A water separator comprises an axially extending airflow passage, an airflow mixer, a plurality of electric plates of alternating charge, and a mechanical separator. The airflow mixer, the plurality of electric plates, and the mechanical separator are disposed within the airflow passage. The airflow mixer imparts a non-axial flow component on airflow through the airflow passage. The electric plates are situated downstream of the mixer, and create an electric field region within the airflow passage. The mechanical separator is situated at or downstream of the electric field region, and is disposed to separate water droplets from air.

An additive manufacturing device includes at least one liquefier assembly that receives filament material from at least one feedstock and extrudes the material in a flowable form. A thermal drying system removes water vapor and heats compressed air to a preselected temperature set point to form conditioned air. At least one enclosed filament path houses and guides the filament material from a supply to the at least one liquefier assembly. The enclosed filament path is exposed to the conditioned air from the thermal drying system so as to keep the filament material dry as it is fed to the at least one liquefier assembly.

Systems and methods for selectively extracting hydrogen gas dissolved in oil are provided. In one embodiment, a system includes a selectively permeable membrane provided at a point of contact between oil and a sensor chamber. The selectively permeable membrane has a hydrogen specificity and a thickness selected to minimize detection of further gasses dissolved in the oil by a hydrogen gas sensor cross-sensitive to the further gasses. The selectively permeable membrane can include polyimide. The further gasses include carbon monoxide, acetylene, and ethylene. The system can include a further membrane and a porous metal disc. The porous metal disc is bound to the selectively permeable membrane by using the further membrane as an adhesive layer and by applying pressure and temperature. The porous metal disc supports the selectively permeable membrane and the further membrane against pressure of the oil when exposed to a vacuum. The further membrane includes fluorohydrocarbons.

Centrifugal air separators, systems including the same, and methods of separating gas are disclosed. Centrifugal air separators include a separation section configured to separate an input air stream into a clean air stream emitted from an exit port of the separation section and a waste stream emitted from a waste port of the separation section. The separation section includes a coiled duct and is configured to transmit through a duct entrance port a duct input air stream that is at least a portion of the input air stream and to at least partially separate the duct input air stream according to a molecular weight of gaseous components of the duct input air stream into a duct clean air stream that is at least a portion of the clean air stream and a duct waste stream that is at least a portion of the waste stream.

The present invention relates to a column (1) for thermal treatment of fluid mixtures, having a cylindrical, vertically aligned column body (2) which forms a column cavity (3), having a sequence of vertically spaced-apart dual-flow mass transfer trays (8) which are mounted in the column cavity (3) and which have orifices for passage of liquid and gas in countercurrent, and having at least one gas entry orifice (5) disposed below the lowermost of the sequence of dual-flow mass transfer trays (8). It is a characteristic feature of the column of the invention that a gas distribution tray (9) which is disposed between the lowermost of the sequence of dual-flow mass transfer trays (8) and the gas entry orifice (5) has orifices (32) for vertical passage of gas which can be introduced into the column cavity (3) via the gas entry orifice (5), the orifices (32) being formed so as to bring about equal gas distribution over the column cross section. The invention further relates to a process for thermal treatment of fluid mixtures in such a column (1).

A carbon dioxide capture and release method of forming a MOF matrix material including at least one metal-organic-framework crystal that includes at least one metal ion or metal ion cluster coordinated to polydentate organic ligands. The method includes forming a positive moisture swing CO2 host by application of at least a portion of the MOF matrix material to at least a portion of a good, and exposing the good to a feed gas. The method also includes altering the absorption and desorption of CO2 in the CO2 host through a swing absorption/desorption process of moisture content, where an equilibrium pressure of CO2 over the CO2 host is based at least in part on the moisture content. The metal-organic-framework crystal can be UIO-66 including Zr6O4(OH)4(CO2)12 clusters linked by terephthalate acid ligands, and/or Zr6O4(OH)4(CO2)12 clusters linked by amino-terephthalic acid ligands, and/or Zr6O4(OH)4(CO2)12 clusters linked by nitro-terephthalic acid ligands.

