A dishwasher includes a washing compartment, at least one dishware container, and a guide assembly to allow the dishware container to be moved out of the washing compartment and into the washing compartment. The movement of the dishware container in relation to the washing compartment is cushioned by at least one damping device which is arranged inside the washing compartment.

A bushing is for supporting a movable cylindrical body within a housing, the housing having a central axis, an inner circumferential surface and an annular groove formed in the surface. The bushing includes a plurality of generally arcuate tube segments disposable within the groove and alignable circumferentially about the housing axis so as to form a generally tubular body configured to slidably support the cylindrical body. Preferably, each tube segment is formed of a generally rigid metallic material.

An adjustable damping valve device with a damping valve has an elastic element, applies an axial relative force between two elements which are constructed so as to be axially movable relative to the valve housing, or the elastic element applies a relative force between an element of the damping valve, which element is constructed so as to be axially movable relative to the valve housing, and the valve housing, or the elastic element applies a relative force between an element of the damping valve, which element is constructed so as to be axially movable relative to the valve housing, and an element which is constructed so as not to be displaceable relative to the valve housing, so that one of the axially movable elements releases a flow passage for the flow of damping medium through the damping valve at least in a neutral state of the damping valve device.

A friction-damping energy absorber has at least one sliding post, a sliding sleeve, and two supporting boards. The at least one sliding post has two ends. Each one of the at least one sliding post is composed of multiple first material layers and multiple second material layers arranged in an alternate manner mounted. The sliding sleeve is mounted around at least one part of the at least one sliding post and is composed of at least one sliding unit. The supporting boards are respectively mounted on two ends of the at least one sliding post.

A brake piston includes a piston pocket. The piston pocket receives a nut that is axially movable along a center axis. The nut is restricted from rotating within the piston pocket when a torque due to a frictional engagement between a nut seal and an inner pocket wall, one or more projections, or both is greater than an input torque at the nut. The nut is rotatable within the piston pocket when a torque due to the frictional engagement between the nut seal and the inner pocket wall, the one or more projections or both is less than the input torque at the nut and is less than the torque due to the frictional engagement between the piston and the piston seal.

A damper assembly includes a housing and rod supported by the housing. A piston assembly is attached to the rod, and is positioned to separate an interior chamber of the housing into a first fluid chamber and a second fluid chamber. The piston assembly includes an annular plate that defines at least one orifice. The orifice interconnects the first fluid chamber and the second fluid chamber in fluid communication. The damper assembly includes a piezoelectric device that is moveable between a disengaged position and an engaged position, in response to a control signal. When disposed in the disengaged position, the piezoelectric device does not affect fluid flow through the at least one orifice. When disposed in the engaged position, the piezoelectric device does affect fluid flow through the at least one orifice, to adjust a damping rate of the piston assembly.

An adjustment control for adjusting a damping curve of a shock absorber includes an aperture seat coupled to a base of the shock absorber. The aperture seat defines a flow tube. A plug, in mechanical communication with a spring, slidably engages the flow tube. A plug nut is threadably coupled to an adjustment nut shaft stud and is in mechanical communication with the spring. An adjustment nut is coupled to the base. The adjustment nut has a non-circular cavity to receive at least a portion of the adjustment nut shaft stud and at least a portion of the non-circular region of the plug nut such that the plug nut cannot rotate relative to the non-circular cavity of the adjustment nut. An adjustment knob causes rotation of the adjustment nut shaft stud. The rotation of the adjustment nut shaft stud causes axial movement of the plug nut.

The present disclosure provides a torque tube comprising a barrel portion disposed between a flange and a back leg, the flange extending radially inward towards an axis of rotation and the back leg extending radially outward from the barrel portion. The torque tube further comprises a channel defined by a channel wall and disposed in at least one of the barrel portion and the flange, the channel being configured to receive a sacrificial member.

The present disclosure provides systems for mitigating brake vibration. In various embodiments, a brake force distribution arrangement may comprise: a member in operable communication with an actuator having at least two contact surfaces such that as one of the at least two contact surfaces moves in a direction of actuation of the actuator the other moves in a direction opposite to the direction of actuation of the actuator.

