ir Airflow control apparatus By www.freepatentsonline.com Published On :: Tue, 14 Apr 2015 08:00:00 EDT An adjustable blocking arrangement for electronic hardware or computer racks, for preventing the undesired leakage of air through rack spaces not filled with hardware. An airflow control device is provided comprising a flexible web and a magazine adapted to receive the part of the flexible web that is not deployed. The device is adapted such that a length of the web may be deployed to sealingly block a space in the rack that is not filled with hardware modules, to prevent the flow of air through the space. The device may comprising a detection system adapted to detect the space in the rack that is not filled with hardware modules, and a processing system adapted to receive a signal from the detection system, and as a function of the signal to automatically deploy or retract the flexible web so as to sealingly block the space. Full Article
ir Aircraft nacelle including an optimised acoustic processing system By www.freepatentsonline.com Published On :: Tue, 21 Apr 2015 08:00:00 EDT An aircraft nacelle including a pipe (32), a peripheral wall (34), a lip (36), and a front frame (38) connecting the peripheral wall (34) and the pipe (32) and forming with the lip (36) a space (50) in which the hot air that is provided for frost treatment can circulate, with the pipe (32) including a coating (44) for the composite material acoustic treatment, is characterized in that the nacelle includes at least one element (52) made of a heat-conducting material inserted between the lip (36) and the pipe (32) ensuring the continuity of the aerodynamic surfaces of the lip (36) and the pipe (32) and the propagation of heat from the space (50) toward the rear of the nacelle, whereby the at least one element (52) includes a coating (54) for acoustic treatment that is made of a heat-resistant material. Full Article
ir Systems and methods for optimizing low frequency output from airgun source arrays By www.freepatentsonline.com Published On :: Tue, 05 May 2015 08:00:00 EDT Systems and methods for optimizing low frequency output of marine sources are described. The marine source arrangements and associated methods disclosed herein seek to fully frequency lock bubbles emitted by airguns in close proximity to one another. In this manner, larger effective bubble volumes can be achieved, thus increasing low frequency output. Full Article
ir Sound suppressor device for an air drying unit of a compressed-air supply system By www.freepatentsonline.com Published On :: Tue, 19 May 2015 08:00:00 EDT A sound suppressor device for an air drying unit of a compressed-air supply system having a sound suppressor housing on which is arranged an inlet opening for the supply of condensate-laden compressed air to be discharged from the air drying unit and at least one outlet opening for the discharge of the condensate-laden compressed air to the outside, wherein the inlet opening issues into at least one pre-chamber of the sound suppressor housing, which pre-chamber issues into post-chambers which are connected in parallel and which are arranged around a heating rod arranged centrally in the sound suppressor housing. Full Article
ir Firearm suppressor By www.freepatentsonline.com Published On :: Tue, 26 May 2015 08:00:00 EDT Embodiments of a firearm suppressor are disclosed herein. According to various embodiments, the firearm suppressor can include a housing. The housing can include an outer surface, an inner cavity, and an attachment mechanism that attaches the housing to a barrel of a firearm. The inner cavity can accommodate a baffle. The firearm suppressor also can include a lighting attachment. The lighting attachment can include a power source and a lighting mechanism. Full Article
ir Firearm silencer By www.freepatentsonline.com Published On :: Tue, 26 May 2015 08:00:00 EDT A firearm silencer for suppressing sound intensity generated by the discharge of a firearm, the discharge generating propellant gases, is disclosed. The firearm silencer includes an outer tube. The outer tube is generally hollow and generally cylindrical. The firearm silencer also includes a monolithic baffle stack inserted within the outer tube, and the monolithic baffle stack positions and constrains the outer tube coaxially and axially at a first and second end of the outer tube relative to a first and second end of the monolithic baffle stack using seals and retention seals, with such seals also providing an atmospheric sealing function. The monolithic baffle stack includes a first end that includes a first hole. The monolithic baffle stack also includes a second end that includes a second hole. The second end is located opposite the first end of the monolithic baffle stack. The monolithic baffle stack further includes a plurality of chambers in fluid communication with each other via a plurality of holes and annular void. The monolithic baffle stack also includes a plurality of recesses in fluid communication with the plurality of chambers via a plurality of through holes and annular void. The monolithic baffle stack also further includes plurality of protrusions and plurality of lands within the plurality of chambers where said lands and plurality of holes in chambers form an equivalent cylindrical bore dimension. Moreover, the firearm silencer includes a path extending from the first hole adjacent the first end of the monolithic baffle stack through the first hole adjacent the second end of the monolithic baffle stack. The plurality of chambers, the plurality of recesses, the plurality of through holes, the plurality of protrusions, the plurality of lands, the annular void, and the path are configured to allow propellant gases to travel there through. Full Article
