l Object processing apparatus and financial apparatus By www.freepatentsonline.com Published On :: Tue, 30 Dec 2014 08:00:00 EST Provided are an object processing apparatus and a financial apparatus. The object processing apparatus comprises a motor, a shutter configured to close and open an object-entrance space, and a power transmission. The power transmission is configured to open or close the shutter according to operation of the motor and allow the shutter to be opened or closed by an external force when the motor is not operated. The power transmission transmits a driving force of the motor to the shutter without any electronic control. Full Article
l Device for handling notes of value, comprising a stack merging unit By www.freepatentsonline.com Published On :: Tue, 13 Jan 2015 08:00:00 EST The invention relates to a device (10) for handling notes of value, comprising two intermediate storages (32, 500) for intermediate storage of notes of value and a stack combining unit (802). The stack combining unit (802) combines a first stack formed by notes of value intermediately stored in the first intermediate storage (32) and a second stack formed by notes of value intermediately stored in the second intermediate storage (500) to a single combined stack. Full Article
l Device for handling value documents By www.freepatentsonline.com Published On :: Tue, 27 Jan 2015 08:00:00 EST The invention relates to a device (10) for handling notes of value, comprising an input unit (20) for input of at least one note of value, and a transport unit (24, 26, 248, 302, 304) for transport of the note of value into a transport direction (P1) along a transport path (218). A control unit (28) determines the note of value type of the note of value dependent on an image comprising a representation of the input note of value that is captured by means of an image detection unit (306), and dependent on the note of value type determined controls at least one processing unit (400, 600) for further processing the note of value that is located downstream the image detection unit (306). Full Article
l Apparatus and system for imaging currency bills and financial documents and method for using the same By www.freepatentsonline.com Published On :: Tue, 03 Feb 2015 08:00:00 EST An input receptacle receives currency bills and checks. A transport mechanism transports the bills and checks along a transport path to an output receptacle. An image scanner, adjacent the transport path, is configured to generate one or more electrical signals from which image data can be derived. The image data is reproducible as a visually readable image of at least a portion of each of the plurality of documents. A controller is configured to determine a denomination of each of the currency bills. In response to the controller not determining a denomination of one of the currency bills, the controller flags the currency bill as a no-call document by causing at least a portion of the image data to be displayed as a visually readable image of the flagged currency bill on the display. Full Article
l Method for handling valuable documents having an aligning unit for aligning banknotes and checks By www.freepatentsonline.com Published On :: Tue, 03 Feb 2015 08:00:00 EST A device for handling notes of value including a transport unit for transport of the notes of value in a transport direction along a transport path, and an aligning unit for alignment of the notes of value. The device further includes a sensor arranged upstream of the aligning unit for determining at least one feature of the notes of value, and a control unit that controls the aligning unit such that the aligning unit aligns each note of value depending on the determined expression of the feature of the note of value in a preset first target alignment or at least in a preset second target alignment that is different from the first target alignment. Full Article
l Shopping trolley By www.freepatentsonline.com Published On :: Tue, 10 Feb 2015 08:00:00 EST The invention relates to a trolley comprising an element for holding and releasing a token, said element comprising a sensor that detects whether the trolley comprising the element for holding and releasing the token is pushed inside another trolley. If this is the case, the element for holding and releasing the token activates the immobilizer and releases the token. In order to use the trolley, a token must be inserted into the element for holding and releasing the token, thus deactivating the immobilizer. Full Article
l Media processing device, check processing device, and method of controlling a media processing device By www.freepatentsonline.com Published On :: Tue, 17 Feb 2015 08:00:00 EST A compact media processing device enables recording on a process medium and then processing the process medium based on the result of recording. The media processing device conveys a process medium and processes the conveyed process medium by a first process unit disposed to the conveyance path, and an operation selection unit then determines the content of the next operation based on the result of the first process. After the next operation is determined, the conveyance control unit conveys the process medium upstream to or upstream of the process position of a second process unit. A process control unit then applies the selected operation to the process medium by the second process unit that is disposed downstream from the first process unit on the conveyance path of the process medium. Full Article