The present invention relates to a dehydration composition and method of use thereof for drying gas streams, in particular natural gas streams, wherein the dehydration composition comprises one or more polyhydric alcohol. Said polyhydric alcohol preferably has a hydroxyl content equal to or greater than 31 percent and equal to or less than 75 percent of the formula weight of the compound. Said polyhydric alcohol dehydration compositions are particularly suitable for dewatering and desalting gas stream comprising water and one or more salt.

A flush driving device for a toilet includes a mounting bracket, a control panel that includes a sensing window and manual buttons, and a manual operating mechanism that includes bars cooperating with the manual buttons and rotating mechanisms connected with the bars. Rotating shafts of the rotating mechanisms are mounted in the mounting bracket. An automatic operating mechanism includes a driving motor, a rod controlled by the driving motor, and lifting mechanisms cooperating with the rod. The flush driving device also includes pull arms connected to both the rotating mechanisms and the lifting mechanisms for controlling the flush of the toilet.

A brace for a wall-mounted toilet, particularly useful for wall-mounted porcelain toilets in hospitals and other health care facilities. The brace a weight receiving structure supported by cantilevered struts that attach the brace to the wall, preferably using the same bolts that attach the toilet to the wall. The weight receiving structure may be seat portion that overlies the rim of the toilet bowl, so that the weight of the user is transmitted from the toilet seat to the seat structure and then to the walls through the struts. Alternately, the weight receiving structure may include an under-bowl support that extends underneath the toilet bowl so that the user's weight is transmitted from the bowl to the wall through the struts. Thus, the cantilevered brace increases the weight-bearing capacity of the wall-mounted toilet. A plastic shroud may be included for enclosing the brace and toilet bowl.

Various embodiments of a device for regulating a fluid flow are described that can include first and second downwardly-sloping valves that are biased in a closed position to prevent odors from escaping the device. The device can also include first and second downwardly-sloping valve seats, and configured such that an end portion of the first valve can be seated beneath the first valve seat and an end portion of the second valve can be seated beneath the second valve seat when the first and second valves are in a closed position, respectively.

A toilet training device includes an odor remediation system for absorbing or masking odors that may be created during toilet training. The odor remediation system may include a modular odor remediating insert that may be releasably positioned within a recess that is provided within the toilet training device. The odor remediating insert may include an odor absorbing substance such as sodium bicarbonate, an odor masking substance such as a fragrance or a combination of an odor absorbing substance and an odor masking substance. The toilet training device also includes a system for dispensing wipes that may utilize a recess that is defined in a side wall of the main body portion of the toilet training device. A wipes cartridge is designed so that it can be used to conveniently dispense wipes regardless of whether it is separated from the toilet training device or mounted within the recess of the toilet training device.

A shower door assembly with an integral directional draining system including a shower door frame having a frame body defining a horizontal drain channel and a plurality of drain holes, at least one side panel having a first end and a second end, the first end of the side panel being sized and configured to be fixedly attached to the frame body and the second end of the side panel further including a hinge mount, and at least one door defining a hinge mount rotatably connected to the hinge mount of the side panel and a door drain channel, the door having an upper portion and lower portion. The door of the present invention flares upward and bows outward such that the upper portion of the door is farther away from the shower door frame than the lower portion of the door.

An apparatus that includes two separate reservoirs wherein the first reservoir is molded into the body of the larger artificial body of water and filled using a standard pump from the main body of water. From the larger body of water, the water is then moved upward through the apparatus through the manual opening of a valve assembly. Once the valve assembly is opened, the water moves through the valve assembly and through a grate and into a second reservoir. From this second reservoir, the water is pulled by the force gravity over the spillway into the main body of water, creating a clean, sheer waterfall effect.

A lever control mechanism of a drain valve of a toilet tank has a lever assembly assembled in the wall of the toilet tank and a lever linked to the revolving shaft of the lever assembly. The lever assembly is connected to a deviator, which is disposed with a drive arm; the drive arm is connected to the revolving shaft. The deviator is disposed with a joint portion and at least a leading hole to limit the lever revolving vertically. One end of the lever is run through the leading hole to rotationally connect to the joint portion; the drive arm is revolved by the driving of the revolving shaft to drive the lever revolved in the fan shaped vertical surface limited formed by the joint portion and the leading hole.

