49th week of 2008 patent applcation highlights part 17 |
Patent application number | Title | Published |
20080296812 | Degassing Apparatus Having Duplex Vacuum Vessel - A degassing apparatus having duplex vacuum vessels for removing impurity gases from molten steel by backflow of molten steel thereby homogenizing molten steel composition. The apparatus includes duplex vacuum vessels of first and second vacuum vessels fixedly arranged at a predetermined interval to a floor which is provided horizontally at a predetermined height from a bottom; first and second ladle carriages arranged to run on first and second rails, respectively, to reciprocate between a treatment position directly under the first and second vacuum vessels and a tapping position where refined molten steel is tapped, each of the first and second ladle carriage loaded with a corresponding one of first and second ladles; and first and second lifting cylinders each for raising and lowering each of the first and second ladles in the treatment position so that a bottom end of each of the first and second vacuum vessels is immersed by molten steel in each of the first and second ladles. The apparatus can remove limiting factors of suspending a continuous vacuum degassing refining process and thus prolong lifetime of the vacuum vessel and save manufacturing cost. | 2008-12-04 |
20080296813 | Hearth Roll Apparatus for Annealing Furnace - A hearth roll apparatus for feeding a strip sheet in an annealing furnace is disclosed. The hearth roll apparatus includes a ceramic tube which is provided inside the annealing furnace to contactingly feed a strip sheet, a roll shaft which is coupled to a first end of the ceramic tube and extends across the annealing furnace through the ceramic tube, a tube fixing sleeve which is coupled to a second end of the ceramic tube and through which a portion of the roll shaft is inserted, and a tension generating unit which interlocks with the roll shaft and the tube fixing sleeve and supplies a tensile force for stretching the roll shaft in a longitudinal direction. Accordingly, thermal deformation like creep buy which the roll shaft is bent down is minimized, and a line speed of the strip sheet can be increased by high-speed rotation of the hearth roll. | 2008-12-04 |
20080296814 | GAS SPRING WITH TRAVEL CONTROL - In one embodiment, a gas spring having a travel control includes positive and negative chambers and a valve mechanism that controls the fluid communication between the chambers. The valve mechanism includes a valve bore that while only moving a small amount, allows for large changes in gas spring travel length. | 2008-12-04 |
20080296815 | Pressure Medium Connector Unit for a Vehicle Gas Spring - In at least one embodiment of the present invention a connector unit for a pressure medium connection between an outer connection part and a spring head of a vehicle gas spring is provided. The connector unit comprises a line configured to be connected to an inner connection part and the outer connection part and is elastically deformable in at least regions during relative rotation movement of the spring head. The line has a deformation section between an end-side line section and an outer line section. The deformable section is disposed in a region of the spring head which is offset to the spring axis and is of helical configuration. | 2008-12-04 |
20080296816 | Vibration-Isolating Support Device - An antivibration mounting apparatus ( | 2008-12-04 |
20080296817 | Body Mount with Plug-In Damping Device for Vehicles - A plug-in hydraulic body to frame mounting assembly is mounted to a conventional elastomeric body mount device to increase the control of vibration from the operation of the automotive frame to the automotive component supported thereon. The connecting member of the hydraulic mounting assembly threads onto the end of the fastener passing through the conventional elastomeric body mount device and anchors the outer can to a bridging can connected to the underside of the frame offrigger bracket to provide a true plug-n-go vibration control enhancement that can be added to any desired body mount location. The deflection of the fastener during operation of the elastomeric body mount device drives the operation of the hydraulic mounting assembly to dampen the deflection of the fastener in the elastomeric body mount corresponding to the transfer of operational loads between the body component and the offrigger bracket to which the body component is mounted. | 2008-12-04 |
20080296818 | FLUID-FILLED TYPE VIBRATION DAMPING DEVICE - A fluid filled type vibration damping device includes a first mounting member, a second mounting member, a main rubber elastic body, a flexible film, a partition member, a valve, a coil, a control-signals-generating circuit and a power amplifier circuit. The valve enables to switch the second orifice passage between an open state and a closed state. The second orifice passage communicates the pressure-receiving chamber and the equilibrium chamber with each other. The switch of the valve is performed by an electromagnetic force occurring by an electrical connection of the coil. Furthermore the control-signals-generating circuit is formed and disposed separately from the coil. The control-signals-generating circuit produces state switching control signals of the valve. Moreover the power amplifier circuit which supplies an electric-current to the coil by amplifying the state switching control signals, constitutes an actuator unit attached integrally to the coil, and is disposed separately from the control-signals-generating circuit. | 2008-12-04 |
20080296819 | Controlling vibrations - In order to control vibrations of two parts of a piece of machinery, a variable force may be generated to oppose the vibrations, with the variable force being generated under control of a controller on the basis of an iterative relationship, the iterative relationship being such as to generate the force of one iteration using a controller output signal in frequency domain vector form derived from the controller output signal of the immediately previous iteration in frequency domain vector form plus a frequency domain vector quantity derived from the resultant vibration of more than one previous iteration. | 2008-12-04 |
20080296820 | UNIT FOR PICKING UP CERAMIC PRODUCTS OR THE LIKE - A unit for picking up ceramic products or the like comprises: a tray ( | 2008-12-04 |
20080296821 | Quick release electronics platform - A device mounting platform apparatus having a reconfigurable biasing mechanism. The device mounting platform apparatus includes a frame member capable of being mounted in a vehicle and having a device mounting surface facing generally upward. A clamp member is slidably interconnected to the frame member along a first direction. A biasing mechanism is coupled between the frame and clamp members. The biasing mechanism is reconfigurable for urging a jaw portion of the clamp member along the first direction heading either toward or away from the frame member. The biasing mechanism is thus reconfigurable for either urging the clamp member open or urging it closed. | 2008-12-04 |
20080296822 | Laser beam guard clamps - A quick insert and release laser beam guard panel clamping apparatus having a base plate mountable on an optical table, a first jaw affixed to the base plate, and a spring-loaded second jaw slidably carried by the base plate to exert a clamping force. The first and second jaws each having a face acutely angled relative to the other face to form a V-shaped, open channel mouth, which enables wedge-action jaw separation by and subsequent clamping of a laser beam guard panel inserted through the open channel mouth. Preferably, the clamping apparatus also includes a support structure having an open slot aperture which is positioned over and parallel with the open channel mouth. | 2008-12-04 |
20080296823 | COMBINATION FOOD CUTTING BOARD WITH REMOVABLE COMPARTMENTS - The combination food cutting board includes removable cups for food items, and a waste compartment. An upper cutting board mates with a lower base. The upper cutting board includes an aperture aligned with a receptacle in the base for waste, and secondary apertures aligned with matching receptacles in the base for holding the cups food items. The base includes a lateral opening and a sliding drawer in the waste compartment, and may include a storage compartment under the upper cutting board. | 2008-12-04 |