l Media processing device for accepting insertable media By www.freepatentsonline.com Published On :: Tue, 17 Feb 2015 08:00:00 EST A media processing device enables reading second media that do not bend easily from the device front with the same ease of use as processing first media that bend easily. The media processing device has a media conveyance path that guides first media inserted from a media insertion opening toward the back and then again toward the front on the front-back axis to the media exit. A straight conveyance path that angles to the inside on the device width axis is formed at a part connected to the media exit, and a second media insertion path that extends straight to the front from the straight conveyance path is connected to the media exit. Full Article
l Financial device, method of controlling the same, and medium processing apparatus By www.freepatentsonline.com Published On :: Tue, 24 Feb 2015 08:00:00 EST Provided is a financial device, which comprises a medium entrance, a medium processing apparatus, and a control unit. A medium is deposited or withdrawn through the medium entrance. The medium processing apparatus processes the medium. The control unit controls the medium processing apparatus. The medium processing apparatus comprises a front guider, a rear guider behind the front guider, a pushing member pushing a medium disposed in a medium processing space, and a supporting guider supporting the medium in the medium processing space. The control unit controls an operation of the medium processing apparatus such that states of the front guider, the rear guider, the pushing member, and the supporting guider when moving of a medium is completed in the medium processing space to deposit the medium are the same as states of the front guider, the rear guider, the pushing member, and the supporting guider when moving of a medium is completed in the medium processing space to withdraw or return the medium. Full Article
l Bezel assembly for data reception By www.freepatentsonline.com Published On :: Tue, 24 Feb 2015 08:00:00 EST The bezel assembly for data reception, for use with a bill validator in a financial transactional device, includes a bezel housing and a data reception assembly. The bezel housing includes a customer-facing front portion and a back plate connectable to the bill validator that is mounted within the transactional device cabinet. The front portion includes an insertion/dispensing slot for receiving currency and a projecting hollow tongue forward of the casing. The forward-extending hollow tongue accommodates at least a portion of the data reception assembly. The bezel assembly can include a wireless communication function that is communicably connectable with a mobile device via a wireless communication method, a manual entry function, a biometric reader, one or more cameras for scanning and decrypting 2D barcodes and the like, thus enhancing the overall functionality of the financial transactional device. Full Article
l Bezel assembly comprising biometric authentication for use with an automated transaction device By www.freepatentsonline.com Published On :: Tue, 24 Feb 2015 08:00:00 EST The bezel assembly for data reception, for use with a bill validator in a financial transactional device, includes a bezel housing and a data reception assembly. The bezel housing includes a customer-facing front portion and a back plate connectable to the bill validator that is mounted within the transactional device cabinet. The front portion includes an insertion/dispensing slot for receiving currency and a projecting protrusion forward of the casing. The forward-extending protrusion accommodates at least a portion of the data reception assembly. The bezel assembly can include a wireless communication function that is communicably connectable with a mobile device via a wireless communication method, a manual entry function, a biometric reader, one or more cameras for scanning and decrypting 2D barcodes and the like, thus enhancing the overall functionality of the financial transactional device. Full Article
l Bezel assembly comprising image recognition for use with an automated transaction device By www.freepatentsonline.com Published On :: Tue, 24 Feb 2015 08:00:00 EST The bezel assembly for data reception, for use with a bill validator in a financial transactional device, includes a bezel housing and a data reception assembly. The bezel housing includes a customer-facing front portion and a back plate connectable to the bill validator that is mounted within the transactional device cabinet. The front portion includes an insertion/dispensing slot for receiving currency and a projecting protrusion forward of the casing. The forward-extending protrusion accommodates at least a portion of the data reception assembly. The bezel assembly can include a wireless communication function that is communicably connectable with a mobile device via a wireless communication method, a manual entry function, a biometric reader, one or more cameras for scanning and decrypting 2D barcodes and the like, thus enhancing the overall functionality of the financial transactional device. Full Article
