nc Copper-zinc alloy product and process for producing copper-zinc alloy product By www.freepatentsonline.com Published On :: Tue, 05 May 2015 08:00:00 EDT A copper-zinc alloy product of the invention contains zinc in an amount of higher than 35% by weight and 43% by weight or less and has a two-phase structure of an α-phase and a β-phase. Further, the ratio of the β-phase in the copper-zinc alloy is controlled to be higher than 10% and less than 40% and the crystal grains of the α-phase and the β-phase are crushed into a flat shape and arranged in a layer shape through cold working. According to the copper-zinc alloy product, it is possible to decrease the copper content and to appropriately secure the strength and cold workability by appropriately controlling the ratio of the β-phase. Full Article
nc Driving device for belt axle of winch By www.freepatentsonline.com Published On :: Tue, 12 May 2015 08:00:00 EDT The present invention discloses a driving device for a belt axle of a winch, which addresses the problems existing in conventional winches, for example the driving devices being out of work attributing to wearing of the unidirectional teeth on the fixed base and rotary body of the winch. The rotary cylinder of the driving device of the invention is provided with insertion holes into which a crow bar can be inserted. The fixed base is fixedly connected with the belt axle of the winch. The rotary cylinder is covered on the fixed base and fixed thereto in the axial direction. A unidirectional mechanism is located between the rotary cylinder and the belt axle to be engaged by unidirectional teeth. As the shift element and shift plates can be conveniently removed, the worn shift plates or shift element can be conveniently replaced after being used for a long period. Full Article
nc Slider for concealed slide fastener By www.freepatentsonline.com Published On :: Tue, 26 May 2015 08:00:00 EDT Providing a slider for a concealed slide fastener, capable of achieving a smooth sliding operation of the slider, even when the slider is applied to a seat cover for a seat and strong lateral pulling force is applied to the slider when the slide fastener is closed. A slider for a concealed slide fastener comprises a slider body having at least a lower blade, left and right side wall portions and left and right first flanges, and slider upper plate member engaged with the slider body and having at least a second flange projecting toward at least the left and right side wall portions. Full Article
nc Memorial product including cremation remains By www.freepatentsonline.com Published On :: Tue, 14 Jan 2014 08:00:00 EST A memorial product is presently disclosed that includes a glass structure having a first helix of cremation remains and a second helix of a second material, wherein the helix of the cremation remains and the helix of the second material are intertwined to form a double helix in the glass structure. In some embodiments, the second material is additional cremation remains or a colored material selected to correspond to the deceased represented by the cremation remains. Also disclosed is a method of manufacturing a memorial product including forming a first portion of molten glass into a substantially cylindrical shape having an exterior surface, applying cremation remains on a first portion of the exterior surface, applying a second material on a second portion of the exterior surface, and gathering a second portion of molten glass over the first portion of molten glass to encase the cremation remains and the second material. Full Article
nc Cremated remains remembrance and burial system By www.freepatentsonline.com Published On :: Tue, 03 Feb 2015 08:00:00 EST A cremated remains remembrance and burial system that includes an urn, an urn lid, an urn enclosure and a headstone. The urn includes an enclosure with an opening, a first sealing mechanism and second sealing mechanism. The urn lid is capable of engaging the first sealing mechanism to substantially seal the enclosure. The urn enclosure has a recess formed therein that is adapted to receive the urn. The urn enclosure is adapted to engage the second sealing mechanism to retain the urn in engagement with the urn enclosure. The headstone has an opening formed therein that is adapted to receive at least a portion of the urn. The headstone is adapted to engage the second sealing mechanism to retain the urn in engagement with the headstone. Full Article
nc Method to improve the appearance of a corpse and new thanatocosmetic compositions By www.freepatentsonline.com Published On :: Tue, 21 Apr 2015 08:00:00 EDT The present invention relates to a method to improve the appearance of a corpse by means of the application of specific thanatocosmetic compositions. The invention also relates to the new compositions and to their use in thanato-aesthetics. Full Article
nc Handle mechanism with multiple stop locations and a lawn mower including the handle mechanism By www.freepatentsonline.com Published On :: Tue, 26 May 2015 08:00:00 EDT A handle mechanism with multiple stop locations and a lawn mower including the handle mechanism includes a handle and a location shifting element with multiple stop locations, the handle being provided with a locking mechanism that is automatically clamped with one of the multiple of stop locations of the location shifting element for fixing or adjusting the handle. A lawn mower, including the handle mechanism, includes a lawn mower body, the handle rotatably connected with the lawn mower body by the handle rotating shaft. The locking mechanism and the location shifting element are equipped with stop locations can be automatically locked, therefore, the operator can adjust the stop locations of the lawn mower conveniently. Full Article
