li Liquid deflection device By www.freepatentsonline.com Published On :: Tue, 19 May 2015 08:00:00 EDT A liquid deflection device for the nozzle of an existing spray head wherein the device is rotatably mounted on the nozzle. The device has an attaching end which clips to an existing nozzle. The attaching end is opposite a handle end which a user grasps to rotate the device to block a portion of liquid being released from the exit port of a nozzle. A deflecting end extends beyond the top of the nozzle and has a shape and size sufficient enough to deflect liquid released from the exit port. A securing portion has an opening great enough in diameter to allow a fastener of sufficient size to secure the nozzle. An additional opening on the securing portion allows a user access to a set screw on the nozzle. Full Article
li Fuel injection nozzle with film-type fuel application By www.freepatentsonline.com Published On :: Tue, 19 May 2015 08:00:00 EDT A fuel injection nozzle for a gas turbine combustion chamber with a film applicator (1) is provided with several fuel openings (2). Center axes (5) of the fuel openings (2) through the film applicator (1), with regard to their radial orientation, are essentially parallel to the main flow direction (6) of the air. Full Article
li Fuel injector and method for assembling a fuel injector By www.freepatentsonline.com Published On :: Tue, 19 May 2015 08:00:00 EDT A fuel injector for fuel injection systems of internal combustion engines has a solenoid operable via an electric wire, a valve sleeve in an injection-side area forming an external sheathing of the fuel injector, and a valve housing. The fuel injector has a plastic sleeve, which contains the solenoid and the electric wire and can be pushed onto the valve sleeve. Full Article
li Material spreader utilizing vehicle power and having operational wireless control By www.freepatentsonline.com Published On :: Tue, 19 May 2015 08:00:00 EDT A material spreader assembly for the broadcast spreading of particulate material from the trailer hitch of a vehicle. A hopper for storing the particulate material is supported by a frame having a trailer hitch coupler for connection to the vehicle. A spreader including a spinner driven by an electric motor receives and disperses the particulate material. A control circuit receives electric current from the vehicle via a plug interface and a wiring harness and controls the operation of the spreader. A remote communicates user commands to the control circuit. The control circuit includes a motor control processor that controls a motor power relay and a motor driver to gradually ramp up the current supplied to the spreader for start up the spreader while preventing a high transient current draw spike. Component feedback sensors enable the motor control processor to provide an emergency shut off feature and warning signals. Full Article
li Fluid delivery system and method By www.freepatentsonline.com Published On :: Tue, 19 May 2015 08:00:00 EDT A method of controlling a fluid delivery machine configured to deliver fluid on a worksite is disclosed. In the method, operation of a power source of the fluid delivery machine is controlled with a control module. Fluid delivery on the worksite is also controlled by the control module. Full Article
li Application tips including a dispensing nozzle with one or more dispensing passages extending along a length thereof and related methods By www.freepatentsonline.com Published On :: Tue, 26 May 2015 08:00:00 EDT An application tip and method for dispensing a fluid into a hole, the tip having a hollow housing or body with an open end and a closed end, the open end configured to be removably attached to and in fluid communication with a fluid source, the closed end including a nozzle having at least one passage or fluid outlet opening. Full Article
li System and method for wireless irrigation utilizing a centralized control server and field module matrix By www.freepatentsonline.com Published On :: Tue, 26 May 2015 08:00:00 EDT The invention is a centralized server-based system containing a database with relevant information regarding features, parameters, and characteristics of a particular irrigation system, which utilizes proprietary irrigation software to control a plurality of field modules, at one or more remote locations, via a network bridge adapter. An irrigation system may comprise a single server, or multiple servers that may be configured so that control of the entire system is centralized, and control of one or multiple irrigation locations may be accomplished remotely by wirelessly accessing, monitoring and controlling a location's field module matrix. Full Article
li Control assembly for controlling the rotation of a turnstile By www.freepatentsonline.com Published On :: Tue, 09 Dec 2014 08:00:00 EST A control assembly for controlling rotation of a turnstile, includes a torque-restoring mechanism (13) with springs (20), a motion converting transmission with a multiplying gearing (56, 57) converting a rotation of the turnstile over 120° into a rotation of the rotary shaft entering the hydraulic damper (26) over 180°. The hydraulic damper (26) has two pistons mounted onto a single piston rod. A cam or crank mechanism converts rotation of the rotary shaft into reciprocating motion of the two pistons. The first piston damps the rotary movement of the turnstile when moving in one direction while the other piston damps this movement when the pistons move in the other direction, therefore damping the turnstile in both directions. A motion converting transmission in combination with a double-piston mechanism avoids any loss of hydraulic fluid, while achieving a gradually increasing damping force to effectively stop the rotation of the turnstile. Full Article