l Apparatus, method, software and graphical interface for flexible dispensing of coins in a coin handling apparatus By www.freepatentsonline.com Published On :: Tue, 03 Mar 2015 08:00:00 EST A coin dispensing apparatus has a cabinet serving as an apparatus housing for the apparatus. The apparatus has a control means for controlling the apparatus. The apparatus further has a module for receiving, optionally validating and optionally sorting coins of different types and at least one dispenser for coins to be dispensed. The apparatus also comprises a filling compartment comprising a plurality of dispense locations. Each dispense location is adapted for receiving a portable coin receptacle for collecting dispensed coins from a specific dispenser. The apparatus is adapted to dispense a specific amount of coins under control of said control means to at least one portable coin receptacle at a specific dispense location in said filling compartment. The control means is adapted to only start the dispense operation at said specific dispense location if a portable coin receptacle is present at the location. Full Article
l Document recycle box By www.freepatentsonline.com Published On :: Tue, 03 Mar 2015 08:00:00 EST A document recycle box is provided to comprise: a housing 60, a cover 52 rotatably attached to housing 60, a convey belt device 51 of a recycle conveyor device 50 attached to one of housing 60 or cover 52 along one side of a recycle pathway 11 extending within housing 60, a plurality of rollers 53 of recycle conveyor device 50 attached to the other of housing 60 or cover 52 along the other side of recycle pathway 11 on the opposite side of conveyor belt device 51, and a drum device 43 rotatably disposed within housing 60. Cover 52 may be released from housing 60 to move recycle conveyor 50 away from rollers 53 to easily remove a jammed document within recycle pathway 11. Full Article
l Bank notes handling apparatus By www.freepatentsonline.com Published On :: Tue, 10 Mar 2015 08:00:00 EDT A paper sheet processing apparatus includes: an insertion slot through which a paper sheet is inserted; a sensor which detects insertion of the paper sheet; a traveling route through which the paper sheet is conveyed; a light emitting part which irradiates the traveling route with light; a light receiving part which receives light from the traveling route; a black calibration part which sets a reference value for the lowest brightness in a state that the emission of the light emitting part is ineffective; and an authenticity judgment processing part which judges an authenticity. The black calibration part can set the reference value before the authenticity judgment processing part judges the authenticity after the sensor detects the insertion of the paper sheet at every time when the paper sheet is inserted. Full Article
l Apparatus, method, and system for loading currency bills into a currency processing device By www.freepatentsonline.com Published On :: Tue, 10 Mar 2015 08:00:00 EDT An apparatus for feeding a plurality of stacked currency bills into a currency handling device. The apparatus may comprise an input receptacle being configured to receive a plurality of stacked currency bills, the receptacle having a first side and a second opposing side, a front end, and an opposing back end. The apparatus further may comprise a first paddle rail disposed adjacent the first side and a first paddle assembly slidably coupled to the first paddle rail, the first paddle assembly having a portion configured to contact a stack of a plurality of bills residing in the input receptacle. The apparatus further may comprise a first resilient member coupled to the first paddle assembly, the first resilient member being configured to bias the first paddle assembly towards the front end of the receptacle, the first resilient member being configured to cause the first paddle assembly to move in a direction toward the front end of the input receptacle at a first average rate of speed when unrestrained and undamped. The apparatus further may comprise a first damping mechanism configured to slow the unrestrained, average rate of speed the first paddle assembly from the first average rate of speed to a second average rate of speed which is less the first average rate of speed. Full Article
l Money handling apparatus By www.freepatentsonline.com Published On :: Tue, 17 Mar 2015 08:00:00 EDT In a money handling apparatus 10, an inlet 21 receives money of a plurality of different currencies. A control unit 40 controls a transport unit 31 such that the money is sorted and delivered from the transport unit 31 to the outlets 23, 24 and 25 based on a money recognition result by a recognition unit 32. The control unit 40 judges whether the currency having been recognized by the recognition unit 32 is assigned to any of the outlet 23, 24 and 25. When this happens, the control unit 40 transports the money to the assigned outlet. When the currency of the money having been recognized by the recognition unit 32 is not assigned to any of the outlet 23, 24 and 25, if there is an outlet to which no currency is assigned, the control unit 40 assigns and transports the money to that outlet. Full Article
l Paper sheet handling device By www.freepatentsonline.com Published On :: Tue, 17 Mar 2015 08:00:00 EDT Provided is a paper sheet handling device with which paper currency having an optimal property can be deposited and disbursed without reducing the number of denominations than can be handled, and without changing the higher-level system. This paper sheet handling device is equipped with: multiple cassettes provide respectively for each classification based on the value of a paper sheet, with each of the multiple cassettes having multiple housing units a storage unit that associates and stores a housing unit housing status, and a main control unit, which executes paper sheet deposit/disbursement processes on the basis of the housing unit housing status and the cassette housing status stored by the storage unit. Full Article