nc ELECTROMECHANICAL-MAGNETICALLY INTEGRATED BRAKING ASSISTANCE DEVICE By www.freepatentsonline.com Published On :: Thu, 08 Jun 2017 08:00:00 EDT The invention relates to an electromechanical-magnetically integrated braking assistance device, comprising an electrical motor, an oil holder, a braking main cylinder, an assistant force generating portion, and a pedal input rod, an absolute displacement sensor or a relative displacement sensor is connected to the pedal input rod; a lead screw is sleeved over the pedal input rod, and a ball nut is sleeved over the lead screw; a ball nut bushing is fixed to the ball nut by being sleeved over the ball nut; a driven gear is fixed to the ball nut bushing by being sleeved over the ball nut bushing; and the electric motor meshes with the driven gear via a transmission mechanism. An end of the lead screw which passes through the ball nut bushing has an aperture, into which a feedback disc is installed; an end of the feedback disc is connected to an end of an output rod which is coaxially arranged with the lead screw inside the assistant force generating portion, and another end of the output rod extends into the braking main cylinder and is connected to a piston of the braking main cylinder. Full Article
nc SYSTEMS AND METHODS FOR CARBON-CARBON MATERIALS INCORPORATING YTTRIUM AND ZIRCONIUM COMPOUNDS By www.freepatentsonline.com Published On :: Thu, 22 Jun 2017 08:00:00 EDT A method of treating a carbon structure is provided. The method may include the step of infiltrating the carbon structure with a ceramic preparation comprising yttrium oxides and zirconium oxides. The carbon structure may be densified by chemical vapor infiltration (CVI) and heat treated to form yttrium oxycarbides and/or carbides and zirconium oxycarbides and/or carbides. Heat treating the carbon structure may comprise a temperature ranging from 1000° C. to 1600° C. Full Article
nc PLATE ASSEMBLIES INCLUDING FLOATING WEAR LININGS FOR MULTI-DISK BRAKE SYSTEMS AND METHODS FOR REDUCING VIBRATION IN A MULTI-DISK BRAKE SYSTEM By www.freepatentsonline.com Published On :: Thu, 29 Jun 2017 08:00:00 EDT A plate assembly for a multi-disk brake system is provided. The plate assembly includes at least one of a pressure plate or an end plate and a floating plate wear liner mounted against the at least one of the pressure plate or the end plate. The floating plate wear liner is configured to contact a contact surface of an adjacent rotatable friction disk in response to the multi-disk brake system being actuated. Full Article
nc Method and apparatus for incinerating waste By www.freepatentsonline.com Published On :: Tue, 07 Apr 2015 08:00:00 EDT The invention provides a method and apparatus for incinerating waste, wherein the waste is one or more of an organic waste and an inorganic waste. The apparatus includes a grinder for grinding a mixture of the waste and calcium carbonate. The ground mixture is then fed to a molten metal bath contained within a crucible. Thereafter, a heating member configured proximal to the crucible combusts the mixture of the waste and the calcium carbonate to form one or more of slag and one or more acidic gases. On combustion, the one or more acidic gases are neutralized by calcium hydroxide produced as a result of combusting the calcium carbonate. Additional metal compounds usable as fertilizers are also produced in response to reacting with the one or more acidic gases. Full Article
nc Enhanced plasma gasifiers for producing syngas By www.freepatentsonline.com Published On :: Tue, 14 Apr 2015 08:00:00 EDT A plasma gasification reactor, and process for its operation, with one or both of, first, a quench zone within an upper part of a top section of the reactor and, second, feed ports through a lateral wall of a middle section of the reactor for supplying feed material to a feed bed within the middle section and the feed ports located proximate the feed bed. The quench zone is provided with nozzles for introducing a fluid to reduce the temperature of molten solid bits sufficiently to minimize their sticking within external ductwork. The middle section feed port arrangement assists in more thorough reaction of light particles in the feed material that may otherwise exit with gaseous products. Full Article
nc Gasification quench chamber and scrubber assembly By www.freepatentsonline.com Published On :: Tue, 12 May 2015 08:00:00 EDT A gasification quench chamber is disclosed. The gasification quench chamber includes a reservoir that contains liquid coolant in its lower portion and an exit for the cooled syngas in its upper portion; a dip tube that is configured to introduce a syngas mixture to contact the liquid coolant which produces the cooled syngas; a cooling device configured to further cool the cooled syngas in its upper portion; and a stability device in the lower portion that is configured to mitigate coolant level fluctuation and sloshing. In an embodiment of the quench chamber, the cooling device includes a heat exchanger pipe. A quench chamber and scrubber assembly is also disclosed. Full Article
