Embodiments herein relate generally to distribution of flow into vessels containing packed beds of media. An example application of such beds is to pressure swing or temperature swing adsorption systems. Systems herein may include a vessel and a distributor for distributing flow into a lower portion of the vessel. The system may include: a vessel comprising a top head and a bottom head; and a bottom head feed/effluent nozzle. A lower distributor having at least one flow permitting surface is disposed within the vessel and encompasses an inlet of the bottom head feed/effluent nozzle. A flow gap is formed between a bottom portion of the lower distributor and the bottom head feed/effluent nozzle.

Devices, systems, and methods are provided for adherence monitoring, and devices, systems, and methods are provided for monitoring use of consumable dispensers. In general, the devices, systems, and methods can facilitate an individual's adherence to a schedule for consuming consumables and can facilitate monitoring and tracking of the individual's adherence to the schedule. The devices, systems, and methods can allow data regarding the individual's historical adherence to the schedule to be accessible via a computer system. In one embodiment, an accessory is provided that can be configured to attach to consumable dispensers. The accessory can be configured to be removably and replaceably coupled to the dispenser. The accessory can be configured to provide a notification to a user indicating that a certain event occurred and/or that a certain action needs to be taken. The accessory can be configured to sense attachment thereof to and removal thereof from the dispenser.

A paint can lid assembly having a universal paint cup port member adapted to receive and retain a paint spray cup in an inverted position such that unused paint will drain from the paint spray cup back into the paint can. The paint cup port member has a tubular main body that extends through the upper surface of the mixing lid, the internal bore of the main body being sufficiently sized so as to receive the mating spout of any type or brand of paint spray cup. In a preferred embodiment, the paint cup port member is provided with an annular locking shoulder to better secure paint spray cups possessing retention clip members.

A combination scoop and funnel apparatus provides a scoop portion defining a dry material reservoir having an open top and a downwardly tapered conical bottom portion which terminates in a discharge aperture. A handle is joined to the scoop reservoir. A movable frusto-conical funnel member defines a funnel aperture at its lower end and an open top at its upper end. The funnel member supports a valve slide which extends upwardly through the discharge aperture and further supports a valve cap on the upper end thereof. The valve member is movable between a downwardly extending valve closed configuration and an upwardly positioned valve open configuration.

Systems and methods for delivering fluid-containing feed materials to process equipment are disclosed. A liner-based pressure dispensing vessel is subjected to filling by application of vacuum between the liner and overpack. Multiple feed material flow controllers of different calibrated flow ranges may be selectively operated in parallel for a single feed material. Feed material blending and testing for scale-up may be performed with feed materials supplied by multiple liner-based pressure dispensing containers. A gravimetric system may be used to determine concentration of at least one component of a multi-component solution or mixture.

A dispensing unit is provided having a circulation system for circulating a fluid in the dispensing unit. The circulation system includes a circulation circuit and a mechanism for circulating the fluid in the circulation circuit. By circulating the fluid, the fluid is counteracted from crystallizing. A method for circulating a fluid in a dispensing unit is also provided.

An aerosol device is provided with a set of two aerosol valves in an inch bead portion of an aerosol container, and different contents are separately packed in the aerosol container without being mixed. The different contents are separately introduced into the set of two aerosol valves, and the stem insertion portions of housings of the set of two aerosol valves project above the inch bead portion. The lower end of a fitting member whose inner peripheral shape corresponds to the outer peripheral shape of the set of two housings is fitted and fixed to the inner periphery of the inch bead portion. The outer periphery of the fitting member is covered with a cover, and the lower end of the cover is fixed to the outer periphery of the inch bead portion.

A container assembly for use with a dispenser with a feed tube, the assembly comprising a container; a cap fixed to an opening in the container; the cap having a passageway therethrough to allow, in use, the feed tube of a dispenser to pass through the cap and into the container; the cap including a movable element secured to the cap in a first position prior to first insertion of the feed tube by a deformable support element arranged to deform upon insertion of the feed tube into the cap to free the movable element to be supported, in use, in a second position, by the feed tube to preserve the passageway, the movable element being configured to move, upon removal of the feed tube from the container, to a third position at least partially within the passageway in which replacement of the feed tube through the cap is obstructed.