20080296824 | Custom Cutting and Utility Board - There is provided a custom cutting and utility board for supporting and laterally securing building materials while carpentry work is performed on the materials. The utility board includes two board sides hingedly attached at their ends for pivotal movement between an open, cutting board position and a folded, closed position. Guide blocks are attached to the upper surfaces of the board sides. The guide blocks are positioned in a staggered arrangement with respect to each other so that when the board sides are folded together, the guide blocks on opposite utility board sides lie between one another. The guide blocks define channels therebetween for receiving and retaining predetermined sizes of building material while the work is performed thereon. The hinges are segmented and sized so that mating edges of the board sides abut each other when the board is in its open, cutting board position, and lie parallel to each other when the utility board is in its folded, closed position. Oval shaped hand openings are provided in the board sides for facilitating carrying the utility board in its folded, closed position. Straps are attached to the utility board for securing a load or injured worker to the utility board in its folded, closed position. | 2008-12-04 |
20080296825 | SHEET PROCESSING APPARATUS AND IMAGE FORMING APPARATUS - The invention is to provide a miniaturized sheet processing apparatus in that a conveying length a conveying distance need not be increased even though the number of sheets per bundle increases. A glue applying bookbinder that partially glues sheets and performs a pressing process to form a sheet bundle. The glue applying bookbinder includes a processing tray that stacks sheets, a glue applying portion that applies a glue on the sheets on the processing tray, and pressing portions that press the sheets on the processing tray. The glue applying portion is arranged such that the glue applying portion can be moved from a first standby position outside the sheets stacked on the stacking portion to a second standby position, different from the first standby position, outside the sheets through an upper surface of the sheets, and the pressing portions are moved integrally with the glue applying portion. | 2008-12-04 |
20080296826 | INTERMEDIATE CONVEYING APPARATUS - A conveyance control device of an intermediate conveying apparatus calculates the number of sweets finished in terms of processing, based on information about the number of superposed sheets for one set and about the number of sets finished in terms of processing received from the post-processing apparatus, and controls to transmit the calculated number of sheets to the aforesaid image forming apparatus. | 2008-12-04 |
20080296827 | CASSETTE AND IMAGE FORMING APPARATUS - A cassette is used by being mounted on an image forming apparatus body and can be accommodated in a state where media, which will be supplied to the image forming apparatus body, are loaded. The cassette includes a first tray, a second tray and a slide mechanism. The first tray is able to contain multiple media. The second tray is able to contain multiple media. The slide mechanism allows the first tray and the second tray to be movable relative to each other. The first tray has an oblique surface and a first separation portion, and the second tray has an oblique surface and a second separation portion. Each of the oblique surfaces can separate an uppermost medium from other media in such a manner that distal ends of the media during delivery abut against the oblique surface. Each of the first and second separation portions guides the separated medium along the oblique surface in a paper feeding direction. The first separation portion provided for the first tray is different in structure of the oblique surface from the second separation portion provided for the second tray. | 2008-12-04 |
20080296828 | Sheet conveying device and image forming apparatus - A cam unit includes three cams fixed on a common cam shaft for moving a pair of feeding rollers, a pair of lateral registration rollers, and a stopper unit, respectively. A control unit corrects a lateral registration of a sheet whose skew is corrected by the stopper unit, based on a detection result of a detecting unit that detects a position of a side edge of the sheet, while conveying the sheet, controls the rollers not nip the sheet at least during the lateral registration, and controls rotations of the cams according to a length of the sheet. | 2008-12-04 |
20080296829 | SHEET TAKEOUT DEVICE - A sheet takeout mechanism has a takeout roller that rotates in contact with a sheet located at a takeout position, and a motor that intermittently rotates the takeout roller. A triangular suction port is formed on a suction surface of the takeout roller and has a vertex located downstream in a rotation direction of the takeout roller. When a negative pressure is exerted on the sheet via the suction port, the suction force is weak at the beginning of suction and then increases gradually. | 2008-12-04 |
20080296830 | Sound generator help system of shredder - A sound generator help system of a shredder is disclosed. A disorder signal during the operation of the shredder is transmitted to the sound generator help system which then suggests the user how to correct operate the shredder and fix the problem in voice. When a problem occurs, the system flashes light to notify the user. By making a switch, the user can determine whether to play voices of the suggestion. | 2008-12-04 |
20080296831 | CASSETTE AND IMAGE FORMING APPARATUS - A cassette is used by being mounted on an image forming apparatus body and can be accommodated in a state where media, which will be supplied to the image forming apparatus body, are loaded. The cassette includes a first tray, a second tray, a slide mechanism, and a power transmission mechanism. The first tray is able to contain multiple media. The second tray is able to contain multiple media. The slide mechanism allows the first tray and the second tray to be movable relative to each other. The power transmission mechanism moves the first tray and the second tray relative to each other by input power in a direction in which a paper feeding tray can be switched. The power transmission mechanism is provided with a gear that receives the power, wherein the gear can be displaced in a cassette insertion direction in which the cassette is inserted. | 2008-12-04 |
20080296832 | PAPER FEEDER CASSETTE AND IMAGE FORMING DEVICE - A paper feeder cassette includes a bottom part, a pair of support plates that moves relative to the bottom part and supports the both lateral sides of the sheets of paper in a paper width direction perpendicular to a paper transporting direction, and a paper disposition plate that is disposed above the bottom part and disposes the sheet of paper thereon and includes an edge portion provided along a direction approximately perpendicular to the paper transporting direction on the downstream side of the pair of the support plates in the paper transporting direction and a contact avoidance portion for preventing the sheets of paper from making contact with the edge portion when disposition of the sheets of paper are performed by sliding the sheets of paper along the paper transporting direction. | 2008-12-04 |
20080296833 | SHEET PROCESSING APPARATUS AND CONTROL METHOD THEREFOR - A sheet processing apparatus which is capable of accurately superimposing or aligning sheets discharged from an image forming apparatus during buffering even when the space intervals between the sheets are reduced. A sheet processing apparatus sequentially receives sheets discharged from an image forming apparatus and carries out post-processing on the sheets. During execution of the post-processing on the sheets, a plurality of sheets are discharged successively from the image forming apparatus and superimposed one upon another around a buffer roller. The conveying speed of the sheets is controlled such that a conveying time period over which a sheet preceding a final one of the sheets to be superimposed one upon another around the buffer roller is conveyed over a predetermined path section is shorter than a conveying time period over which the final one is conveyed over the predetermined path section. | 2008-12-04 |
20080296834 | IMAGE FORMING APPARATUS AND SHEET CONVEYING APPARATUS - A sheet conveying apparatus according to the invention includes a first conveying path; a sheet reverse conveying portion; a second conveying path; a third conveying path; and a movable guide portion configured to guide the conveyed sheet. The guide portion is moved to a position where the sheet can pass when the sheet is guided from the first conveying path to the second conveying path, and the guide portion is moved to a position where the guide portion guides the sheet to the third conveying path while blocking between the first and second conveying paths such that the sheet can not intrude from the second conveying path into the first conveying path when the sheet conveyed by the sheet reverse conveying portion is conveyed in the second direction. | 2008-12-04 |