There are provided a valve control system, a bidet using the same, and a valve control method. The valve control system includes a latch valve controlling a stream of water in a pipe; a flow rate sensor measuring a flow rate in the pipe; and a valve control device controlling the operation of the latch valve. The valve control device determines whether or not the latch valve is malfunctioning upon analyzing a flow rate measured by the flow rate sensor. When the latch valve is malfunctioning, the valve control device controls the latch valve to re-operate.

A waste collection unit includes a motor supported by a housing. A fan is coupled to the motor by a first member configured to provide a rotational input speed. A liquid-gas separator is coupled to a second member configured to provide a rotational output speed. A speed reduction device is coupled to the first and second members. The speed reduction device is configured to provide a rotational output speed that is less than the rotational input speed. In another embodiment, the fan is arranged in the housing and is directly coupled to the motor by the first member. The fan includes first and second sides respectively including first and second pumping elements. A first waste collection line fluidly connects a urinal to the first side. A second waste collection line fluidly connects a fecal storage container to the second side.

This integrally formed water and space saving lavatory-toilet fixture enables hand washing with potable water from an existing toilet, recycles effluent completely, and provides sanitary, seamless, one-piece, full perimeter tank closure. A flexible hose re-directs supply away from the overflow through an interior fixture cavity and top cast opening toward a basin, that drains back into the reservoir as effluent; supplementing the required volume of water to complete one flush cycle. A cast sidewall basin opening is formed allowing potential drainage to flow through an internal hollow cavity directly into the tank reservoir below. The integrally formed fixture also includes a sloped front wall allowing additional hand washing space, vertically aligned space saving side and rear walls, and, an integrally formed perimeter rim conforming to the shape of the toilet tank edging below, providing hygienic, continuous tank containment and secure, detachable mounting.

A windrower with a harvesting header with a crop cutting assembly for severing crop from the ground windrower has a header pitch sensor for measuring a fore/aft pitch angle and a hydraulic system. The hydraulic system moves the header between an operating height and a raised position, and also controls a fore/aft pitch angle. An electronics control module provides an output to activate solenoid valves in the hydraulic system to move the header between the operating height and the raised position and to select a desired pitch angle. When the header moves from the operating height to the raised position, the electronics control module operates the header hydraulic system to move the header to the zero-tilt condition, and upon lowering the header back the operating height, the electronics control module automatically returns the header to the selected pitch angle it was in at the start of the cycle.

A combination tractor and baler is provided to automate tractor stopping and baler wrapping while incorporating operator interaction to improve the efficiency of the tractor and baler combination in operation. Automated control systems and manual operator devices are utilized to improve the timing of the tractor stop and baler wrapping time sequences. Various methods to improve efficiency, including methods to synchronize tractor stop with wrapping activation are provided.

A system and method for controlling a load on an agricultural harvester (100) comprising a first sensor (124, 126, 128, 130) to sense a first load, a second sensor (132, 134, 136, 138) to sense a second load, an electronic control unit (200) coupled to the first sensor and the second sensor, the electronic control unit (200) being configured to determine a difference between the first load and the second load, and to either (a) raise a harvesting head (102) or (b) stop the agricultural harvester (100), or (c) both, when the difference exceeds a threshold load.

A drive arrangement for driving a first sickle bar section (42) and a second sickle bar section (36) of a harvesting platform (20) comprises a first gearbox (54) and the second gearbox (74) having an output drivingly connected to a respective first end of a respective sickle bar section (36, 42). Drive trains connect the first gearbox (54) and the second gearbox (74) to an input drive shaft (24). At least one of the drive trains comprises a belt drive. A synchronization transmission (82) is coupled to the second ends of the sickle bar sections (36, 42) and couples them in opposite movement directions.