A torque tube for use in a disk brake system in accordance with various embodiments includes a backleg having a reaction plate and a foot extending axially away from the reaction plate. The torque tube also includes a barrel having a tubular structure having an axis and an inner surface configured to receive the foot.

A piston manufacturing device includes a first forming device (42) configured to form an annular groove (61) in a piston (11), and a second forming device (52) configured to press an edge (15) of an opening (14) of the piston (11) toward other end side in an axial direction of the piston (11) and to form a thick section (65) extruded from an inner circumferential surface (12b) arranged between the edge (15) and the groove (61) toward an axial center side of the piston (11), wherein a recessed section (53) is formed at a portion of the second forming device (52) that is arranged to abut the edge (15) so that an inner circumferential side of the edge (15) is plastically deformed toward the other end side in an axial direction of the piston (11).

A cylinder (1), particularly for a vibration damper, includes a base (3) and a sleeve-shaped add-on part (5) which at least partially surrounds the cylinder (1) and which has at an end of the cylinder a radially inwardly directed edge profile. The edge profile (11) contacts an end face of the cylinder (1) in a noncontacting manner with respect to the base.

In one embodiment, a gasification system component, such as a quench unit or scrubber may retain of pool of a cooling fluid for cooling another fluid. The gasification system component includes a flow damping mechanism designed to dampen flow of the cooling fluid, the other fluid, or both, within the gasification system component. The flow damping mechanism may be disposed in an inner chamber formed between a dip tube and a draft tube or disposed in an outer chamber formed between the walls of the gasification system component and the draft tube. The flow damping mechanism also may be disposed between the inner chamber and the outer chamber.

Provided are an apparatus and a method for rapidly producing a synthetic gas from a bio-diesel byproduct using microwave plasma, in which, while a plasma flame is generated by a plasma generator and waste glycerin, a bio-diesel byproduct, as fuel, is gasified by being supplied to the generated plasma flame of high temperature, the fuel is supplied in various types to increase the contact time or the contact area with the plasma flame and thus promote gasification thereof and the contents of steam and oxygen supplied and the plasma power are controlled to increase the collection amount of combustible gas and thus allow rapid production of the synthetic gas.

A force biased spring probe pin assembly includes a barrel member having a barrel wall defining an elongate internal cavity with a lower end and an upper end. The assembly also includes a first plunger member reciprocally mounted in the internal cavity proximate the lower end of the internal cavity. A spring member is positioned in the internal cavity between the plunger member and the second end of the internal cavity. Three or more conductive bearings are positioned in the internal cavity in contact with the first plunger member and the spring member. A force biased spring probe pin assembly includes a barrel member having a barrel wall defining an elongate internal cavity with a lower end and an upper end. The assembly also includes a first plunger member reciprocally mounted in the internal cavity proximate the lower end of the internal cavity and a second plunger member reciprocally mounted in the internal cavity proximate the upper end of the internal cavity. A spring member is positioned in the internal cavity between the first plunger member and the second plunger member. Three or more conductive bearings are positioned in the internal cavity in contact with the first plunger member and the spring member.

A force-biased spring probe pin assembly includes a barrel member having a barrel wall defining an elongate internal cavity with a lower end and an upper end. The assembly also includes a first plunger member reciprocally mounted in the internal cavity proximate the lower end of the internal cavity. A spring member is positioned in the internal cavity between the plunger member and the second end of the internal cavity. At least one cavity formed in the plunger member with a conductive bearing in the cavity in electrical contact with the plunger and with the wall of the barrel member. A force-biased spring probe pin assembly includes a barrel member having a barrel wall defining an elongate internal cavity with a lower end and an upper end. The assembly also includes a first plunger member reciprocally mounted in the internal cavity proximate the lower end of the internal cavity and a second plunger member reciprocally mounted in the internal cavity proximate the upper end of the internal cavity. A spring member is positioned in the internal cavity between the first plunger member and the second plunger member. At least one cavity formed in the first plunger member with a first conductive bearing in the cavity in electrical contact with the first plunger and with the wall of the barrel member and at least one cavity formed in the second plunger member with a second conductive bearing in the cavity in electrical contact with the second plunger and with the wall of the barrel member.