20080296835 | MOVING CARRIAGE LATERAL REGISTRATION SYSTEM - A method of registering sheets laterally and in skew enables active sheet deskew without translating the sheet in the cross-process direction. A sensor carriage position is controlled to find the sheet edge after which deskew control can start. The average value of the carriage position can then be fed in a feedforward manner to move the image location to match the average paper position. This achieves good average lateral registration and active skew control at a reduced cost. | 2008-12-04 |
20080296836 | IMAGE FORMING APPARATUS AND METHOD OF FEEDING A SHEET - An image forming apparatus includes a tray, a sheet conveying path through which sheets are conveyed, a sheet feeding unit including a sheet feed roller for feeding a first sheet to a sheet holding position, a sheet conveying unit having a conveyor roller that intermittently rotates and holds the sheets. The sheet conveying unit is upstream from a recording position, and downstream from the sheet feeding unit. The image forming apparatus also includes a recording unit, and a controller. The recording unit forms an image onto the first sheet while the conveyor roller is not rotating. The sheet feeding unit feeds a leading edge of a second sheet to the sheet conveying unit and maintains the leading edge of the second sheet colliding against the sheet conveying unit at the sheet holding position by rotating the sheet feed roller prior to completing image formation on the first sheet. | 2008-12-04 |
20080296837 | Gateless diverter - 'S' shaped paper path - In accordance with one aspect of the present exemplary embodiment, a system transports paper to prevent stubbing within a printing machine. The paper path facilitates transport of one or more sheets of paper from the first end to the second end, each sheet of paper has a leading edge. A first entry point is located between the first end and the second end that allows one or more sheets to enter the paper path in succession. A first nip is adjacent to the first entry point to direct the leading edge of the one or more sheets away from the first entry point. A second entry point is located a distance from the first entry point that allows one or more sheets to enter the paper path. A second nip is adjacent to the second entry point to direct the leading edge of the one or more sheets away from the second entry point. A gateless diverter directs the one or more sheets of paper through the paper path which includes a convex section that is adjacent to a concave section to divert the leading edge of each of the one or more sheets away from the first entry point and the second entry point. The one or more sheets of paper are advanced to the convex section via the first nip in advance to the concave section to the second nip. | 2008-12-04 |
20080296838 | Spherical Game Apparatus - A game apparatus and corresponding method of playing chess on a substantially spherical playing surface marked with playing positions of fourteen ranks and eight files with each file forming a continuous loop around said spherical surface. Ranks terminate or are bordered at the top and bottom of the sphere, therefore not continuous. Two sets of chess pieces are provided for in said game apparatus; each set comprising eight major chess pieces and sixteen pawns with eight of the sixteen pawns being distinguishable from the other eight, each set of eight pawns traveling opposite directions across ranks. Means are provided for adherence of the chess pieces to the spherical playing surface such that gravity would not remove the chess pieces from said playing surface. Said game apparatus does not require players to learn variations to the well known rules of chess play while providing a novel means to play chess. | 2008-12-04 |
20080296839 | Strategic Battlefield Board Game - A strategic board game is disclosed, the game comprising a rectangular playing board having a grid pattern thereon defining playing spaces. Playing spaces may have type-identifying markings, designating each playing space as one of a plurality of types of spaces. Spaces of various types may have playing rules associated therewith that do not apply to other types of spaces. Each player has a set of uniquely-colored playing pieces. Such pieces are designated as infantry, cavalry, king, and artillery. The inventive game allows for multiple pieces to occupy any one space simultaneously. Each piece may move independently from the other pieces, and each piece may attack independently from or cooperatively with other pieces. Players alternate taking turns, and each turn comprises a movement phase and an attacking phase. Each type of piece has movement and capture rules associated therewith, such rules being at least partially dependent upon the number and type of other playing pieces occupying the same playing space, the type of playing space occupied by the piece, and the type of enemy playing pieces on neighboring and nearby spaces. Replenishment pieces may be added to designated replenishment spaces at the start of each player's turn, according to turn number and/or the number of spaces of a certain type occupied by the player. The first player to occupy a given number of a certain type of space, or the first player to capture an opponent's king, wins the game. | 2008-12-04 |
20080296840 | Progressive jackpot baccarat - A method of playing a game of baccarat with an optional side bet is disclosed. According to the method, at least one player places a Baccarat Wager. Each player also optionally places a side bet wager. The dealer initially deals at least one initial two card player hand and the initial two card banker hand. The game of baccarat is played to conclusion according to conventional baccarat rules. Hands receive an additional card according to the traditional rules of Baccarat. The side bet wager is resolved after all the cards in the baccarat game are revealed. Payouts are made on predetermined winning hand combinations made from all available player and banker cards. Preferred winning hand combinations are runs of three of more cards of the same rank. Payouts may be fixed amounts, may pay odds on the original wager, and may be progressive or combinations thereof. The top payout may be split amongst players participating in the side bet. | 2008-12-04 |
20080296841 | CONTAINER INCLUDING AN INTERACTIVE GAME BOARD AND BLANK FOR MAKING THE SAME - A container constructed from a blank of foldable sheet material is provided. The container includes an interactive board game. The container further includes a top wall and an opposing bottom wall, a back wall and an opposing front wall, and a pair of opposing side walls. A game board is included on at least one of the walls, and at least one game piece is removably defined within one of the walls. The game piece is removable from the wall and is movable on the game board. The container further includes a game event indicator included on one of the walls. The game event indicator indicates an event occurring within the board game. | 2008-12-04 |
20080296842 | Multi-spectral targets for gunnery training - Methods and apparatus for a multi-spectral target apparatus, includes a target having at least one thermal emitting portion, a controller module in communication with a remote user, at least one brightness controller including an input electrically connected to the controller module and at least one output electrically connected to at least one thermal emitting portion of the target. The brightness controller is operable to vary a thermal emitting property of the at least one thermal emitting portion, wherein the at least one thermal emitting portion includes a thermal emitter layer further comprising a resistive layer having a front side and a back side, the resistive layer sandwiched between an electrode layer deposited on the front side and the back side of the resistive layer. | 2008-12-04 |
20080296843 | Method for Sealing a Housing - A method for sealing a housing includes providing a base plate of the housing with at least one opening; providing an electrical connection that extends through the base plate from an inner side to an outer side of the base plate; and applying a sealing compound into the opening from an outer side of the base plate in order to seal an interface between the base plate and the electrical connection. | 2008-12-04 |
20080296844 | DOWNHOLE SEAL APPARATUS AND METHOD - Disclosed herein is a tubular seal apparatus. The seal apparatus includes, a first tubular positioned coaxially with a second tubular having an annular space therebetween, a frustoconical portion at the first tubular having a first end and a second end, such that a radial dimension of the annular space is larger at the first end than at the second end and a tubular seal positioned within the annular space. The seal apparatus further includes an urging member in operable communication with the tubular seal, the urging member is axially movable relative to the frustoconical portion such that movement of the urging member toward the second end of the frustoconical portion urges the tubular seal into sealing engagement with the frustoconical portion and causes diametrical deformation of the tubular seal to thereby sealingly engage with the second tubular. | 2008-12-04 |