nc FLEXIBLE FLAT CABLE STRUCTURE CAPABLE OF IMPROVING CROSSTALK INTERFERENCE By www.freepatentsonline.com Published On :: Thu, 22 Jun 2017 08:00:00 EDT A flexible flat cable structure capable of improving crosstalk interference includes plural telecommunication signal conductors separated from one another and provided for transmitting differential signals, two support members installed on two lateral sides of the telecommunication signal conductor respectively, at least one filled material disposed between the telecommunication signal conductors. The ratio of the equivalent dielectric constant of the filled material to the equivalent dielectric constant of the support members falls within a range of 0.39˜0.27, and the ratio of the thickness of the filled material to the thickness of the support members falls within a range of 1.49˜1.37. Therefore, the flexible flat cable structure achieves the effects of reducing the time delay of the signal transmission of the flexible flat cable (FFC), suppressing the ringing noise of resonance, and improving the eye height of amplitude measurement, so as to suppress crosstalk interference and improve signal transmission quality effectively. Full Article
nc PRINTED CIRCUIT BOARD HAVING HIGH-SPEED OR HIGH-FREQUENCY SIGNAL CONNECTOR By www.freepatentsonline.com Published On :: Thu, 22 Jun 2017 08:00:00 EDT A printed circuit board includes a substrate including a surface layer and a first ground layer; a high-frequency signal generation part provided in the surface layer of the substrate; at least one high-frequency signal connector mounting portion formed in the surface layer of the substrate; at least one high-frequency signal line formed in the surface layer of the substrate, and extend from the high-frequency signal generation part to the at least one high-frequency signal connector mounting portion; and at least one high-frequency signal connector disposed in the at least one high-frequency signal connector mounting portion, wherein an end of the first ground layer is exposed to a side surface of the substrate, and when the high-frequency signal connector is disposed in the at least one high-frequency signal connector mounting portion, a ground of the high-frequency signal connector is in contact with the end of the first ground layer. Full Article
nc Multiport Radio Frequency Connector Isolation By www.freepatentsonline.com Published On :: Thu, 29 Jun 2017 08:00:00 EDT Previously available elastomeric EMI gaskets provided for multiport RF connector assemblies have performance limiting drawbacks. Consequently, EM isolation provided by a previously available elastomeric EMI gasket is often inadequate. Various implementations disclosed herein include multiport RF connection arrangements that use a metal gasket arranged within at least a portion of an isolation space provided by a multiport RF connector. In some implementations, a multiport connection arrangement includes a substrate, a multiport RF connector and a fitted metal gasket. The substrate includes a first surface and a first plurality of connection ports. The multiport connector has a body that includes a second surface, a second plurality of connection ports, and includes an electromagnetic isolation boundary that defines an isolation space between at least two of the second plurality of connection ports terminating at the second surface. Mechanical fasteners are optional and are included to merely provide engagement, without substantial compressive force. Full Article
nc SHIELDED ELECTRICAL CONNENCTOR AND PRODUCTION METHOD THEREOF By www.freepatentsonline.com Published On :: Thu, 29 Jun 2017 08:00:00 EDT The invention relates to a shielded connector for a motor vehicle. The connector comprises at least one casing shielding element. The shielding element includes a cable outlet portion provided with a plurality of resilient tabs that are integral with the shielding element. The tabs include a contact zone in electrical contact with a ferrule crimped to a shielding braid of a cable. The contact zone is maintained pressed against the shielding braid by means of a removable clamping ring. Full Article
nc Polycrystalline diamond compact with increased impact resistance By www.freepatentsonline.com Published On :: Tue, 24 Mar 2015 08:00:00 EDT A polycrystalline diamond (PCD) with diamond grains includes a first zone of the diamond grains and a second zone of the diamond grains. The first zone forms a working surface and a first catalyzing material is disposed within voids of the diamond grains in the first zone. A second catalyzing material is bonded to the diamond grains disposed in the second zone. The first catalyzing material in the first zone is connected to the diamond grains disposed in the first zone less intimately than the second catalyzing material is bonded to the diamond grains in the second zone. Full Article
nc Abrasive articles including abrasive particles of silicon nitride By www.freepatentsonline.com Published On :: Tue, 24 Mar 2015 08:00:00 EDT An abrasive article includes a body having abrasive particles contained within a bond material. The abrasive particles can include a majority content of silicon nitride and a minority content of sintering material including at least two rare-earth oxide materials. In an embodiment, the rare-earth oxide materials can include Nd2O3 and Y2O3. In a particular embodiment, the abrasive particles comprise a content (wt %) of Nd2O3 that is greater than a content of Y2O3 (wt %). Full Article