A food dispenser for attaching underneath a cupboard, wherein the dispenser has a bin member having four side walls and a dispensing hatch at a bottom portion thereof, and bin channels formed in top portions of two opposite of the side walls, and a support bracket adapted to be securely attached underneath the cupboard having four side edges, wherein two opposite side edges have support channels adapted to engage respective bin channels of the bin member opposite side walls, such that the bin member can slide on and off the support bracket. The dispensing hatch is pivotally attached to one of the four side walls of the bin member, such that the hatch can be pivotally opened and closed such that food can be extracted from the bin member.

An improved seed metering wheel assembly is provided to deliver a substantially constant flow of seed to a downstream treating device or the like, without any substantial surging of seeds. The seed metering wheel assembly includes an axially rotatable metering wheel having a plurality of strategically sized and arranged seed metering openings therethrough, arranged in circular arrays of differently sized metering openings. In another embodiment, the seed metering wheel includes a central hub section and an outermost rib, with a series of ribs between the hub section and rim, which lie along respective non-diameter chords. Incoming seed is delivered from a seed hopper outlet by gravitation to the metering wheel, which preferably provides a substantially constant open area while preventing wholly unobstructed flow of seeds.

The present invention relates to a nozzle structure of a dispenser pump button. According to the present invention, the nozzle structure of the dispenser pump button is designed in such a way that an outer nozzle with a discharge hole forwardly moves by the pressure of the content, and the content is discharged through the discharge hole distanced from an inner nozzle, thereby preventing the deformation of the nozzle. Therefore, the inflow of air into a cosmetic container is blocked, and thus the deterioration of the content can be prevented.

The invention relates to a device for dispensing a liquid gas formulation in a metered manner, wherein the device is particularly suited for use as an injection system in nail driving devices and comprises a pressure-stable container having a flanged rim, to which a valve cover containing a dispensing valve is tightly fastened. The container is equipped with two separated chambers, one of which receives the liquid gas formulation and communicates with the dispensing valve and the other of which contains a driving medium under over-pressure. A piston, which can be moved in a sealing manner and which divides the container into the two chambers, is provided in the container. The driving medium is compressed air in combination with a small amount of liquid gas formulation. The flanged rim of the container is designed as an inner flanging. The piston is equipped with a one-way valve arrangement, which allows liquid gas formulation to overflow from the chamber containing the liquid gas formulation into the chamber containing the driving medium. The dispensing device is particularly inexpensive to design and can be cheaply produced and filled in a very simple manner.

A snorkel nozzle (10) having a double shell core (16, 26) that defines an annular gap (40) between the shells and that has an array of baffles (66) arranged in the annular gap to define a serpentine flow path for cooling gases that pass through the annular gap.

A dispenser system for delivering various combinations of dispersants to a body of water with the various combinations of dispersants supplied to the body of water through the interchanging of dispensing cartridges which are attachable to a main dispensing cartridge where a condition for interchanging of dispensing cartridges may be triggered by an event.

The disclosure is directed to a tender car for a consist. The tender car may have a frame, a truck configured to support the frame, and a fuel tank mounted to the frame. The tender car may also have a wheel rotatably connected to the truck, and a motor operatively connected to the wheel and configured to drive the wheel. The tender car may further have a power supply configured to power the motor when the tender car is decoupled from the consist.

An apparatus includes: a primary anchoring element, a beam mount movably connected to the primary anchoring element, a beam connected to the beam mount, a vessel mount movably connected to the beam, a vessel connected to the vessel mount, the vessel being movable along at least a vertical axis, and a control unit within the vessel. The control unit is configured to accept control input from a passenger within the vessel and transmit at least one control signal to cause the beam to move relative to the primary anchoring element, the vessel mount to move relative to the beam, and the vessel to move relative to the vessel mount independently.

Apparatus and method for gravity-augmented preload of drive wheels in a monorail vehicle travelling along a guide rail bearing and contact surfaces that are non-parallel with the gravity vector. The vehicle has a structure defining a pivot location against the bearing surface, as well as first and second assemblies for engaging the rail on the bearing and contact surfaces, respectively. The vehicle is mounted so its center of gravity is at a rear longitudinal offset rrl from the pivot location and a vertical offset rvert from the guide rail. A force and moment balance thus created in a normal load on a drive wheel engaged with the bearing surface at the pivot location, where the load value exceeds a standard normal load generated by the mass of the monorail vehicle alone.