l Apparatus for setting price for multi-vending machine and method thereof By www.freepatentsonline.com Published On :: Tue, 17 Mar 2015 08:00:00 EDT Disclosed are an apparatus for setting a price for a multi-vending machine and a method thereof. The apparatus includes a price setting unit for inputting a price setting function, selecting a price setting column and inputting price information about the selected column; a control unit for controlling a price display of the selected column when the column is selected and the price information is input through the price setting unit; and a price display unit for displaying prices of products exhibited in a column according to a price display control of the control unit. Full Article
l Bezel assembly for use with an automated transaction device By www.freepatentsonline.com Published On :: Tue, 17 Mar 2015 08:00:00 EDT The bezel assembly for data reception, for use with a bill validator in a financial transactional device, includes a bezel housing and a data reception assembly. The bezel housing includes a customer-facing front portion and a back plate connectable to the bill validator that is mounted within the transactional device cabinet. The front portion includes an insertion/dispensing slot for receiving currency and a projecting protrusion forward of the casing. The forward-extending protrusion accommodates at least a portion of the data reception assembly. The bezel assembly can include a wireless communication function that is communicably connectable with a mobile device via a wireless communication method, a manual entry function, a biometric reader, one or more cameras for scanning and decrypting 2D barcodes and the like, thus enhancing the overall functionality of the financial transactional device. Full Article
l Mobile communication device and method for identifying a counterfeit bill By www.freepatentsonline.com Published On :: Tue, 17 Mar 2015 08:00:00 EDT An apparatus for identifying a counterfeit bill is provided. The apparatus includes a camera module configured to receive a captured IR image of a bill; a binary image generator configured to generate a binary image of the bill, based on the IR image; a distance value calculator configured to compare a predetermined area of the binary image with a predetermined area of a pre-stored real bill database corresponding to the predetermined area of the binary image; and a corrected image generator configured to generate a corrected image based on a result of the comparison. Full Article
l Dual validator self-service kiosk By www.freepatentsonline.com Published On :: Tue, 24 Mar 2015 08:00:00 EDT Apparatus and methods are provided for a dual validator self-service kiosk (“SSK”). The SSK may include a first validator. The first validator may examine a deposit inserted into the SSK. The SSK may include a second validator. The second validator may examine a tangible item before the SSK dispenses the tangible item. The SSK may retract the tangible item if the tangible item in not collected by a customer. The second validator may examine the tangible item after being retracted by the SSK. The first validator may apply a first examination routine to the deposit. The second validator may apply a second examination routine before the SSK dispenses the tangible item. The second validator may apply a third examination routine to a tangible item retracted by the SSK. Full Article
l Banknote handling machine By www.freepatentsonline.com Published On :: Tue, 07 Apr 2015 08:00:00 EDT In one embodiment, a banknote handling machine includes a recognition unit configured to recognize a kind of each banknote taken in a take-in unit, a plurality of stacking units, respectively configured to stack therein the banknotes, a transport unit configured to transport the banknotes, respectively recognized by the recognition unit, to any of the plurality of stacking units, an instruction accepting unit configured to accept an instruction concerning an automatic decision mode provided for deciding the kind of the banknotes to be stacked, by utilizing a recognition result obtained by the recognition unit, for each of the plurality of stacking units, and a control unit configured to control the transport unit to transport each banknote to a destination, which destination is decided based on the instruction accepted by the instruction accepting unit and on the recognition result obtained by the recognition unit. Full Article
l Currency bill processing device and method By www.freepatentsonline.com Published On :: Tue, 14 Apr 2015 08:00:00 EDT A currency bill processing system includes a transport mechanism that is configured to transport bills from an input receptacle along a transport path that extends generally horizontally past at least one detector. The transport path transitions generally-vertically upward between a first and a second output receptacle. The transport mechanism is configured to deliver some of the bills toward a first end of the system into the first output receptacle and some of the bills toward a second end of the system into the second output receptacle. The system provides access openings in a front side of the system that are proximate the first and the second output receptacles thereby permitting operator access into the first and the second output receptacles from the front side. Full Article