An abrasive article including a bonded abrasive having a body formed of abrasive grains contained within a bond material, wherein the body grinds a superabrasive workpiece having an average Vickers hardness of at least about 5 GPa at an average specific grinding energy (SGE) of not greater than about 350 J/mm3, at a material removal rate of at least about 8 mm3/sec, and wherein grinding is a centerless grinding operation.

A method and system for estimating uncertainties in radar based precipitation estimates is provided. In an embodiment, gauge measurements at one or more gauge locations are received by an agricultural intelligence computer system. The agricultural intelligence computer system obtains precipitation estimates for the one or more gauge locations that correspond to the gauge measurements and computes the differences between the precipitation estimates and the gauge measurements. Using the precipitation estimates and the computed differences, the agricultural intelligence computer system then models a dependence of the uncertainty in the precipitation estimates on the value of the precipitation estimates. When the agricultural intelligence computer system receives precipitation estimates for a location where gauge measurements are unavailable, the agricultural intelligence computer identifies an uncertainty for the precipitation estimate based on the value of the precipitation estimate and the model of the dependence of the uncertainty on the precipitation estimate values.

The invention is directed toward a spill- and leak-proof container for floriculture items including cut flowers, stems, other horticultural items, and the like. More specifically, the invention includes a receptacle having funnel-like primary closure. The funnel-like primary closure includes a wider opening generally adjacent to and contiguous with the mouth of the receptacle. The narrower opening of the funnel-like primary closure is positioned in the interior of the receptacle. A secondary closure atop the wider opening of the primary closure ensures no liquid can spill.

A food topping and cutting device includes a handle coupled to a cutting edge, and further includes a container coupled to the handle. The container has a dispenser at one end configured to dispense, adjacent to the cutting edge, a food topping supplied from the container.

This invention includes embodiments which disclose a hand-held tool implement or apparatus which includes among other things, a handle attached to a head with a scraper and a hammering surface thereon.

The device for tapping and inoculating trees includes an elongate, main arm having an actuating mechanism attached to one end and a housing attached to the opposite end. A cutting mechanism extends from one side of the housing and a spray system is disposed in a recess in the housing. A universal actuator operates both the cutting mechanism and the spray system upon activation by the actuating mechanism. The cutting mechanism taps or scrapes the bark off the target branch and the spray system sprays a solution that stimulates the tapped area into producing more sap and sap of higher quality.

A combination axe, sledge hammer and pick (CASHP) that is particularly designed for use by firefighters. The CASHP includes a front end and a rear end. The front end has an upper section that functions as an axe blade and the lower section functions as a sledge hammer. The rear section includes a pick that can be utilized for a variety of functions. By incorporating three tools in a single structure the weight that a firefighter carries is lessened. Thus, reducing fatigue and the time that is required to cut through an obstruction to reach fire victims.

Provided is a conductive roller coating composition which can reduce degradation of toner during durable printing when used for a developing roller, and a developing roller and image formation device using the same. In a conductive roller coating composition containing a resin component including a polyol and an isocyanate, and microparticles, a Tg of the microparticles is −13° C. or less. In a developing roller including: a shaft 1; and an elastic layer 2 supported on an outer periphery of the shaft 1, an outer periphery of the elastic layer 2 is coated with the conductive roller coating composition.

Methods of producing a polyamide filaments and fibers are provided. The methods include providing a dual-terminated polyamide and spinning the dual-terminated polyamide at a speed of 3500 m/min to 8000 m/min to form a fiber. In one embodiment, the polyamide has an amine endgroup concentration of 25 mmol/kg to 40 mmol/kg and a carboxyl endgroup concentration of 18 mmol/kg to 50 mmol/kg. Fibers and yarns comprising polyamide filaments and fibers formed from the method are also disclosed.

A ballistic picture frame for holding two dimensional paper targets, photographs or print art used for dry-fire training. The ballistic picture frame holds paper targets, photographs, or other two dimensional graphics or prints like conventional picture frames, but also provides a ballistic barrier for enhanced safety during dry-fire training. The ballistic frame includes a back panel constructed of ballistic materials that prevent projectile penetration through the frame in the event of a negligent discharge.