li Bills and/or card validator and storage apparatus By www.freepatentsonline.com Published On :: Tue, 16 Dec 2014 08:00:00 EST The invention relates to apparatus for the provision of receipt, validation and collection of banknotes or tickets which are input by a user, typically as payment for a service which has or is to be provided. The apparatus allow for the accurate location of the banknote or ticket as it passes through the apparatus and the accurate validation of the same. In one embodiment a printer assembly is provided which allows the apparatus to print tickets and to pass the same in the reverse direction to input banknotes or tickets, to be provided to the user as, for example a credit which can be cashed subsequently by the user. Full Article
li Device for handling notes of value, comprising two intermediate storage units for the intermediate storage of notes of value By www.freepatentsonline.com Published On :: Tue, 23 Dec 2014 08:00:00 EST The invention relates to a device (10) for handling notes of value, comprising a sensor unit (300) for detection of at least one feature of each note of value, and a control unit (28) which classifies the notes of value into accepted notes of value and sheet-shaped media to be returned, dependent on the feature to be detected by the sensor unit (300). A sorting gate (400) is arranged downstream the sensor unit (300), wherein the control unit (28) controls the sorting gate (400) to supply notes of value classified as accepted notes of value to a first intermediate storage (32), and notes of value classified as sheet-shaped media to be returned to a second intermediate storage (500). Full Article
li 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
li 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
li 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
li 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
li 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
li 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
li 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
li 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
li 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
li 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
li 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
li 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
li 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
li 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
li 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
li 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
li 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
li 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
li 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
li 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
li Apparatus and system for sealing submersible pump assemblies By www.freepatentsonline.com Published On :: Tue, 28 Apr 2015 08:00:00 EDT An apparatus, system and method for sealing an electrical submersible pump assembly are described. An electric submersible pump (ESP) system for pumping solid-laden fluid comprises a thrust chamber of an ESP seal section, the thrust chamber sealed from well fluid on a downstream side by a stationary sand barrier and on an upstream side by a mechanical seal, the thrust chamber further comprising, a rotatable shaft extending axially through the thrust chamber, a head tubularly encasing the thrust chamber and threadedly coupled to a centrifugal pump intake, and a diamond-coated hydrodynamic bearing set inside the thrust chamber, wherein well fluid enters and exits the chamber through cross-drilled apertures in the head of the chamber, and wherein the well fluid forms a hydrodynamic film between the bearing set. Full Article
li Transition assemblies for building opening By www.freepatentsonline.com Published On :: Tue, 05 May 2015 08:00:00 EDT A sealing assembly for securely and insulatively maintaining a window or door and surrounding frame arrangement within an opening of a building wall. The sealing assembly comprises an elongated foam cell body member arranged within a channel of the surrounding frame arrangement of the window or door, wherein the elongated cell body member has a wall-opening-facing side. An elongated caulking band flange member is arranged in abutting relationship with a corner of the elongated foam cell body member. A thin flexible air fin is arranged in close environmental sealing relationship with the elongated foam cell body member and the opening in the wall of the building. A securement member is arranged to fasten the window or door surrounding frame arrangement, the elongated foam cell body member and the air fin, all to the building wall opening. Full Article
li Side seal for linear guide apparatus and linear guide apparatus By www.freepatentsonline.com Published On :: Tue, 05 May 2015 08:00:00 EDT A side seal for a linear guide apparatus including a guide rail, a slider, and a plurality of rolling elements includes seal members formed of different materials, a holder plate and covers. Both seal members have recesses formed in a first face of a base and fitted with a protrusion of the holder plate. Both seal members have respective lips directed in opposite directions separated from each other. A tip of the lip of the first seal member is formed to have a shape in plane contact with the face of the guide rail. A tip of the lip of the second seal member is formed to have a shape in line contact with the face of the guide rail. Full Article
li Rolling bearing By www.freepatentsonline.com Published On :: Tue, 05 May 2015 08:00:00 EDT A rolling bearing used in a power transmission device for transmitting power such as turning force, characterized in that a magnet for holding in a lubrication portion of the rolling bearing a lubricating magnetic fluid for lubricating the lubrication portion is provided on at least one side of an outer race of the rolling bearing, and an annular yoke made of a magnetic material loosely fitted to a rotating shaft is provided on the opposite side of said magnet relative to said outer race, and a cross-sectional profile of the yoke has an I-shape. Full Article
