to

Automated calibration method for a dragging equipment detector

A method for calibrating a moving object impact detector is disclosed. A controller may receive input indicative of movement of an impact element from a first position to a second position. The controller may also receive an activation signal corresponding to the movement of the impact element. The controller may further receive input indicative of instructions to correlate the activation signal with the movement of the impact element. The controller may selectively set the activation signal as a reference signal for the detector, with the reference signal being indicative of an impact the moving object impact detector is set to detect.




to

Wayside measurement of railcar wheel to rail geometry

Considerable damage to rails, wheels, and trucks can result from geometric anomalies in the wheelsets, rails, and truck hardware. A solution for identifying and quantifying geometric anomalies known to influence the service life of the rolling stock or the ride comfort for the case of passenger service is described. The solution comprises an optical system, which can be configured to accurately perform measurements at mainline speeds (e.g., greater than 100 mph). The optical system includes laser line projectors and imaging cameras and can utilize structured light triangulation.




to

Device for automatically controlling signals and multiple trans traveling on the same track

An electrical device not only controls train signals as trains advance, but also alters the voltage in the tracks leading up to the signals so that the trains will actually stop at a red signal, slow at an amber aspect and continue on at full speed when the signal is showing green. The electrical device of the present invention can change the “block signal” from “green” to “red”, thereby signaling the engineer behind the train to come to a stop. In addition, the electrical device can simultaneously change the voltage in the tracks to stop the approaching train at the red signal. Only when the forward train has cleared will the approaching train get a clear signal and voltage to resume its forward progress.




to

Method to replace an instrument case and replacement case therefor

A method designed to replace a compromised instrument case with a new case without the need to disconnect any wire, relay or any other electric equipment is described herein. The instrument panel is supported for example by a temporary support frame during the dismantling of the old case and the assembly of the new case. The new case is therefore assembled on site around the instrument panel. The new instrument case includes a floor which is made of at least two parts, one on each side of the wiring. The instrument case therefore remains in a normal working mode during the entire replacement procedure thus preventing downtime. As well, the amount of manpower required for the replacement of an instrument case is drastically reduced.




to

Railway system using acoustic monitoring

A method of monitoring and/or controlling components of a railway system which includes a track and at least one train that is operable to run on said track, comprises the steps of: a) providing an acoustic transducer proximate the railway for picking up acoustic signals; b) receiving acoustic signals from the transducer; and c) analyzing the received signals.




to

Swivel point connector for railroad switches

A mechanism for coupling a switch point to a point detector box having a point detector bar includes a first portion structured to be slidably coupled to the point detector bar and a second portion structured to be slidably coupled to the switch point.




to

Railroad signaling and communication system using a fail-safe voltage sensor to verify trackside conditions in safety-critical railroad applications

A method and system for verifying trackside conditions in safety critical railroad applications by reporting the status of trackside signals and switches to a remote train control system. The system comprises at least one sensor for providing trackside conditions electrically connected to a circuit for providing trackside conditions to a railroad, said sensor being powered by voltage applied to the circuit such that the sensor is energized only when said electrical component is engaged. The system and method further comprises a method and system which is failsafe and which enables the control system to independently verify signals from each sensor.




to

Method and sequential monitoring overlay system for track circuits

A sequential monitoring system is for an interlocking logic system and a track circuit system including a plurality of track circuits. The sequential monitoring system includes an interface between the interlocking logic system and the track circuit system; and a processor structured to monitor a state of each of the track circuits, validate a sequence of state changes of the track circuits, and interrupt and correct invalid track circuit state indications between the track circuit system and the interlocking logic system. The interface normally passes inputs from the track circuit system to outputs to the interlocking logic system. When an out of sequence event occurs, the processor applies a quarantine to a minimum of three of the track circuits in a quarantined area, thereby inhibiting use of an unoccupied track circuit in the quarantined area.




to

Molding tool for original shaping or reshaping of components composed of materials that can be thermally influenced

The invention relates to a molding tool for the production of components composed of fiber composite materials, in which the molding tool has a fiber composite structure and an electrical resistance heating element, whereby carbon fibers or carbon filaments are embedded into the fiber composite structure of the molding tool in a plastic matrix, close to the shaping surface of the molding tool. Such a molding tool is further developed in that the carbon fibers or carbon filaments in the plastic matrix, close to the shaping surface, essentially determine the mechanical strength of the molding tool, and that the electrical resistance heating element is interconnected in such a manner that at least individual sections of the electrical resistance heating element form an electrical parallel circuit with one another.