20080296845 | DOWNHOLE SEAL APPARATUS AND METHOD - Disclosed herein is a tubular seal apparatus. The seal apparatus includes, a first tubular positioned coaxially with a second tubular having an annular space therebetween, a frustoconical portion at the first tubular having a first end and a second end, such that a radial dimension of the annular space is larger at the first end than at the second end and a tubular seal positioned within the annular space. The seal apparatus further includes an urging member in operable communication with the tubular seal, the urging member is axially movable relative to the frustoconical portion such that movement of the urging member toward the second end of the frustoconical portion urges the tubular seal into sealing engagement with the frustoconical portion and causes diametrical deformation of the tubular seal to thereby sealingly engage with the second tubular. | 2008-12-04 |
20080296846 | STATIC OUTSIDE DIAMETER BRUSH SEAL ASSEMBLY - An outside diameter brush seal assembly is disclosed. The brush seal assembly includes a first static component, a second static component, and a brush seal. The first and second static components may be configured to form a flow path from a first pressure cavity to a second pressure cavity. The brush seal includes a plurality of bristles that extend in a radially outward direction from the first static component to form a brush seal against the second static component. | 2008-12-04 |
20080296847 | Packing ring with dovetail feature - A packing ring in a multi-staged turbine that includes two ring segments joined by a dovetail feature. In some embodiments, the dovetail feature may include a male/female configuration. In other embodiments, the dovetail feature may include an insert/groove configuration. The insert of the insert/groove configuration may include a protrusion that extends from an approximately flat surface of an end of one of the ring segments. The groove of the insert/groove configuration may include a notch in an approximate flat surface of an end of one of the ring segments. The insert of the insert/groove configuration and the groove of the insert/groove configuration may be of a similar size such that the insert closely fits within the groove. | 2008-12-04 |
20080296848 | ANNULAR SEALING MEMBER WITH ENHANCED HOOP STRENGTH - Apparatus and method for providing a sealing member with enhanced hoop strength. In some embodiments, a valve assembly includes a piston and first means for establishing a fluid-tight seal when the piston is in a closed position and for preventing a blow out condition when the piston is transitioned to an open position. In other embodiments, a sealing member is characterized as an endless annular ring which extends about a central axis, the sealing member comprising an elongated circle cross-sectional shape while the sealing member is maintained in an uncompressed state. In other embodiments, a method comprises extruding a sealing material through an extrusion assembly to form an endless annular ring which extends about a central axis, the extrusion assembly imparting a desired amount of curvilinearity along a longitudinal length of the material to form an orthogonal seam when a leading and trailing edge of the material are adjoined. | 2008-12-04 |
20080296849 | SEALING RING INTERPOSED BETWEEN THE BLOCK AND THE CYLINDER HEAD OF AN INTERNAL COMBUSTION ENGINE, HAVING A COMPOSITE STRUCTURE - A sealing ring is set between the engine block of an internal-combustion engine and a cylinder head fixed to the engine block, within a seat set concentrically around a cylinder of the engine. The sealing ring has a composite structure, with an external hollow annular body made of superelastic material, and an internal hollow annular body including a shape-memory alloy. | 2008-12-04 |
20080296850 | Flexible Gasket - Included are embodiments of a gasket system. At least one embodiment of the gasket system includes a circuit enclosure and a 1-piece gasket, the 1-piece gasket including a plurality of tabs for the 1-piece gasket, the plurality of tabs configured for securing the 1-piece gasket with an aperture, the 1-piece gasket formed from a single piece of material. | 2008-12-04 |
20080296851 | Hands-free towing apparatus for strollers, pet carriers and other carriages - A hands-free towing apparatus fro strollers, pet carriers and other carriages is described. The apparatus comprises a belt-attachment device, a frame, and a carriage-attachment device. The belt-attachment device can be a padded belt attached to a formed back-plate that a caregiver wears on his or her torso. A frame having a first end and a second end joins the belt-attachment device and the carriage-attachment device. A lockable joint can be incorporated within the frame to allow the apparatus to fold. The first end of the frame attaches to the belt-attachment device via a joint mechanism. The frame extends back from the caregiver to a carriage where the second end of the frame attaches to the carriage via the carriage attachment device. | 2008-12-04 |
20080296852 | PLUG-IN BODY MOUNT DAMPING DEVICE FOR VEHICLES - A plug-in hydraulic body to frame mounting assembly is mounted to a conventional elastomeric body mount device to increase the control of vibration from the operation of the automotive frame to the automotive component supported thereon. The connecting member of the hydraulic mounting assembly threads onto the end of the fastener passing through the conventional elastomeric body mount device and anchors the outer can to a bridging can connected to the underside of the frame offrigger bracket to provide a true plug-n-go vibration control enhancement that can be added to any desired body mount location. The deflection of the fastener during operation of the elastomeric body mount device drives the operation of the hydraulic mounting assembly to dampen the deflection of the fastener in the elastomeric body mount corresponding to the transfer of operational loads between the body component and the offrigger bracket to which the body component is mounted. | 2008-12-04 |
20080296853 | Stair assist robot mechanism and method - A mobile robot with a chassis including one or more drive mechanisms and at least a first arm pivotably connected to the chassis and configured to pitch up and down. A ski structure is attached on an underside of the first arm for raising the chassis as the arm is pitched down so the drive mechanisms can traverse a riser in the path of the chassis. | 2008-12-04 |
20080296854 | PAIR OF WHEELED SKATE-SKIS USABLE ON MOST TERRAINS - A pair of wheeled skate-skis comprising a chassis with two upwardly projecting forked ends, a flexible foot strap attached to a front side of the chassis, a front buckle slide fastened to an opposite front side of the chassis, two buckle slides, an adjustable binding, a front wheel assembly and a rear wheel assembly. To secure a shoe in position, the flexible foot strap is wound around the shoe and through the front and rear buckle slides and folded back to be fixed to itself by a hook-and-loop fastener. The upwardly projecting forked ends of the chassis have a plurality of axle-receiving holes for mounting wheels of various sizes and types. The chassis can be made by injection molding or compression molding or by cutting a section of fiberglass I-beam. | 2008-12-04 |
20080296855 | COLLAPSIBLE TRANSPORTATION DEVICE HAVING A BASKET WITH A MOVABLE FLOOR - The present invention provides a collapsible transportation device comprising a receptacle with a vertically movable bottom wall. The receptacle expands and collapses vertically to facilitate in loading and unloading different amounts of items in the cart, and in storing the cart when not in use. The vertical movement of the bottom wall may be controlled by a biasing assembly including multiple pairs of springs. | 2008-12-04 |
20080296856 | BASKET - A basket for public use includes a substantially upright tapered body for repeatedly moving purchasable items within a store; the body includes an interior space and an open top; the open top permits access to the interior for placing the plurality of purchasable items in the interior. Wheels allow rolling the basket within the store and a telescoping handle provided on a face of the body rollingly pulls the basket. A like-basket is nestable in the basket in a first and a second position; eg the telescoping handles are proximate to each other or the telescoping handles are distal from each other. | 2008-12-04 |
