An electromechanical actuator comprising a body and an electric motor driving at least one motion transmission element connected to the body via a brake device, a mechanical torque limiter with rollers, and a unidirectional transmission member, the brake device including an electrical activator member so that when the activator member is powered, the unidirectional transmission member is released relative to the body, and when the activator member is not powered, the unidirectional transmission member is secured to the body and opposes pivoting of the transmission element in one direction of rotation up to a maximum transmissible torque defined by the torque limiter.

The invention relates to a device for actuating a clutch-controlled transfer case having a two-stage intermediate gearing and a clutch-controlled transfer case that has a two-stage intermediate gearing and that is equipped with such a device. The device comprises: a rotatably driven selector shaft,a drive for rotating the selector shaft,a clutch cam disk, which can be rotated about a clutch cam disk axis by means of the selector shaft, andat least one scissor lever, wherein: one end (06) of at least one scissor lever is guided in a gate provided on the clutch cam disk,the gate has a curved path for each scissor lever, in which curved path the end of the scissor lever associated with the curved path is guided,the curved path winds around the clutch cam disk axis by at least 360°,the curved path has at least one helical segment having a continuously increasing or decreasing distance from the clutch cam disk axis, along which segment one end of a scissor lever guided therein experiences a continuously increasing or decreasing change in deflection with respect to the clutch cam disk axis during a rotation of the clutch cam disk with increasing angle of rotation, andthe clutch cam disk is disposed in such a way that the clutch cam disk can be rotated with respect to the selector shaft between two stops by an angle-of-rotation range such that, by means of rotation of the selector shaft within the angle-of-rotation range situated between said stops, shifting back and forth between the shifting stages of the intermediate gearing occurs, and, by means of rotation of the selector shaft beyond the angle-of-rotation range, the end of the at least one scissor lever experiences a deflection for actuating the clutch while a selected shifting stage is maintained.

The present invention provides a novel cationized microfibrillated plant fiber and a method for manufacturing the same. A cationic microfibrillated plant fiber that is cationically modified with a quaternary-ammonium-group-containing compound, and that has an average diameter of 4 to 200 nm.

This application relates to thiophene azo dyes for use as hueing agents, laundry care compositions comprising such thiophene azo dyes, processes for making such thiophene azo dyes, and laundry care compositions and methods of using the same. The thiophene azo dyes contain a formally charged moiety and are generally comprised of at least two components: at least one chromophore component and at least one polymeric component. Suitable chromophore components generally fluoresce blue, red, violet, or purple color when exposed to ultraviolet light, or they may absorb light to reflect these same shades. These thiophene azo dyes are advantageous in providing a hueing effect, for example, a whitening effect to fabrics, while not building up over time and causing undesirable blue discoloration to the treated fabrics. The thiophene azo dyes are also generally stable to bleaching agents used in laundry care compositions.

A process obtains an aged or faded effect on garments made of protein fibers such as wool, cashmere and silk. Granules of inert materials, which are particularly light in order not to damage very fine fibers, are introduced into a tumbler. The garments were previously treated with a chemical product commonly referred to as “dye retardant” for inhibiting dyeing of the fabric. The tumbler is pre-arranged so that the chemical product does not migrate through holes or openings. Raw confectioned garments that are to be treated, such as jerseys or outerwear, are introduced into the tumbler. The garments are extracted from the tumbler at the end of migration of the chemical product for inhibiting dyeing of the outer surface of the garments by the granules and steamed in an autoclave to fix the chemical process of the product for inhibiting dyeing of the outer surface of the garments. The garments are then dyed with a specific selection of dyes that must be defined each time according to the desired result.

Novel compounds based on distyryl-biphenyl are provided. The compounds conform to the general structure The compounds are useful as optical brighteners. Compositions, such as laundry care compositions, containing such compounds are also provided.

A system includes a voltage-controlled oscillator (VCO) to generate an output signal based on an input voltage and a multi-stage delay network to receive the output signal from the VCO. Each stage of the delay network produces a phase-shifted output signal. The system includes a multi-stage digital-to-analog converter (DAC) network, where each stage of the DAC network is associated with a corresponding stage of the delay network. Each stage of the DAC network receives the phase-shifted output signal from its corresponding stage of the delay network and generates a weighted output signal based on the received phase-shifted output signal. The DAC network combines the weighted output signal of each stage. A weighting factor for each stage of the DAC network is selected to reduce harmonic content of the combination of weighted output signals.

