This invention concerns a method and apparatus for dispensing minute quantities of highly viscous material from a jetting needle when an expelling mechanism is activated using a nozzle plate with a jetting chamber having a top formed by a diaphragm and a bottom in fluid communication with a jetting needle. Fluid enters the chamber from an inlet channel and is jetted from the chamber by deforming the diaphragm to block the channel and expel a drop of fluid from the needle. A diaphragm driven metering chamber and/or reservoir chamber can optionally be used provide fluid to the jetting chamber.

An apparatus for safely retaining an eye implant lens for transport and access for inspection and use in which a holding apparatus has a chamber for holding a lens. In one embodiment the chamber has a pin on which a lens can be placed and a ramp leading to the pin so that a gripping member can slide up the ramp into proper placement to grip the lens and remove it. The gripper can be configured so that after removing the lens from the holding apparatus, it can be used to implant the lens. Also, a system including the apparatus and a bottle assembly that will hold the apparatus in the bottle. A method for holding an eye implant lens in which a lens is placed in the apparatus which can then be placed in a bottle assembly.

A blowout preventer (BOP) lifting apparatus has a reinforced frame and a gate for securing a BOP stack. The frame has a central U-shaped recess for securing a collared portion of the BOP stack. The gate pivotally swings between a closed position on the frame and an open position for installation and removal of the lifting apparatus from the BOP stack. An actuator has a first end connected to a top surface of the frame and a second end connected to the gate for actuating the opening and closing of the gate to the frame. When the gate is in the closed position, three locking pins are inserted into three vertical pinning holes located on the frame, which are aligned with three pinning holes located on the gate. The apparatus may be lifted via cables or other lifting mechanisms attached via lifting eyelets located on each corner of the frame.

An apparatus for closing opened packaging includes a base having an upper surface and a lower surface, a strap attached to the base, and two complementary handle sections attached to the base. The handle sections extend upwardly from the upper surface of the base, and together form a grippable handle. A space exists between the handle sections to receive the strap therethrough. The handle sections can be releasably attached to each other.

A multipurpose tool and method usable to remove debris and/or other retentate from a skimmer basket or a filter associated with a swimming pool, and/or to remove the skimmer well lid and the skimmer basket and/or filter from a skimmer well. The tool comprises two elongate members pivotally connected, each elongate member having a protrusion connected thereto at one end and a handle at the other. Each elongate member can have a scooping element connected thereto. The protrusions can point away from each other and can be adapted to move away from each other in response to the handles being moved towards each other.

According to one embodiment, A chucking apparatus includes an arm that is configured to hold a test tube, an opening/closing mechanism that opens/closes the arm, a motor that drives the opening/closing mechanism, and a supplying unit configured to supply electric power to the motor at two different supply voltages.

To enable positioning a robot arm and a workpiece with high accuracy while reducing vibrations of a camera. According to the claimed invention for this purpose, a robot station 100 includes a pedestal 103 to which robot arms 101 and 102 are fixed, a camera 106 which images an area including a working area 209 of the pedestal 103, and a booth 104 to which the camera 106 is fixed. The pedestal 103 is fixed to a floor surface, and the booth 104 is fixed to the floor surface without contacting the pedestal 103. The booth 104 is formed in the shape of a rectangular parallelepiped having a short side parallel to a workpiece conveying direction T and a long side perpendicular to the workpiece conveying direction T in a plan view. In the booth 104, the length of the long side y of the booth 104 is set to not less than the sum of a maximum length by which the robot arms 101 and 102 protrude from the pedestal 103 in a direction perpendicular to the workpiece conveying direction T and the length in the direction perpendicular to the workpiece conveying direction T of the pedestal 103 in a plan view.

Apparatus and methods for pet waste disposal include using a portable waste collection receptacle disposed on a handle. A heat source is mounted together with the waste collection receptacle, capable of incinerating waste disposed in the waste collection receptacle.

According to an installation method of a water-chamber working apparatus of the present invention, the water-chamber working apparatus includes a base that holds heat transfer tubes on a tube plate surface and is fixed to the tube plate surface, and a manipulator that is coupled with the base, suspended in a water chamber and arranged therein, and has a separable configuration. In this case, a base installing step of installing the base on the tube plate surface and a manipulator coupling step of carrying the separated manipulator (a front stage and a rear stage) into the water chamber sequentially and individually and coupling the manipulator with the base (a coupling link) are performed.