20080296857 | Lightweight wheel clamp for vehicle wheel alignment system - A lightweight wheel clamp assembly is provided for attaching to a vehicle wheel for performing a wheel alignment on the vehicle. Examples include a wheel clamp having an upper sliding bracket for engaging the vehicle wheel, a lower sliding bracket for engaging the vehicle wheel, a guide bar simultaneously slidably engagable with the upper and lower brackets, and a lead screw threadingly engagable with the upper and lower brackets for adjusting a distance between the upper and lower brackets to rigidly attach the wheel clamp assembly to the vehicle wheel. The lower bracket has a plurality of measuring device mounting locations for adjustably mounting a wheel alignment element. The mounting locations are disposed such that when the wheel alignment element is mounted to one of them, the wheel alignment element can sight to a second wheel alignment element on the opposing side of the vehicle. | 2008-12-04 |
20080296858 | Bamboo core hybrid skateboard deck - A hybrid skateboard deck combines at least one layer of bamboo with one or more layers of any suitable wood to form a multi-ply deck. A hybrid skateboard deck combines at least one layer of bamboo sandwiched between at least two layers of conventional hardwood such as maple. The addition of a bamboo layer in the core of the laminated deck provides superior strength relative to conventional plywood decks. The bamboo core laminate also provides superior feedback to a rider as well as uniform stiffness. | 2008-12-04 |
20080296859 | SKATEBOARD - A kicktail concave skateboard includes a blank having opposite ends, at least one end being recessed. An element is mounted on the recessed end such that a portion of the element adjoining the blank is flush with the blank. The element is formed of a material having a lower mechanical damping capacity and a higher modulus of elasticity than the blank. The element includes a downwardly facing exposed side having a downward projection thereon, to facilitate the execution of an “ollie” maneuver. | 2008-12-04 |
20080296860 | Hydroformed Steering Knuckle Assembly for Vehicles and Method of Making Same - A hydroformed steering knuckle assembly for a vehicle and method of making same includes a hydroformed main body. The hydroformed steering knuckle assembly also includes at least one component secured to the hydroformed main body. The hydroformed main body is a hydroformed monolithic structure being integral, unitary, and one-piece. | 2008-12-04 |
20080296861 | Bracket for fixing a fork of a vehicle - A vehicle has a vehicle body including a head pipe, a lower side bracket disposed below the head pipe for supporting the head pipe upward in a substantial center of the bracket in the vehicle width direction, and a pair of legs of a front fork fixed in vicinities of the ends of the lower side bracket. The lower side bracket is formed to have a downward sloping shape, which slopes from the ends of the lower side bracket toward its center. | 2008-12-04 |
20080296862 | Multi-mode tandem bicycle - A multi-mode tandem bicycle includes a frame, a steering wheel, a directional wheel, a first pedaling member, a second pedaling member, a first seat, a second seat, a first transmission unit, and a second transmission unit. By pivoting at least one of the first seat and the second seat on the frame, direction of the first seat or the second seat can be changed and fixed on the aforementioned frame, and at least one of the first seat and the second seat is pointed toward and connected with the steering wheel, thereby resulting in a variety of riding modes. | 2008-12-04 |
20080296863 | Motorcycle having a Front Wheel Suspension - A motorcycle having a forked front wheel support with two rigid fork arms on which a front wheel of the motorcycle is mounted, an upper trailing link provided for supporting wheel support forces connected via an upper joint to an upper area of the wheel support, and lower trailing link provided for supporting wheel support forces situated below the upper trailing link and connected via a lower joint to the lower trailing link, in which at least one of the two joints is elastically connected to its respective upper or lower trailing link and/or to the wheel support. | 2008-12-04 |
20080296864 | Semi-recumbent bicycle - An improved semi-recumbent bicycle seat includes a frame having a main seat support tube and a steering mechanism including a front tire support fork. Front and rear wheels are mounted on the front tire support fork and on the frame. A bicycle seat is mounted above and forwards of the rear wheel, the bicycle seat including a bicycle seat frame, a seat base and a seat cushion. A seat back is adjustably mounted on the bicycle seat frame for adjustment of the height and spacing of the seat back relative to the seat base, and the seat cushion includes a generally flat planar front face and a forwardly tilted top surface which is tilted from horizontal between two and thirty degrees (2° and 30°). The bicycle seat frame is adjustably mounted on the main seat support tube free of any other support connection to the bicycle frame. | 2008-12-04 |
20080296865 | Wheel-Equipped Stand for a Two-Wheeled Vehicle - A stand device, for a two-wheeled vehicle, including at least one rotatably mobile stand arm and a retractable pin fixed at least indirectly to the stand arm, the stand device being intended to be mounted on the two-wheeler so that the arm is rotatably mobile between a high position and a low position, the pin having an active position in which it can block the course of a pedal arm and a retracted position in which it does not block the course of the pedal arm. | 2008-12-04 |
20080296866 | Extendable wheel barrow handle adapters - Embodiments of the present invention relate to an adapter that fits over a wheel barrow handle that is extendable. By way of this extension, the height of a handle portion of the adapter may be changed so as to change the effective height of the wheel barrow handle. In this way, a user of the wheel barrow can lift the wheel barrow from a more comfortable height. | 2008-12-04 |
20080296867 | Pin box assembly with torsion resistant pivot and air spring - A pin box assembly comprising a towing vehicle portion comprising a frame, a towed vehicle portion comprising a frame having a proximal end and a distal end, a torsion resistant pivot portion disposed between the towing vehicle portion and the towed vehicle portion, the torsion resistant pivot portion disposed at a distal end of the towed vehicle portion, the torsion resistant pivot portion comprising, a bar disposed within a tube, the tube fixedly connected to the towing vehicle portion and the bar fixedly connected to the towed vehicle portion, at least one resilient member disposed between the bar and the tube, the resilient member compressible between the bar and the tube upon a relative rotation of the tube with respect to the bar, an air spring disposed between the towing vehicle portion and the towed vehicle portion, the air spring disposed toward the proximal end of the towed vehicle portion with respect to the distal end, and a hitch pin connected to the towing vehicle portion for engaging a hitch on a towing vehicle. | 2008-12-04 |
20080296868 | Pin box assembly - A pin box assembly comprising a first portion, a second portion, a connective member disposed between the first portion and the second portion, the first portion comprising a torque portion, the torque portion comprising a bar disposed within a tube and at least one resilient member disposed between the bar and the tube, the bar fixedly connected to the first portion, the tube fixedly connected to the second portion, the resilient member compressible between the bar and the tube upon rotation of the bar with respect to the tube, a connective member fixedly connected to the tube and to the second portion, and a hitch member connected to the first portion for engaging a hitch on a towing vehicle. | 2008-12-04 |
20080296869 | MECHANICAL LIFT - “Mechanical Lift”, as described in the report and according to the figures in annex, is distinctive for being a mechanical device intended for lifting and steadying trailers and semi-trailers, loaded or unloaded, aiming at providing a higher loading capacity and easier operation by the driver through the simplicity of its operation, together with enhancing the durability of the tractor and trailer set and enabling easier maintenance. | 2008-12-04 |
20080296870 | Trailer hitch assembly for a bomb disposal robot method therefor - A trailer hitch assembly for a bomb disposal robot has a support beam for removably attaching the trailer hitch assembly to the bomb disposal robot. A female trailer hitch connector is coupled to the support beam. | 2008-12-04 |