to

Edge form system for forming simulated stone coping

An edge form system has a molded liner and a form board. The molded liner has a textured imprinting on the inner surface for forming a simulated stone coping and a first interlocking element. The form board has a base for mounting the form board on a vertical structure, a coping support wall, a liner receiver, and a second interlocking element for interlocking with the first interlocking element.




to

Portable device to compress bows

A portable device to compress a bow comprising a pulley system with a block and tackle and fixed pulleys which, by wiring, are connected to a set of fastening supports with fastening ends. The fastening ends fasten and pull the ends of the arms or limbs of a bow, under traction exerted by the block and tackle. The block and tackle has a drive portion and a brake controlling the traction and release of the cables connected to the fastening supports. Upon pulling the drive portion, the block and tackle produces the approach between the first and the second pulleys. This displacement between the pulleys acts on the cables which, through the fixed pulleys, cause the approach between the fastening supports. This displacement of the fastening supports overcomes the resistance of the bow and compresses it. Once the desired compressive level is reached, the brake or blockage is actuated.




to

Toy crossbow projectile launcher with extendable body and safety release

A toy projectile launcher assembly has the form of a crossbow. The crossbow only launches the safety projectiles that are provided. The launcher body has a handle at a first end and diverging support arms at an opposite second end. An adjustment mechanism is contained within the launcher body for selectively adjusting the length of the launcher body. The crossbow has diverging support arms. Bow arms are attached to the support arms. The bow arms pivot from retracted positions to extended positions when a projectile is loaded into the toy crossbow. The toy crossbow has elastic loops that can only engage specialized safety projectiles with side. Furthermore, the trigger mechanism can only engage the safety projectiles provided with the toy. Projectiles without a specific tab and keyhole cannot be loaded into the toy crossbow.




to

Archery bow axle connector

In some embodiments, a connector attaches to an axle of an archery bow and comprises a cable terminal. The connector comprises a first body portion made from a first material and a second body portion made from a second material different from the first material. The first body portion defines an aperture therethrough arranged to engage the axle. The second body portion has a groove extending around at least a portion of its periphery, forming a teardrop shape. In some embodiments, the connector is configured to snap-fit onto an axle and be removable without tools.




to

Gas pressure regulator with in-situ rotatably adjustable adaptor sleeve

Exemplary embodiments of a gas pressure regulator comprise a regulator body, an adaptor sleeve, a retainer and an indexing ring. The regulator body includes a proximal portion, a distal portion, a ported intermediate portion therebetween, and a main bore. The adaptor sleeve axially receives the distal portion and includes an outer threading for engaging an air source adaptor of a paintball marker. The retainer threadably engages the main bore within the distal end, thereby axially securing the adaptor sleeve onto the distal end. The indexing ring receives the distal portion therethrough for resiliently biased axial movement of the indexing ring between a locking position and an unlocking position. When the indexing ring is in its unlocking position, the adaptor sleeve is rotatable with respect to the regulator body. When the indexing ring is in its locking position, the adaptor sleeve is rendered substantially non-rotatable with respect to the regulator body.




to

Projectile shooter toy

A projectile shooter toy has a body with a sidewall forming a space for holding a projectile in a loaded state and a pathway leading away from the space and along which the projectile moves in a forward direction. An actuator is arranged to engage the projectile to move the projectile forward along the pathway. At least two pinching members are spaced forwardly along the pathway from the actuator. The pinching members are separate from, and movable relative to, the actuator and the sidewall, and are configured to exert a force on the projectile as the projectile passes between the at least two pinching members.




to

Toy with projectile launcher

A toy having a housing; a cover pivotally mounted to the housing for movement between a first position wherein an internal cavity of the housing is covered and a second position wherein access to the internal cavity is provided; a launching mechanism located within the internal cavity; a first projectile configured to be launched from the launching mechanism; a plurality of second projectiles configured to be launched from a plurality of projectile launchers secured to the housing; an actuation mechanism coupled to the cover, the launching mechanism and the plurality of projectile launchers, wherein operation of the actuation mechanism causes the cover to move from the first position to the second position and simultaneously launch the first projectile and the plurality of second projectiles from the launching mechanism and the plurality of projectile launchers.