Connection system, with self-alignment, for elevator guides, in which the front surfaces thereof maintain a perfect 90° angle with respect to the longitudinal axis (e) of each guide (1) and there is a connection plate (2) that forms through-holes (241) that are offset and in correspondence with holes (141) in the wings (14), such that, when connection means (3) are mounted therein, a front self-alignment pressure is created between the two guides (1).

An automatic inspection system is provided for monitoring rail track for detecting and generating alerts for certain hazards to the operation of trains that may cause various safety concerns and even derailment. The monitoring is during normal railway service runs without interrupting the normal railway services. In one implementation, an imaging module is used on a passenger or freight train to capture video images of the rail track under the train in motion. In one implementation, the captured video images are automatically processed in a computer using a software module which is based on digital image processing techniques and algorithms to determine whether an irregularity is present on the rail track. In one implementation, video images containing detected irregularities on the rail track are transmitted to a control center for further analysis and possible alert.

A roller coaster ride system comprising a first track section which is adapted to guide a passenger car and a second track section which extends in a first plane. The roller coaster ride system is characterized in that the second track section is attached to a platform which is moveably guided on a frame in a second plane that is inclined in relation to the first plane, in particular perpendicular thereto, and that the second track section can be coupled in a first position to the first track section in order to transfer a passenger car from the first track section to the second track section, andcan be in a second position is spatially offset along the second plane relative to the first position.

A ride system for giving passengers a flying roller coaster experience. The ride system includes a train of vehicles, with each of the vehicles including seat assemblies that each has a seat and seat back for receiving a passenger. The vehicles are supported by the track to roll along a length of the track, and the ride path is adapted for gravity-based movement of the train of vehicles in at least portions of the ride path. The track includes a vertical segment, and the ride system includes a station including a platform assembly with horizontal platforms vertically spaced-apart to provide multi-level loading. The train is positioned on the vertical segment with each of the vehicles proximate to an end of one of the horizontal platforms. The seat backs are substantially parallel to a longitudinal axis of the track to provide vertical loading and, then, vertical launching from the station.

A track set configured to be mounted to a wall by a plurality of wall mounts, the track set having: a tower: a first upper track section configured to receive toy vehicles from a top portion of the tower; a second lower track section, wherein the first upper track section is angularly positioned such that toy vehicles traveling along the first track section move towards a second lower track section, wherein the second lower track section is configured to direct the toy vehicles towards a bottom portion of a tower; a corkscrew rotationally secured to the tower; and a motor coupled to the corkscrew, wherein operation of the motor causes the corkscrew to rotate, wherein rotation of the corkscrew causes the toy vehicles to move from the bottom portion of the tower to the top portion of the tower.

Monorail vehicle that travels on a non-featured rail with substantial profile variation and controls roll attitude, lateral location, and loading through judicious placement of the vehicle's center of gravity without using springs or suspensions. The vehicle has a bogie for engaging the non-featured rail so the center of gravity has a lateral offset r1 from the rail centerline to produce a roll moment Nr determined by vehicle's mass and value of r1. The center of gravity also has a vertical offset r2. The bogie uses first and second assemblies for engaging the rail to produce a pair of surface normal reaction forces to thus control roll attitude and loading by the placement of the center of gravity, thereby enabling accurate alignment of the monorail vehicle.

The personal transportation rail system includes an automated, elevated single lane throughway comprising multi-gauge rail track arranged in various combinations. A computerized control system regulates spacing of vehicles while maintaining uniform speed. The rail switching is accomplished by variable gauge rail wheels on the vehicle, which selectively engage or avoid engaging with various wider rail-gauge tracks. On-ramps extend from a guideway station and are taken by the vehicle temporarily engaging with a descending wide-gauge section of track that ends side by side in parallel with the narrow-gauge track. Off-ramps lead into the guideway station as the vehicle engages with the wide-gauge section of throughway track initially in parallel with the narrow-gauge track, the wide-gauge track ascending to remove the vehicle from the main rail line. Bypassing the guideway station involves continuing engagement of the variable gauge wheels with the narrow-gauge track. A level pitch is maintained during climbing and descending.