l Banknote handling device and passing unit used therein By www.freepatentsonline.com Published On :: Tue, 12 May 2015 08:00:00 EDT A banknote handling device includes a safe that protects banknotes (casing of a second unit), a first conveyance path externally provided to the safe, and a second conveyance path internally provided to the safe. The safe is provided with at least one opening portion through which the banknotes pass. A passing unit including a passing conveyance mechanism that passes a banknote between the first conveyance path and the second conveyance path and a left-behind sensor that detects a banknote that is left-behind, is detachably installed inside the opening portion of the safe. Full Article
l Cash handling system, cash handling method, management unit and cash accounting apparatus By www.freepatentsonline.com Published On :: Tue, 12 May 2015 08:00:00 EDT There is provided a cash handling system capable of reliably storing sales proceeds and the like stored in a cash settlement apparatus into a cash accounting apparatus. A cash management system 1 includes a cash settlement apparatus 11, a cash accounting apparatus 21 and the cash transport cassette 30. The cash settlement apparatus 11 and the cash accounting apparatus 21 have reading units 157, 257, respectively, which are configured to read out cassette ID information from a memory unit 35 of the cash transport cassette 30. In addition, the cash management system 1 further includes: a management unit 26 having a depositing judgment unit 26A configured to judge whether cash in the cash settlement apparatus 11 to be received by the cash transport cassette 30 can be deposited into the cash accounting apparatus 21 or not; a guide apparatus configured to guide information from the management unit 26; and a comparison unit 27 configured to compare the cassette ID information read out by the reading unit 257 of the cash accounting apparatus 21 and the information from the management unit 26. Full Article
l Self-service kiosk validator bridge By www.freepatentsonline.com Published On :: Tue, 26 May 2015 08:00:00 EDT Apparatus and methods for a self-service kiosk (“SSK”) validator bridge are provided. The SSK may include a bridge linking a dispenser and a validator. The bridge may be configured to transfer a tangible item from the validator to the dispenser. The validator may examine the tangible item prior to a dispensing of the tangible item to a SSK customer. The tangible item may be retracted by the dispenser. The bridge may transfer the tangible item from the dispenser to the validator. The SSK may include an acceptor. The bridge may link the acceptor to the validator. The bridge may be configured to transfer a deposit from the acceptor to the validator. The validator may examine the deposit. Full Article
l Molded gap seal apparatus with inward pointing fibrillations By www.freepatentsonline.com Published On :: Tue, 14 Apr 2015 08:00:00 EDT A cover for the gap in an automobile automatic gear shift assembly is presented. The gap cover is formed from a single molded housing with inward pointing fibrillations. These fibrillations act as fingers to cover the hole created when the multi position mechanism is moved from one position to another. The fibrillations are assisted back to their original position through (1) physical properties of the advanced polymeric substance used to mold the housing and (2) through the interactions of assisting tabs formed on the back side of the fibrillations, which act as springs. Full Article
l Window glass sheet fitted with seal member By www.freepatentsonline.com Published On :: Tue, 14 Apr 2015 08:00:00 EDT Provided is a window glass sheet fitted with a seal member and incorporated with a device such as a deicer which facilitates the device and the seal member to be installed in a proper manner. The automotive window glass sheet comprises a laminated glass sheet including a first glass sheet and a second glass sheet placed on an outboard side of the first glass sheet, and a seal member fitted on a peripheral part of the laminated glass sheet. The automotive window glass sheet further comprises a cutout formed on an edge of the first glass sheet, an electrode provided on a part of the inboard side of the second glass sheet corresponding to the cutout, a lead wire connected to the electrode and a spacer extending along an edge of the second glass sheet on the inboard side of the second glass sheet in a part thereof corresponding to the cutout and defining a flat and smooth inboard surface, wherein the inboard surface of the spacer is flush with a plane extrapolated from an inboard side of the first glass sheet, and the seal member is attached to a peripheral part of the inboard side of the first glass sheet and is attached to the inboard surface of the spacer in the cutout. Full Article
l Reductant delivery unit for automotive selective catalytic reduction with gasket anti-deposit shielding structure By www.freepatentsonline.com Published On :: Tue, 21 Apr 2015 08:00:00 EDT A reductant delivery unit (10) includes a fluid injector (12) and a flange (20) coupled with the fluid injector. An exhaust boss (28) has a surface (39) defining a through-hole (40) that communicates with a vehicle's exhaust flow path. The flange is coupled to a mounting surface such that the outlet of the fluid injector communicates with the exhaust flow path so as to control injection of urea solution into the exhaust gas flow path. A gasket (32) is sandwiched between the flange and the mounting surface. The gasket has a surface (37) defining a through-hole (38) therein that communicates with the through-hole in the exhaust boss to permit the urea solution to pass from the fluid outlet to the exhaust flow path. Gasket shielding structure (44) covers the surface defining the through-hole in the gasket to prevent the urea solution from contacting the gasket. Full Article