A loop filter with an active discrete-level loop filter capacitor can be used in a VCO (such as for CDR). A loop filter capacitor function is simulated by sensing input loop filter current (such as with a current mirror and source follower in the input leg), and forcing back a loop filter (VCO) control voltage. Loop filter voltage control is provided using a VDAC with a discrete-level VDAC feedback voltage, incremented/decremented based on the sensed loop filter current. In one embodiment, the VDAC voltage is provided as the non-inverting input to an amplifier, with the inverting input providing the control voltage, forced to the VDAC feedback voltage. The VDAC feedback voltage can be provided by increment/decrement comparators based on a voltage deviation on a C2 capacitor (from a reference voltage) that receives the sensed loop filter current (effectively multiplying the C2 capacitance to provide a simulated loop filter capacitance).

A phase locked loop (PLL) includes a controllable oscillator, a charge pump, a type II loop filter, a frequency divider, a phase error processing circuit, a phase frequency detector and a phase alignment circuit. The controllable oscillator generates an oscillating signal. The charge pump circuit generates a charge pump output in a calibration mode. The type II loop filter generates a first control signal to the controllable oscillator according to the charge pump output. The frequency divider performs frequency division upon the oscillating signal for generating a feedback signal. The phase error processing circuit outputs an adjusting signal by comparing a reference signal with the feedback signal. The phase frequency detector generates a detection signal by comparing the feedback signal and the reference signal. The phase alignment circuit generates a second control signal in the calibration mode.

In accordance with an embodiment, an adjustable capacitance circuit comprising a first branch comprising plurality of transistors having load paths coupled in series with a first capacitor. A method of operating the adjustable capacitance circuit includes programming a capacitance by selectively turning-on and turning-off ones of the plurality of transistors, wherein the load path of each transistor of the plurality of transistors is resistive when the transistor is on and is capacitive when the transistor is off.

A system includes a SiC semiconductor power device; a power supply board that is configured to provide power to a first gate driver board via a connector; the first gate driver board that is coupled and configured to provide current to the SiC semiconductor power device, wherein the first gate driver board is coupled to the power supply board via the connector, and wherein the first gate driver board is separated from the power supply board; and an interconnect board that is coupled to the first gate driver board, wherein the interconnect board is configured to couple the first gate driver board a second gate driver board.

Methods and systems include constructing and operating a semiconductor device with a mid-band dopant layer. In various implementations, carriers that are optically excited in a mid-band dopant region may provide injection currents that may reduce transition times and increase achievable operating frequency in a bipolar junction transistor (BJT). In various implementations, carriers that are optically excited in a mid-band dopant region within a thyristor may improve closure transition time, effective current spreading velocity, and maximum rate of current rise.

A carbon material for a non-aqueous secondary battery containing a graphite capable of occluding and releasing lithium ions, and having a cumulative pore volume at pore diameters in a range of 0.01 μm to 1 μm of 0.08 mL/g or more, a roundness, as determined by flow-type particle image analysis, of 0.88 or greater, and a pore diameter to particle diameter ratio (PD/d50 (%)) of 1.8 or less, the ratio being given by equation (1A): PD/d50 (%)=mode pore diameter (PD) in a pore diameter range of 0.01 μm to 1 μm in a pore distribution determined by mercury intrusion/volume-based average particle diameter (d50)×100 is provided.

Disclosed is an anode for a molten carbonate fuel cell (MCFC) having improved creep property by adding an additive for imparting creep resistance to nickel-aluminum alloy and nickel as materials for an anode. Improved sintering property, creep property and increased mechanical strength of a molten carbonate fuel cell may be obtained accordingly.

A catalyst composition and a use thereof are provided. The catalyst composition includes a support and at least one RuXMY alloy attached to the surface of the support, wherein M is a transition metal and X≧Y. The catalyst composition is used in an alkaline electrochemical energy conversion reaction, and can improve the energy conversion efficiency for an electrochemical energy conversion device and significantly reduce material costs.

