ma

Convertible marine lounger seat

A seating system for marine vessels and watercraft including a chair having a backrest and a seat bottom and a lounge extension element wherein a first end of the extension element is hingeably attached to and extends from the seat bottom and wherein a second end of the extension element is configured to be hingeably attached to a first rigid structure such as a bulkhead on a watercraft. The seating system is convertible between a forward-facing seat configuration and an aft-facing lounger configuration. In the aft-facing lounger configuration, the extension element and the seat bottom are substantially parallel to one another. In the forward-facing seat configuration, the extension element is substantially upright and at an acute angle with respect to said seat bottom.




ma

Vessel comprising a stowable magnus-effect rotor

A vessel includes a hull and a deck, a substantially cylindrical rotor having a peripheral wall rotatable with respect to the deck around a longitudinal center line, the rotor being at a lower end connected to the deck and including an upper end plate, the rotor being mounted on the deck in such a manner that in an operational state the rotor is substantially vertically oriented and in an inoperational state the upper end plate is situated in the vicinity of the deck, the end plate extending transversely to the longitudinal center line, wherein the end plate is provided with movable edge segments that in the operational state of the rotor extend radially outwardly from the peripheral wall to an extended position and in the inoperational state of the rotor are moved to a retracted position that is situated closer to the peripheral wall than the extended position.




ma

Boat or ship body of aluminum-based material

A watercraft body includes a hull made of an aluminum-based material and a separately fabricated superstructure that is mounted on the hull via adjoining flange plates. To fabricate the hull, frame elements are spot-welded onto the inner surface of initially-flat hull plates or plank elements, which are then curved according to the required hull contour and assembled onto the flange plate. The frame elements are screwed together via gusset plates and transverse beams to form transverse frames, and then longitudinal seams between plank elements are continuously welded from the outside. Additionally, the longitudinal seams may be welded from the inside, for example by temporarily removing gusset plates to allow continuous access to the longitudinal seams. Additionally, stand-offs may form a spacing gap between the frame elements and the plank elements, and an adhesive may fill this spacing gap to adhesively bond the framework to the hull plating.




ma

Vessel comprising a stowable magnus-effect rotor

A vessel includes a hull, a propeller for propulsion of the vessel and at least one rotatable cylinder which in its operational state is vertically mounted on the vessel, the cylinder having a rigid outer surface, a motor drive for rotating the cylinder around a longitudinal axis and a displacement member for displacing the cylinder to an inoperational position, wherein the motor drive is situated inside the cylinder.




ma

Marine or underwater vehicle and associated securing method

Marine or underwater vehicle designed to be secured to a recovery cable includes contactless elements (6) for detecting the recovery cable (2), the element being capable of guiding the vehicle (1) towards the cable (2) and elements (7) situated at one end (3b) of the vehicle (1) for coupling the cable (2).




ma

Marine vehicle systems and methods

Marine vehicle systems and methods are disclosed. The marine vehicle can be buoyancy controlled, enabling efficient, extended use of the marine vehicle. Buoyancy actuation can enable roll, pitch, and yaw of the marine vehicle, as well as translation in any direction. One or more elastic bladders can be disposed on or in the marine vehicle. The bladders can be selectively inflated and deflated to control movement of the marine vehicle.




ma

Adaptor for an unmanned underwater vehicle for inspecting an object and method for providing same

An adaptor for an unmanned vehicle for inspecting an object, the adaptor includes a moveable ring assembly and a fixed ring. The moveable ring assembly rotates around a periphery of the unmanned vehicle and allows the unmanned vehicle to move along a surface of the object while maintaining a fixed stand-off distance between an exterior surface of the adaptor and the surface of the object. The fixed ring is connected around the exterior surface of the unmanned vehicle and secures a lateral position of the moveable ring assembly with respect to the unmanned vehicle.