An outer plastic tube has water connections through the wall into an annular space defined by an O-ring spacer-gasket positioned between the wall and the perimeter margin of an inner cylinder rolled from a single-layer of sheet metal. A metal drainpipe with a removable bullet-shape at one end is forced through the cylinder to expand it and to thereby compress the gasket sealing the annular space. Thermal contact conductance is increased by the compressive force of water pressure. Water flow through the heat exchanger is both annular and turbulent to optimize heat transfer.

A multiphase pumping system for transporting a fluid includes a multiphase pump configured to increase pressure within the fluid and a recuperator in fluid communication with the multiphase pump. The recuperator is configured to remove thermal energy from a fluid upstream of the multiphase pump and is further configured to add thermal energy to a fluid downstream of the multiphase pump. The multiphase pumping system further includes a cooler configured to remove thermal energy from the fluid upstream of the multiphase pump.

Heat sinks having a mounting surface with a coefficient of thermal expansion matching that of silicon are disclosed. Heat pipes having layered composite or integral composite low coefficient of expansion heat sinks are disclosed that can be mounted directly to silicon semiconductor devices.

A hybrid SAR-ADC that uses a combination of voltage-based signal processing and time-based signal processing to convert an analog input signal to a digital output signal is disclosed. In some embodiments, the hybrid SAR-ADC has a voltage-based signal processing element configured to convert an analog input signal to a first digital signal having a plurality of MSBs and to generate a residue voltage from an input voltage and the first digital signal. A voltage-to-time conversion element is configured to convert the residue voltage to a time domain representation. A time-based signal processing element is configured to convert the time domain representation to a second digital signal comprising a plurality of LSBs. By determining the plurality of MSBs using voltage-based signal processing and determining the plurality of LSBs using time-based signal processing, the hybrid SAR-ADC is able to achieve low power and compact area.

System and methods for input path matching in pipelined continuous-time Analog-to Digital Converters (ADCs), including pipelined Continuous-Time Delta Sigma Modulator (CTDSM) based ADCs, includes an input delay circuit disposed in a continuous-time input path from an input of an analog input signal to a first summing circuit of the continuous-time ADC. At least one digital delay line is disposed between an output of an earlier stage sub-ADC (of a plurality of pipelined sub-ADCs) and a sub-digital-to-analog converter (DAC) that is coupled to the first summing circuit, and between the earlier stage sub-ADC and a digital noise cancellation filter. The digital delay line(s) is configured to enable calibration of delay of output of the earlier stage sub-ADC provided to the sub-DAC and the digital noise cancellation filter in accordance with process variations of the input delay match circuit to minimize residue output at first summing circuit.

Method for producing a uranium concentrate in the form of solid particles, by precipitation from a uranium-containing solution using a precipitating agent, in a vertical reactor comprising a base, a top, a central part, an upper part, and a lower part, the solid particles of the uranium concentrate forming a fluidized bed under the action of a rising liquid current which circulates from the base towards the top of the reactor successively passing through the lower part, the central part and the upper part of the reactor, and which is created by introducing a liquid recycling current (flow) at the base of the reactor, said liquid recycling current being tapped at a first determined level (A) in the upper part of the reactor and sent back without settling to the base of the reactor, excess liquid being also evacuated via an overflow located at a second determined level (B) in the upper part of the reactor; a method in which the upper limit (C) of the fluidized bed of solid particles is controlled so that it is positioned at a level below the first and second determined levels.

A method of producing a titanium dioxide pigment is provided. Also provided is a method of improving the processability of titanium dioxide particles without adversely affecting the rheological properties of the titanium dioxide particles.

The present invention relates to compositions and methods to increase the output of a high quality product from the precipitation liquor crystallization process exemplified through the aluminum hydroxide recovery processes such as the Bayer process. The invention is a method of increasing the size of precipitates from a liquor. The invention in one embodiment relates to the use of a crystal growth modifier compositions added to the precipitation process to increase the particle size distribution of the precipitated alumina trihydrate.