A bale turning apparatus for attachment to a baler to generally align the cylindrical of the bales in each row as the bales are released from the baler. Using the disclosed invention, the bales are essentially turned ninety degrees from the orientation of bales from the position that they are typically released from a round baler. By accomplishing this general alignment of the cylindrical axis of each bale in each row, when baling corn stover or other row crops, the bale loading operation can later be done more efficiently by driving down the rows in the same direction as the combine and baler have traveled.

An agricultural work vehicle includes a vehicle body having longitudinally extending sides. An enclosed engine compartment is configured within the vehicle body. An air inlet is defined in side of the vehicle body for intake of air into the engine compartment. A grain bin forward of the engine compartment includes a grain bin extension skirt mounted above the grain bin. An intake housing is mounted over the air inlet in the vehicle body side and includes a forwardly extending portion mounted alongside the grain bin extension with an inlet opening oriented so as draw air primarily from an area forward of the engine compartment and above the vehicle body.

The present invention relates to a baler ejection system that may be used with an agricultural harvester, such as a round baler, waste baler, combine, or cotton harvester. More particularly, the bale ejection system uses the motion of two pairs of parallel arms that extend transversely from the sidewalls of a bale chamber at two sets of distinct pivot points. When activated by the operator of the bale ejection system, the two pairs of parallel arms raise simultaneously to expose an outlet through which the bale may be ejected. The bale ejection system is designed to allow a larger outlet for the bale evacuation as compared to existing bale ejection systems that employ circular motion to expose the bale outlet. A formed bale may become ejected by one or more conveyer belts that exert a rearward force on the bale within the bale chamber.

A shield apparatus is mounted on the header of an agricultural implement which includes a rotatable collecting member to direct collected material rearwardly towards a rear discharge opening. The shield apparatus includes a panel member and a mounting bracket assembly which supports the panel member above the rear discharge opening of the header spanning in a lateral direction transversely to the forward working direction such that the panel member extends from a rear edge rearward of the collecting member to a front edge which is spaced forward and upwardly in relation to the rear edge. The shield apparatus ensures that material thrown upwardly above the rear of the header frame is redirected downwardly into the rear discharge opening of the header for collection by the implement in the usual manner. The shield apparatus does not interfere with the visibility of the operator when the panel member is clear.

An agricultural working machine has a one control/regulating unit designed to adjust and monitor working parameters, quality parameters or both of the agricultural working machine that influence a harvesting process. The adjusting and monitoring are carried out in an automatable manner by the control/regulating unit using stored families of characteristics. The agricultural working machine also has at least one display device for depicting setpoint values and actual values of the working parameters, quality parameters or both. The control/regulating unit actuates defined measurement points in the stored families of characteristics and the specifically actuated measurement points are located in the boundary regions of the family of characteristics or outside the active working region of the particular family of characteristics.

A harvesting machine for threshing crop materials includes a platform supported in front of a chassis, an erecting device having a number pairs of guiding bars attached to the platform and having a channel formed between two bar members of each pair of guiding bars, a guiding element disposed between every two adjacent pairs of guiding bars for guiding a stalk of the crop materials into the channel of the guiding bars, a number of pawls extended into the channel for sending the stalk of the crop materials into the channel, and a cutting device having two or more cutting elements for cutting the stalk into a lower base segment that carries no grain and an upper straw segment that carries grains.

A stalk reducer bar and an assembly that supports, transports, and rotatably drives a stalk reducer bar in typical environments in which an area of vegetation is to be trimmed are provided. The stalk reducer bar reduces the size of cut stalk segments such as grass stalks segments generated during a lawn mowing operation and includes a carrier body. The carrier body includes a further working portion having a plurality of projections and angular movement of the carrier body in the cutting plane operates to bring the first blade section into stalk cutting engagement with stalks extending from the surface supporting organic matter thereon and operates to bring the plurality of projections of the further working portion into shredding engagement with cut stalks.