to

Launch apparatus for toy discs with disc flip mechanism

A toy pump action rifle for launching discs having an outer housing, a stock, a grip, a trigger, a handle for cocking the rifle and a revolving drum for storing multiple discs. Within the housing is a mechanism for removing discs, one at a time, from the drum where the discs are arranged in a first position, rotating each disc 90° to a second position, and transporting each disc to a discharge chamber. The mechanism includes a transfer arm to remove each disc from the drum, a disc pocket for receiving the removed disc, the pocket being rotatable to reorient the disc, and disc pocket also being slidable to carry the disc to the discharge chamber. Activation of the trigger releases a cocked launch arm that snaps forward and strikes the disc to cause discharge.




to

Auto arrow rest

An arrow rest for supporting an arrow on an archery bow. In various embodiments, the arrow rest includes an over-center spring that is operatively coupled to a body of the arrow rest and a rotatable cam received in the arrow rest body. The rotatable cam is rotationally fixed to an arrow launcher. The over-center spring biases the arrow launcher into a first loading position when the spring is in a first position on one side of a central axis about which the cam rotates, and into a second launching position when the spring moves to an opposite side of the cam central axis. A release mechanism is configured to move the arrow launcher from the second, launching position to the first, loading position when an arrow is fired from the bow, but will not move the arrow launcher to the first, loading position if the bow is let down.




to

Electric toy gun

An electric toy gun with a plurality of firing modes includes a trigger, a power break holder, a power contact holder, a block member slidably coupled to the power break holder and having a first tooth and a second tooth at one lateral side thereof, a swing bar having an actuation portion and a push block connected to the actuation portion. A control mechanism enables the push block of the swing bar to be shifted to the rear side of the first tooth, the rear or front side of the second tooth. Lowering of the power break holder with the block member drives the push block to move the first or second tooth forward and then to push the first tooth forward. The block member is displaced relative to the stop portion of the link which moves the power break holder.




to

Toy launcher for launching projectiles and methods thereof

According to an exemplary embodiment, a toy dart launcher comprises a housing defining an interior recess and a launch assembly. The launch assembly is at least partially disposed within the interior recess and comprises: a projectile feed, a slidable frame, and a launch mechanism. The projectile feed is rotatably disposed within the interior recess and comprises a plurality of receiving chambers each adapted to receive one or more projectiles. The slidable frame has at least one engagement finger rotatably disposed thereon, and is movable with respect to the projectile feed so that the at least one engagement finger can engage and move at least one projectile through at least one receiving chamber. The launch mechanism is disposed rearwardly of the projectile feed and is configured to create a pressure differential about the at least one projectile so that the at least one projectile can be launched from the housing.




to

Apparatus for mounting a dampener and/or stabilizer to an archery bow

The apparatus for mounting at least one dampener and/or stabilizer to an archery bow to absorb shock and vibration realized by an archer upon the release of the archery bow. The present invention provides an elongated support structure releasably connectable to the at least one dampener and/or stabilizer. A releasable fastener is connected to one end of the support structure, and the releasable fastener is releasably connectable to the archery bow such that the support structure is extendible in a cantilevered position relative to the archery bow.




to

Wood turning tool

A wood turning tool having first and second cutting edges and which is suitable for carving many different configurations of recesses from wood. The tool has a shank portion and a cutting head portion, the cutting head portion having first and second arcuate segments, the first and second arcuate segments generally lie in different planes, the cutting edges being located adjacent the point of merger of the first and second arcuate segments.




to

Wood turning tool

One preferred embodiment of the invention comprises a wood turning tool comprising a handle portion (1) and a cutting portion (2). The cutting portion comprises a blade (3) which has closed curve cutting edges. The tool comprises a deflector (14) for preventing the cutting portion from becoming blocked by wood shavings. The tool also comprises a blade cover (11) which can move across the blade (3) to regulate the cutting capacity of the tool. A threaded cylindrical member (12) can be manually operated to reversibly move the blade cover (11) across the blade (3).




to

Head and tail stocks for woodworking lathes

A method of and apparatus for positioning and supporting any of several different elongated workpieces of circular, substantially square, or substantially non-square rectangular cross-sectional configuration so that a central workpiece axis is located along the same axis for any one of said workpieces includes a tailstock fixture for supporting one end of the workpiece which includes a frustoconical cavity that extends coaxial with the axis for receiving the one end of the workpiece, and a headstock fixture for supporting a second end of the workpiece opposite the first end which includes a generally cylindrical cavity extending coaxial with the axis and four equiangularly spaced workpiece engaging blades within the cylindrical cavity for engaging and supporting the second workpiece end.