nc CMP pad with local area transparency By www.freepatentsonline.com Published On :: Tue, 28 Apr 2015 08:00:00 EDT A CMP polishing pad comprising (a) a polishing layer having a polishing surface and a back surface opposite said polishing surface; said polishing layer having at least one cured opaque thermoset polyurethane region and at least one aperture region; said at least one cured opaque thermoset region has a porosity from about 10% to about 55% by volume; said at least one aperture region having (1) a top opening positioned below the polishing surface, (2) a bottom opening that is co-planar with said back surface and (3) straight line vertical sidewalls extending from said aperture top opening to said aperture bottom opening; said at least one aperture region filled with a cured plug of thermoset polyurethane local area transparency material that has a light transmission of less than 80% at a wavelength from 700 to 710 nanometers and is chemically bonded directly to a thermoset polyurethane opaque area; (b) an aperture-free removable release sheet covering at least a portion of said back surface of the polishing layer; and(c) an adhesive layer interposed between said polishing layer and said release sheet; said adhesive layer capable of adhering the polishing layer to a platen of a CMP apparatus after said release sheet has been removed. Full Article
nc Polycrystalline diamond compact including a polycrystalline diamond table with a thermally-stable region having at least one low-carbon-solubility material and applications therefor By www.freepatentsonline.com Published On :: Tue, 28 Apr 2015 08:00:00 EDT Embodiments of the invention relate to polycrystalline diamond compacts (“PDCs”) comprising a polycrystalline diamond (“PCD”) table including a thermally-stable region having at least one low-carbon-solubility material disposed interstitially between bonded diamond grains thereof, and methods of fabricating such PDCs. In an embodiment, a PDC includes a substrate, and a PCD table bonded to the substrate. The PCD table includes a plurality of diamond grains exhibiting diamond-to-diamond bonding therebetween and defining a plurality of interstitial regions. The PCD table further includes at least one low-carbon-solubility material disposed in at least a portion of the plurality of interstitial regions. The at least one low-carbon-solubility material exhibits a melting temperature of about 1300° C. or less and a bulk modulus at 20° C. of less than about 150 GPa. Full Article
nc Abrasive articles including abrasive particles bonded to an elongated body, and methods of forming thereof By www.freepatentsonline.com Published On :: Tue, 12 May 2015 08:00:00 EDT An abrasive article includes an elongated body, a bonding layer including a metal overlying a surface of the elongated body, and a coating layer including a polymer material overlying the boding layer. The abrasive article further includes abrasive grains contained within the bonding layer and coating layer, and wherein the bonding layer comprises an average thickness (tbl) at least about 40% of the average grit size of the abrasive grains. Full Article
nc GENERATING ESTIMATES OF UNCERTAINTY FOR RADAR BASED PRECIPITATION ESTIMATES By www.freepatentsonline.com Published On :: Thu, 15 Jun 2017 08:00:00 EDT A method and system for estimating uncertainties in radar based precipitation estimates is provided. In an embodiment, gauge measurements at one or more gauge locations are received by an agricultural intelligence computer system. The agricultural intelligence computer system obtains precipitation estimates for the one or more gauge locations that correspond to the gauge measurements and computes the differences between the precipitation estimates and the gauge measurements. Using the precipitation estimates and the computed differences, the agricultural intelligence computer system then models a dependence of the uncertainty in the precipitation estimates on the value of the precipitation estimates. When the agricultural intelligence computer system receives precipitation estimates for a location where gauge measurements are unavailable, the agricultural intelligence computer identifies an uncertainty for the precipitation estimate based on the value of the precipitation estimate and the model of the dependence of the uncertainty on the precipitation estimate values. Full Article
nc Method and Device for Chronologically Synchronizing a Kinematic Location Network By www.freepatentsonline.com Published On :: Thu, 15 Jun 2017 08:00:00 EDT Methods and devices are presented for synchronizing positioning signals in a kinematic location network. In particular, methods and devices are presented for synchronizing a unique positioning signal generated by a positioning-unit device to a reference positioning signal generated by a reference transmitter, where the positioning-unit device and the reference transmitter are moving relative to each other. In certain embodiments the reference transmitter or the positioning-unit device, or both, self-monitor trajectory data comprising one or more of location, velocity or acceleration, e.g. using inertial navigation systems, and broadcast that data in their positioning signals. The trajectory data enables estimation of Doppler shifts and propagation delays associated with the positioning signals, allowing measurement and correction of clock drift for synchronization of the positioning signals. Full Article