A system is provided that automatically stops a tractor as a function of a status of a round baler. This may include a controller such as a baler controller directly or indirectly detecting initial movement of an actuator that moves a wrapper assembly. Based on this detection, conditions for starting a wrap procedure may be determined either by actuator position or by a time period required for moving the wrapper assembly from a home position to a wrap start position. A time period required to bring the tractor to stop may be determined and compared with the time period required for the wrapper assembly to move from the home position to the wrap start position. The baler controller may send a tractor halt command signal for stopping the tractor to coordinate and synchronize bringing the tractor to a complete stop at the same time that the wrapping material is inserted and applied onto the bale at the beginning of a wrapping procedure.

A windguard mechanism comprising a pair of arms attachable to an agricultural machine and a windguard plate extending between the pair of arms and positioned to hold down crop material processed by a pickup mechanism. The windguard plate comprises a first plate fixed between the pair of arms and a second plate positioned movably with respect to the first plate, wherein working surfaces of the first plate and of the second plate form a windguard working surface of an area independent on the position of the second plate.

A rotary implement includes a metallic body that is rotatable around an axis. The metallic body includes a tapered leading edge having an interface surface and an opposite, free surface. The metallic body has a first composition. A metallic layer has a first side surface that is attached to the interface surface and a free, second side surface opposite from the first side surface. The metallic layer has a second, different composition from the first composition. A rotary machine can include an actuator and the rotary implement operably coupled to the actuator. A method for making a rotary implement includes providing the metallic body that has the tapered leading edge having the interface surface and the opposite, free surface. The metallic layer is then attached to the interface surface of the metallic body.

An example method includes providing a packaging device includes a substrate having an integrated circuit die mounting region. A plurality of microstructures, each including an outer insulating layer over a conductive material, are disposed proximate a side of the integrated circuit die mounting region. An underfill material is disposed between the substrate and the integrated circuit die, the microstructures preventing spread of the underfill. In another example method, a via can be formed in a substrate and the substrate etched to form a bump or pillar from the via. An insulating material can be formed over the bump or pillar. In another example method, a photoresist deposited over a seed layer and patterned to form openings. A conductive material is plated in the openings, forming a plurality of pillars or bumps. The photoresist and exposed seed layer are removed. The conductive material is oxidized to form an insulating material.

A semiconductor device includes a first moisture-resistant ring disposed in a peripheral region surrounding a circuit region on a semiconductor substrate in such a way as to surround the circuit region and a second moisture-resistant ring disposed in the peripheral region in such a way as to surround the first moisture-resistant ring.

A system for determining thickness variation values of a semiconductor substrate comprises a substrate vacuumed to a pedestal that defines a reference plane for measuring the substrate. A measurement probe assembly determines substrate CTV and BTV values, and defines a substrate slope angle. A thermal bonding assembly attaches a die to the substrate at a bonding angle congruent with the substrate slope angle. A plurality of substrates are measured using the same reference plane on the pedestal. Associated methods and processes are disclosed.

A first photoresist pattern and a second photoresist pattern are formed over a substrate. The first photoresist pattern is separated from the second photoresist pattern by a gap. A chemical mixture is coated on the first and second photoresist patterns. The chemical mixture contains a chemical material and surfactant particles mixed into the chemical material. The chemical mixture fills the gap. A baking process is performed on the first and second photoresist patterns, the baking process causing the gap to shrink. At least some surfactant particles are disposed at sidewall boundaries of the gap. A developing process is performed on the first and second photoresist patterns. The developing process removes the chemical mixture in the gap and over the photoresist patterns. The surfactant particles disposed at sidewall boundaries of the gap reduce a capillary effect during the developing process.

Manufacturing methods of JFET-type compact three-dimensional memory (3D-MC) are disclosed. In a memory level stacked above the substrate, an x-line extends from a memory array to an above-substrate decoding stage. A JFET-type transistor is formed on the x-line as a decoding device for the above-substrate decoding stage, where the overlap portion of the x-line with the control-line (c-line) is semi-conductive.

A method is provided for making smooth crystalline semiconductor thin-films and hole and electron transport films for solar cells and other electronic devices. Such semiconductor films have an average roughness of 3.4 nm thus allowing for effective deposition of additional semiconductor film layers such as perovskites for tandem solar cell structures which require extremely smooth surfaces for high quality device fabrication.