to

Tool rest

A tool rest, for attaching to a lathe or wood turning apparatus, in which a pillar for is mounted rotatable about a first vertical axis and has a first horizontally-projecting arm and further has a second horizontally-projecting portion rotatable about a second vertical axis which may be coincident with or spaced horizontally from the first vertical axis. In use, the tip of a cutting tool is rested on the horizontal arm the tool is also rested on the second horizontal portion where it is firmly held in place by the user.




to

Tailstock assembly mountable on a machine

A tailstock assembly mountable on a machine tool and cooperable with a headstock assembly for retaining a workpiece inbetween.




to

Automatic spindle making device

An automatic lathe is provided including a table stand having a top with a plurality of legs coupled thereto and extending downwardly therefrom. A pair of spindle spinning assemblies are positioned on the top of the table stand. Each spindle spinning assembly has a securement rod rotatably mounted thereon which is adapted to releasably secure to an end of a spindle for spinning the same. A carriage assembly is adapted to slide between each spindle spinning assembly. The carriage assembly has a blade mechanism mounted thereon for engaging a front surface of the spindle secured between the spindle assemblies. The carriage assembly further includes a carriage motor functioning to move the carriage in a forward direction upon the receipt of a forward signal and move the carriage in a reverse direction upon the receipt of a reverse signal only when the carriage motor is actuated. Finally, a reverse direction mechanism serves to transmit the forward signal to the carriage motor when the carriage is moving in a reverse direction and reaches a first end of the top of the table stand. Further, the reverse direction mechanism transmits the reverse signal to the carriage motor when the carriage is moving in a forward direction and reaches a second end of the top of the table stand.




to

Cutting tool and method of use for catching chips and debris during turning operations

A cutting tool for cutting a work piece and catching debris during turning operations is described herein. The cutting tool comprises a tubular cutting member having first and second ends, the first end having a sharpened edge, and a debris receiving means connected to the second end. The tubular cutting member may have a number of different cross-sections providing a number of different cutting tool configurations for use in turning operations. The debris receiving means may further include a flexible hose having a first hose end and a second hose end, wherein the first hose end is connected to the second end of said tubular cutting member. The hose may be connected to a vacuum source to more effectively collect debris generated during turning operations. The tubular cutting member could be made in a range of sizes from one quarter inch to two inches in diameter, with a nominal tube length of from three inches to twenty inches, or even larger where needed. Both ends of the tubular cutting member could be sharpened, and reversed in the holder when one end is dull.




to

Wood turning tool

A wood turning tool has an elongated handle with an end and a blade mounted to that end. The blade is formed as a plow with top and bottom surfaces and a working edge extending between those surfaces and having an apex. The working edge has an undercut ground bevel forming with the blade top surface a first cutting edge on one side of the apex and an overcut ground bevel forming with the blade bottom surface a second cutting edge on the other side of said apex, each bevel having a selected bevel angle.




to

Device to produce round cross-section articles with complicated profiled surfaces

A lathe attachment device is disclosed for producing long articles with complicated profiles. The device contains a beveled multi-teeth cutter driven to rotate in a direction opposite the rotation of a billet to ensure a very short period of contact time between an individual cutting tooth and the article. The cutter is slightly tilted towards the billet in both horizontal and vertical plane. The teeth of the cutter are shaped to each have a pointed end facing the rough part of the billet. Provisions are made to draw the cutter along the billet. The device allows producing a smooth finished long article with complicated surface profile in a single pass with high productivity. Due to limited contact time, it offers extended life of the cutter. The device is used most advantageously to produce long wood articles.




to

Cutting tool and system for coring a bowl using a lathe

A cutting tool piece is provided including a rear portion and a lead portion, the lead portion including a front section having an upper side angled downwardly and forwardly and a lower side angled upwardly and forwardly to form a transverse lead cutting edge. The rear portion includes a hole to secure the tool piece to a cutting tool and transverse cutting edges extending outwardly from side walls of the front section. A system is also described for cutting a bowl by coring out an interior portion of a wood block by applying the cutting tool which is curved and rotatably mounted to a post. Its lead end with the tool piece attached creates a circular groove. The cutting tool is advanced on a path which curves toward the central axis of the lathe.