A self propelled autonomous pipeline tool for use in straight pipe comprising a first part and a second part, a hydraulic system comprising at least one hydraulic piston and means for operating the piston, and a control unit. The hydraulic system is operable to returnably separate the first and second part of the device from each other. The hydraulic system further comprises a plurality of pipeline engaging means positioned along an exterior surface of the device which are operable by the hydraulic system to be engagable with the interior surface of the pipeline. The control unit is in communication with the hydraulic system to control the movement of the pipeline engaging means and the first and second parts such that the pipeline tool is moveable within a straight pipeline. The pipeline tool further comprises a communications module which enables the pipeline tool to utilize ELF communications.

The vehicle with wheelchair positioning mechanism includes an automotive vehicle that is modified to assist a disabled person to enter, operate and exit the vehicle. The modification includes a wheelchair lift adjacent the rear of the vehicle. An internal rail system extends from the rear of the vehicle to the front of the vehicle adjacent the vehicle's driving controls. A remotely controlled platform is rotatably mounted on a carriage for movement on the rail system. The platform is adapted to support a wheelchair thereon. The platform can be rotated 360° so that the wheelchair moves forward when entering and exiting the vehicle.

A vehicle control system and a vehicle control device can switch control of a supporting device for support a drive of a vehicle between an ordinary travel in which the vehicle travels in a state that a power source for causing the vehicle to travel is operated and an inertia travel in which the vehicle travels in a state that an operation of the power source is stopped. Accordingly, since the vehicle control system and the vehicle control device switch the control of the supporting device between the ordinary travel and the inertia travel, the vehicle control system and the vehicle control device achieve an effect that the vehicle can be caused to appropriately travel by inertia.

Disengageable chair-lift station having a transfer way made up of a first longitudinal part extending in alignment with the line of the carrying-hauling cable, and of a second transversal part extending perpendicular to the first part. The driving or return pulley is placed between the sections of the first part, and the disembarkation and embarkation platforms are shifted from one another in the second part, so that the disembarkation and embarkation of the skiers are performed on the same side of the station, in a direction perpendicular to the longitudinal axis of the line.

A ride vehicle loading interface system to allow guests in wheelchairs to access a ride vehicle and enjoy a ride attraction. The loading interface system includes a plurality of associated ride vehicles moving on a track. At least one ride vehicle including a tray extendable from and retractable into the ride vehicle through an opening, the tray for receiving a wheelchair and for allowing the wheelchair to be positioned in the ride vehicle. The ride vehicle loading interface system including a loading platform moving at about the same rate as the ride vehicle during loading and unloading.

A trolley braking system for smoothly reducing the speed of a rider supported by a harness on a cable or rope approaching a landing platform comprises a vessel containing a fluid of selected viscosity and having a turbine rotatably mounted on a shaft in the interior. A braking cable is secured to a reel on the turbine shaft outside the cylinder and routed through a pulley to a braking block, which is slidably mounted on the cable between the trolley and the landing platform. The system may also may also include turbine blades of adjustable dimensions, so that the braking force may be controlled. The system may also include a counterweight suspended by a retraction cable which is coupled to the turbine shaft to rewind the braking cable on the reel for repeated use.

An elongated flexible open coil spring with spaced apart coils adapted to engage a guide pin on a slot car is placed in the slot of a model slot car track. Cars are positioned with their depending pins engaging the open coil spring to be carried around the track by a powered car held by and moving the open coil spring along the slot.

A suspended flying rig system including a plurality of cables attached to a load support. In response to retraction and/or deployment of at least one of the plurality of cables, motion is provided generally within a three-dimensional working space to the load support. The motion includes at least six degrees of freedom.

Disclosed herein is a train platform safety device. The train platform safety device is installed at a position corresponding to a safety line on a subway or railway platform and is configured such that wire ropes are moved upwards or downwards depending on conditions in which a train approaches or departs from the platform, thus preventing a passenger from intentionally or unintentionally falling onto the train track. Particularly, the distances that the wire ropes move upwards or downwards are determined by rotating a rotating unit including rotating members having different diameters, whereby the wire ropes overlap each other or spread from each other. In this way, the wire ropes allow or block access of passengers depending on conditions in which a train approaches or departs from the platform, thus fundamentally preventing a safety accident.