ir Thermal-acoustic sections for an aircraft By www.freepatentsonline.com Published On :: Tue, 26 May 2015 08:00:00 EDT Embodiments of thermal-acoustic sections for an aircraft for reducing noise along an acoustic path produced from an acoustic source are provided herein. The thermal-acoustic section comprises a first porous layer having a first characteristic acoustic impedance. A second porous layer is disposed adjacent to the first porous layer and has a second characteristic acoustic impedance that is greater than the first characteristic acoustic impedance. The thermal-acoustic section is configured to be positioned along the acoustic path such that at least a portion of the noise from the acoustic source is directed through the first porous layer to the second porous layer to promote absorption of the noise. Full Article
ir Modular fire prevention flooring By www.freepatentsonline.com Published On :: Tue, 21 Apr 2015 08:00:00 EDT A modular fire prevention flooring system includes a plurality of fire prevention flooring planks. Each plank is generally tubular and forms a drain channel. Fluids spilled onto the upper surface of the flooring system may drain through a plurality of drain holes formed in the upper surface of the planks. The planks may further include a metal filler positioned within the drain channels to stop combustion of burning fluids spilled into the drain channels. The metal filler may break up burning liquids and remove heat therefrom. In some embodiments, a purging fluid may be flowed through the planks to purge any spilled fluids therefrom. Full Article
ir Method of and system for managing a group of dairy animals By www.freepatentsonline.com Published On :: Tue, 28 Apr 2015 08:00:00 EDT The present invention relates to a system and method of managing a group of dairy animals. More particularly, the invention relates to measuring one or more milk parameters, comparing this parameter to a criterion, and allowing an animal access to a pasture based on this comparison. The milk parameter is related to the composition of milk obtained from a dairy animal in as far as the composition is defined by at least one of the amount of protein and the energy intake of the dairy animal. The measured milk parameter is, for example, urea. Access to the pasture will be completely or partly blocked for a dairy animal having a high content of urea. This dairy animal is thus prevented from taking in an undesirably large amount of protein. Full Article
ir Hummingbird feeder By www.freepatentsonline.com Published On :: Tue, 28 Apr 2015 08:00:00 EDT A system for creating a plurality of sheltered stalls around feeding ports of a hummingbird feeder. The sheltered stalls may be formed by generally V-shaped members having opposed curved wings, one stall being formed beneath abutting wings of two abutting generally V-shaped members. The generally V-shaped members may be supported on mounting hooks which are either integral with or removable from the hummingbird feeder. The sheltered stalls and mounting hooks are red. The system may include the hummingbird feeder. The system deters dominant males from preventing use of the hummingbird feeder by competing hummingbirds. Full Article
ir Apparatus for preventing entanglement of a pair of lines fed from separate reels By www.freepatentsonline.com Published On :: Tue, 28 Apr 2015 08:00:00 EDT A multi-reel, line-handling apparatus can include a housing, a shaft located within the housing, the shaft defining a shaft axis, a first reel located within the housing, the first reel rotatably mounted to the shaft about a first reel axis angled with respect to the shaft axis, and a second reel located within the housing, the second reel rotatably mounted to the shaft about a second reel axis angled with respect to the shaft axis. The first reel and the second reel can be rotatable with respect to the housing about the shaft axis. Full Article
ir Method and device for milking a dairy animal By www.freepatentsonline.com Published On :: Tue, 19 May 2015 08:00:00 EDT The invention relates to a device for and method of milking dairy animals, in particular cows. The device and method have been improved in order to enhance the efficiency of use. In one embodiment, for the milking, teat cups are connected by means of a robot arm to respective teats of the dairy animal. This makes it possible to start the milking of the teats of the dairy animal. A milk flow from the respective teat can be measured. The milking can be ended by means of a control unit in dependence on a comparison value which is calculated on the basis of a milking parameter representative of a milk flow from the respective teat and in dependence on a deactivation threshold. According to the invention, the milking of the last teat is ended in dependence on a last-teat period to be calculated. Full Article