A means of inhibiting the occurrence of overvoltage in an electrode catalyst for fuel cells so as to substantially prevent reduction of fuel cell performance includes an anode electrode catalyst for fuel cells, which contains a carbon support having at least one pore having a pore size of 10 nm or less and a pore volume of 1.1 to 8.4 cm3/g and catalyst particles having particle sizes of 3.1 nm or less and supported by the carbon support so that the density of supported catalyst particles is 15% to 40% by mass.

A flow battery includes a positive electrode, a positive electrode electrolyte, a negative electrode, a negative electrode electrolyte, and a polymer electrolyte membrane interposed between the positive electrode and the negative electrode. The positive electrode electrolyte includes water and a first redox couple. The first redox couple includes a first organic compound which includes a first moiety in conjugation with a second moiety. The first organic compound is reduced during discharge while during charging the reduction product of the first organic compound is oxidized to the first organic compound. The negative electrode electrolyte includes water and a second redox couple. The second couple includes a second organic compound including a first moiety in conjugation with a second moiety. The reduction product of the second organic compound is oxidized to the second organic compound during discharge.

A battery electrolyte solution contains a lithium salt dissolved in a solvent phase comprising at least 10% by weight of methyl (2,2,3,3-tetrafluoropropyl) carbonate. The solvent phase comprises optionally other solvent materials such as 4-fluoroethylene carbonate and other carbonate solvents. This battery electrolyte is highly stable even when used in batteries in which the cathode material has a high operating potential (such as 4.5V or more) relative to Li/Li+. Batteries containing this electrolyte solution therefore have excellent cycling stability.

A battery electrolyte solution contains a lithium salt dissolved in a solvent phase comprising at least 10% by weight of ethyl (2,2,3,3-tetrafluoropropyl) carbonate. The solvent phase comprises optionally other solvent materials such as 4-fluoroethylene carbonate and either or both of diethyl carbonate and ethyl methyl carbonate. This battery electrolyte is highly stable even when used in batteries in which the cathode material has a high operating potential (such as 4.5V or more) relative to Li/Li+. Batteries containing this electrolyte solution therefore have excellent cycling stability.

A battery electrolyte solution contains a lithium salt dissolved in a solvent phase comprising at least 10% by weight N of (2,2-difluoroethyl) ethyl carbonate. The solvent phase comprises optionally other solvent materials such as 4-fluoroethylene carbonate and other carbonate solvents. This battery electrolyte is highly stable even when used in batteries in which the cathode material has a high operating potential (such as 4.5V or more) relative to Li/Li+. Batteries containing this electrolyte solution therefore have excellent cycling stability.

Systems and methods for treating small elongated fibrous and particles of certain materials, e.g., PTFE materials in a suspension are presented. In some instances, high-intensity ultrasound (or acoustical energy) is applied to a sample of the material, through a fluid coupling medium or suspension, to achieve a material transformation in the sample. In various embodiments, fibrillation of particles of PTFE or similar materials is accomplished, or the formation of extended structures of these materials is caused or enhanced. Also, the ability to separate long fiber samples by ultrasonic or acoustic cavitation action is provided.

A crosslapper receives a card web and folds it into a lap intended to be needle-punched or consolidated by other ways. The web includes zones which are more condensed, having a spectrum of orientation of fibers with a component parallel to the width of the web, alternating with less condensed zones having a longitudinal unidirectional spectrum of orientations. The zones which are less condensed are used to form the edge zones of the lap. The result is that the lap has different respective spectra of orientation which pre-compensate for the unwanted changes produced by the needle-punching or other consolidation which follows. A needle-punched lap is obtained having a uniform MD/CD ratio (relationship between longitudinal and respectively transverse tensile strengths) or having a sought profile of the MD/CD ratio across the width of the lap.

An applicator head for cutting yarn into segments of yarn and depositing the segments of yarn on a deposition surface. The applicator head includes a single mechanism that moves the yarn towards said deposition surface and also cuts the yarn into segments.

In one embodiment, a system for removing a plastic wrap from a cylindrical module includes a conveyor transporting the cylindrical module toward a disperser with the cylindrical axis of the module parallel to the direction of conveyor movement. In another embodiment, the disperser is a travelling head disperser thereby providing relative movement between the modules and the disperser. The direction of the wrap around the module is determined and the cover is removed during rotation of the module, either by unwrapping the plastic or by slitting the plastic and then rotating the module. The equipment used to handle a cylindrical module is moved out of the path of movement of a conventional rectangular module so an installation can handle both rectangular and wrapped cylindrical modules.