A method and apparatus for repairing and/or reinforcing a Boiling Water Reactor (BWR) jet pump riser pipe. The repair includes attaching two collars to the riser pipe using match drilling to drill holes through the collars and the riser pipe and plugging the holes with expandable plugs. Support columns are attached to the collars. Brace supports are slideably attached to the support columns. Gaps between each brace support and its respective collar are then narrowed as ratchet bolts may apply a force that pulls downward on an upper collar and pulls upward on a lower collar, thereby exerting a compression force on the riser pipe. A clamp assembly may also be located between the two collars that applies a hoop force on the riser pipe.

An apparatus for monitoring nuclear thermal hydraulic stability of a nuclear reactor, contains: a calculation unit configured to calculate a stability index of a nuclear thermal hydraulic phenomenon based on nuclear instrumentation signals, the signals being outputted by a plurality of nuclear instrumentation detectors placed at regular intervals in a reactor core; a simulation unit configured to simulate the nuclear thermal hydraulic phenomenon based on a physical model by using information on an operating state of the nuclear reactor as an input condition; a limit value updating unit configured to update a limit value of the nuclear thermal hydraulic phenomenon based on a result of the simulation; and a determination unit configured to determine, based on the stability index and the limit value, whether or not to activate a power oscillation suppressing device.

A method and apparatus for securely fastening a pipe collar or a bracket to a riser pipe of a boiling water reactor (BWR) jet pump assembly. A pipe plug assembly includes an angled pipe plug that acts as a wedge to expand a bushing assembly as the pipe plug is drawn into the overall pipe plug assembly. Expansion of the bushing assembly allows a tight tolerance to exist between an outer diameter of the pipe plug and an inner diameter of the collar/bracket and riser pipe. Expansion of the bushing assembly allows a straight hole to be match drilled into the collar/bracket and riser pipe, thereby avoiding a more complicated tapered hole to be drilled into the collar/bracket and riser pipe. An ensuing tight fit between the pipe plug assembly, the collar/bracket and the riser pipe mitigates vibration of components and minimizes leakage to acceptable levels for use in the flooded environment of the annulus region where the jet pump assembly exists in the BWR.

A control rod/fuel support handling apparatus that is used in the case where a control rod and a fuel support are held, removed and lifted in a reactor and then are transported into the reactor in a periodical inspection of a BWR and in the case where the control rod and the fuel support are attached and mounted again into the reactor, the control rod/fuel support handling apparatus including: a fuel support gripper that holds the fuel support with a support gripping member; a control rod gripper that includes a vertically movable and rotatable elevating/rotating unit, holds the control rod with a control rod gripping member, disconnects and connects the control rod and a control rod drive mechanism, and allows removal and attachment of the control rod; and a control panel that controls automatically controls the control rod gripper in response to the instructions from an operation pendant.

A system, method and apparatus for providing additional radiation shielding to a ventilated cask for holding high level radioactive materials. The invention utilizes a tubular shell that is ancillary to the ventilated cask that circumscribes the ventilated cask to add radiation shielding protection while improving heat removal by natural convective air flow. Because the tubular shell and cask are non-unitary and slidably separable from one another, crane lifting capacity is not affected. In one aspect, the invention is an apparatus for providing additional radiation shielding to a cask holding high level radioactive materials comprising: a tubular shell extending from an open bottom end to an open top end, the tubular shell having an inner surface that forms a cavity about a longitudinal axis; a plurality of primary apertures forming passageways through the tubular shell and circumferentially arranged in a spaced-apart manner about the tubular shell; a plurality of secondary apertures forming passageways through the tubular shell and circumferentially arranged in a spaced-apart manner about the tubular shell; and an annular seal coupled to the tubular shell and extending from the inner surface of the tubular shell; wherein the secondary apertures are located at an axial height above the annular seal and the primary apertures are located at an axial height below the annular seal.