l Regulating flap arrangement By www.freepatentsonline.com Published On :: Tue, 21 Apr 2015 08:00:00 EDT A regulating flap arrangement (1) in a flange connection (2) between a turbine housing of a two-stage exhaust-gas turbocharger and an exhaust manifold of an engine, having a regulating flap plate (5) which is pivotable between an open position and a closed position for opening and closing a connecting opening (6) arranged in the flange connection (2); having an insert ring (7) which is arranged in the connecting opening (6); and having a sealing arrangement (8), wherein the sealing arrangement (8) has two V-rings (8A, 8B), of which a first V-ring (8A) is arranged in a first groove (9) provided adjacent to the connecting opening (6), and the second V-ring (8B) is arranged in a second groove (10) which is arranged, spaced apart radially outward from the first groove (9), in the flange connection (2). Full Article
l Seal assembly for a pressure plate in a blowout preventer By www.freepatentsonline.com Published On :: Tue, 21 Apr 2015 08:00:00 EDT A seal assembly for sealing a pressure plate against an opening in a blowout preventer body has a seal groove formed in the pressure plate and a seal in the seal groove. The seal groove has a first groove portion adjacent to a sealing face of the blowout preventer, and a second groove portion extending past the sealing face into the opening of the blowout preventer body. The seal has a first seal portion in the first groove portion and a second seal portion in the second groove portion. Full Article
l Valve vented redundant stem seal system By www.freepatentsonline.com Published On :: Tue, 21 Apr 2015 08:00:00 EDT A valve includes a stem seal assembly that prevent fluid flow in a first direction and vents in a second direction opposite the first direction. The assembly includes a packing assembly positioned within a valve stem opening of a valve body of the valve to seal a valve stem to the valve body. The packing assembly includes a first seal and a second seal preventing passage of fluid from a body cavity of the valve body to an exterior of the valve body along the valve stem while venting fluid from an exterior of the valve body to the body cavity along the valve stem. The packing assembly isolates the first seal and the second seal so that a load applied to the first seal ring is not transferred to the second seal ring. Full Article
l Redundant seal apparatus and method By www.freepatentsonline.com Published On :: Tue, 21 Apr 2015 08:00:00 EDT An apparatus includes a rotatable shaft having a shaft surface and a first seal disposed in a sealing engagement with the shaft surface. At least a second seal is disposed in a first position relative to the rotatable shaft where the second seal is not in sealing engagement with the shaft surface and is movable to a second position relative to the rotatable shaft where the second seal is in sealing engagement with the shaft surface. Full Article
l Low-friction seal ring with inexpensive diamond coating By www.freepatentsonline.com Published On :: Tue, 21 Apr 2015 08:00:00 EDT The present invention refers to a seal ring for a mechanical seal, comprising: a base body (2) with a diamond layer (3) which is applied to the base body (2) and configured as a sliding surface, wherein the diamond layer (3) has a thickness (D) which is less than or equal to 4 μm, particularly less than or equal to 3 μm, particularly less than or equal to 2 μm, particularly preferably about 1 μm, and wherein the base body (2) is without fissures or only comprises fissures that have a maximum longitudinal extension (L) on a surface of the base body (2) or in the base body (2) that is less than or equal to 5 μm. Full Article
l Leaf seal By www.freepatentsonline.com Published On :: Tue, 21 Apr 2015 08:00:00 EDT A leaf seal has a pair of annular packs of stacked leaves. Each pack is mountable to one of the components with its leaves extending towards the other component such that the leaf edges of at least one of the packs are presented for wiping contact with the other component. The packs are axially spaced from each other by a controlled axial clearance. Within each pack the leaves are stacked face-to-face such that neighboring leaves are separated from each other by interleaf gaps which allow an axial leakage flow through the seal. Further, within each pack the packs are positioned such that, when viewed in the axial direction, the leaves of each pack of the pair substantially obscure the interleaf gaps of the other pack of the pair. The controlled axial clearance is the dominant flow restriction in the seal determining the amount of leakage flow through the seal. Full Article
l Slide ring seal By www.freepatentsonline.com Published On :: Tue, 21 Apr 2015 08:00:00 EDT Slide ring seals have the problem that they generate noise under certain conditions of use. In order to suppress this noise in an effective way, the slide ring seal has at least one damping part that comprises at least one shaped sheet metal part. It is provided with at least one elastically deformable spring part that is supported under pretension. Between the damping part and the support area microfriction is generated that leads to an effective noise damping action. The slide ring seal is advantageously used in the automotive field. Full Article