ma

Boot and glove dryer for food service industry and method of making same

A rack of the type for circulating air interiorly for drying multiple pairs of boots and/or gloves, where the articles to be dried are sprayed with a liquid sterilizing agent while on the rack. The blower housing, manifold and hollow members of the rack have no exterior horizontal surfaces to prevent pooling of the sterilizing agent. In addition, drain holes are provided in the blower housing, rack tubes and manifold to prevent interior trapping of sterilizing agent or moisture from condensation. In one version intended for sterilizing with power connected, a conduit in the manifold drains any liquid in the blower housing directly into the rack tubes. Another lower cost version is intended for sterilizing after electrical power has been externally disconnected and has liquid/moisture drain holes in the blower housing. Either version may be wall mounted or arranged as portable free standing single or double sided rack drying systems.




ma

Robot system and method of manufacturing workpiece

A robot system according to one aspect of an embodiment includes a robot and an instructing module. The robot holds one of a plurality of feed materials used for processing a workpiece. The instructing module gives instructions to the robot, when the feed materials are used for processing the single workpiece, for an operation in which the feed material held last in the previous round of processing a workpiece is used first in the subsequent round of processing a workpiece.




ma

Device for the flow-through treatment of web-shaped material

The invention relates to a device for the flow-through treatment of web-shaped, gas-permeable material, in particular for drying woven or non-woven fabrics, having the following characteristics: a sieving drum (5), which is rotatably supported and which is connected to a vacuum generator and which has a permeable outer circumference, wherein the material web (M) to be treated rotates around part of the outer circumference of the sieving drum (5);a treatment chamber (BH), which accommodates the sieving drum and to which the gas to be treated, preferably heated air, is supplied;inside the treatment chamber (BH), a sieving cover (SD) or corresponding flow-conducting elements, which surround the sieving drum (5) in the area around which the material web (M) is wound and by means of which the gas flowing into the treatment chamber (BH) is conducted in the direction of the sieving drum surface. According to the invention, the wall (W) of the treatment chamber (BH) facing the outer circumference of the sieving drum (S) in the area around which the material web (M) is wound has a decreasing distance (a1, a2, a3) from the surface of the sieving drum (S) in said area.




ma

Method and apparatus to help promote contact of gas with vaporized material

Vaporizable material is supported within a vessel to promote contact of an introduced gas with the vaporizable material, and produce a product gas including vaporized material. A heating element supplies heat to a wall of the vessel to heat vaporizable material disposed therein. The vessel may comprise an ampoule having a removable top. Multiple containers defining multiple material support surfaces may be stacked disposed within a vessel in thermal communication with the vessel. A tube may be disposed within the vessel and coupled to a gas inlet. Filters, flow meters, and level sensors may be further provided. Product gas resulting from contact of introduced gas with vaporized material may be delivered to atomic layer deposition (ALD) or similar process equipment. At least a portion of source material including a solid may be dissolved in a solvent, followed by removal of solvent to yield source material (e.g., a metal complex) disposed within the vaporizer.




ma

Drying of water damaged buildings

A drying apparatus for temporary location within a damp or waterlogged room is disclosed. The apparatus includes sensors to sense the level of temperature and humidity within the room, a heater to provide heat for the room, an air circulation fan for selectively circulating heated air within the room or selectively exhausting warm and humid air from the room and for allowing outside ambient air into the room. The apparatus being adapted to cyclically continue until the sensed humidity reaches a required level, the apparatus thereafter indicating, directly or indirectly, the completion of the drying process. A method of drying a room using such apparatus is also disclosed which employs a technique whereby the rate of change of the temperature increase is used to determine when humid air should be exhausted from the room. A time limit can also be use to determine when said exhausting takes place.




ma

Method for producing toner for developing electrostatic image and apparatus for producing resin particles

A method for producing resin particles, including ejecting a liquid containing at least a resin in the form of droplets from a droplet ejecting unit having a plurality of holes provided in a part of a flow channel for feeding the liquid containing at least a resin, and drying and solidifying the ejected droplets so as to obtain the resin particles, while the ejected droplets are transported by a primary transport air flow flowing in the direction in which the droplets are ejected, wherein the ejected droplets are further transported by a secondary transport air flow which transports the ejected droplets in a different direction from a direction in which the primary transport air flow flows, and wherein a smaller angle of angles formed between a velocity vector of the primary transport air flow and a velocity vector of the secondary transport air flow is less than 120 degrees.