A copper-zinc alloy product of the invention contains zinc in an amount of higher than 35% by weight and 43% by weight or less and has a two-phase structure of an α-phase and a β-phase. Further, the ratio of the β-phase in the copper-zinc alloy is controlled to be higher than 10% and less than 40% and the crystal grains of the α-phase and the β-phase are crushed into a flat shape and arranged in a layer shape through cold working. According to the copper-zinc alloy product, it is possible to decrease the copper content and to appropriately secure the strength and cold workability by appropriately controlling the ratio of the β-phase.

A removable device for holding or clipping at least two pieces of paper, cardboard, plastic film or other sheets of material together. The paper clip includes a self biasing spring member for providing spring tension to hold an article to a flat substrate such as a piece of paper or papers and may include locking elements for removable engagement and holding of sheets of paper or the like together.

A wire gripping assembly for securing an electrical box or light fixture to a support. The wire gripping assembly includes a wire gripping device having a body with open channels and a through bore, a clip member having legs for sliding engagement within the channels, a cable having an end connector thereon, and a thumbscrew for adjusting the clip member with respect to the body. The thumbscrew includes a head having an outer circumference with serrations to enable hand tightening and an end with a slot for engagement by a screwdriver or similar tool. The wire gripping assembly eases installation of an electrical device to an overhead support by enabling a two-step connection including initial hand tightening using the serrated outer surface of the thumbscrew and subsequent secure tightening by engaging the slot of the thumbscrew with a screwdriver or similar tool.

A Self-Aligning Zipper is disclosed that allows for one handed operation by anyone who would, otherwise use a zipper or use of the Self-Aligning Zipper by those with physical and developmental limitations or equipment such, as cold weather gloves or mittens. The proper alignment of each half of the Self-Aligning Zipper is accomplished by way of magnets of opposite polarity along with structural guide elements to ensure proper alignment and operation of the zipper.

Providing a slider for a concealed slide fastener, capable of achieving a smooth sliding operation of the slider, even when the slider is applied to a seat cover for a seat and strong lateral pulling force is applied to the slider when the slide fastener is closed. A slider for a concealed slide fastener comprises a slider body having at least a lower blade, left and right side wall portions and left and right first flanges, and slider upper plate member engaged with the slider body and having at least a second flange projecting toward at least the left and right side wall portions.

A memorial product is presently disclosed that includes a glass structure having a first helix of cremation remains and a second helix of a second material, wherein the helix of the cremation remains and the helix of the second material are intertwined to form a double helix in the glass structure. In some embodiments, the second material is additional cremation remains or a colored material selected to correspond to the deceased represented by the cremation remains. Also disclosed is a method of manufacturing a memorial product including forming a first portion of molten glass into a substantially cylindrical shape having an exterior surface, applying cremation remains on a first portion of the exterior surface, applying a second material on a second portion of the exterior surface, and gathering a second portion of molten glass over the first portion of molten glass to encase the cremation remains and the second material.

A method of forming a sheet metal casket comprises providing a sheet metal casket shell having at least a portion of an end wall and at least a portion of a side wall and a round corner between the portion of the end wall and the portion of the side wall, and forming a generally planar corner oriented at about a 45° angle relative to the portion of the end wall and the portion of the side wall.

An apparatus including a mounting platform, wherein the mounting platform includes a substantially planar mounting surface; a clamping mechanism on the mounting surface; a memorial item retained by the clamping mechanism; and an arrangement of handles on a side of the mounting platform, wherein the side is substantially normal to the plane of the mounting surface.

An apparatus for preserving human or animal remains comprising a burial chamber further comprising a hermetically sealed interior containing gas or water vapor, wherein the gas creates a gas pressure within the hermetically sealed interior, and a vacuum pump, wherein the vacuum pump is in functional communication with the hermetically sealed interior, wherein the vacuum pump operates to evacuate the gas or the water vapor from the hermetically sealed interior, and wherein the vacuum pump is intermittently activated to reduce the gas pressure within the hermetically sealed interior for a desiccating duration.