nc ELECTRONICALLY SCANNED ANTENNA ARRAYS WITH RECONFIGURABLE PERFORMANCE By www.freepatentsonline.com Published On :: Thu, 15 Jun 2017 08:00:00 EDT An apparatus may include a plurality of antenna elements forming an antenna array. The apparatus may further include a beamformer that determines one or more of phase and amplitude shifts to cause the plurality of antenna elements to produce a beam in the direction of a target. The apparatus may further include a null limiter comprising dither circuits. The dither circuits may dither the one or more of phase and amplitude shifts by adding noise to cause a side lobe of the beam to increase above a threshold value. The dither circuits may be enabled by a control signal, and the dithered one or more of phase and amplitude shifts may be provided to the antenna elements to produce the beam in the direction of the target with the side lobes above the threshold value. Full Article
nc ROTATING ATTITUDE HEADING REFERENCE SYSTEMS AND METHODS By www.freepatentsonline.com Published On :: Thu, 22 Jun 2017 08:00:00 EDT Techniques are disclosed for systems and methods to provide orientation and/or position data from an orientation and/or position sensor (OPS) while it is rotating. A system includes a logic device configured to communicate with an OPS that is rotationally coupled to a mobile structure. The logic device is configured to receive orientation and/or position data from the OPS while the OPS is rotating relative to the mobile structure and determine rotationally corrected orientation and/or position data referenced to the mobile structure, a rotationally actuated sensor assembly mounted to the mobile structure, and/or an absolute coordinate frame. Full Article
nc FREQUENCY MODULATED CONTINUOUS WAVE RADIO ALTIMETER SPECTRAL MONITORING By www.freepatentsonline.com Published On :: Thu, 22 Jun 2017 08:00:00 EDT In one embodiment, a radio altimeter tracking filter is provided. The filter comprises: a wireless radio interface; a processor coupled to the wireless radio interface; a memory coupled to the wireless radio interface; wherein the wireless radio interface is configured to wirelessly receive a radio altimeter signal and convert the radio altimeter signal to a baseband frequency signal, wherein the a radio altimeter signal sweeps across a first frequency spectrum between a first frequency and a second frequency; wherein the processor is configured to pass the baseband frequency signal through a filter executed by the processor, the filter comprising a passband having a first bandwidth, and wherein the filter outputs a plurality of spectral chirps in response to the baseband frequency signal passing through the first bandwidth; wherein the processor is configured to process the plurality of spectral chirps to output characteristic parameters that characterize the radio altimeter signal. Full Article
nc Electrically Short Antennas with Enhanced Radiation Resistance By www.freepatentsonline.com Published On :: Thu, 22 Jun 2017 08:00:00 EDT Various methods, apparatus, devices and systems are provided for electrically short antennas for efficient broadband transmission. In one example, among others, a system includes a segmentally time-variant antenna and a segment controller that can control conductivity of individual segments of the segmentally time-variant antenna. The conductivity of the individual segments is modulated to allow a pulse to propagate from the proximal end to the distal end of the segmentally time-variant antenna and impede a reflection of the pulse from propagating back to the proximal end of the segmentally time-variant antenna. In another embodiment, a method includes injecting a pulse at a first end of a segmentally time-variant antenna and modulating conductivity of individual segments to allow the pulse to propagate to a second end of the segmentally time-variant antenna and impede a reflection of the pulse from propagating back to the first end. Full Article
nc Auxiliary Antenna Array for Wideband Sidelobe Cancellation By www.freepatentsonline.com Published On :: Thu, 22 Jun 2017 08:00:00 EDT Described embodiments provide sidelobe cancellation for Simultaneous Transmit and Receive systems. The sidelobe cancellation system includes an array having a primary aperture and an auxiliary array. The auxiliary array includes a plurality of antenna elements disposed adjacent to at least one side of the primary aperture. Each element of the auxiliary array is coupled to a variable attenuator, a variable phase shifter or a variable true time delay unit. A controller tunes the auxiliary array to cancel sidelobes of the primary aperture by adaptively selecting an attenuation value of the variable attenuator, a phase shift value of the variable phase shifter and a time delay value of the variable true time delay unit for each element of the auxiliary array. The auxiliary array operates as an adaptive finite-impulse response (FIR) filter with each antenna element of the auxiliary array operating as an adaptive tap of the adaptive FIR filter. Full Article
nc RECOVERY ASSISTANCE DEVICE, METHOD AND SYSTEM By www.freepatentsonline.com Published On :: Thu, 29 Jun 2017 08:00:00 EDT The invention discloses a recovery assistance device for helping in rescuing victims of avalanches, earthquakes or boat capsizes. The device is capable of calculating a position from combinations of a previous position and distances to other devices. Different configurations are possible, with a basic configuration consisting of a smart phone having waveform generation capabilities, processing and GNSS receiving capabilities. The device is programmed to be used in a defined mission by an application. The device can also receive a number of add-ons as a battery add-on, a modem add-on, a sound wave generation add-on, antennas, and protection, possibly waterproof, if adequate. Devices of the same type can be carried by people to be rescued and rescuers. The device is therefore quite versatile and can increase significantly the efficiency of rescue teams in different use case scenarios. Full Article