ma

Laundry lint filter cleaning machine

The present invention relates to a laundry treating machine, including an air supply unit for supplying air, a tub for having the air supplied thereto from the air supply unit to treat the laundry, the tub having an air recovery opening formed in an outside circumferential surface thereof for recovery of the air to the air supply unit, a lint filter mounted to an inside of the air recovery opening for filtering the lint from the air, a filter cleaning unit for spraying cleaning water to separate the lint from the lint filter, and a flow passage member for guiding the cleaning water dropping from the lint filter to an inside of the tub to an inside surface of the tub.




ma

Method and apparatus for making crystalline polymeric pellets and granules

A method and apparatus for underwater pelletizing and subsequent drying of crystallizing polymers to crystallize the polymer pellets with out subsequent heating is shown in FIG. 5. High velocity air or other inert gas is injected into the water and pellet slurry line (120) toward the dryer near the pelletizer exit (102) at a flow rate from about 100 to about 175 m3/hour, or more. Such high-speed air movement forms a vapor mist with the water and significantly increases th speed of the pellets into and out of the dryer such that the polymer pellets leave the dryer with sufficient latent heat to cause self-crystallization within the pellets. A valve mechanism in the slurry line (150) after the gas injection further regulates the pellet residence time and a vibrating conveyor after the dryer helps the pellets to achieve the desired level of crystallinity and to avoid agglomeration.




ma

Drilling tool for machine tools and method for the production thereof

A drilling tool for machine tools has a drill body and a cutting head arranged on the front face of the drill body. The drill body has at least two chip flutes, which are delimited at their flanks by ribs and at least one of which is spirally curved. Arranged in the ribs of the drill body are coolant channels, which have an outlet opening at the end of the drill body on the cutting head side. A special feature is that the outlet openings are arranged within each one of the chip flutes and communicate with one of the coolant channels arranged in the ribs by way of a straight channel endpiece.




ma

Method of manufacturing a tool bit

A method of manufacturing a tool bit includes machining a working end into a piece of hexagonal bar stock. A shank adjacent the working end is machined, leaving a hexagonal drive portion adjacent the shank. The tool bit is heat treated, and a coating is applied to the working end, the shank, and the hexagonal drive portion of the tool bit to inhibit corrosion of the tool bit. At least a portion of the shank is polished to remove the coating from the portion of the shank.




ma

Screwdriver blade with inclined drive surfaces and method of manufacturing

A screwdriver blade has faces formed on front and back sides of a shank. Each face has a drive surface extending from each side edge inward toward a longitudinal axis. Each drive surface is inclined relative to a plane containing the axis and bisecting each of the side edges. A thickness of the blade increases from the shank distal end. Each of the drive surfaces appears curved when viewed in a distal end view. Each of the drive surfaces extends from the shank distal end to a face proximal end. A central portion between each of the drive surfaces may also appear curved when viewed in a distal end view, or it may be flat. The drive surfaces and the central portion may be formed at a single radius of curvature. The central portion may have a increasing width from the distal end or it may have a constant width.




ma

Computerized, segmented steel rule type die making system and method

A steel rule die making system produces a steel rule dies having an operative surface that form creases and cut patterns in a sheet material to form a box blank. The system includes a die manufacturing station having an indexing bench that securely holds a substrate. At least one slug driver device is disposed adjacent the die manufacturing station to drive the penetrating point of a slug into the substrate. The upper surface of the slug head defines a segment of the operative surface of the steel rule die.




ma

Method of manufacturing a drill bit

A method of manufacturing a drill bit having a bit body and a plurality of blades extending radially from the bit body is disclosed, wherein the method includes adhering a first matrix material to at least a portion of a mold cavity corresponding to an outer surface of the bit body, loading a second matrix material into the other portions of the mold cavity, and heating the mold contents to form a matrix body drill bit.