An electrical voltage-generating piezoelectric device comprising at least a first blade (1) with a curved portion (10) defining a first arm (11) and a second arm (12) of the blade, the first arm (11) being intended to be fastened to a fixed support, the second arm (12) being substantially flat and having a free end (120) designed to oscillate around its resting position under the effect of mechanical force, at least one piezoelectric element (31) resting upon one of the main surfaces (14) of the second arm (12) of the first blade. The device also includes a second blade (2) identical in structure to the first blade (1), the first arms (11, 21) of the first and second blades (1, 2) being fastened together on all or part of their surfaces and being fixed relative to each other.

In a method of manufacturing a piezoelectric device in which a piezoelectric thin film on which functional conductors are formed is fixed to a support substrate by a fixing layer, an alignment mark is formed on one main surface of a light-transmitting piezoelectric substrate. A sacrificial layer is formed on a main surface of the piezoelectric substrate with reference to the alignment mark and the fixing layer is formed so as to cover the sacrificial layer and is bonded to the support substrate. The piezoelectric thin film is formed by being separated from the piezoelectric substrate and the functional conductors are formed on the surface of the piezoelectric thin film with reference to the alignment mark. The piezoelectric device is able to be manufactured while positions of formation regions of conductors are adjusted efficiently.

A system and method provides a piezoelectric stack arrangement for reduced driving voltage while maintaining a driving level for active piezoelectric materials. A stack arrangement of d36 shear mode single crystals of both air X-cut and Y-cut ±1:45° (±20°) arrangement are bonded with discrete conductive pillars to form a shear crystal stack. The bonding area between the neighboring crystal parts is minimized. The bonding pillars are positioned at less than a total surface are of the single crystal forming the stack. The stack fabrication is facilitated with a precision assembly system, where crystal parts are placed to desired locations on an assembly fixture for alignment following the preset operation steps. With the reduced clamping effect from bonding due to lower surface coverage of the discrete conductive pillars, such a piezoelectric d36 shear crystal stack exhibits a reduced driving voltage while maintaining a driving level and substantial and surprisingly improved performance.

The present invention relates to a zinc oxide-based piezoelectric device, utilisable both as a sensor and as an actuator. More in particular, the present invention relates to a piezoelectric device (1, 101) comprising at least two carbon fibre crossed yarns (2a, 2b; 102a, 102b), at the intersection of which a zinc oxide layer (3, 103) in nanorod form is arranged, wherein an end (4a, 4b) of each of said yarns (2a, 2b; 102a, 102b) is connected to an operative unit (5).

A MEMS piezoelectric device includes a monolithic semiconductor body having first and second main surfaces extending parallel to a horizontal plane formed by first and second horizontal axes. A housing cavity is arranged within the monolithic semiconductor body. A membrane is suspended above the housing cavity at the first main surface. A piezoelectric material layer is arranged above a first surface of the membrane with a proof mass coupled to a second surface, opposite to the first surface, along the vertical axis. An electrode arrangement is provided in contact with the piezoelectric material layer. The proof mass causes deformation of the piezoelectric material layer in response to environmental mechanical vibrations. The proof mass is coupled to the membrane by a connection element arranged, in a central position, between the membrane and the proof mass in the direction of the vertical axis.

A monolithic integration of phase change material (PCM) switches with a MEMS resonator is provided to implement switching and reconfiguration functionalities. MEMS resonator includes a piezoelectric material to control terminal connections to the electrodes. The PCM is operable between an ON state and an OFF state by application of heat, which causes the phase change material to change from an amorphous state to a crystalline state or from a crystalline state to an amorphous state, the amorphous state and the crystalline state each associated with one of the ON state and the OFF state. A method of fabricating the MEMS resonator with phase change material is provided. A reconfigurable filter system using the MEMS resonators is also provided.

A piezoelectric vibrating piece includes a vibrating piece body including a vibrator and at least one pair of excitation electrodes formed on a front surface and a back surface of the vibrator. The vibrating piece body is a twice rotated quartz-crystal vibrating piece. The pair of excitation electrodes are arranged in a Z'″-axis direction determined by an X'″-axis and obliquely disposed with respect to the Y″-axis direction. The X'″-axis is rotated by 260° to 300° counterclockwise about a Y″-axis using a +X″-axis direction as a reference. The pair of excitation electrodes are formed to have respective semicircle shapes including straight line portions extending in the X'″-axis direction and to be disposed in a state where the straight line portions overlapping with one another. The straight line portion of the excitation electrode includes an inclined portion that gradually decreases in thickness toward an end portion of the excitation electrode.