Aspects of the invention provide a transport system powered by short block Linear Synchronous Motors (LSMs). The use of short blocks allows vehicles to move under precise control even when they are in close proximity to each other. The design allows the vehicles to be propelled and guided while negotiating sharp turns and negotiating merge and diverge switches. A coreless LSM can be used to create propulsive force without attractive force so as to allow a relatively high drag vehicle suspension, such as a vehicle sliding on a smooth surface. Further aspects of the invention provide a switching member that is selectively moveable relative to a guideway in order to change a magnetic force acting on the vehicle transverse to a direction of motion of the vehicle.

A motorized dolly includes an elongated frame, a first and second arc-shaped rail, a first and second pulley, a continuous belt, a motor, a platform, a first and second set of rollers or wheels, a fastener and one or more controls. The first arc-shaped rail has a first radius to a point in space. The second arc-shaped rail has a second radius greater than the first radius. The first and second pulleys are attached to the elongated frame proximate to each end. The continuous belt is movably attached to the first pulley and the second pulley. The motor is operably engaged with the first pulley, the second pulley or the continuous belt. The first and second set of rollers or wheels are attached to the platform and movably engaged with the first and second rails, respectively. The fastener securely is attached to the platform and the continuous belt.

The present invention provides a bogie for a guide rail type vehicle that runs along a predetermined guideway. The bogie includes a turn frame connected to a vehicle body; an axle turnably mounted to the turn frame via bearings and; a guide frame mounted to the axle; a first pair of guide wheels rotatably provided at a vehicle body end side portion of the guide frame; a second pair of guide wheels rotatably provided at a vehicle body center side portion of the guide frame; a stopper provided so as to project from an upper surface on a vehicle body side of the axle toward the vehicle body; and a pair of stopper receivers arranged facing each other at intervals from the stopper in a vehicle lateral direction.

A rail guided vehicle system includes a rail that includes a first main rail, a second main rail, and a connection rail, and vehicles. Each vehicle includes a diverging roller supporting member that supports a pair of first and second diverging rollers such that the first and second diverging rollers shift, and a position stabilizing roller supporting member that supports position stabilizing rollers such that the position stabilizing rollers do not shift. The rail includes a first diverging guide configured to guide the first diverging roller, a second diverging guide configured to guide the second diverging roller, and a position stabilizing roller guide configured to guide the position stabilizing rollers in the no-guide zone where the diverging guide is absent.

A zip line or trolley system kit for propelling a person or an object using gravity along an extended cable line suspended between two trees or towers. The zip line system having a frame with one or more wheels, an adjustable length seat, a handle and a braking system for slowing the speed of descent of the zip line system. The trolley system having at least two wheels spaced apart at a suitable distance to increase ride smoothness and improve sliding of the zip line system along the extended cable. An actuator of the braking system allows for the rider to control of the speed of descent of the zip line system.

A multiple cable zip line ride is provided. The ride includes a support structure with a cross beam mounted to the support structure for routing and mounting of a plurality of cables of the zip line ride. The cables are mounted to the cross beam such that multiple users can travel simultaneously in the same direction along the cables. The cross beam provides for the mounting of additional safety cables and tensioning devices.

A car wash dolly of the type used in connection with multi-tier car wash conveyors comprises, in mirror image arrangement, first and second pairs of stainless steel journals having external bearing surfaces and polymeric rollers mounted for rotation on said bearing surfaces wherein the journals are nitro carburized and mechanically polished prior to assembly.

Inductrack III configurations are suited for use in transporting heavy freight loads. Inductrack III addresses a problem associated with the cantilevered track of the Inductrack II configuration. The use of a cantilevered track could present mechanical design problems in attempting to achieve a strong enough track system such that it would be capable of supporting very heavy loads. In Inductrack III, the levitating portion of the track can be supported uniformly from below, as the levitating Halbach array used on the moving vehicle is a single-sided one, thus does not require the cantilevered track as employed in Inductrack II.