nc Method of treating plant growth media with multi-branched wetting agents By www.freepatentsonline.com Published On :: Tue, 24 Mar 2015 08:00:00 EDT Certain novel formulations of plant growth media additives that act in such a manner as to permit proper amounts of moisture to contact root systems in order to reduce hydrophobicity within said media. The inventive formulation comprising multi-branched surfactant compounds with both hydrophobic and hydrophilic constituents within each branch attached to a polyfunctional base compound permit effective moisture penetration through plant growth media for sustained seedling and plant growth therein. Such multi-branched wetting agents provide sustained moisture penetration over a sustained period of time, since the individual branches of such compounds may become dissociated from its base polyfunctional compound. Since such branches include both hydrophobic and hydrophilic constituents themselves, and thus act as wetting agents, even after degradation of the initial surfactant compound, repeated wetting and moisture penetration, at least, are permitted. Methods of treating plant growth media with such compounds and formulations thereof are also contemplated within this invention. Full Article
nc Multi-functional furniture-accessory system By www.freepatentsonline.com Published On :: Tue, 14 Apr 2015 08:00:00 EDT A central housing in a generally rectilinear configuration. The central housing has a horizontal open top, a horizontal open bottom and side walls. A horizontal lower divider panel is between the top and the bottom. Lateral openings in the housing are located in the lower section of the upstanding side walls adjacent to the bottom extent. A plurality of interchangeable upper components is chosen from the class including a cover having seat and table top on the top and bottom of the planar surfaces, an ice chest a large planter, an upper horizontal divider panel and an ice chest. The upper components are adapted to be selectively positioned on the open top and depend into the upper component. A plurality of lower components is chosen from the class including doors and casters. A lateral opening is formed in the housing adjacent to the bottom. Full Article
nc Plant air purification enclosure apparatus and method By www.freepatentsonline.com Published On :: Tue, 21 Apr 2015 08:00:00 EDT A plant air purifying enclosure, or “PAPE,” contained within an unconditioned space, either within or outside a building, containing therein a plant air purifier, which is used to purify air using plants and microbes growing therein. The PAPE enclosure itself receives poor indoor quality air from within structure where the PAPE is located or from a structure close by along with thermal energy which keeps the plant air purifier enclosure at a suitable temperature for the plants and air cleaning microbes within the air purifier. Poor air enters the enclosure, is purified by the plants and microbes, and returns in purified form back to the habitable space from which it was taken. This lowers the amount of outside air needed for ventilation purposes and so lessens a building's overall energy consumption while providing efficiently for naturally purified air. Fundamentally, the object of this invention is to specify devices, systems and methods to house/enclose plant purifiers in such a way that they can readily be deployed on a wide scale. Full Article
nc NOZZLE ARRANGEMENT FOR FLOWABLE SUBSTANCES By www.freepatentsonline.com Published On :: Thu, 15 Jun 2017 08:00:00 EDT A nozzle device for dispensing flowable substances, having a support and a nozzle element arranged at least in part within this support, which element is suitable and intended for dispensing the flowable substance, and having a first coupler, in order to arrange the nozzle device detachably to a supply for the flowable substance. According to the invention, the nozzle device has a second coupler in order to fasten the nozzle device detachably to a further nozzle device. Full Article
nc DEVICE FOR EVAPORATING VOLATILE SUBSTANCES By www.freepatentsonline.com Published On :: Thu, 22 Jun 2017 08:00:00 EDT Device for evaporating volatile substances including a container for a liquid that contains volatile substances and means for evaporating the volatile substances, where the means for evaporating the volatile substances include two semipermeable membranes, such that the device allows the optimisation of the evaporation of the volatile substances present in the liquid, doubling the evaporation surface thereof compared to conventional devices, and increases the user's perception of the amount of liquid evaporated. Full Article
nc MULTI-FUNCTION SPLASHLESS SPRAYHEAD By www.freepatentsonline.com Published On :: Thu, 22 Jun 2017 08:00:00 EDT A fluid control valve includes a body, a first diverter, a second diverter, and a first actuator. The body includes an inlet configured to receive a supply of fluid. The first diverter is movable in a radial direction within the body between a first radial position and a second radial position. The second diverter is movable in a longitudinal direction within the body between a first longitudinal position and a second longitudinal position. The first actuator is operatively coupled to the first diverter and to the second diverter. The first actuator is configured to simultaneously move the first diverter between the first and second radial positions and the second diverter between the first and second longitudinal positions. Full Article