20080296871 | Telescopic assembly of shoe - A telescopic assembly of a shoe comprises a sole having a sliding groove at an upper side thereof and an opened groove at one side of the sliding groove; the opened groove being communicated to the sliding groove and being opened at one side of the sole; a head; a lower side of the head being formed with a sliding block; a teeth bank being formed on the sliding block; the sliding block being engageable to the sliding groove of the sole; the sliding block having a teeth bank; and a detachable unit being made of soft and elastic material; one side of the detachable unit being formed with teeth; another end of the detachable unit being formed with a movable unit having a form like a fork. | 2008-12-04 |
20080296872 | Stroller with Seat Height Adjustment - A stroller includes a base frame assembly and a seat assembly supported by the base frame assembly. A seat leg extending from the seat assembly is slidably engaged with the base frame assembly for movement of the seat assembly relative to the base frame assembly from a first seating height level to a second seating height level. In some cases, a support post of the base frame assembly is oriented in a telescopic arrangement with the seat leg along a generally vertical axis. In some cases, one or more slider mechanisms slidably couple the seat assembly to the base frame assembly, where each slider mechanism has a lock to secure the seat assembly at either the first seating height level or the second seating height level. | 2008-12-04 |
20080296873 | COLLAPSIBLE WHEEL ASSEMBLY - A wheel assembly and a method of using the wheel assembly are provided. The wheel assembly is attachable to various objects and capable of quickly and easily collapsing or folding to become more compact for more efficient and cost-effective transportation or shipping. It is then capable of being quickly and easily expanded. | 2008-12-04 |
20080296874 | Interior Panel Assembly and Airbag Device - An interior panel assembly and an airbag device are provided that are equipped with structure for preventing an interior panel and a backing plate from becoming detached from each other. In one form, when an inflator discharges gas, movable door-frame members are moved (lifted) upward by being pushed upward by an inflating airbag. An instrument panel ruptures along a peripheral tear line, causing a door portion to be cut and separated from the surrounding instrument panel. Grooves serving as rupturable sections extend along joint sections between backing plates and leg plates of the movable door-frame members. When the backing plates of the movable door-frame members open outward together with the door portion, the grooves rupture to cause the backing plates to become partially separated from the leg plates. At the sections of the backing plates partially separated from the leg plates, the backing plates become substantially flat as a result of the partial separation from the leg plates. | 2008-12-04 |
20080296875 | Airbag for Protecting a Vehicle Occupant - An airbag for protecting a vehicle occupant comprising a first and a second material layer each having edge regions, wherein the first and the second layers are sewn together along the edge regions. A fastening section adapted for attaching to a part of the vehicle and connecting to a gas generator configured to inflate the airbag with a gas in response to an accident. A first and a second chamber region disposed opposite a dividing seam, wherein each of the material layers includes a first and a second material section each matched to one of the first or second chamber regions. | 2008-12-04 |
20080296876 | Air bag device for automobile - An air bag device for automobile comprising a side air bag member arranged at a vehicle body side portion or a vehicle seat in a folded state, expanded by being supplied with a gas upon a vehicle being impacted from the side or rolling over, and which deploys between a passenger seated on the vehicle seat and the vehicle body side portion, and a head portion protection air bag member which deploys in a curtain shape in a downward direction inside of a vehicle compartment up to a position of overlapping a deploying region of the side air bag member in a vehicle width direction, and which has a shape that fits with the deployed side air bag member. | 2008-12-04 |
20080296877 | Gas Generator - A gas generator, in particular for a vehicle occupant restraint system, has a rigid outer housing ( | 2008-12-04 |
20080296878 | Motorcycle Exhaust Pipe Guard and Mounting Bracket - A motorcycle exhaust pipe guard for use with a motorcycle having an exhaust pipe running adjacent a passenger's foot peg. The guard includes a planer bar which may be formed to maintain a clearance between the user's foot and the contour of the exhaust pipe. Further, a bracket is provided which uses the existing axis pin of the foot peg for mounting the guard to the foot peg bracket at a position between the foot peg and the motorcycle, and at an elevation above the foot peg. | 2008-12-04 |
20080296879 | Stroller Platforms - In this patent, mechanically simple and inexpensive to produce platforms for modification of a stroller such that an additional child or a pet or a package may be transported are taught. | 2008-12-04 |
20080296880 | Method and device for protecting a motorcycle - A protecting device for a motorcycle. The protecting device may comprise a tilt-measuring module capable of measuring tilt of the motorcycle, an airbag capable of being inflated and expanding out of or to cover an outer surface of the motorcycle, a comparing module capable of comparing the tilt with a tilting limitation and generating a inflating signal if the tilt achieves or exceeds the tilting limitation and an inflation module capable of generating a gas to inflate the airbag if the inflation module receives the inflating signal. | 2008-12-04 |
20080296881 | Interlocking Anchorage and Method of Installing a Seat Belt Assembly - An anchorage mechanism is provided for structurally coupling at least two components in series to withstand tensile loads. The anchorage mechanism includes a lower anchor and an upper anchor. The lower anchor has a first end that includes a substantially flat surface having flange portions, and an opposing second end configured for connecting the lower anchor to one of the at least two components. The upper anchor has a first end defining a receiving portion and a second end defining a first opening configured to secure the upper anchor to a second of the at least two components. The receiving portion is configured in a first manner to receive the flange portions of the lower anchor, and configured in a second manner to interlock the upper anchor with the lower anchor to withstand tensile loads. A method of installing a seat belt assembly with the disclosed anchorage mechanism is also provided. | 2008-12-04 |
20080296882 | BELT BUSHING FOR SAFETY AND ASSEMBLING METHOD THEREOF - Provided is a belt bushing for safety belt, combined to a through-hole of a belt combiner and winding the safety belt. The belt bushing gets in contact and combined to all four-side inner circumference surfaces of the through-hole of the belt combiner. | 2008-12-04 |
20080296883 | Device and method for protecting a vehicle occupant in a Motor vehicle - A device for protection of a vehicle occupant ( | 2008-12-04 |
20080296884 | Four Point Seat Belt System - A four-point seat belt system for restraining a vehicle occupant in a vehicle seat is disclosed. Two shoulder belts are provided which are buckled together with a pair of lap belts. The convergence of the shoulder belts created at the buckles defines a V-shaped configuration which aids in occupant safety and comfort. Movably-adjustable retractors are provided to anchor the upper end of each shoulder belt to the vehicle seat. A movable headrest having a pair of laterally-adjustable belt loops is provided to further enhance occupant security and comfort. | 2008-12-04 |
20080296885 | FONT PRINTING SYSTEM HAVING EMBEDDED SECURITY INFORMATION COMPRISING VARIABLE DATA PERIODIC LINE PATTERNS - A method and system is provided for providing a variable data guilloché shaped pattern comprised of variable data differential line pattern fonts comprising decodable template symbols which are capable of being selectively assembled into a predetermined variable data code. The code representations are embedded in the guilloché pattern amongst a plurality of unvaried standard base patterns. The representation can be decoded with a digital scan capable of identifying the embedded patterns and communicated it to a user for verifying a document containing the code. | 2008-12-04 |