ma

Drilling tool for machine tools and method for the production thereof

A drilling tool for machine tools has a drill body, a cutting head arranged on the front face of the drill body and a shaft arranged at the end thereof, wherein the drill body has two chip flutes, which are delimited at their flanks by ribs and a first chip flute of which is spirally curved. A second chip flute is not spiraled or is spirally curved with a pitch differing from the first chip flute, preferably running in the same direction of rotation.




ma

Method for the manufacture of a cutting tool

A method for the manufacture of a cutting tool provided with a tool holder (1) to which a cutter (2) is separably attached, includes applying a generative production process to a tool base body (3) to create the tool holder (1) with a desired finished shape.




ma

Manufacturing methods for high shear roller cone bits

A method of manufacturing a roller cone drill bit may include forming a body of a single piece having an upper end and a lower end; machining at the lower end of the body at least two journals extending downward and radially outward from a central axis of the body; machining at least one of a ball passage, a hydraulic fluid passageway, a grease reservoir, and a lubricant passageway; and mounting roller cones on the at least two journals.




ma

Methods of thermo-mechanically processing tool steel and tools made from thermo-mechanically processed tool steels

A method of thermo-mechanically processing a preform composed of tool steel and a tool to modify a workpiece. The preform has a region containing austenite. The method comprises establishing the region at a process temperature between a martensitic start temperature and a stable austenitic temperature. While at the process temperature, the region is deformed to change an outer dimension and to modify the microstructure to a depth of 1 millimeter or more. The tool comprises a member composed of tool steel. The member includes a first region that extends from the outer surface to a depth of greater than 1 millimeter and a second region. The first region includes a plurality of grains having an average misorientation angle greater than about 34°, an average grain size that is at least 10% smaller than the second region, and has a different grain orientation than the second region.




ma

Heavy duty matrix bit

An apparatus and method for manufacturing a downhole tool that reduces failures occurring along a bondline between a cemented matrix coupled around a blank. The cemented matrix material is formed from a powder and a binder material. The blank includes an internal blank component and a coating coupled around at least a portion of the surface of the internal blank component. The internal blank component includes a top portion and a bottom portion. The internal blank component is substantially cylindrically shaped and defines a channel extending through the top portion and the bottom portion. The coating is a metal in some exemplary embodiments. The coating reduces the migration of the binder material into the blank thereby allowing the control of intermetallic compounds thickness within the bondline.




ma

Method of making a razor

Razors are described herein. In some instances the razors include a safety razor blade unit that includes a guard, a cap, and at least two blades with parallel sharpened edges located between the guard and cap. A first blade defines a blade edge nearer the guard and a second blade defines a blade edge nearer the cap. The first blade has a cutter force greater than the cutter force of the second blade. In some instances the razors provide a comfortable shave having improved closeness.




ma

Method for manufacturing bandsaw blade, and bandsaw blade

A method for manufacturing a bandsaw blade provided at the top of the teeth with cutting tips made of a hard material, includes the steps of: offsetting to the left and right saw teeth constituting left and right offset teeth; forming the saw teeth constituting the left and right offset teeth to a smaller tooth height than that of the saw teeth constituting straight teeth; and grinding cutting tips provided to the top of the left and right offset teeth subsequent to the offsetting step, and machining the edge lines at the top of the left and right offset teeth so that the lines are orthogonal to the travel direction of a bandsaw blade and the cutting direction of the bandsaw blade.




ma

Multiple Position Locking Handle For An Exercise Machine

A multiple position locking handle for an exercise machine for that is movable into a plurality of different positions when unlocked and that is retained in a single secure position when locked. The multiple position locking handle for an exercise machine generally includes a tubular base having a lower end and an upper end, an elongated member extending through the opening of the upper end of the tubular base and extending downwardly through at least a portion of the tubular base, a handle extending outwardly from the elongated member at an angle, and a locking device. The elongated member is movable within the tubular base when the locking device is in the unlocked state and is substantially not movable within the tubular base when the locking device is in the locked state.




