumatic communication so as to allow passage of air to the second chamber.

Abstract: The invention relates to a valve device (200) comprising at least one tank pressure port (218), a first pressure port (212), a second pressure port (214), and a pressure shut-off valve (224), which is switched between the individual ports (212, 214, 218), and which has at least two valve components (226, 228). Upon reaching a predefinable pressure cut-off value, the first pressure port (212) can be connected to the tank pressure port (218) by means of the first valve component (226). In the event of the fluid pressure being higher at the second pressure port (214) than at the first pressure port (212), the second pressure port (214) can be separated from the first pressure port (212) by means of the second valve component (228). The invention is characterized in that both valve components (226, 228) are combined to form a tradable structural unit, and in that for this purpose, both valve components (226, 228) are integrated in a common valve housing (230), preferably making direct contact.

Abstract: The present invention is a distributed piston elastomeric accumulator which stores energy when its elastomeric member stretches from its original length in response to the flow of a pressurized fluid. The stored energy is returned when the fluid flow is reversed and the accumulator discharges the fluid as its elastomeric member returns to its original length and moves the piston to its initial position. At least one part of the novelty of the invention is that the accumulator is not subject to radial strain gradients and the accumulator allows for precise pressure and linear position measurements. Accordingly, the invention allows for optimization of the energy strain storage capacity of a given elastomer.

Abstract: A balance beam electro-pneumatic converter (100, 400) adapted to couple to a conduit with a fluid is provided. The balance beam electro-pneumatic converter (100, 400) includes a nozzle (184) adapted to fluidly couple to the conduit, and a flapper (130) rotatably coupled to the nozzle (184) via a pivot (140) wherein the flapper (130) is adapted to regulate a pressure of the fluid and balance about the pivot (140).

Abstract: An airflow generation device of an embodiment includes a dielectric base, a first electrode, a second electrode, a third electrode, and a power supply. The dielectric base has a main surface. The first electrode is disposed on the main surface. The second electrode is disposed in the dielectric base with an interval from the first electrode in a first direction along the main surface. At least a part of the third electrode is disposed at a position in the dielectric base, between the first electrode and the second electrode in the first direction, and deeper than the second electrode. The power supply applies voltages for causing discharge to the first, second, and third electrodes.

Abstract: Among other things, an integrated portable energy conversion mat is to be installed at a pavement surface over which a car or truck is to pass. The mat has a width at least as wide as the distance between the outermost edges of the treads of the tires located at an axle of the car or truck. The mat has a top surface over which the tires of the car or truck are to pass. The mat includes a sealed enclosed space housing and energy conversion system. The energy conversion system includes two sets of channels that extend along a length of the mat and contain hydraulic fluid under pressure. An energy converter converts energy carried by the hydraulic fluid in response to the tires of the car or truck passing over the top surface into electrical energy. An electrical port is coupled to the energy converter and exposed at an outer surface of the mat.

Abstract: A hydraulic control system includes a variable displacement hydraulic pump drivably connectable to a primary power source, the pump having an inlet for receiving fluid, an outlet for discharging fluid under pressure, and a pump displacement input, a hydraulic motor having an inlet for receiving fluid under pressure and an outlet for discharging spent fluid, the motor being drivably connectable to an auxiliary power source, a fluid circuit including a supply conduit for conducting fluid discharged by the pump to the motor and a return conduit for returning fluid discharged by the motor to the pump, a pump displacement control cooperating with the pump displacement input in order to vary a displacement of the pump, a control circuit in communication with the pump displacement control for controlling the pump output such that the motor is driven at a constant rotational speed to thereby drive the auxiliary power source at a constant rotational speed despite fluctuations in rotational speed of the primary power s

Abstract: A “HYDRAULIC PRESSURE GENERATION UNIT WITH PNEUMATIC ACTUATION” in particular a multifunction unit activated by low pressure air, consisting of at least one pump (1), preferably two pumps (1 and 2), which are pneumatically automated, comprising a pneumatic cylinder (5) with a medial plunger (7), in addition to two symmetrical and opposite hydraulic plungers (8 and 9) limiting an upper hydraulic chamber (1 A and 2 A) and another lower hydraulic chamber (1 B and 2 B) having different volumes, wherein since they work in parallel and out-of-phase a reduced oil volume is required and the pulsating movement thereof is removed.