l Apparatus and methods for temporarily sealing a pipe By www.freepatentsonline.com Published On :: Tue, 21 Apr 2015 08:00:00 EDT Apparatus and methods for temporarily sealing a pipe including apparatus and methods for creating a temporary airtight seal at the open end of a pipe in a plumbing or refrigeration system. One such apparatus includes a body, grommet, washer, and a nut. Multiple airtight seals are created including a first primary seal between an exterior of the pipe and the grommet and a secondary seal between the open end of the pipe and the washer. The grommet does not require teeth and the apparatus does not require adhesive, sealant, or any other type of similar materials. Use of the apparatus and methods greatly minimizes and/or eliminates the potential for marring or otherwise distorting the open end of the pipe, thereby facilitating reuse of same. Full Article
l Rolling bearing By www.freepatentsonline.com Published On :: Tue, 21 Apr 2015 08:00:00 EDT A rolling bearing which can be large-sized, has corrosion resistance, and is allowed to prevent mounting accuracy from deteriorating, a fixing force from decreasing, vibration from occurring at a portion of the rolling bearing to be fixed to a bearing box or the like, and can be used for a long term even in a highly corrosive environment. A rolling bearing (1) has an inner ring (2), an outer ring (3), and rolling elements (4) as bearing members thereof. Of regions of the bearing members which are exposed to a corrosive environment, a film having a sacrificial anode action for a base material of the bearing members is formed in a region including at least a surface (c, d) of the rolling bearing (1) to be fixed. The film formed on the surface (c, d) thereof to be fixed is porous. Full Article
l Stator seal structure in uniaxial screw pump By www.freepatentsonline.com Published On :: Tue, 21 Apr 2015 08:00:00 EDT There is provided a stator seal structure in a uniaxial eccentric screw pump by which the abrasion resistance of sealing mechanisms is improved and the pumped fluid can be prevented from stagnating in the sealing mechanisms. The stator seal structure is provided with a pair of sealing mechanisms for sealing between a housing and an intake side end portion, and between the housing and a discharge side end portion of the stator. The pair of sealing mechanisms is provided with ring-shaped secured rings respectively secured to the housing. The secured rings are respectively attached with elastic bodies for ensuring contact pressures between the sliding seal surface of the stator and the sliding seal surface of the secured rings with the elastic forces of the elastic bodies and for sealing between the secured rings and the housing. Full Article
l Apparatus and method for providing wellbore isolation By www.freepatentsonline.com Published On :: Tue, 28 Apr 2015 08:00:00 EDT An actuatable wellbore isolation assembly comprising a housing generally defining an axial flowbore and comprising a mandrel portion, a first end portion, and a second end portion, a radially expandable isolating member positioned circumferentially about a portion of the housing, a sliding sleeve circumferentially positioned about a portion of the mandrel of the cylindrical housing, the sliding sleeve being movable from, a first position in which the sliding sleeve retains the expandable isolating member in a narrower non-expanded conformation to a second position in which the sliding sleeve does not retain the expandable isolating member in the narrower non-expanded conformation, and an actuator assemblage configured to selectively allow movement of the sliding sleeve from the first position to the second position. Full Article
l Fiber reinforced elastomer anisotropic annular blowout preventer By www.freepatentsonline.com Published On :: Tue, 28 Apr 2015 08:00:00 EDT A packer unit for an annular blowout preventer including an annular elastomer body including an elastomer having a unidirectional grain and a quantity of fiber longitudinally aligned with the grain of the elastomer. A method of forming a packing unit for a blowout preventer including forming a fiber reinforced elastomer by aligning fibers with a grain of an elastomer; cutting a portion from the fiber reinforced elastomer in the direction of the grain; loading the cut portion in a packing unit mold such that the grain of the fiber reinforced elastomer of the cut portion is parallel to a packing unit axis; and heating the loaded packing unit mold. Full Article
l Sealing rings for a labyrinth seal By www.freepatentsonline.com Published On :: Tue, 28 Apr 2015 08:00:00 EDT In sealing rings for a labyrinth seal that are arranged on a rotationally symmetrical component and in frictional contact with a stationary run-in layer, a part of the sealing ring (8) that contacts the run-in layer is in the form of a wear protection ring segment (15) that is built up on a truncated sealing ring (14) and which includes a metal matrix (16) with wear protection particles (13) embedded therein. The manufacture of the wear protection ring segment is carried out by laser build-up welding, wherein the proportion of wear protection particles contained in the metal powder flow supplied to the laser beam can be controlled and increased in an edge or tip region of the sealing ring. Full Article