li Method and composition for sealing passages By www.freepatentsonline.com Published On :: Tue, 12 May 2015 08:00:00 EDT A method of sealing a passage in a body with a sealing composition comprising (a) a major proportion of a latex emulsion or colloid; and (b) a minor proportion of lauric acid or a laurate compound; and (c) at least one further selected additive, ideally a latex coagulation inhibitor, wherein said composition is pumped into said passage where it is set or coagulated to form a seal. Advantageously, the laurate compound is ammonium laurate and coagulation is conveniently induced by adjusting pH of the sealing composition from alkaline to acidic pH range. The method is particularly well suited to sealing in faulty formations or sealing sites and may be used in sealing within salt mines which contain brines. Full Article
li Sealing arrangement for sealing a piston rod of a reciprocating compressor By www.freepatentsonline.com Published On :: Tue, 12 May 2015 08:00:00 EDT Due to increasingly strict requirements and regulations, it is becoming more and more important for piston compressors to reduce the amount of leakage of operating medium through the seal of the piston rod. Conventional seals comprising packing rings and/or packing ring combinations always have a certain amount of leakage, both during operation and when at standstill, which is why they are not usable for certain applications, or the complexity involved in such a seal increases considerably. A further problem involving the seals of piston rods relates to transverse movements by piston rods during which the sealing action of the seal must be maintained. Proposed is, therefore, a sealing arrangement according to the principle of a sealing medium barrier providing that the sealing elements 8, 9 are arranged in radial direction at a distance relative to the radial end of the recess 10 that receives the sealing elements 8, 9. Full Article
li Gasket with a compression limiter By www.freepatentsonline.com Published On :: Tue, 12 May 2015 08:00:00 EDT A multi-layer gasket including first and second functional layers, each having an opening. Each of the functional layers includes a compression bead, and the compression beads contact and seal against one another when the gasket is compressed between a cylinder head and an engine block. At least one of the functional layers includes a stopper disposed between the compression bead and the opening. The stopper has a gear-like shape including a plurality of circumferentially spaced teeth. Each tooth extends upwardly from a plane by a distance which is less than the combined height of the compression beads. When the gasket is compressed between the cylinder head and engine block, the stopper ensures that the compression beads remain elastically biased against one another and maintain a gas-tight seal. Full Article
li Air baffles in railroad tunnels for decreased airflow therein and improved ventilation and cooling of locomotives By www.freepatentsonline.com Published On :: Tue, 14 Apr 2015 08:00:00 EDT Disclosed is a system and method for decreasing airflow and improving ventilation within a tunnel, such as a railroad tunnel, including a path for movement of a vehicle (e.g., train) therethrough. The system has a plurality of air baffles mounted within the tunnel, each device comprising a body and a mounting device. Each mounting device positions each body inside and along the length of the tunnel between the entrance and the exit. The air baffles are configured to restrict airflow at least in part in a longitudinal direction of the tunnel, thereby increasing a relative difference between a vehicle speed and air speed in a tunnel annulus when the vehicle passes through the tunnel. The restriction (e.g., decrease) of airflow in the tunnel reduces the piston effect resulting from the vehicle or train passing through, thus reducing emissions and heat generated by the locomotives in the tunnel. Full Article
li Fluid line having a resonator By www.freepatentsonline.com Published On :: Tue, 21 Apr 2015 08:00:00 EDT A fluid line includes a resonator having an inner part and a blow-molded outer part defining an inner surface. The inner and outer parts are fixedly connected. The inner part is an injection-molded part having first and second radial collars spaced axially apart from each other. The inner part defines a radial circumference with a plurality of orifices formed therein. The inner and outer parts are axially one within the other so that there is no throughflow of secondary air between the first and second radial collars and the inner surface of the outer part. The inner and outer parts have a common end whereat they are airtightly connected to each other. The inner part, the radial collars and the inner surface of the outer part conjointly define two resonant chambers operatively connected to fluid in the fluid line via the orifices. Full Article
li Enhanced, lightweight acoustic scrim barrier By www.freepatentsonline.com Published On :: Tue, 12 May 2015 08:00:00 EDT An enhanced, lightweight acoustic absorber is provided. The acoustic absorber is bounded by the at least one scrim layer without need for additional layers, such as melt-blown or nonwoven layers. The at least one scrim layer includes at least one non-planar, folded scrim layer bonded to itself or another scrim layer to form a plurality of air spaces between folded portions of the at least one scrim layer. The at least one scrim layer establishes a thickness of the acoustic absorber extending across opposite exposed sides of the acoustic absorber. Full Article