Abstract: An implement carrier comprises an implement hydraulic system (44) adapted to supply hydraulic fluid to an implement (12). The implement hydraulic system (44) comprises an implement circuit (106) via which hydraulic fluid may be pumped to the implement (12) to power the same, and at least one of: a recirculation circuit (110) via which hydraulic fluid may bypass the implement (12), and a controllable variable flow implement hydraulic pump (38). A temperature control system (100) is arranged to compare a measured hydraulic fluid temperature to a minimum temperature of the hydraulic fluid. The temperature control system (100) is arranged to control, when the measured temperature is below the minimum temperature, a recirculation valve (60) to direct the hydraulic fluid pumped by the hydraulic pump (38) through the recirculation circuit (110) and/or the controllable variable flow implement hydraulic pump (38) to reduce the flow of hydraulic fluid pumped thereby.

Abstract: A hydraulic machine is provided comprising a cylinder unit (3) having a plurality of cylinders (4a, 4b) which are located on a circle line around an axis of rotation of said cylinder unit (3), a valve plate (6) located at an axial end of said cylinder unit (3) and having a through-going opening (8) for each cylinder (4a, 4b), and a port plate, said valve plate (6) and said port plate resting against each other in sliding contact at a contact face, wherein a pressure in each cylinder (4a, 4b) acts on a pressure area on a side of said valve plate (6) opposite said port plate. In such a hydraulic machine the risk of leaking should be kept small. To this end said pressure area (17) deviates from a circular form.

Abstract: An actuator system includes a piston-cylinder arrangement including a piston that is movable with respect to a cylinder. A first flow path is in fluid communication with the piston-cylinder arrangement and a second flow path is in fluid communication with the piston-cylinder arrangement. A control system is operable to fluidly connect the first flow path to a source of high-pressure fluid and to connect the second flow path to a drain to move the piston in a first direction. A pressure sensor is fluidly connected to the first flow path and is operable to measure sufficient pressure data during the movement of the piston to generate a pressure versus time curve. The control system is operable to compare the generated pressure versus time curve to a known standard pressure versus time curve stored in the control system to determine the condition of the piston-cylinder arrangement.

Abstract: A retractable locking mechanism for securing an accessory to a surface, the retractable locking mechanism including a gear carriage, a gear assembly, an input mechanism, and a retractor lever. The gear carriage shifts between a deployed position and a non-deployed position and includes a gear assembly cavity. The gear assembly is positioned in the gear assembly cavity and includes one or more gears and an extendable locking member in driven engagement with the gears. The input mechanism rotates the gears for extending the extendable locking member into a locked position and retract the extendable locking member to an unlocked position when the gear carriage is in the deployed position.

Abstract: A fastener for two operating states has a receptacle with a receiving aperture and first fastening means for attachment to a first component. An insertion part with a pin-like plug-in section has, at a fastening end opposite the insertion end, second fastening means for attaching a second component, and can be inserted into the receiving aperture of the receptacle. In a first fastening state, the plug-in section is inserted deep into the receiving aperture and releasably connected to the receptacle by latching first retaining means, which are designed such that the insertion part can be displaced by a release force into a second fastening state. In the second fastening state, the insertion part engages with the plug-in section less deeply in the receiving aperture and is secured in the receiving aperture by second retaining means.

Abstract: A textured sheet of ductile material with self-locking barbs extending from a face of the sheet of ductile material. Each self-locking barb is curved so that one side is convex and an opposite side is concave, and a thrust line perpendicular to the face of the sheet lies entirely within each self-locking barb. When a barb is pressed into a substrate, the barb deflects while the barb penetrates into the substrate so that textured sheet is bound to the substrate with a portion of the substrate material above a portion of the barb, providing pull-out resistance. Laminates formed with such textured sheets and methods of producing same are also provided, including a method of pressing the textured sheet into a substrate while the sheet is curved away from the substrate, resulting in fan-out of the barbs and lateral deflection forces on the barbs as they penetrate the substrate.

Abstract: Mounting brackets used for mounting decorative panels to walls is provided. The mounting brackets may each include a substantially planar body having a front surface, a rear surface, a top end and a bottom end forming a height in between, and a first end and a second end, forming a length in between. The mounting brackets further include at least one hook rail protruding from the front surface of the body at an angle relative to the front surface. The hook rail runs along at least a portion of the length of the body. A hook rail of a first bracket interlocks with a hook rail of a second bracket when the second bracket is disposed in an upside position relative to the first bracket.