to

Cutting tool and system for coring a bowl using a lathe

A cutting tool piece is provided including a rear portion and a lead portion, the lead portion including a front section having an upper side angled downwardly and forwardly and a lower side angled upwardly and forwardly to form a transverse lead cutting edge. The rear portion includes a hole to secure the tool piece to a cutting tool and transverse cutting edges extending outwardly from side walls of the front section. A system is also described for cutting a bowl by coring out an interior portion of a wood block by applying the cutting tool which is curved and rotatably mounted to a post. Its lead end with the tool piece attached creates a circular groove. The cutting tool is advanced on a path which curves toward the central axis of the lathe.




to

Woodturning tool

A woodturning tool for creating containers has a first rigid arm, and a second rigid arm. The first rigid arm has two ends with a cutting blade at the first end. The second rigid arm has two ends with a guiding device at the first end. The cutting blade and the guiding device are operatively aligned. The first and second rigid arms are adapted to move relative to one another.




to

Woodturning tool

A hand-held cutting tool for use in cutting a turning timber workpiece, the cutting tool including a handle end, a tool shank having a width and a height wherein the width is greater than the height, and a curved neck that includes a cutting head. The curved neck is integral to the tool shank and has a width and a height wherein the height is greater than the width. The tool shank defines a tool rest portion having a planar surface. The cutting head includes a top surface that is coplanar to the tool rest portion and defines a centrally disposed threaded bore for threadably receiving a replaceable carbide cutter. The cutting head and a length of the tool shank extend parallel to each other and parallel to a longitudinal axis.




to

Composite chair storage device

A composite chair storage device includes a chair, a slide mechanism and an exercise module for storing a composite chair. A first roller and a second roller are embedded into two slide rails for performing linear displacement. With the assistance of a sliding third roller and a pressure element capable of turning over an exercise equipment of an exercise module, the exercise module can be stored into a containing space of the chair or unfolded from the containing space of the chair quickly and conveniently, to achieve the effect of folding and unfolding the composite chair effectively.




to

Lathe compound multi-tool

Disclosed is an apparatus and related methods for facilitating the application of a cutting tool to a work-piece rotating on the axis of a lathe.




to

Solid state light emitting devices including adjustable melatonin suppression effects

Solid state light emitting devices include multiple LED components providing adjustable melatonin suppression effects. Multiple LED components may be operated simultaneously according to different operating modes according to which their combined output provides the same or similar chromaticity, but provides melatonin suppressing effects that differ by at least a predetermined threshold amount between the different operating modes. Switching between operating modes may be triggered by user input elements, timers/clocks, or sensors (e.g., photosensors). Chromaticity of combined output of multiple LED components may also be adjusted, together with providing adjustable melatonin suppression effects at each selected combined output chromaticity.




to

Plasma torch and retaining cap with fast securing threads

A retaining cap for a plasma torch is provided that includes fast securing threads. The retaining cap includes internal threads that couple to external threads of a torch body of the plasma torch. The internal and external threads may be multiple start threads having a thread angle greater than 60°. Plasma torches and plasma cutting systems are also provided.




to

Thin film transistor and organic light emitting pixel having the same

A thin film transistor (TFT) that includes a control electrode, a semiconductor pattern, a first input electrode, a second input electrode, and an output electrode is disclosed. in one aspect, the semiconductor pattern includes a first input area, a second input area, a channel area, and an output area. The channel area is formed between the first input area and the output area and overlapped with the control electrode to be insulated from the control electrode. The second input area is formed between the first input area and the channel area and doped with a doping concentration different from a doping concentration of the first input areas. The second input electrode makes contact with the second input area and receives a control voltage to control a threshold voltage.




to

Semiconductor light emitting device

According to one embodiment, a semiconductor light emitting device includes a first semiconductor layer, a light emitting layer, a second semiconductor layer, a p-side electrode, a plurality of n-side electrodes, a first insulating film, a p-side interconnect unit, and an n-side interconnect unit. The p-side interconnect unit is provided on the first insulating film to connect to the p-side electrode through a first via piercing the first insulating film. The n-side interconnect unit is provided on the first insulating film to commonly connect to the plurality of n-side electrodes through a second via piercing the first insulating film. The plurality of n-side regions is separated from each other without being linked at the second surface. The p-side region is provided around each of the n-side regions at the second surface.




to

Corona igniter having shaped insulator

A corona igniter (20) for emitting a radio frequency electric field and providing a corona discharge (24) includes a central electrode (22) at a positive voltage, a grounded metal shell (30), and an insulator (28) with an abruption (34) extending radially outward relative to the central electrode (22). The abruption (34) is typically an increase of at least 15% of a local thickness (t) of the insulator (28) over less than 25% of a nose length (el) of an insulator nose region (74). The abruption (34) is typically one flank (82) of a protrusion or a notch, and the flank (82) faces the shell (30). The abruption (34) reverses the electric field and voltage potential gradient along the insulator outer surface (32), repels charged ions away from the insulator (28), and thus prevents the formation of a conductive path between the central electrode (22) and the shell (22).