ir Liquid bird feeder By www.freepatentsonline.com Published On :: Tue, 19 May 2015 08:00:00 EDT A liquid hummingbird feeder is provided with a liquid container having a sealable top opening and a bottom opening, a liquid tray adapted to immerse the bottom opening in liquid, and a valve mechanism adapted to close the bottom opening to enable the liquid container to be filled through the sealable top opening. Full Article
ir Birdfeeder and seed dispenser therefor By www.freepatentsonline.com Published On :: Tue, 26 May 2015 08:00:00 EDT A birdseed dispenser and birdfeeder incorporating the same are provided. The dispenser has a base assembly mounted to a first opening formed in the sidewall of the birdseed reservoir, including a front plate having a second opening formed therein, a flange extending around the second opening and projecting away from the front plate, and an end wall supported by the flange such that the flange and end wall together define a chamber. The dispenser also includes an apertured piece received in the chamber having a first seed aperture of a first configuration and a second seed aperture of a different configuration. The apertured piece is moveable between a first orientation, which places the first seed aperture in a seed accessible state permitting birds access to the seed, and a second orientation to place the second seed aperture in the seed accessible state. Full Article
ir Tube bird feeder By www.freepatentsonline.com Published On :: Tue, 26 May 2015 08:00:00 EDT A tube bird feeder comprising a seed tube having a side wall and at least one feed opening in the side wall, a top ring mounted on a top marginal edge of the seed tube, a cover removably engaged with the top ring, at least one perch mounted on the seed tube proximate the feed opening, and a base member removably secured to the seed tube adjacent the bottom marginal edge, the base portion having a protrusion engaging with an aperture in the seed tube proximate the bottom marginal edge. Full Article
ir Lower neck indicator for wire hook hangers By www.freepatentsonline.com Published On :: Tue, 14 Oct 2014 08:00:00 EDT In a lower neck sizer for a garment hanger and a combination turnable wire hook hanger and lower neck sizer, the lower neck sizer includes a body dimensioned to generally surround a cylindrical projection and the support flanges adjacent to the body flange of the hanger, and an inwardly extending tab secured to the sizer body configured to engage the hanger at the lower neck region to resist removal. The lower neck sizer also has a discontinuity traversing the height of the body to facilitate mounting on the hanger. Full Article
ir Pre-threaded and knotted hair weaving needle and method By www.freepatentsonline.com Published On :: Tue, 19 May 2015 08:00:00 EDT A pre-threaded and knotted needle with a length of thread knotted though the eye of the needle and a connection securing the ends of the thread and a sleeve securing a bundle of the thread so that the thread is not tangled until it is released and ready for use The thread is bundle is formed by wrapping it into a bundle and securing a sleeve around the bundle of the thread so that the thread is not tangled until it is released and ready for use. The bundle is released for use by pulling on the needle and the end of the thread to release the bundle of thread. Full Article
ir Disposal method for entirely recycling solid refuse By www.freepatentsonline.com Published On :: Tue, 20 Jan 2015 08:00:00 EST A disposal method for entirely recycling solid refuse includes the following steps: sorting, crushing, drying, pressing with high pressure to shaped articles, producing charcoal from combustible refuse in high temperature and firing incombustible refuse in high temperature, at last cooling high temperature articles to obtain solid fuel with various shapes and bricks or board used for building. The method achieves entirely recycling house refuse, especial solid refuse. The method recycles solid refuse to obtain fuel and building material with economic value. The method is simple and its processing cost is low. Full Article
ir Coking plant with flue gas recirculation By www.freepatentsonline.com Published On :: Tue, 27 Jan 2015 08:00:00 EST Improvement in carbonization in a carbonization furnace and simultaneous reduction in NOx emissions is achieved by recirculation of waste gas from a coking oven back to the oven chamber, the downcomers, or the sole channel system. Full Article
ir Air proportioning system for secondary air in coke ovens depending on the vault vs. sole temperature ratio By www.freepatentsonline.com Published On :: Tue, 17 Mar 2015 08:00:00 EDT A device for proportioning of secondary combustion air into the secondary air soles of coke oven chamber ovens is shown. The device is formed by a slide gate or a parallelepiped device or by plates moved by means of a thrust bar, the thrust bar being moved longitudinally in parallel to the coke oven chamber wall so that the plates move away from the secondary air apertures and open or close these. The thrust bar is moved by means of a positioning motor, with the power transmission being effected hydraulically or pneumatically. Via suitable measuring parameters, it is thus possible to optimize secondary heating so that heating is provided evenly from all sides, thus achieving an improvement in coke quality. Full Article