l Packing seal for reciprocating pump By www.freepatentsonline.com Published On :: Tue, 28 Apr 2015 08:00:00 EDT A packing seal for a reciprocating pump of the type typically used in connection with oil and gas drilling operations is described. Generally, the seal includes a rigid L shaped cartridge that carries an outer wiper and an O-ring on an exterior wall and a recessed seal body on an interior wall. The recessed seal body is of dual durometer, and its lower portion is constantly urged against the cylinder wall in self-sealing fashion. The seals, cartridge and wiper may be formed from rigid and/or non-rigid materials having low coefficients of friction and physical properties comprising low abrasion and wear resistance. The seal provides an improved self-lubricated unitary seal that is convenient to replace in the field regardless of the torque delivered to the gland nut of a packing box, which contains the seal. Full Article
l Spherical annular seal member and method of manufacturing the same By www.freepatentsonline.com Published On :: Tue, 28 Apr 2015 08:00:00 EDT A spherical annular seal member 40 includes: a spherical annular base member 38 which is defined by a cylindrical inner surface 34 defining a through hole 33 in a central portion, a partially convex spherical surface 35, and annular end faces 36 and 37 on large- and small-diameter sides of the partially convex spherical surface 35; and an outer layer 39 formed integrally on the partially convex spherical surface 35 of the spherical annular base member 38. Full Article
l Gas turbine exhaust nozzle divergent flap seal By www.freepatentsonline.com Published On :: Tue, 28 Apr 2015 08:00:00 EDT A seal assembly for a nozzle in a gas turbine engine includes a connector having a first hinge portion for attaching to the nozzle, a flat portion for sealing against a wall of the engine; and a first hinge for attaching the connector to the flat portion wherein the connector is adapted to rotate relative to the nozzle and the flat portion is adapted to rotate relative to the connector. Full Article
l Air seal for server rack By www.freepatentsonline.com Published On :: Tue, 28 Apr 2015 08:00:00 EDT An air seal for a server rack installed in a data center which delivers cool air to the fronts of racks and removes warm air at the back, where one or more of the racks are elevated by wheels or legs. A seal support member of rigid plastic and of right angle cross section has a horizontal portion and a vertical portion. The horizontal portion is adhesively secured to a downwardly facing surface at the bottom front and/or back of the rack. The horizontal portion is recessed at opposite ends to accommodate wheels or legs at opposite sides of the rack. The vertical portion extends across the full width of the rack and projects downward. A sealing strip of EPDM foam is adhesively secured to the vertical portion and is held flexed against the floor, forming a seal against the flow of by-pass air underneath the rack. Full Article
l Spacer and gasket assembly for use on an aircraft By www.freepatentsonline.com Published On :: Tue, 28 Apr 2015 08:00:00 EDT A spacer and gasket assembly is shown for receipt between a static structure having an outer and inner surface and fastener holes therethrough and a removable structure having a base with fastener holes and an upper surface and a lower surface. The static structure and removable structure are engaged through a multiplicity of fasteners having a shaft diameter. The fasteners are adapted to apply a compression on the gasket between the static structure and the removable structure. The static structure and the removable structure have opposed, typically flat, facing walls. The spacer and gasket assembly comprising a substantially non-compressible spacer adapted for receipt between the static structure and the removable structure having a spacer thickness. A gasket has a deformable, flowable, elastomeric body and a skeleton having a skeleton thickness, the skeleton substantially integral with the body. The gasket has an uncompressed gasket thickness. The spacer and the gasket are adapted to be placed substantially between the facing walls of the static structure and the removable structure and the removable structure will compress and deform the gasket when the fasteners are torqued down. Full Article
l Seal and associated sealing arrangement By www.freepatentsonline.com Published On :: Tue, 28 Apr 2015 08:00:00 EDT A seal including a tubular carrier body (1) and two annular sealing elements (2, 3), wherein the carrier body (1) on both sides of its front face is respectively enclosed by one of the sealing elements (2, 3) on the side of its outer perimeter forming a seal. At least one of the sealing elements (2, 3) is made of a non-elastomeric high-temperature resistant sealing material. Full Article
l Train axle assembly By www.freepatentsonline.com Published On :: Tue, 28 Apr 2015 08:00:00 EDT A train axle assembly includes a train axle, a ring assembly coaxially mounted on the train axle and a structure operatively engaged by the ring assembly and mounted on the train axle. The ring assembly has an outer diameter and a main section adjacent the outer diameter. The ring assembly includes a projection extending axially from the main section which is located at a diameter less than the outer diameter of the ring assembly. The projection has a portion of a diameter contacting the train axle so that the ring assembly is affixed to the train axle to provide resistance to relative rotation and axial movement between the ring assembly and the train axial. Full Article