The present invention is realized by apparatus and methods for placing a large utility scale photovoltaic array in the low stratosphere of earth's atmosphere at an altitude of about 20 km, above clouds, moisture, dust, and wind. This is accomplished using a large light-weight, rigid, buoyant structure to support the large photovoltaic array. Long, strong and light tethers connect the buoyant structure to the ground and hold it in position against wind forces. The electricity output from the photovoltaic array is then coupled to high voltage transmission lines which connect from the platform to the earth's surface. The electricity is then transmitted through the high voltage transmission lines to the earth's surface where it is connected to the electrical supply grid and provides lower cost, more reliable electricity.

The present invention is realized by apparatus and methods for placing a large rigid buoyant platform in the low stratosphere of earth's atmosphere at an altitude of about 20 km, above clouds, moisture, dust, and wind. The platform can serve several uses, either individually or in any combination. These uses include uninterrupted radio and light communications, radar and optical observation including very powerful radars and solar power electricity generation. Long, strong and light tethers connect the buoyant structure to the ground which hold it in position against wind forces. The electricity output from a photovoltaic array is used to power platform uses and can also be coupled to high voltage transmission lines which transmit power from the platform to the earth's surface during daylight hours. Power can also be transmitted up to the platform during darkness to power facilities mounted on the platform ensuring continuous operation.

A hybrid working vehicle comprises an engine, a drive wheel, a power take-off (PTO) shaft, and a power transmission system for transmitting power from the engine to the drive wheel and the PTO shaft. The power transmission system is bifurcated at a bifurcating point into a traveling drive train for driving the drive wheel and a PTO drive train for driving the PTO shaft. A continuously variable transmission is provided on the traveling drive train, and a motor generator is provided on the power transmission system between the engine and the bifurcating point. The motor generator functions as a generator by power of the engine and functions as an electric motor for driving the power transmission system. The hybrid working vehicle includes a controller for controlling an output rotary speed of the motor generator functioning as the electric motor.

An embodiment of the present disclosure provides a vehicle having a cargo area that includes an internal surface. A longitudinally extending bar is located within the cargo area of the vehicle. A bag configured to hang onto and slide along the longitudinally extending bar. A movable rail assembly is attached to the internal surface and includes: a rail moveable between extend and retract positions with respect to the cargo area; a bearing engageable with the rail to assist moving the rail between the extend and retract positions; and a bracket attachable to the bearing to suspend the bearing and the rail in the cargo area and away from the internal surface.

A brake for a trolley which travels atop a zip line is presented. The brake includes a brake body having a brake body with a top plate and two side plates extending downward from the top plate, the top plate having an underside which faces the zip line. One or both of the side plates may contain an aperture for accepting a rigid member which secures the trolley to the brake body. A brake pad is preferably positioned on the underside of the top plate. Exemplary embodiments may contain a brake extension which connects with the brake body and extends downward towards the user.

Overhead public transport installation for urban and peri-urban environment using track ropes with overhead stations, each comprising a platform situated below the level of the boarding/disembarkation platforms and consistent with the overhead clearance of the road transport system in terms of the difference in level that corresponds to the sag in the track ropes.

A rerailer device for rerailing a railway vehicle onto a track, the device including a body with a ramp adapted to support a wheel of a railway vehicle thereon, a sloped face provided on said body and being configured with a slope that declines in a preferred direction toward the track on which the railway vehicle wheel is to be rerailed, and support means for supporting said sloped surface and railway vehicle wheels thereon, where the support configuration, material or combinations of configurations and materials facilitate lightweight construction.

A ride control system for controlling a plurality of vehicles on a path includes a path processor and a bi-directional voting circuit in circuit with the path processor. Each vehicle of the plurality of vehicles may include a vehicle processor supported by the at least one vehicle and shunt relays in circuit with the at least one vehicle processor. Each vehicle processor may be configured to close a respective shunt relay upon a predetermined condition of the vehicle whereby the bi-directional voting circuit is activated to notify all other vehicles.

Embodiments of a tie plate sorter are disclosed wherein the tie plates are sorted and fed to an output device for further feeding to a tie plate distribution system. The tie plates may be oriented as needed. Exemplary methods are also provided.