ma

ROTATOR CUFF MUSCLE EXERCISE MACHINE

A machine for exercising the rotator cuff muscles that is operable to individually and separately isolate and exercise each of the four rotator cuff muscles while the user is in a seated position. The exercise machine includes a plurality of structural elements including a main vertical beam and a base frame operable to be positioned on the ground, where the main beam extends vertically from the base frame. The machine includes a plurality of pulleys mounted to the structural elements and a plurality of exercise cables running through the pulleys, where handles are coupled to the exercise cables. A seat is mounted to the vertical beam and the handles are positioned relative thereto to allow the user to grasp the handles and perform the several exercises for each arm.




ma

Exercise Machine with Analysis System

An exercise machine includes a motor that drives a belt to move, and an analysis system to collect a peak energy from the motor and to convert the peak energy into different user exercising data.




ma

Exercise Machine Rail System

An exercise machine rail system for improved exerciser mounting and dismounting, improved functional ergonomics, and reduced risk of exerciser injury when using an exercise machine. The exercise machine rail system generally includes either two rails in close relationship which are linked together via connectors or a singular rail. Bias members are disclosed as either extending along either outer side of the rails, internally to the rail, or underneath the rail. Due to the narrow nature of the rails used by the present invention, an exerciser is able to mount and dismount the exercise machine easily and efficiently.




ma

COMBINATION MASSAGE TABLE WITH ONE OR MORE RESISTANCE BANDS

A combination massage table with one or more resistance bands (hereinafter, a combination table) is disclosed. In some embodiments, the combination table may comprise: a massage table; the one or more resistance bands; and a means for attaching the one or more resistance bands to the massage table; such that a client using the combination table receives at least one improved health benefit as compared against massage therapy without any resistance band use. Furthermore, methods for using the combination table are disclosed. Such methods may comprise: preparing the combination table for use; preparing the client so the client is laying on top of an upper surface of the combination table; and massaging the client while the client at least intermittently engages one or more resistance bands that are attached to the combination table; wherein in the at least intermittent engagement of the one or more resistance bands while the client is being massaged results in the at least one improved health benefit to the client.




ma

METHOD AND DEVICE FOR PHYSICAL TRAINING - A TRAINING MACHINE

A method and apparatus for physical exercises and, in particular, for training the movements “jump” and “squat” from spot for training. The method and apparatus can have the “jump” and “squat” motions follow into a continuous alternating sequence as a response to a passing via a training spot in the same continuous alternating sequence of a lower obstacle, obligating the performance of “jump”, and of the upper obstacle obligating the performance of “squat”.




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TECHNOLOGIES FOR MANAGING USER-SPECIFIC WORKOUTS

Technologies for generating user-specific workout plans and tracking a user's progress are disclosed. The user-specific workout plan may be based on a user's goal and the particular workout facility to be used by the user. During performance of the user-specific workout by the user, the user is provided with workout data regarding the user's performance Such workout data may be based on sensor data generated by sensors of the exercise machine used by the user and/or other sensors carried or worn by the user.




ma

EXERCISE MACHINE FOR MOVABLE USER SUPPORT

An exercise machine with a two directional pivoting user support assembly has a user support or platform which supports the user and pivots about a first pivot axis during an exercise movement, and is also pivotable about at least one second pivot axis to involve the user's core muscles in balancing and maintaining the user support in a stable position. A manually operable locking device with a simple flip switch lever is provided for selectively locking the user support against rotation about the second pivot axis, so that the user can easily chose whether to perform the exercise with a stable support or to add a level of difficulty by using the unstable seat mode and exercising core muscles during the exercise.




ma

EXERCISE MACHINE WITH LOAD ROLLING SIMULATION

Exercise machine with load rolling simulation substitutes training in the open air in which a load is rolled or pushed. The exercise machine comprises a continuous moving track (2) of adjustable incline. Above the housing (1) and in front of the continuous moving track (2) is mounted a wheel (4) with paddles (5). The paddles (5) on the outer circumference of the wheel (4) are performed in the shape of teeth, ribs, panels or bars. The wheel (4) is connected by a transmission (20) with the track (2). The track (2) is connected with the brake system (32) for change of resistance to motion of the track (2), and thereby also to turning of the wheel (4). The control panel (6) with display contains commands for adjusting and monitoring the inclination of the track (2) and the resistance to turning of the wheel (4) and for monitoring the velocity and travelled distance of the moving track (2), as well as the duration of the training on the continuous track (2). The exercise machine is used in at least three ways of exercising, it has exceptional ergonomic characteristics, and enables safe training.