In one embodiment, a system for removing a plastic wrap from a cylindrical module includes a conveyor transporting the cylindrical module toward a disperser with the cylindrical axis of the module parallel to the direction of conveyor movement. In another embodiment, the disperser is a travelling head disperser thereby providing relative movement between the modules and the disperser. The direction of the wrap around the module is determined and the cover is removed during rotation of the module, either by unwrapping the plastic or by slitting the plastic and then rotating the module. The equipment used to handle a cylindrical module is moved out of the path of movement of a conventional rectangular module so an installation can handle both rectangular and wrapped cylindrical modules.

A method and a device for drawing off a clothing strip from a card-flat bar are presented. A clothing strip held on the card-flat bar by fastening means in the form of clips or clamps is released form the card-flat bar with the aid of a device resulting in at least partial opening of the fastening means. The device has a bearing face and a retainer for bearing on the card-flat bar or on the clip and has a spike for the at least partial opening of the clip.

A hydrocarbon sequestering product, a method to obtain the product, and a method and a facility to sequester hydrocarbons, wherein the product comprises an oleophilic filamentous material that gets in contact with a medium contaminated by one or more hydrocarbons with the purpose of sequestrating the hydrocarbon(s) present in the medium to free it from said hydrocarbons.

Apparatus and methods for automatically training (i.e., straightening) saw blades along a saw mandrel are disclosed.

An apparatus for making a carbon nanotube yarn includes a tube and a bobbin. The tube has an opening capable of introducing organic solvent into the tube. The tube further has an inlet and an outlet defined through lateral walls thereof. The inlet is capable of accepting one or more carbon nanotube yarn strings and the outlet is capable of accepting the carbon nanotube yarn. The bobbin is positioned around the tube for collecting the carbon nanotube yarn as it comes out of the outlet.

In a device on a spinning room preparation machine, for example a fiber flock feeder, carding machine, cleaner or the like, for supplying and/or discharging fiber material, a tray-like guide element having a guide surface co-operates with at least one conveyor roll located opposite, the fiber material being guided towards and along the guide surface. In order to provide a simple way of supplying and/or discharging fiber material without undesirable adhesion of fibers, the guide element located opposite the at least one conveyor roll is arranged to be set in vibration by at least one actuator.

A wire profile comprises a rib portion and a plurality of teeth over the length of the rib portion. The teeth are sloped with a back slope representing the backbone of the teeth and a front slope representing the side in direct contact with fiber. The back slope has a tangent forming a hack angle with the rib portion, and the front slope is divided into at least two segments, a tip segment converging with the back slope to form a tip of the teeth and serving to penetrate between fibers, and an undercut segment to retain the fibers. The undercut segment has a tangent forming an undercut angle with the rib portion, and the undercut angle is at each point in the undercut segment greater than the maximum of the hack angle and smaller than the smallest value of the tip angle.

A wire profile having a rib portion and plurality of teeth over the length of said rib portion, wherein said plurality of teeth is inclined at an angle with respect to the said rib portion, wherein said teeth has a front portion and a back portion, wherein said front portion is the inner portion of the said teeth leaning towards the rib portion and said back portion is the outer portion of the said teeth, and wherein at least one teeth with said back portion comprises at least one nose cut segment.

A pressure steam treatment apparatus according to the invention includes a pressure steam treatment chamber and labyrinth sealing chambers. The labyrinth sealing chambers are respectively arranged on a fiber bundle inlet and on a fiber bundle outlet of the steam treatment apparatus, having a running path of the fiber bundle in a horizontal direction and having plural labyrinth nozzles on top and bottom of the running path. The difference between a maximum value and a minimum value of the distance in the perpendicular direction of the top and bottom side labyrinth nozzles, of a pair of opposing labyrinth nozzles is 0.5 mm or smaller when the ambient temperature of the labyrinth sealing chamber is 140° C. This structure ensures that the energy cost can be reduced, the deformation of the apparatus and also, the raise of fuzz on the fiber bundle and fiber bundle breakage can be prevented at the same time.