li Vertical line array loudspeaker mounting and adjustment system By www.freepatentsonline.com Published On :: Tue, 19 May 2015 08:00:00 EDT The invention relates to a loudspeaker mounting and adjustment system and method for installing and operating a professional audio system used in a stadium, concert hall or the like. The system comprises a vertical array of loudspeaker cabinets that can be suspended from a ceiling and that enables the horizontal and vertical angle of the sound dispersion field to be adjusted remotely and/or automatically while the system is suspended. Each loudspeaker cabinet is connected to a vertically adjacent loudspeaker cabinet via a pair of levers located on either side of the cabinet that control the angle between adjacent loudspeaker cabinets. A linear actuator is connected to each lever for controlling the lever position. Each loudspeaker cabinet also comprises a waveguide with at least one actuator for modifying the waveguide angle and thus the horizontal angle of the sound dispersion field. Full Article
li Optimized pattern of a damping layer for wall, floor, and ceiling constructions By www.freepatentsonline.com Published On :: Tue, 19 May 2015 08:00:00 EDT An acoustic damping article includes a substrate, wherein the substrate has a surface area S. The acoustic composition further includes a polymer resin. The polymer resin coats partially the surface area with a set of areas. The ratio of the coated areas over the surface area S is less than 1 and the polymer resin coverage is not greater than about 500 g/m2. Full Article
li Hybrid silencer with gas-liquid separating function in fuel cell system By www.freepatentsonline.com Published On :: Tue, 26 May 2015 08:00:00 EDT A hybrid silencer in a fuel cell system includes an expansion chamber connected to a predetermined apparatus of the fuel cell system, where the expansion chamber reduces acoustic noise of a fluid discharged from the predetermined apparatus, a water-absorber disposed inside the expansion chamber, where the water-absorber absorbs a liquid component of a fluid which flows into the expansion chamber; and a perforated silencer which discharges the fluid from which the liquid component is removed by the water-absorber while reducing acoustic noise of the fluid discharged therefrom. Full Article
li Quick release horse lead clip assembly By www.freepatentsonline.com Published On :: Tue, 21 Apr 2015 08:00:00 EDT A horse lead clip assembly for connection between horse tack that includes an upper clasp section with a hook and bolt closure and a lower quick detachable end that allows for the replacement of a broken clip with a new clip portion when excess stress is placed upon the hook of the clasping section. The assembly further includes a sleeve that when actuated laterally, allows for the introduction or removal of a new clasp section from the receiving end of the detachable portion. The assembly provides easy replacement of a broken clip, prevents the user from discarding the rope due to the broken clip, and allows a user to leave the clip hooked on one object while detaching it from the other. Full Article
li Lightweight clumping animal litter and method thereof By www.freepatentsonline.com Published On :: Tue, 21 Apr 2015 08:00:00 EDT Animal litter having up to a sixty percent reduction in bulk density can be produced by combining flat-shaped cellulosic materials and sodium bentonite clay. Not only is the resulting litter lighter, but it also maintains a high clump strength as compared to clay-based animal litters that contain greater than ninety percent by weight sodium bentonite clay. Full Article
li Animal run line cornering mechanism By www.freepatentsonline.com Published On :: Tue, 21 Apr 2015 08:00:00 EDT An animal run line cornering mechanism with a corner component and leash component. The corner component is dumbbell shaped with a narrow body, a ball at one end with an aperture for the line, and a support attachment. The leash component has a tubular line ring with a shaped gap so that it appears C-shaped in end view, and leash ring attached to the line ring. The gap is wider than the corner component body and narrower than the line so that it is captured by the line. The line ring diameter is larger than the corner component ball and line diameters so that it moves freely along the line. The gap is defined by opposed edges of the line ring walls that taper to a rounded apexes. When the body hits the a tapered line ring wall, the body slides along the wall until it slides through the gap. Full Article
li Method and system for enhancing growth and survivability of aquatic organisms By www.freepatentsonline.com Published On :: Tue, 28 Apr 2015 08:00:00 EDT A method for enhancing the production of aquatic organisms under cultivation, including the steps of exposing the aquatic organisms to a submerged illumination source inside water of a rearing unit; and maintaining illumination in the rearing unit for a rearing period. Full Article
li 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
li Green-light device for driving mice away By www.freepatentsonline.com Published On :: Tue, 12 May 2015 08:00:00 EDT A green-light device for driving mice away includes a casing and a control circuit in the casing, wherein the control circuit comprises a power conversion circuit, a voltage regulating integrated circuit (IC), an amplifying circuit, a control knob, an ultrasonic frequency oscillator circuit, a logical-determination circuit and multiple green-light emitting diodes (LED) coupled to and controlled by the logical-determination circuit. The control knob is configured to be switched to lead the control circuit to create an ultrasonic wave or a special light wave such that mice can be cheated or driven away. Full Article
li Slider device for a pet collar/harness By www.freepatentsonline.com Published On :: Tue, 12 May 2015 08:00:00 EDT A slider device includes a slider frame having a top rail and a bottom rail. A first parallel member connects the top and bottom rails and arranges generally perpendicular to the top and bottom rails, but lies in a common plane. A second parallel member disposes or arranges at an end of the frame opposite from the first parallel member. The second parallel member links or connects between the top and bottom rails. A third parallel member arranges intermediate to the first and second parallel member. A D-shaped ringlet couples to the frame adjacent to the first parallel member. The ringlet and frame lie in a common plane. Full Article