ir Ultrasonic microwave molecular vacuum distillation system for waste tires By www.freepatentsonline.com Published On :: Tue, 14 Apr 2015 08:00:00 EDT A system for tire distillation including an upper chamber, a first conveyor configured to transport a tire through the upper chamber, a lower chamber located beneath the upper chamber, the lower chamber that includes an ultrasonic purge chamber configured to radiate the tire with ultrasonic radiation, a microwave radiation chamber configured to radiate the tire with microwave radiation, and a second conveyor configured to transport the tire from the ultrasonic purge chamber to the microwave radiation chamber. The system further includes a vacuum system configured to maintain an atmosphere in the ultrasonic purge chamber and the microwave radiation chamber under a vacuum wherein the tire is preheated during conveyance through the upper chamber from heat produced in the lower chamber. Full Article
ir Controllable air ducts for feeding of additional combustion air into the area of flue gas channels of coke oven chambers By www.freepatentsonline.com Published On :: Tue, 26 May 2015 08:00:00 EDT A device for feeding and controlling secondary air from secondary air ducts into flue gas channels of horizontal coke oven chambers is shown. The flue gas channels are located underneath the coke oven chamber floor on which coal carbonization is realized. The flue gas channels serve for combustion of partly burnt coking gases from the coke oven chamber. The partly burnt gases are burnt with secondary air, thus heating the coke cake also from below to ensure even coal carbonization. Secondary air comes from the secondary air ducts connected to atmospheric air and to the flue gas channels. Controlling elements are mounted in the connecting channels between the flue gas channels and secondary air ducts which can precisely control the air flow into the flue gas channels. Thereby, it is possible to achieve a much more regular heating and heat distribution in coke oven chambers. The actual controlling devices in the connecting channels can be formed by turnable pipe sections, wall bricks, or metal flaps. It is particularly advantageous to utilize a hump-like facility (tabouret) which sits in the secondary air ducts and which is comprised of a tabouret plate with a central opening that is slid under the corresponding embranchment to regulate the gas stream. The controlling mechanism can be actuated manually, electrically, or pneumatically. Thereby, the controlling device can also be automated. Full Article
ir Environmental control subsystem for a variable data lithographic apparatus By www.freepatentsonline.com Published On :: Tue, 05 May 2015 08:00:00 EDT Methods and structures are disclosed to minimize the presence of vapor clouding in the path between an energy (e.g., radiation) source and the dampening fluid layer in a variable data lithography system. Also disclosed are conditions for optimizing vaporization of regions of the dampening fluid layer for a given laser source power. Conditions are also disclosed for minimizing re-condensation of vaporized dampening fluid onto the patterned dampening fluid layer. Accordingly, a reduction in the power required for, and an increase in the reproducibility of, patterning of a dampening fluid layer over a reimageable surface in a variable data lithography system are disclosed. Full Article
ir Printer and method for transferring wiring patterns to objects By www.freepatentsonline.com Published On :: Tue, 26 May 2015 08:00:00 EDT A printer according to the present invention includes a transfer roll and a plurality of the printing rolls. At least one printing roll of the plurality of the printing rolls transfers ink containing a conductive material to the transfer roll. Preferably, the at least one printing roll includes a printing roll configured to transfer ink containing a conductive material to the transfer roll and a printing roll configured to transfer ink containing a conductive material to the transfer roll. Full Article
ir EQUALIZER CIRCUIT AND RECEIVING APPARATUS USING THE SAME By www.freepatentsonline.com Published On :: Thu, 29 Jun 2017 08:00:00 EDT An equalizer circuit includes an phase-to-phase connectors including an phase-to-phase capacitor and four phase-to-phase switches, four output buffers, and control signal generation circuitry. One terminal of each phase-to-phase switches is connected to one of four connection paths on which four conversion signals being different in phase by 90° are input. The other one terminal of each phase-to-phase switches is connected to the phase-to-phase capacitor. Each output buffer is connected to one of the four connection paths and outputs an output signal. The control signal generation circuitry outputs control signals to control turning-on/off of the respective four phase-to-phase switches. A closing of the first, second, third, and fourth phase-to-phase switches are started from any one of phase-to-phase switches in one of a first ascending circulation and a first descending circulation based on the 4-phase control signals. Full Article