In the mounting device (1) in accordance with the invention, the mounting arm (4) is held on a guide arrangement (11), the guide direction of said guide arrangement being oriented parallel to the rotational axis of the drum (3) to be fitted. A force measuring arrangement 21 is provided to detect the tensile force in the profile wire 9, said force measuring arrangement detecting the total force acting on the mounting arm (4), at least in longitudinal direction of the wire. In doing so, essentially all the forces acting on the profile wire (9) are detected, namely, the braking forces of a brake arrangement (25) as well as the braking forces of other arrangements such as, for example of alignment arrangements 28, tilting arrangements 32 or the like.

The invention relates to a clothing carrier (3) for flexible or semi-rigid clothings (2) for processing fiber material, wherein the clothing carrier (3) has a longitudinal direction (6) and a transverse direction (7). The transverse direction (6) corresponds to a working direction (A) of the clothing (2). The clothing carrier (3) exhibits a maximum tensile force (FL) in the longitudinal direction (6) which is greater than a maximum tensile force (FQ) in the transverse direction (7).

A working assembly (1) includes a rotatable hollow drum or cylinder (2) having a cylindrical wall (3) with ends having transverse header walls (4) with openings (16, 17), and with a longitudinal shaft (5). The external lateral surface of the cylindrical wall (3) has a clothing device intended to interact with the fibers being carded. First and second support uprights (6, 7) are fixed in operation, and adapted to support the ends of the shaft (5) of the drum or cylinder (2) for rotation about a preferably horizontal axis. The support uprights (6, 7) and the drum or cylinder (2) are configured and coupled with each other such as to define at least one fluid path for a flow of a refrigerating fluid, which extends through the openings (16, 17) and inside the drum or cylinder (2) and is adapted to cause cooling of the lateral cylindrical wall (3) thereof.

A connection device for setting up an arrangement of a plurality of loudspeaker boxes that are suspended beneath one another comprises a first assembly rail which is provided for assembly on a first loudspeaker box and to which a latching part is attached, and a second assembly rail which is provided for assembly on a second loudspeaker box and to which a retaining element that interacts with the latching part is attached. Herein, a free path length of a longitudinal displaceability of the latching part in relation to the first assembly rail is preselectable. Furthermore, the position of the retaining element in relation to the second assembly rail is preselectable.

An intermediate support structure for an escalator or moving walk having a dampening device with slots formed therein allowing a supported escalator truss to be free to move laterally to accommodate lateral displacement caused by story drift during an earthquake or seismic event.

A vibration isolator with a pneumatic spring that is effective only in vertical direction, the pneumatic spring including a working space in which a vertically effective actuator is disposed.

A wedge member for securing an electrical conductor box within a hollow concrete block which is to be incorporated in a concrete block wall. The wedge member includes an elongated member dimensioned for a force fit within a hole within the concrete block.

Device for attaching a cable to a structure using an implement that includes a first body segment having a first end, a second end, and an inner wall, and defines a recess extending from the first end to the second end. The implement is receivable within the recess from the first end and permitted to extend beyond the second end to attach the device to the structure. A second body segment is coupled to the first body segment by a joining member, the second body segment having a first end, a second end, an inner wall, and defining a second body channel adapted to receive the cable. The inner wall of the first body segment, the inner wall of the second body segment, and the joining member define a first channel adapted to receive the cable.

A card tray for use in electronic devices is disclosed that can improve tray durability, eliminate the occurrence of resin flash during insert molding, and simplify the tray mold structure. The card tray for electronic devices according to a preferred embodiment may be a card tray for electronic device use for insertion into and withdrawal from a card socket of an electronic device with a card loaded thereon, comprising a tray body made of a nonmetallic material whereon is formed a card mounting hole or mounting recess for mounting the card, and a metal frame part that is coupled to the tray body so that the cross section protrudes from the front of the tray body.

A surgical cassette clamping system includes a mounting plate having a first side and a second side. A bracket system may be disposed adjacent the first side of the mounting plate. A clamp motor may be disposed adjacent the mounting plate and fixed relative to the mounting plate. The clamp motor may be operably connected to the bracket system to displace the bracket system relative to the mounting plate. The system may also include a plurality of pivot arms pivotably connected to the bracket system and extending adjacent the second side of the mounting plate. An engagement portion may be attached to each of the plurality of pivot arms that cooperatively engages the second side of the mounting plate, the engagement portion being operable to pivot the pivot arms when the bracket system moves relative to the mounting plate.