A compressor assembly and the method of using the same which includes an elongated spiral passageway within which a compact toroid plasma, such as a compact toroid plasma structure, can be efficiently compressed to a high-energy state by compressing the compact toroid plasma structure by its own momentum against the wall of the spiral passageway in a manner to induce heating by conservation of energy. The compressor assembly also includes a burn chamber that is in communication with the spiral passageway and into which the compressed compact toroid plasma structure is introduced following its compression.

In a board- or computer-implemented game, each of two opposing players is associated with a set of markers distinguishable from the markers associated with the other player. The markers are initially set up in an array of mutually perpendicular rows and columns of allowable marker positions, with the markers of each player being in two adjacent rows and a V-shaped pattern composed of two oblique rows extending from an apex toward end markers in a second of the two rows. Players take turns, moving markers to unoccupied allowable positions, optionally jumping their own markers, and optional jumping and capturing an opponent's marker or markers.

Shooters must presently take their firearms out of their hands to then manually actuate a new target into shooting position. This Target Apparatus will allow the shooter to shine his laser light, infrared light, flashlight, or multi-spectrum light onto a Target Apparatus-mounted sensor that engages a drive means mounted upon the target frame that then forwards a new target into position without removing the firearm from its' shooting position. The unit also uses a unique target backing material that does not require targets to be made of rolls of coated or heavy material stock. The system can utilize rolls of cash register paper, cut sections of gift wrapping paper, hand towel rolls, or even paper towels as target materials without snagging and preventing the next target from being presented.

Each play of a base game increases the likelihood of winning a bonus award. A display provides a graphical indication of the change in likelihood of winning the bonus award. In one aspect, the bonus award comprises the opportunity to play a secondary game.

A ramp for launching an object at a target is provided, the ramp having: a release mechanism mounted to the ramp for movement between a first position and a second position, wherein the release mechanism is configured to retain the object with respect to the ramp when it is in the first position and wherein the release mechanism is configured to release the object when the release mechanism is in the second position; and wherein the release mechanism further comprises an arm member pivotally mounted to the ramp and the arm member has a plurality of features each spaced from each other and extending from the arm member above a surface of the ramp when the release mechanism is in the first position.

A game apparatus and a method using trays as the game board with vertical support columns, two sets of playing pieces and two launching devices. The one or more vertical support columns attach to the one or more trays to support the trays horizontally above a support surface. On the surface of each of the trays is a matrix and each element of the matrix has a recessed compartment orthogonal to the surface of the tray. Each recessed compartment is sized to hold a multiplicity of both types of playing pieces in a stacked manner. The recessed compartments may also be created so that the order and the number of the playing pieces in each recessed compartment are observable for additional variety in game play.

A ramp for launching an object at a target is provided, the ramp having: a release mechanism mounted to the ramp for movement between a first position and a second position, wherein the release mechanism is configured to retain the object with respect to the ramp when it is in the first position and wherein the release mechanism is configured to release the object when the release mechanism is in the second position; and wherein the release mechanism further comprises an arm member pivotally mounted to the ramp and the arm member has a plurality of features each spaced from each other and extending from the arm member above a surface of the ramp when the release mechanism is in the first position.

A method for scanning and decoding encoded symbols comprises processing low resolution image data from a full field of view and/or high resolution image data from one or more windowed segments of the field of view to provide imaging that is easily adaptable to different types of symbols and varying environmental conditions. The scanning method can be switched between the low resolution mode and the high resolution mode automatically based on whether the low resolution data is sufficiently accurate to decode the symbol.

A banking system is controlled responsive to data read from data bearing records. The banking system includes an automated banking machine. The machine is operable to carry out a financial transaction for a person responsive to a determination that the person is an authorized user of the machine based on correspondence between identifying data read by a reader of the machine and data store information. The machine includes a check acceptor that is operative to receive checks from authorized machine users. The check acceptor is operable to continuously move a received check along its transport path while simultaneously rotationally orienting the check into alignment with the transport path. A check determined not to have at least one property of an acceptable check is returned to the machine user. Acceptable checks are processed and stored in the machine.