ir HALF-RATE CLOCK DATA RECOVERY CIRCUIT By www.freepatentsonline.com Published On :: Thu, 29 Jun 2017 08:00:00 EDT A half-rate clock data recovery circuit includes: a voltage-controlled oscillator (VCO) for generating a data sampling clock and an edge sampling clock according to a control voltage; an adjusting circuit for dynamically controlling the VCO to adjust the phase difference between the data sampling clock and the edge sampling clock to be different from 90 degrees in multiple test periods; and a control circuit for instructing the adjusting circuit to respectively utilize different control value combinations to control the VCO in the multiple test periods, and for recording multiple recovered-signal quality indicators respectively corresponding to the multiple test periods. Afterwards, the control circuit instructs the adjusting circuit to utilize a control value combination corresponding to the best quality indicator among the multiple recovered-signal quality indicators to control the VCO. Full Article
ir Direct Drive Ceiling Fan By www.freepatentsonline.com Published On :: Thu, 08 Jun 2017 08:00:00 EDT A direct drive ceiling fan is described that includes at least one blade and a permanent magnet motor (e.g., PMSM) as a driving source. The permanent magnet motor includes a stator with a 45 to 90 slot construction and multiple stator winding coils and the rotor assembly includes a permanent magnet that has from 50 to 80 magnetic poles. The coils are wound according to a symmetric winding pattern that is selected based on the numbers of slots and poles used in the motor. The resulting motor produces near zero to zero radial forces (Fx and Fy) during operation of the fan. Full Article
ir Fan Motor Controller for Use in an Air Conditioning System By www.freepatentsonline.com Published On :: Thu, 08 Jun 2017 08:00:00 EDT One aspect provides an air conditioning system that includes a compressor housing, a motor having fan blades rotatably coupled thereto and located within the compressor housing. The motor has a rotation sensor associated with it that is configured to sense a rotation of the fan blades. This embodiment further comprises a controller coupled to the motor and is configured to increase a torque of the motor when the rotation sensor indicates that the fan blades are not rotating after an on command signal is received by the motor. Full Article
ir INTEGRATED FUEL CELL AIRCRAFT PRESSURIZATION AND COOLING SYSTEM By www.freepatentsonline.com Published On :: Thu, 15 Jun 2017 08:00:00 EDT According to one embodiment of this disclosure an integrated fuel cell and environmental control system includes a turbo-compressor. The turbo-compressor includes a rotatable shaft, a compressor rotatable with the shaft to generate a flow of compressed air, a motor connected to the shaft, and a turbine connected to the shaft. The system further includes a fuel cell connected to the compressor by a first compressed air supply line that supplies a first portion of the flow of compressed air to the fuel cell. The fuel cell is connected to the turbine by a fuel cell exhaust line that supplies a flow of fuel cell exhaust to the turbine and causes the turbine to rotate. The system further includes an environmental control system connected to the compressor by a second compressed air supply line that supplies a second portion of the flow of compressed air to the environmental control system. Full Article
ir ENVIRONMENTAL SENSOR AND METHOD OF OPERATING THE SAME By www.freepatentsonline.com Published On :: Thu, 22 Jun 2017 08:00:00 EDT A gaseous-fluid environmental sensor having a gaseous-fluid flow system that defines a flow path coupling an intake port to an exhaust port. The gaseous-fluid flow system includes a blower and a flow sensor. The blower includes a motor and the flow sensor is for sensing a flow parameter. The gaseous-fluid environmental sensor further includes a controller electrically coupled to the flow sensor and the motor. The controller is configured to drive the motor with a first commutation sequence and to drive the motor with a second commutation sequence different than the first commutation sequence. The controller is further configured to select the first commutation sequence and the second commutation sequence based on the sensed flow parameter. Also discloses is a method for controlling the gaseous-fluid environmental sensor. Full Article
ir THERMAL ENHANCEMENT OF CABIN AIR COMPRESSOR MOTOR COOLING By www.freepatentsonline.com Published On :: Thu, 22 Jun 2017 08:00:00 EDT A cabin air compressor assembly includes a cabin air compressor, and a cabin air compressor motor operably connected to the cabin air compressor. The cabin air compressor motor includes a rotor and a stator having a plurality of end windings. A cabin air compressor housing includes at least one cooling airflow hole formed therein. A motor cooling flow is movable across a portion of the cabin air compressor motor to cool the stator and the end windings. A duct extends from the cabin air compressor housing to an adjacent end winding such that a cooling outlet flow provided via the at least one cooling air flow hole is arranged in fluid communication with the end winding. Full Article