20080296886 | IDENTIFICATION LABELS AND METHODS OF USING THE SAME - Labels and methods for removing a portion of a release liner from a label are disclosed. An example labels includes a substrate, a layer of adhesive on the substrate, a layer of release coating in contact with the layer of adhesive, and a release line in contact with the release coating. The release liner includes a first edge, a second edge, and a first line of weakness. The first line of weakness includes a tapered or curved portion and extends from the first edge of the release liner to between the first edge and the second edge of the release liner. | 2008-12-04 |
20080296887 | Identification Card and Method for the Production Thereof - The invention relates to a safety document ( | 2008-12-04 |
20080296888 | Connecting Device with Welded Body - The invention relates to a coupling device comprising a tubular body ( | 2008-12-04 |
20080296889 | Fuel Pump Provided for Installation Inside a Fuel Container, with an Adapter - In a fuel pump ( | 2008-12-04 |
20080296890 | Cryogenic Pipeline Configurations and Methods - A pipe-in-pipe pipeline has a bulkhead that transfers thermal stress from an inner pipe to an outer pipe, wherein at least part of the bulkhead forms a conduit for a product traveling through the inner pipe. Most preferably, the pipeline is a cryogenic pipeline for transport of liquefied natural gas. Where desirable, insulating material may be disposed between the inner pipe and outer pipe, while spacers may maintain the distance between the pipes. | 2008-12-04 |
20080296891 | HOSE CONNECTOR WITH ADJUSTABLE AMBIENT AIR INLETS - A hose connector with adjustable ambient air inlets according to the present disclosure includes a conduit section having a plurality of spaced-apart holes covered by an adjustable outer ring having a similar pattern of spaced-apart holes. Turning the outer ring relative to the conduit section, permits the holes in the conduit section to be either fully opened, fully covered, or at some intermediate condition. | 2008-12-04 |
20080296892 | Extendable pipe union - A pipe union for interconnecting a first length and a second length of pipe, may include a first annular pipe member attachable to the first length of pipe. The first annular pipe member may have threading means formed on an inner surface of the first annular pipe member. The pipe union may also include a second annular pipe member attachable to the second length of pipe. The second annular pipe member may have threading means formed on an outer surface, which may be adapted to engage the threading means on the inner surface of the first annular pipe member. The pipe union may also include a third annular pipe member disposed between the first and second annular pipe members. The threading means on the inner surface of the first pipe member may engage threading means on an outer surface of the first length of pipe. | 2008-12-04 |
20080296893 | Hose assembly with anti-rotational coupling and crimping section - A flexible hose assembly is disclosed. The flexible hose assembly has a first coupling member with a first anti-rotational element on a first end and a crimping element on a second end, the crimping element being configured to receive a first flexible hose. The flexible hose assembly also has a second coupling member with a second anti-rotational element on a first end, the second anti-rotational element being configured to mate with the first anti-rotational element. The flexible hose assembly also has a clamping ring configured to retain the first ends of the first and the second coupling members together. | 2008-12-04 |
20080296894 | OILFIELD THREADED CONNECTIONS - A threaded oilfield tubular connection includes a box connector | 2008-12-04 |
20080296895 | FERRULE WITH RELIEF TO REDUCE GALLING - High localized loading, galling, and high torque forces have been generally eliminated or greatly reduced in a two ferrule tube fitting assembly through suitable modification of the rear ferrule so as to redirect the reaction forces acting between the front ferrule and the drive nut. The rear ferrule has a cylindrical interior wall that closely surrounds the tube end and is provided on the interior cylindrical wall with a circumferentially continuous radial recess that is located between the nose and rear wall of the rear ferrule. The rear ferrule also has a radially external wall that is substantially conical and additionally shaped to extend radially outward toward the enlarged diameter portion or flange of the rear ferrule. The rear ferrule further includes a contoured face on the rear driven surface of the ferrule that engages the drive surface of the drive nut. | 2008-12-04 |
20080296896 | Stirling Engine Instability Detection and Prevention - A Stirling engine includes a reciprocating piston which drives an alternator to provide an electrical output. The current signal is measured by a current monitor and a fast Fourier Transform value is produced. The FFT of the current signal has been found to be directly related to the stability of operation of the Stirling engine. As harmonic peaks in the FFT increase, this indicates that the stroke length of the piston is approaching or exceeding a safe maximum. Correction action, such as a reduction in heat to the Stirling engine, can be taken in consequence. | 2008-12-04 |
20080296897 | VARIABLE SPEED WIND TURBINE DRIVE AND CONTROL SYSTEM - A variable speed wind turbine utilizes a hydraulic transmission including a hydraulic pump coupled to a rotor and a hydraulic motor coupled to an induction generator to produce variable frequency power that is converted to grid frequency power by electronic controls. | 2008-12-04 |
20080296898 | Wind Power Generation System and Method of Controlling Power Converter - A wind power generation system temporarily stops a power converter when a system disturbance occurs, and reactivates the power converter after detecting a solution of the problem of an influence (overcurrent of a stator, direct current component of a stator, overcurrent of a rotor, etc.) of a fault occurring in a doubly-fed generator during a system fault. During a system fault, a reactive current can be safely output from a doubly-fed generator to an electric power system without destroying equipment of the wind power generation system. | 2008-12-04 |
20080296899 | APPARATUS AND METHOD FOR GENERATING ELECTRIC POWER FROM A SUBSURFACE WATER CURRENT - The present invention is a system for generating power using water current. In one embodiment, a subsurface power generating system includes a first power generating node, with at least one cross-flow turbine, at least one universal gear coupled to the at least one cross-flow turbine, at least one modular generator; and at least one clutch for engaging and disengaging the at least one modular generator and the at least one universal gear. | 2008-12-04 |
20080296900 | SPILLWAY HYDROELECTRIC TURBINE - A hydroelectric system comprising a support member, a rotational torque converter, a drive member being disposed at one end of a support arm, a water driven mechanism in rotational communication with the drive member, wherein the support arm can be pivotally adjusted by a retraction mechanism are disclosed. A spillway deflector comprising a spillway deflector wedge, a deflector anchor, and a flat portion extending between the deflector anchor and the deflector wedge are disclosed. | 2008-12-04 |
20080296901 | HOODED MARINE FLOAT WIND POWER GENERATOR STRUCTURE - A hooded marine float wind power generation system includes a float platform set on a sea surface, a steel cable connecting the float platform and fixed to a sea bottom anchor to prevent undesired shining of the float platform. The float platform is provided with a wind power generator that is completely fixed on the float platform. A hood surrounds the generator to also function as a tail wing so as to make the float platform and the generator to change direction in response to wind direction and thus directly opposing to the wind to extract the most wind power and realize the best power generation performance. Due to the floating configuration of the float platform, the hood will not be tipped or damaged by side winds. Windmill blades can be made small is size and costs are thus reduced. | 2008-12-04 |
20080296902 | Wind-powered generator and assemblies therewith - The invention provides a wind-powered generator assembly for powering relatively small electronic devices. The wind-powered electrical assembly comprises an electrical device and an electrical generator. The electrical generator can be electrically connected to the electrical device. The electrical generator is operable to provide an electric current to the electrical device to operate the electrical device. The electrical generator has a rotor. The electrical assembly further comprises a wind-powered actuator assembly configured to rotate when subject to an operating wind and a gear train arranged with the electrical generator for operating the electrical generator. The gear train can include a plurality of gears wherein a first gear can be operably arranged with a spring assembly. A second gear of the drive train can be operably arranged with the wind-powered actuator assembly and a third gear can be mounted to the rotor of the electrical generator. | 2008-12-04 |