An embodiment of an apparatus for determining the attitude angles of a weapon includes a number of accelerometers for measuring the components of the acceleration of the weapon along the axes of a first reference system integral with weapon; a number of gyroscopes configured in such a way to measure the components of the angular speed of the weapon along the axes of the reference body; and a processing unit configured to compute a number of actual attitude angles of the weapon under dynamic conditions based on the components of the angular speed; determine a number of static attitude angles of the weapon under static conditions of the weapon based on the components of the acceleration; and correct the components of angular speed according to static attitude angles and to the actual attitude angles.

A method includes transmitting from at least one of the imaging sensors to a controller a short frame data that is collected by the at least one of the imaging sensors when the illumination source is activated to provide the illumination light toward the target object with a first illumination level. The method further includes transmitting subsequently from the at least one of the imaging sensors to the controller a regular frame data that is collected by the at least one of the imaging sensors when the illumination source is activated to provide the illumination light toward the target object with a second illumination level that is determined based upon the short frame data. The size of the regular frame data being at least 50 times larger than the size of the short frame data.

A method is provided for performing action commands on a mobile terminal. The method includes reading a 2D barcode to obtain 2D barcode information. The 2D barcode information includes at least an action command identifier and a call instruction for calling an application program interface (API) corresponding to the action command. The method also includes calling the API corresponding to the action command and completing execution of the action command.

A method for manufacture of an electronic interface card (100) including defining a pair of apertures in a substrate layer (116), associating an antenna (112) with the substrate layer (116) such that opposite ends of the antenna (112) terminate at the apertures, placing a metal element in each of the apertures, connecting the ends of the antenna to the metal elements, laminating the substrate layer together with a top layer (114) and a bottom layer (118), forming a recess (122) in the top layer and the substrate layer, attaching end of connection wires (130) to the metal elements, attaching opposite ends of the connection wires (130) to a chip module (120) and sealing the chip module in the recess (122).

An imaging reader reads targets by image capture in both handheld and hands-free modes of operation. Upon detection of the mode of operation, a controller sets the resolution and frame rate of a solid-state imaging sensor to different values in each mode to optimize target reading performance in each mode.

Disclosed is an apparatus for protecting an analog input module from overvoltage, the apparatus including an analog input module and a stabilization unit. The analog input module converts one of a plurality of positive/negative analog signals inputted from the outside thereof into a digital signal and insulates the converted digital signal. The stabilization unit supplies voltages of the positive/negative analog signals to the analog input module when the voltage levels of the plurality of positive/negative analog signals are higher than the levels of positive/negative operating voltages in the analog input module.

A switching device driving apparatus for preventing arm short circuit is provided, including: a first switching device driving unit for receiving a control signal for controlling a first switching device and a second switching device so that they will not turn ON at the same time and outputting an ON/OFF drive signal to the first switching device; and a second switching device driving unit for receiving the control signal and outputting an ON/OFF drive signal to the second switching device, in which the first switching device driving unit outputs a drive signal for increasing the delay of the ON timing of the first switching device with respect to the OFF timing of the second switching device with increase in ambient temperature.

A semiconductor apparatus is provided herein for reducing power when transmitting data between a first device and a second device in the semiconductor apparatus. Additional circuitry is added to the semiconductor apparatus to create a communication system that decreases a number of state changes for each signal line of a data bus between the first device and the second device for all communications. The additional circuitry includes a decoder coupled to receive and convert a value from the first device for transmission over the data bus to an encoder that provides a recovered (i.e., re-encoded) version of the value to the second device. One or more multiplexers may also be included in the additional circuitry to support any number of devices.

Apparatus and methods for ultrasound transmit switching are provided. In certain implementations, a transmit switch includes a bias polarity control circuit, a bias circuit, a first high voltage field effect transistor (HVFET), and a second HVFET. The sources of the first and second HVFETs are connected to one another at a source node, the gates of the first and second HVFETs are connected to one another at a gate node, and the drains of the first and second HVFETs are connected to an input terminal and an output terminal, respectively. The bias circuit and the bias polarity control circuit are each electrically connected between the source node and the gate node. The bias polarity control circuit can turn on or off the HVFETs by controlling a polarity of a bias voltage across the bias circuit, such as by controlling a direction of current flow through the bias circuit.