Presented is a method for controlling an electronic stringed instrument. Embodiments of electrical stringed instruments according to the present invention can be actual stringed instruments or virtual representations of stringed instruments. The methods provide a way in which to teach and play electronic stringed instruments which allow a novice musician to focus on a small portion of playing of a stringed instrument while maintaining overall musicality and ability to play the instrument.

An acoustic effect impartment apparatus for use in a piano including a plurality of keys, a plurality of strings provided in corresponding relation to the keys and a plurality of hammers each responsive to an operation of any one of the keys to strike the string corresponding to the key. The acoustic effect impartment apparatus comprising at least one elongate member disposed near at least one of the plurality of strings. The elongate member movable by means of a first actuator between a retracted configuration in which the elongate member is disengaged away from the at least one of the plurality of strings and an imparted configuration wherein the elongate member is imparted against the at least one of the plurality of strings, and the first actuator can be actuated by a piano player such that the elongate member is imparted against the at least one of the plurality of strings as said piano player strikes a key associated therewith.

Disclosed herein are embodiments of a mounting system for pivotal coupling to an instrument, the mounting system including a tuner, a ball element outwardly extending from the tuner, and a socket element having a wall defining a socket in communication with a wall opening; whereby the socket is configured to pivotally receive at least a portion of the ball element via the wall opening to pivotally couple the ball element to the socket element.

A pickup for a guitar that has four (4) or more separate magnetic coils and selection means to select among the coil outputs. In some embodiments, the pickup is passive, not requiring an active pre-amplifier and voltage supply to shape the sound. In some embodiments, the selection means may be incremental or continuous, providing a wider degree to selectivity between and among the outputs of the separate coils.

A pickguard having a color organ circuit integrated with the pickguard.

A unitary fastening pin the design of which has flexible protrusions on the lower ⅔ of its shank (2), preferably in the shape of convergent geometrical figures (spade-shaped), molded round the longitudinal axis. The outer overall diameter of the protrusions (2) is greater than the hole into which it is to be inserted. The pin includes a flexing neck (6) between the lower shank and the head (4) and also has tapered alignment splines (16). The pin is particularly suitable for fastening threshold strips to cover floor-covering joints.

A dovetail anchoring system for cavity walls is disclosed and includes a sheetmetal dovetail anchor and one-piece sheetmetal dovetail veneer tie. The anchoring system is used in conjunction with building structures that have a masonry outer wythe anchored to a poured masonry inner wythe. A thermally-isolating coating is optionally applied to the high-strength veneer tie, which is interconnected with the wall anchor. The thermally-isolating coating is selected from a distinct grouping of materials, that are applied using a specific variety of methods, in one or more layers and cured and cross-linked to provide high-strength adhesion. The thermally-coated veneer ties provide an in-cavity thermal break that severs the thermal threads running throughout the cavity wall structure, reducing the U- and K-values of the anchoring system by thermally-isolating the metal components.

A breathable gas inlet control device permits flow regulation at the inlet of a flow generator for a respiratory treatment apparatus such as a ventilator or continuous positive airway pressure device. The device may implement a variable inlet aperture size based on flow conditions. In one embodiment, an inlet flow seal opens or closes the inlet to a blower in accordance with changes in pressure within a seal activation chamber near the seal. The seal may be formed by a flexible membrane. A controller selectively changes the pressure of the seal activation chamber by controlling a set of one or more flow control valves to selectively stop forward flow, prevent back flow or lock open the seal to permit either back flow or forward flow. The controller may set the flow control valves as a function of detected respiratory conditions based on data from pressure and/or flow sensors.

A system provides warm, humidified gas to a patient via a patient interface. Horizontal connections can be used between the humidification chamber and conduit. To reduce the likelihood of condensate flowing back to the humidification chamber, or dead space or gases recirculation regions occurring within the gases flow path, a raised portion is positioned inside of the flow path to improve flow characteristics and to provide a barrier for condensate back flow. The raised portion also reduces the amount of condensate that is formed in the system and provides better flow characteristics for sensing purposes.