An extension-type frame for power cable tie, the extension-type frame comprises a first cable frame having a first plane surface, the first plane surface has a plurality of first protruding rings, each of the first protruding rings can form a first cable tie hole; a second cable frame having a second plane surface, the second plane surface has a plurality of second cable tie holes; wherein a plurality of edges of the second cable frame respectively insert into a plurality of rail spaces of the first cable frame, the first and second cable frames can slide each other, the first protruding rings of the first plane surface are located above the second cable tie holes of the second plane surface, thereby preventing interference between the second cable tie holes of the second plane surface and the first cable tie holes of the first plane surface, and therefore the second plane surface can adjust the available quantity of the second cable tie holes.

A support stand for supporting a stringed instrument having a securing mechanism, a front compression plate having a leg portion, and a back compression plate having a leg portion, where the front compression plate engages the securing mechanism, the back compression plate engages the securing mechanism, and the support stand supports the instrument in a generally upright position when the support stand is placed on a surface.

A stud mounting bracket for a junction box includes a mounting extension extending outward from a longitudinal end margin of a main body. The mounting extension includes a mounting body connected to the longitudinal end margin of the main body and an extension tab connected to the mounting body. The extension tab is pivotable relative to the mounting body about an axis from a compact configuration to an extended configuration to increase the length of the mounting extension. A box mounting bracket for mounting a junction box on a stud mounting bracket includes first and second jaws. The first and second jaws engage the stud mounting bracket for use in attaching the box mounting bracket to the stud mounting bracket. The first and second jaws are resiliently deflectable both relative to the base and independent of one another when attaching the box mounting bracket to the stud mounting bracket.

An infant care accessory comprising a combination diaper bag and changing mat. The accessory comprises a body having a two side panels and a center panel. When the side panels are upright, the body forms a diaper bag. When the side panels are opened flat with the center panel, the body forms a diaper changing mat. The inside surface of the body is made of fluid impermeable material, and a fluid barrier is positioned along the center panel. The fluid barrier may be a strip of absorbent material. When a baby is placed lengthwise on the opened out body with the center panel positioned at about the baby's waist, urine and other body fluids will be blocked or absorbed by the fluid barrier and will not travel up under the baby's back and head. A removable accessory pouch may be included for carrying diapers, lotion, powder, and other changing essentials.

A universally adjustable pillow for use in healthcare and/or therapy includes a base board (1), and pillows for, respectively, right lateral recumbency (4), supine recumbency (2), left lateral recumbency (5) and for the neck (3) that are arranged on said base board (1). The pillows for left and right lateral recumbency (5,4) each include an external cushion, a mechanism enabling adjustment to fit vertebral curvature (52, 42), a mechanism enabling adjustment to inhibit too great an angle of lateral tilt (53, 43) and height adjustment members (51, 41). The longitudinal axes of the pillows for left and right lateral recumbency (5, 4) are set an angles α and β to the longitudinal axis of the pillow for supine recumbency (2).

A movable privacy screen includes a plurality of privacy screen segments that are attachable to a bed or gurney. The plurality of screen segments include at least first and second screen segments. Each of the first and second screen segments include a first support pole, a second support pole and a coupler. The first support pole has a variable length to permit the first support pole to move between a collapsed configuration and an expanded configuration. The second support pole has a variable length to permit the second support pole to move between a collapsed configuration and an expanded configuration. The coupler movably couples the first and second support poles to the bed in a spaced relation to permit the first and second support poles to move between an upstanding use position and a lowered storage position. A fabric-like screen member is coupled to each of the first and second support poles. The fabric-like screen member is sized to extend between the first and second support poles, and is movable between a raised use position and a lowered storage position.

A medical examination table includes a seat, a compartment below the seat, a first extension, a second extension, a lift mechanism, a base, and a storage section formed in the base. The first extension is configured to be stored in the compartment, and is further configured to project outward relative to the seat when in an extended configuration of the first extension. The second extension is configured to be stored in the compartment with the first extension, and is further configured to project outward relative to the first extension when in an extended configuration of the second extension. The lift mechanism is configured to raise and lower the seat, the compartment, and the first and second extensions. The base is coupled to the lift mechanism.