ir Electrical Control Valve for an Air Conditioning Compressor By www.freepatentsonline.com Published On :: Thu, 29 Jun 2017 08:00:00 EDT A control valve for an air conditioning compressor is disclosed. The control valve comprises a control piston, an electric motor, a sensor, and a control unit. The control piston connects a refrigerant flow between a high-pressure area and a crankcase pressure area of the air conditioning compressor in a first position. The control piston further connects the refrigerant flow between the crankcase pressure area and a low-pressure area of the air conditioning compressor in a second position. The electric motor moves the control piston between the first position and the second position. The sensor determines the position of the control piston. The control unit is connected to the sensor and the electric motor. The control unit controls the electric motor to move the control piston and control the refrigerant flow based on the position of the control piston determined by the sensor. Full Article
ir Coil arrangement for air intake system for gas turbine and methods By www.freepatentsonline.com Published On :: Tue, 28 Apr 2015 08:00:00 EDT An air intake system for a gas turbine includes one or more coils in airflow communication with an inlet arrangement. Each coil is constructed and arranged to have a respective upstream face velocity that is intended to be within 20% of the other coils. Each coil utilizes a working fluid of a predetermined temperature range conveyed there through and a plurality of spaced fins. The fins are spaced apart to permit air to flow between adjacent fins as air flows through the coil. At least one of the coils has a number of fins per inch that is different from the number of fins per inch of the other coils. Alternatively, each individual coil has at least one section with fewer or greater numbers of fins per inch that the other sections of that coil. Full Article
ir Fossil-fuel-fired power plant By www.freepatentsonline.com Published On :: Tue, 05 May 2015 08:00:00 EDT A power plant includes a boiler, a stream turbine generator, a post combustion processing system, a feed water regeneration processing system and a heat exchanger. Heat from the heat exchanger is used to regenerate (a) a reagent that absorbs carbon dioxide from flue gas and (b) a water-lean desiccant used to increase plant operating efficiency. Full Article
ir Self-cleaning air filtration system By www.freepatentsonline.com Published On :: Tue, 05 May 2015 08:00:00 EDT A self-cleaning system and method for removing contaminants captured by an air flow filter media in which a reverse air flow is directed back through the filter media and into an antechamber which is closed during self-cleaning and a vacuum source is connected to the antechamber to quickly evacuate the air in said antechamber containing dislodged contaminants suspended therein. Full Article
ir Down-flow direct contact cooler By www.freepatentsonline.com Published On :: Tue, 19 May 2015 08:00:00 EDT Systems and methods are contemplated for down-flow cooling of a feed gas. Contemplated systems can include a housing having an inlet conduit disposed within an upper portion and configured to receive a first stream. First and second stages can be disposed within the housing, with the first stage disposed upstream of the second stage and having a first cooling stream, and the second stage having a second cooling stream that is colder than the first cooling stream. The housing can be configured such that the first stream is cooled by down-flow heat exchange with the first and second cooling streams to produce a conditioned stream depleted of at least a portion of water condensed from the feed gas. Full Article
ir Circular saw By www.freepatentsonline.com Published On :: Tue, 12 May 2015 08:00:00 EDT A circular saw including a saw blade (36) which may be rotatingly driven about a rotational axis, and at least one first splitting wedge is described. The circular saw is configured so that the first splitting wedge is movable relative to the rotational axis of the saw blade. Full Article
ir Method for forming a fire resistant cellulose product, and associated apparatus By www.freepatentsonline.com Published On :: Tue, 14 Apr 2015 08:00:00 EDT A method is provided for forming a fire resistant cellulose product. A fire-retarding solution and a bonding agent are combined with refined cellulose fibers to form a fiber mixture, and the fire-retarding solution and bonding agent are substantially uniformly distributed with respect to the cellulose fibers within the fiber mixture. The fiber mixture is exposed to an actuating element, wherein the actuating element is configured to actuate the bonding agent so as to facilitate cohesion of the cellulose fibers and form the fiber mixture into a fiber board member, the fiber board member having opposing major surfaces. A cellulose sheet member is engaged with each major surface of the fiber board member, such that each cellulose sheet member substantially covers the respective major surface. An associated apparatus is also provided. Full Article
ir Pneumatic tire with tread having groove area ratio By www.freepatentsonline.com Published On :: Tue, 14 Apr 2015 08:00:00 EDT A pneumatic tire for improving steering stability performance on dry and wet road surfaces. The tire tread pattern has circumferential center main grooves, outside and inside main grooves, land sections demarcated by the main grooves, ground contact borders on both sides of the tire, and closed shoulder lug grooves. A ratio Wmax/Wout of a maximum main groove width Wmax and an outside main groove width Wout is at between 1.5 and 2.5 inclusive. A ratio Sin/Sout of a groove area ratio Sin of a region on a tire-widthwise second side of a tire centerline and a groove area ratio Sout of a region on a first side of the tire centerline is at least 1.10 and smaller than 1.25. A groove area ratio of a region on the second side of a tire-widthwise centerline of the intermediate land sections exceeds that of a region on the first side. Full Article