20080296903 | WIND TURBINE AND BLADE ASSEMBLY - Apparatuses and methods for an improved wind turbine and blade assembly are disclosed. The wind turbine has a wind turbine assembly being rotatably driven by the blade assembly. The wind turbine assembly has a shaft connected to an inner wheel by a supporting structure. A magnet array is disposed circumferentially about the inner wheel. A transformer array is disposed circumferentially about an outer wheel. The shaft rotates the inner wheel with the magnet array within the outer wheel having the transformer array for producing electricity. Magnets within the array are angled relative to the inner wheel to reduce the cogging torque. Blades are held in a neutral position into the wind by tensioning means, which resists rotation of the blades out of the wind to tune the blades to the wind velocity. | 2008-12-04 |
20080296904 | System for capturing energy from a moving fluid - An energy recapture system that may be retrofitted to an existing object, such as a vehicle or carrier. The retrofitable system includes means for removably attaching a plurality of wind or fluid driven energy generating modules, such as magnetic or piezoelectric generators, to the exterior of the object, to convert the kinetic energy of a fluid that moves about the object into another kind of energy that may be stored, such as electrical or chemical potential energy. When used to generate chemical potential energy, it is preferred that the kinetic energy of the moving fluid be used to electrolyze a compound such as water into its constituent elements; at least one of these elements, hydrogen and/or oxygen, can be stored for later use in an internal combustion engine associated with the object. | 2008-12-04 |
20080296905 | SYSTEMS AND METHODS FOR TETHERED WIND TURBINES - According to some embodiments, an airborne body extends horizontally along an axis between a first point and a second point. The body may be, for example, at least partially filled with a gas. Two or more vanes may be provided airborne with the body such that the vanes, when acted upon by a wind force perpendicular to the axis, are operable to cause rotation about the axis. Moreover, one or more tethers may be coupled to anchor the body to a third point, and one or more electrical generators may be airborne with the body to convert rotational energy produced by the rotation about the axis into electrical energy. According to some embodiments, each vane comprises a horizontal blade panel attached to and extending along the body. | 2008-12-04 |
20080296906 | POWER GENERATION SYSTEM USING WIND TURBINES - The wind turbines system can extract the dynamic energy from ambient sources and generate power with high efficiency. The less-fluctuated slower-speed turbines have a main pump, a fluctuation-pressure stabilizer, a power generation water-turbines, and a high ratio gear reducer mounted together on the ground to increase its generator's speed and produce power at about 50% efficiency. A fluctuation-pressure stabilizer stabilizes the fluctuations of the hydraulic flow and regularizes its output to water-turbines in a single steady state, continuously. A high ratio gear reducer (1:1,000=1:10×10×10 in three stages) increases its generator's speed and meet its power generation requirements. The larger surface area of light-weight nylon fabric single-surfaced blade layer with strong angle strut support structure more efficiently convert wind energy into high-power DC electricity through the contacting/grinding reactions of a light-weight generator. Owing to these conservative processes, metallurgical material costs, installation capital, and maintenance costs are reduced. | 2008-12-04 |
20080296907 | ELECTRIC VEHICLE WITH REGENERATION - An electric powered vehicle has a rechargeable power source coupled to at least one electric motor through a controller. The motor(s) are coupled to a drive train for converting the rotational movement of the motor(s) into linear motion of the vehicle. At least one generator is coupled to the motor(s) for generating a first electric potential for recharging the power source. On the front surface of the vehicle is an air passage that channels air movement to a fan when moving in a forward motion. The fan rotates in response to the air movement and is coupled to a fan generator that turns in response, generating a second electric potential for recharging the power source. The tips of the fan blades are equipped with magnetic material and a series of electro-magnets are configured in proximity of the blades so they can be sequentially energized in absence of air movement to rotate the fan and generating the second electric potential in absence of air movement. The motor(s) and generators will function as a braking system to slow the vehicle when needed and generate electric potentials for charging the power source. | 2008-12-04 |
20080296908 | Hybrid vehicle and control method of the same - In the case where predetermined abnormality detection performed with operation of an engine, such as abnormality detection of a fuel system and an ignition system of the engine and various sensors, has not been completed (in the case where an abnormality detection completion flag F is zero), self-sustaining operation of the engine is performed to continue the operation (S | 2008-12-04 |
20080296909 | Turbo-Pneumatic Assist for Electric Motor Starting - An electric motor prime mover and method of starting an electric motor prime mover is provided. The prime mover includes an electric motor, a pneumatic motor and a mechanical coupling operably connecting the pneumatic motor to a rotor of the electric motor. The pneumatic motor initiates startup of the electric motor by driving the rotor of the electric motor prior to applying electrical power to the electric motor. After the rotor has attained sufficient rotational speed electricity is applied to the electric motor to drive the rotor. The use of the pneumatic motor allows the rotor to be rotating as electricity is initially applied to the electric motor preventing or substantially reducing inrush currents. | 2008-12-04 |
20080296910 | POWER GENERATION CONTROL DEVICE AND VEHICLE HAVING THE SAME - A power generation control device for determining a crank position of an engine to reduce a start-up torque following an engine stop, enhancing startability, and reducing electric power consumption of a battery at start-up is provided. The power generation control device includes a magneto generator rotated by an engine, a generated electric current controller that rectifies an alternating electric current generated by the magneto into a direct current and supplies the direct current as a generated electric current to an electric appliance and controls a power generation amount to the electric appliance. A controlling section controls a power generation amount of a rectifying section. The controlling section is provided with an exhaust stroke stop estimation time control module for calculating engine rotational speed and acceleration values based on a signal related to a rotation cycle of a crankshaft or the magneto generator, for estimating a stop of the engine according to the rotational speed and the acceleration values, and for performing a control for increasing the power generation amount of the rectifying section when the engine stop is estimated to occur at an exhaust stroke of the engine. | 2008-12-04 |
20080296911 | Hook shaft balance connection structure - A hook shaft balance connection structure includes an operating element, a balance rod, and a connecting part. The operating element moves into a shell along the direction of the imposed force. The operating element includes a protrusion toward the direction of the force. The balance rod includes two axial parts and an eccentric part. The axial parts are on both ends of the balance rod, pivotally connected with the shell. The axes of them are on the same extension line. The eccentric part is disposed between the two axial parts, deviating from the axial parts by a predetermined distance. Its axis is parallel to those of the two axial parts. The eccentric part includes a first eccentric part in contact with the protrusion of the operating element and a second eccentric part by the first eccentric part. The connecting part includes a pushing part and two coupling parts. The pushing part is connected with the second eccentric part. The two coupling parts are connected to both ends of the connecting part. | 2008-12-04 |