An apparatus to improve traction conditions for motor vehicles under winter time driving conditions is disclosed. The invention comprises a sand storage reservoir and delivery system that supplies sand to each tire of a motor vehicle to aid in traction when driving in icy or snowy conditions found in wintertime driving. The sand reservoir provides sand to a plenum through four distinct sand compartments which dispense individual slugs of sand to a series of discs, connected via a cable, which move the sand through a delivery pipe to any of the four motor vehicle tires, as selected by application levers on the sand reservoir. The reservoir and associated controls are located inside the passenger compartment of the motor vehicle with the delivery tubes located on the undercarriage of the motor vehicle.

A sensor detects force or other indications of an impending rollover of a motorized land vehicle. Upon detection of a threshold force value, the sensor actuates an applicator that delivers traction reducing fluid to the contact patch between at least one of the vehicle tires and the ground. The vehicle is enabled to dissipate the rollover inducing force by sliding laterally in preference to rolling over.

An apparatus for applying granular material to a rail adjacent to a wheel of a train includes a granular supply material container to which a granular material injection assembly is connected. The granular material injection assembly includes a housing having a mixing chamber. An insert is connected with the housing. A first end portion of the insert has an air inlet through which air flows into the mixing chamber. A second end portion of the insert has an air outlet through which air and granular material flow from the mixing chamber. A valve may be mounted in the air inlet portion of the insert. A venturi may be mounted in the air outlet portion of the insert. A deflector portion of the insert deflects granular material away from a path of flow of air between the air inlet and the air and granular material outlet.

A method for applying a liquid composition to a rail surface is provided. This method involves supplying a liquid composition in one or more reservoirs on a rail car (revenue generating car), and applying the liquid composition from the one or more reservoirs to the rail surface.

A system and method for controlling an application of a friction modifying agent to an area of contact between a railway wheel and a railway rail over which the wheel is traversing to selectively modify the coefficient of friction at the contact area. A sensor is used for detecting a parameter relating to the operation of the railway train. A controller is responsive to the sensor for selecting one or more of a plurality of friction modifying agents and controls the application of the agent to the rail as a function of the parameter. An applicator is responsive to the controller and applies the friction modifying agent to the area of contact between the railway wheel and rail. A second application of the agent may be predicated upon the effectiveness of a first application of the agent. The selection of the appropriate agent may include a consideration of a current location of the railway vehicle.

A system for increasing the efficiency of the movement of a railroad car over a length of rail, including a fluid reservoir for containing a quantity of efficiency enhancing fluid, a fluid dispensing member, a fluid pump connected in fluidic communication between the reservoir and the fluid dispensing member for dispensing a predetermined quantity of fluid through the fluid dispensing member, a microprocessor operationally connected to the fluid pump, and a first sensor for generating a first sensor signal in response to a railroad car crossing a predetermined section of track and operationally connected to the microprocessor. The fluid dispensing member is positioned along a railroad portion substantially equal in length to the circumference of a railroad car wheel to provide a substantially continuous flow of efficiency enhancing fluid substantially equal in length to the circumference of a railroad car wheel onto the rail portion when the predetermined quantity of fluid is dispensed.

The traction material dispensing apparatus mounts within the wheel well of a fender of a vehicle and is therefore visually and physically unobtrusive. The apparatus selectively dispenses traction material both in front of and behind a vehicle tire. A driver-accessed switch controls the apparatus dispensing of material. Of importance is that the manifolds, funnels, and nozzles are gravity fed by the vessel so that agitators and pressurized material flow assistance is not needed. Flappers within each manifold are controlled by the driver-actuated switch and control delivery of the traction material to the nozzles. As with the flappers, flow from the nozzles is controlled by a miniature DC (direct current) motor powered by the vehicle's electrical system. Screens ensure breakup of any clumps and therefore proper dispersion of traction material to the roadway.

A method, and an apparatus, for monitoring the sand supply in a sand tank (2) of a sand-scattering device in vehicles, in particular in express trains. To prevent an insufficient sand supply, the sand-supply level is monitored by a inspection point.

A method for applying a liquid composition to a rail surface is provided. This method involves supplying a liquid composition in one or more reservoirs on a rail car (revenue generating car), and applying the liquid composition from the one or more reservoirs to the rail surface.