ir Tension-based non-pneumatic tire By www.freepatentsonline.com Published On :: Tue, 14 Apr 2015 08:00:00 EDT A non-pneumatic tire for supporting a load by working in tension comprising a generally annular inner surface, a generally annular outer ring, and an interconnected web having a plurality of web elements and comprising a plurality of generally polygonal openings. Web elements are sized, oriented and comprised of a material that facilitates buckling when subjected to a compressive load. By buckling, those elements in a deformed portion of the tire between a hub and a footprint region where the tire contacts a surface may assume a significantly reduced portion of the load, if any. This causes web elements in other portions of the interconnected web to operate in tension to support the load. With the portion of the tire in the footprint region not bearing a significant portion of the load, non-pneumatic tire may exhibit a more comfortable ride subject to less noise and vibration and improved handling capabilities. Full Article
ir Pneumatic tire By www.freepatentsonline.com Published On :: Tue, 14 Apr 2015 08:00:00 EDT A pneumatic tire in which an inner liner including a film mainly made of thermoplastic resin is attached to an inside of the tire via a tie rubber sheet, on an inner side of a carcass layer, and which has a lap-splice portion where end portions of the film in a tire circumferential direction overlap each other in a tire widthwise direction with tie rubber therebetween. A section of the film on a tire cavity side in the lap-splice portion has a portion where the film is thin over part or entirety of the width in the tire widthwise direction before the lap-splice portion, or a film thickness in the lap-splice portion is smaller than a film thickness in a portion other than the lap-splice portion. Thus, the pneumatic tire has no crack developing around the lap-splice portion of an inner liner layer after running, and has excellent durability. Full Article
ir Motorcycle tire By www.freepatentsonline.com Published On :: Tue, 21 Apr 2015 08:00:00 EDT A motorcycle tire comprises a tread portion grooved so that twenty narrow annular zones thereof each have a land ratio of 70 to 90%, wherein the twenty narrow annular zones are defined by equally dividing the developed tread width along the tread face by twenty. On each side of the tire equator, main oblique grooves and auxiliary oblique grooves are arranged alternately in the tire circumferential direction and inclined to one tire circumferential direction. The main oblique grooves on each side of the tire equator extend beyond the tire equator to have axially inner ends located on the other side of the tire equator. The auxiliary oblique grooves on each side of the tire equator do not extend beyond the tire equator to have axially inner ends located on the same side of the tire equator. Full Article
ir Pneumatic tire with sipe having bidirectional ridge portion rows and bidirectional valley portion rows By www.freepatentsonline.com Published On :: Tue, 21 Apr 2015 08:00:00 EDT It is a problem to provide a pneumatic tire where disengagement between sipe wall surfaces is suppressed. In a sipe formed in a block of a tread portion, two ridge portions (32) and (34) are formed in one sipe wall surface (29P), and two valley portions that engage with the ridge portions (32) and (34) are formed in another sipe wall surface. The two ridge portions (32) and (34) form a merged portion (30) where they merge together in the center of a sipe lengthwise direction and at their tire radial direction outside ends, and the two ridge portions (32) and (34) extend linearly from the merged portion (30) toward both sipe-lengthwise-direction end sides (F) and (K) so as to gradually move apart inward in the tire radial direction. Because of this configuration, the contact length of the adjacent sipe wall surfaces in a sipe depth direction (R) becomes longer. Full Article
ir Pneumatic tire By www.freepatentsonline.com Published On :: Tue, 21 Apr 2015 08:00:00 EDT In a pneumatic tire, center land portions include a circumferential narrow groove extending in the tire circumferential direction so as to partition the center land portions in a tire width direction; a plurality of lug grooves disposed in each region of each of the center land portions partitioned by the circumferential narrow groove, extending in the tire width direction, so as to partition each of the regions of the center land portions in the tire circumferential direction; and a plurality of blocks partitioned by the circumferential narrow groove and the plurality of lug grooves. Blocks of the center land portions include one open sipe extending in the tire width direction so as to partition the blocks in the tire circumferential direction, and three or more closed sipes disposed in each of the regions of each of the blocks partitioned by the open sipe. Full Article