nc FLAMELESS CANDLE WITH FRAGRANCE DIFFUSION By www.freepatentsonline.com Published On :: Thu, 29 Jun 2017 08:00:00 EDT According to embodiments of the present invention, a flameless candle includes a housing, a reservoir, and a lamp. The reservoir can retain a fragrant source (e.g., solid, liquid, or mix thereof. The housing has a hollow region and a recessed area within the top surface of the housing. The recessed area is bounded by a bottom surface and a sidewall. There one or more vent holes in the sidewall. If there is a plurality of vent holes, then they may encircle the sidewall. The vent hole(s) allow an airflow from the hollow region and into the recessed area above the fragrant source. The lamp can emit a light through the bottom surface of the recessed area and through fragrant source. Full Article
nc Kronos Once Again Conveys the Unifying Power of Music By www.eastbayexpress.com Published On :: Wed, 19 Feb 2020 01:00:00 -0800 Quartet's formidable live performance at Zellerbach was nonetheless upstaged by the work of its collaborators. That's probably how the members wanted it. Without disrespecting the formidable prowess of the Kronos Quartet, the contemporary string quartet was upstaged in its live performance last Thursday at Zellerbach Hall by a guy at a piano and the filmed performance of an Inuk throat singer and a pipa player. The ambitious two-part program An Evening With Kronos Quartet began with celebrated minimalist composer and keyboard player Terry Riley performing a solo piano set.… Full Article Music
nc Punch down tool with reversible punch down blade assembly By www.freepatentsonline.com Published On :: Tue, 14 Oct 2014 08:00:00 EDT A hand tool with a handle with an inner cavity, a tool bit holder removably secured within the inner cavity and having a first end adapted for receiving a first reversible tool bit and a second end adapted for receiving a second reversible tool bit, wherein a first reversible tool bit may be removably secured within an inner cavity positioned within the first end of the tool bit holder using a circular spring clip extending around an outer surface of the first end of the tool bit holder, wherein a second reversible tool bit may be removably secured within an inner cavity positioned within the second end of the tool bit holder, wherein the first reversible tool bit has a first punch down blade and a second punch down blade, and wherein the outer diameter of the first end of the tool bit holder is 0.532 inches or less. Full Article
nc Multifunctional tool for automotive air conditioning system testing and maintenance By www.freepatentsonline.com Published On :: Tue, 28 Oct 2014 08:00:00 EDT An automotive tool for servicing air-conditioning (AC) systems equipped with quick-connect adaptors. May be used to service modern refrigerant R132A-compatible systems or retrofitted older systems. The tool is adapted for attaching, detaching, opening, and closing valved T-adaptors used to attach gas lines and pressure gauges such as required for adjusting pressure in AC systems at full operational pressure and temperature, and particularly finds use when the “hi-tap” and “lo-tap” fittings are in hard to reach places around the engine block or chassis. The tool includes swappable extension arms so that length and angular geometry may be adjusted as needed. The tool aids in avoiding injury on dangerously hot surfaces and moving fan blades or belts. Surprisingly, using two such tools, one for the high tap and one for the low tap, a mechanic may work each tool singlehandedly to complete any necessary pressure adjustments. Full Article
nc Method of enhancing thermal conductivity in hydrogen storage systems By www.freepatentsonline.com Published On :: Tue, 11 Nov 2014 08:00:00 EST A method of forming a material for reversible hydrogen storage within a storage tank includes charging a mixture of a metal amide and a metal hydride to the storage tank, and chemically reacting the mixture at a reaction condition within the storage tank to form a thermally conducting composite material situated in the storage tank and for reversibly storing hydrogen. The composite material includes a three-dimensional and interconnected framework including a conductive metal. A method for reversibly storing hydrogen includes providing a storage tank and in situ chemically forming a composite material by charging a mixture of a metal amide and a metal hydride to the storage tank and chemically reacting the mixture at a reaction condition to form a thermally conducting composite material including a metal hydride and a substantially unreactive elemental metal framework. Hydrogen is absorbed into the composite material and is desorbed from the composite material. Full Article
nc Multifunction tool for demolition By www.freepatentsonline.com Published On :: Tue, 23 Dec 2014 08:00:00 EST A multi-function tool having a handle portion and a plurality of structures operable therewith for the performance of a plurality of functions. The multi-function tool allows fast and convenient transition between any of the plurality of functions in order to enable completion of jobs or tasks requiring such functions without acquisition, storage, and/or maintenance of a plurality of specialized tools. Full Article