An apparatus for aligning a dispenser includes a table having a first alignment mark, an alignment plate provided along at least one side of the table, at least one syringe supplying a dispensing material to the alignment plate through a nozzle provided at one end portion thereof to form a second alignment mark, a first image camera provided along a side of the syringe and detecting an image of the second alignment mark, a second image camera detecting an image of the first alignment mark, and an alignment control unit aligning the image of the second alignment mark and a first reference position, and aligning an image of the first alignment mark and a second reference position.

A display device according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention includes a substrate, a display panel disposed on the substrate, a sealing substrate which is disposed opposite to the display panel, and a sealing unit disposed between the substrate and the sealing substrate, enclosing the display panel. The sealing unit has a penetration hole which passes through the sealing unit in a vertical direction.

An organic light emitting display apparatus includes a pixel part including a pixel electrode, a light emitting layer and an opposite electrode, and a contact part in which the opposite electrode contacts a power line, wherein a first thickness of the opposite electrode in the pixel part is different from a second thickness of the opposite electrode in the contact part.

Disclosed is a method of producing an organic light emitting device, an organic light emitting device produced by using the method, and an apparatus used in the method. The method includes preparing a first electrode, forming one or more organic material layers on the first electrode, and forming a second electrode on the organic material layers, wherein the method includes changing functions of predetermined pattern regions of one or more layers of the organic material layers or the electrodes.

The present invention relates to a method of and a vertical pumping device (1) for internally distributing Hg in a fluorescent tube body (3). The bottom (7) of the fluorescent tube body (3) is closed. The device (1) arranges, in a first position, a first solid body (9') comprising a predetermined first amount of bound Hg. The device (1) arranges, in a second position, a second solid body (9″) comprising a predetermined second amount of bound Hg. A first release (E1) of the first amount of Hg is achieved in the fluorescent tube body (3) by gasification with heat and under pressure for purification of contaminant particles in the fluorescent tube body. A second release (E2) of the second amount of Hg is achieved in the fluorescent tube body (3) by gasification attained for the occluded mercury vapour of the fluorescent tube body (3).

Provided is an apparatus for manufacturing a deposition mask assembly for a flat panel display, which prevents a pattern from being distorted in a pattern mask when divided pattern masks are welded to a support fixture. An apparatus for manufacturing a deposition mask assembly for a flat panel display of the present description, which includes a frame mask forming an opening, a support fixture installed in the frame mask, and a pattern mask welded to the support fixture to have a pattern allowing a deposition material to be transmitted therethrough, includes: a welding head disposed in a side of the pattern mask; and a support member supporting the support fixture in an opposite side of the welding head with the pattern mask interposed therebetween.

An apparatus and a method of manufacturing a thin film semiconductor device having a thin film transistor with improved electrical properties in organic light-emitting display apparatus are described.

The invention relates to a process and apparatus for recovering sulfur (9). In a sour gas scrubbing apparatus (S) comprises a scrubbing part (SP) and a regeneration part (RP), wherein sulfur components and carbon dioxide are selectively removed from a crude synthesis gas (2) with the aid of a circulating scrubbing agent (3). A sulfur-containing gas fraction (8) produced during the regeneration of loaded scrubbing agent is supplied to a sulfur recovery system (SR) in which an off-gas (10) comprising carbon dioxide and also sulfur components is formed. The off-gas is hydrogenated (H) and subsequently subjected to a gas scrubbing operation (Z). The hydrogenated off-gas (12) is scrubbed, independently of the crude synthesis gas (2), and scrubbing agent (13) removed from the scrubbing agent circuit of the sour gas scrubbing apparatus (S) is used to scrub out sulfur components from the hydrogenated off-gas (12).

A method for extending the service life of a Collective Protection (CP) filter includes: providing at least one CP filter comprising a filter bed; and passing an airstream through a guard bed configured to protect the filter bed by removing one or more of airborne contaminants and battlefield contaminants. An apparatus for extending the service life of a CP filter includes: a CP filter comprising a filter bed; and a guard bed configured to protect the filter bed by removing one or more of airborne contaminants and battlefield contaminants.