ir Pneumatic radial tire with tread having thin circumferential groove and lug groove By www.freepatentsonline.com Published On :: Tue, 21 Apr 2015 08:00:00 EDT A pneumatic radial tire in which a plurality of land portion rows 2 are formed by a plurality of main grooves that extend in the circumferential direction on a tread portion of a tire, and a thin groove 3 that extends in the tire circumferential direction is formed in at least one shoulder land portion row 2A that is positioned on the tread end among the plurality of land portion rows. A land portion 5 that is positioned between, the thin groove 3 and the tread end 4 is partitioned into a plurality of blocks 5a by a lug groove 6 that extends in the tire width direction and whose maximum groove depth is set deeper than the groove depth of the thin groove, and the groove depth of the lug groove continuously changes so as to become a maximum at an intermediate position between the thin groove and the tread end. According to the present invention, it is possible to provide a pneumatic radial tire that can achieve improved drainage performance. Full Article
ir Rubber composition for tire comprising an organosilicon coupling system By www.freepatentsonline.com Published On :: Tue, 21 Apr 2015 08:00:00 EDT Tyre and rubber composition for tyre, based on at least one isoprene elastomer (for example natural rubber), an inorganic filler as reinforcing filler (for example silica) and a coupling system which provides the bonding between the said reinforcing inorganic filler and the isoprene elastomer, the said coupling system comprising, in combination: as first coupling agent, a silane sulphide compound;as second coupling agent, an at least bifunctional organosilicon compound (for example an organosilane or an organosiloxane) which can be grafted to the elastomer by means of an azodicarbonyl functional group (—CO—N═N—CO—). Full Article
ir Method and device for locking tires By www.freepatentsonline.com Published On :: Tue, 28 Apr 2015 08:00:00 EDT A method for locking a tire to a wheel rim, includes the steps of mounting a tubular tire locking element on the wheel rim, which tubular locking member is arranged with a valve, which valve is pushed through a hole in the rim; mounting a tire on the rim such that the tire encloses the tubular tire locking element and a pressure chamber is obtained between the tire locking element and the tire; pressurizing the tubular tire locking element via the valve such that it expands, whereby the beads of the tire are pressed against the flanges of the wheel rim; inserting a hollow needle through the tire and into the pressure chamber, which hollow needle is connected to a pressurized air source; pressurizing the pressure chamber to desired pressure, removing the hollow needle; and sealing the hole caused by the needle with sealing fluid or plug. Full Article
ir Pneumatic tire By www.freepatentsonline.com Published On :: Tue, 28 Apr 2015 08:00:00 EDT A pneumatic tire is provided with a main groove extending along a tire circumferential direction in a tread. A side wall of a land portion facing the main groove extends so as to be inclined with respect to a tire circumferential direction between a pair of corner portions. The corner portion positioned in an inner side in a width direction of the main groove is set to an inner corner portion and the corner portion positioned in an outer side is set to an outer corner portion. In the inner corner portion, the side wall is formed by a stepped surface expanding to the outer side in the width direction toward a groove bottom and an expansion to the outer side in the width direction in the stepped surface is made smaller from the inner corner portion toward the outer corner portion. Full Article
ir Pneumatic tire By www.freepatentsonline.com Published On :: Tue, 28 Apr 2015 08:00:00 EDT A pneumatic tire including at least four circumferential main grooves extending in the tire circumferential direction and a plurality of rib-like land portions partitioned by the circumferential main grooves in the tread portion. Additionally, an outer side second land portion includes a zigzag narrow groove having a zigzag shape, extending in the tire circumferential direction, and dividing the outer side second land portion in the tire width direction; and a plurality of first sipes disposed at a predetermined pitch in the tire circumferential direction, extending from an edge portion on the outer side in the tire width direction of the outer side second land portion toward the inner side in the tire width direction, and terminating prior to the zigzag narrow groove, leaving a gap for ventilation. Full Article
ir Pneumatic tire By www.freepatentsonline.com Published On :: Tue, 28 Apr 2015 08:00:00 EDT A pneumatic tire including a separatable pair of mechanical fasteners wherein a first fastener of the pair of mechanical fasteners is provided on a tire inner surface. In this pneumatic tire, the obtained engagement force of the pair of mechanical fasteners is great and is essentially free of variations (positional variation within the tire and variation from tire to tire); the engagement force deteriorates/declines minimally over time due to extreme usage conditions including repetitive deformation and compaction over an extended period of time caused by tire rotation at high speeds in a state of relatively elevated temperatures; and the desired engagement force can be maintained over an extended period of time. Full Article