nc Locknut wrench, leveling device and screwdriver combination tool By www.freepatentsonline.com Published On :: Tue, 14 Apr 2015 08:00:00 EDT A combination tool of the locknut wrench type, which includes a leveling device and a screwdriver blade on the opposite end. The locknut head and screwdriver ends may be interchanged depending on the size locknut wrench needed and the type of screwdriver needed. Full Article
nc Tool with variable functions for casino operations By www.freepatentsonline.com Published On :: Tue, 05 May 2015 08:00:00 EDT A hand held variable tool for use in casino operations that has optional functions of, at least, (i) a small tip writing instrument such as a pencil or pen, (ii) a large tip writing instrument such as a marker, and (iii) a cutting or scoring tool, such as a sharp-tipped needle or nail to aid in “scoring” and opening the cellophane around a new deck of playing cards. The tool can be clipped to the badge of a user for ease of transport while not in use. Full Article
nc ENHANCED BARRIER FILMS COMBINING VAPOR DEPOSITED COATINGS AND POLYMER BASED COATINGS By www.freepatentsonline.com Published On :: Thu, 29 Jun 2017 08:00:00 EDT The invention concerns barrier films comprising: (i) a substrate comprising at least first and second coatings on the substrate; (ii) the first coating comprising an inorganic oxide, metal oxide or metallic coating; and (iii) the second coating capable of adhering to the substrates, wherein the second coating is polymeric; wherein the degradation of oxygen transmission rate is reduced when compared to a barrier film without the second coating when the barrier film is subjected to Gelbo-type flexing as described in ASTM F392. Full Article
nc METHOD FOR PROTECTING ARTICLE FROM SULFATE CORROSION AND ARTICLE WITH IMPROVED RESISTANCE TO SULFATE CORROSION By www.freepatentsonline.com Published On :: Thu, 29 Jun 2017 08:00:00 EDT A method for protecting a surface of an article from sulfate corrosion resulting from exposure to a sulfate containing material at an elevated temperature includes coating the surface with a nickel based material to form an anti-corrosion coating. The nickel based material includes NiO, a spinel of formulation AB2O4, or a combination thereof, wherein A includes nickel, and B includes iron or a combination of manganese and a B site dopant. Full Article
nc ANCHOR LAYER FORMATION COMPOSITION, ANCHOR LAYER, OPTICAL FILM PROVIDED WITH ADHESIVE LAYER, AND IMAGE DISPLAY DEVICE By www.freepatentsonline.com Published On :: Thu, 29 Jun 2017 08:00:00 EDT An anchor layer formation composition, a pressure-sensitive adhesive layer-attached optical film, and an image display device are provided, in which the composition includes an oxazoline group-containing polymer and an ionic compound including a cation component and a sulfonyl group-containing anion component and is capable of forming an anchor layer that can improve the adhesion between a pressure-sensitive adhesive layer and an optical film when interposed therebetween, the pressure-sensitive adhesive layer-attached optical film has high durability and good reworkability and allows the pressure-sensitive adhesive layer to resist chipping, and the image display device has the pressure-sensitive adhesive layer-attached optical film. Full Article
nc PAPER SUBSTRATE HAVING ENHANCED PRINT DENSITY By www.freepatentsonline.com Published On :: Thu, 29 Jun 2017 08:00:00 EDT The present invention relates to a sizing composition that, when applied to paper substrate, creates a substrate, preferably suitable for inkjet printing, having increased print density, print sharpness, low HST, and/or image dry time, the substrate preferably having high brightness and reduced color-to-color bleed as well. In addition, the present invention relates to a method of reducing the HST of a paper substrate by applying the sizing composition to at least one surface thereof. Further the application relates to methods of making and using the sizing composition, as well as methods of making and using the paper containing the sizing composition. Full Article
nc Concentric vertical pipe heat exchanger for drain water heat recovery By www.freepatentsonline.com Published On :: Thu, 15 Jun 2017 08:00:00 EDT An outer plastic tube has water connections through the wall into an annular space defined by an O-ring spacer-gasket positioned between the wall and the perimeter margin of an inner cylinder rolled from a single-layer of sheet metal. A metal drainpipe with a removable bullet-shape at one end is forced through the cylinder to expand it and to thereby compress the gasket sealing the annular space. Thermal contact conductance is increased by the compressive force of water pressure. Water flow through the heat exchanger is both annular and turbulent to optimize heat transfer. Full Article
nc Enhanced Boiling with Selective Placement of Nucleation Sites By www.freepatentsonline.com Published On :: Thu, 22 Jun 2017 08:00:00 EDT A heat transfer system includes a substrate having a heat exchange region including a surface having an enhancement region including alternating regions of selectively placed plurality of nucleation sites and regions lacking selectively placed nucleation sites, such that bubble formation and departure during boiling of a liquid in contact with the enhancement region induces liquid motion over the surface of the regions lacking selectively placed nucleation sites sufficient to enhance both critical heat flux and heat transfer coefficient at the critical heat flux in the enhancement region of the system. Full Article