to

Display device utilizing a flexible substrate configured to be folded

A flexible display device including: a flexible substrate having a display area and a moisture absorption area at a surface; a display unit at the display area; a moisture absorption layer at the moisture absorption area; and a sealant along an edge of the display area and configured to seal the moisture absorption layer and the display unit. The flexible substrate is configured to be folded at least one time, and the display area and the moisture absorption area are opposite to each other.




to

High-pressure discharge lamp having an arc tube in which a pair of electrode rods are disposed, lump unit, and projector-type image display apparatus

A high-pressure discharge lamp having an arc tube with a casing made of glass. The arc tube includes a light-emitting part and sealing parts connected to the light-emitting part. A pair of electrode rods are disposed within the glass casing such that their tips face each other with a gap therebetween and project into the discharge space, and their base ends are embedded in the sealing parts and overlap surfaces of metal foils provided in the sealing parts. Each base end is coated with a coating foil made of metal and having a C-like cross section with a slit formed between edges thereof. An end of the coating foil farthest from the light-emitting part is located closer to the light-emitting part than an end of the metal foil closest to the light-emitting part.




to

System for attachment of an electrode into a plasma source

An inductively coupled plasma charged particle source for focused ion beam systems includes a plasma reaction chamber with a removably attached source electrode. A fastening mechanism connects the source electrode with the plasma reaction chamber and allows for a heat-conductive, vacuum seal to form. With a removable source electrode, improved serviceability and reuse of the plasma source tube are now possible.




to

Tool to aid in the caulking process

A flexible and resilient tool for use with a conventional half barrel, parallel frame caulking gun or enclosed “sausage” style caulking gun, aiding the user in finishing and shaping after the caulking material has been applied. One function of the tool is to collect excess caulk from his finger(s) or from various shaping tools and spatulas. Also provided can be cap, rag and sponge holders. Additional embodiments include adaptations to existing prior art disposable caulking cartridges and caulking guns to include components of the disclosed tool.




to

Pouring adaptor assembly compatible with multiple bucket lid configurations

A pouring adaptor assembly compatible with multiple bucket lid types includes a pouring tube and a threaded adaptor. The pouring tube includes an opening and an angled proximate end for steadily pouring a liquid. The threaded adaptor includes an inner thread and an outer thread, the two threads for connecting to bucket lid openings of varying widths. The pouring tube includes a tapered lower ridge for snap connecting to a bucket lid having a non-threaded opening.




to

Automatic pacing system for a baby bottle

An insert which is useable with a baby bottle, a baby bottle including an insert, and a method of feeding an infant that serves to pace the infant's feeding rhythm. Generally, these devices and methods will be of use for a preterm infant, but that is by no means limiting because full term infants could also benefit from these devices and methods. The device generally cues the infant to swallow and breathe after each 1-4 sucks by stopping the flow of the fluid from the bottle after the infant has sucked sufficiently. Once the baby breathes, the bottle resets for the next repetition.




to

Toy fluid pumping gun

A fluid pumping device is disclosed. The fluid pumping device includes a housing having a front end and a rear end, a fluid discharge opening in the front end of the housing, a pump assembly, a crank assembly rotatably connected to the pump assembly wherein the crank assembly operates the pump assembly, and a fluid storage reservoir connected to the gear housing from which fluid is drawn into the gear housing to be pumped through the fluid discharge opening.




to

Rotary actuator for energy efficient ice cube dispenser door system

A rotary actuator suitable for use in a refrigerator ice-dispensing door provides a rotating shaft driven by a DC permanent magnet motor through a gear train and subject to a returning force of an internal spring. The gear train communicates with a switch to reduce current to the motor when a limit of travel is reached and a shunting path is provided around the motor to produce generative braking when power is removed from the motor and the actuator rotates backward to its initial position.




to

Valve for a fluid flow connector having an overmolded plunger

A fluid flow connector and a method of manufacturing the same wherein the fluid flow connector utilizes a valve having a plunger which is made by overmolding a soft exterior to a hard core. The soft exterior being overmolded to the hard core by either insert or multi-shot methods. The method also including attaching the soft exterior to the hard core mechanically and/or by molecular bonding.