ma

CURVED MANUAL TREADMILL

A curved manual treadmill for the physical exercises of a user, comprising: a frame extending along a longitudinal direction; a first rotation shaft adapted to rotate around a respective first rotation axis transversal to the longitudinal direction of the frame; a second rotation shaft adapted to rotate around a respective second rotation axis transversal to the longitudinal direction of the frame; a physical exercise surface operatively connected to the first rotation shaft and to the second rotation shaft, so as to generate an endless closed physical exercise path, and a device for resisting the movement of the upper portion of the physical exercise surface operatively associated with at least either the first rotation shaft or the second rotation shaft.




ma

High performance, low toxicity hypergolic fuel

A group of tertiary amine azides are useful as hypergolic fuels for hypergolic bipropellant mixtures. The fuels provide higher density impulses than monomethyl hydrazine (MMH) but are less toxic and have lower vapor pressures that MMH. In addition, the fuels have shorter ignition delay times than dimethylaminoethylazide (DMAZ) and other potential reduced toxicity replacements for MMH.




ma

Insensitive gun propellant, ammunition round assembly, armament system, and related methods

A substantially nitrocellulose-free insensitive gun propellant for barrel-type weapons is provided. The gun propellant includes at least one nitramine, such as HMX and/or RDX, a second energetic, and an inert binder system. The gun propellant is capable of producing a maximum projectile velocity exceeding 2680 ft/sec when fired from a 5 inch 54 caliber gun and gives a response to slow cook-off insensitive munitions testing of Type 4 or higher, and a response to fragment impact insensitive munitions testing of Type 3 or higher as measured by STANAG 4382 and STANAG 4496, respectively. Also provided is an ammunition round assembly, and an armament system.




ma

Priming mixtures for small arms

A primer for small arms ammunition including a primary explosive and an oxidizer system containing bismuth oxide is provided. A method of forming the primer and a small arms ammunition cartridge also is provided. The oxidizer system can be non-hygroscopic and non-toxic. The primer can include reducing agents or fuels, sensitizers, binders and gas producing agents.




ma

Lead-free pyrotechnic and primary explosive compositions containing metal iodates

A lead-free pyrotechnic and primary explosive compositions including metal iodates as an oxidizer in nanocomposite energetic compositions including metal powder fuel.




ma

High performance gas generating compositions

Compositions and methods relating to gas generants used in inflatable restraint systems. The gas generant grains formed via spray drying techniques of the present disclosure provide superior performance, including high burn rates and high gas yields. Further, processing of the gas generant grain products can be streamlined. Such gas generants include by way of non-limiting example, guanidine nitrate, basic copper nitrate, and a secondary oxidizer, such as potassium perchlorate.




ma

Family of modifiable high performance electrically controlled propellants and explosives

A composition capable of producing either solid propellant grains, liquid or gel monopropellants, all of which are electrically ignitable and capable of sustained controllable combustion at ambient pressure. Additional compositions capable of sustained controllable combustion at elevated pressures are described. Applications for the compositions disclosed herein are provided, and include among other applications use in small micro thrusters, large core-burning solid propellant gains, shaped explosives charges for military application, and pumpable liquids and gel monopropellants or explosives for military, commercial mining or gas and oil recovery. In alternative embodiments the above compositions may also incorporate an energetic nitrate polymer, bum rate modifiers, and/or metal fuel(s). The HIPEP formulation makes it possible to ignite and sustain combustion at ambient and vacuum conditions (a) without continuous electrical power and (b) while providing faster bum rates.




ma

Methods and systems for manufacturing propellants

Methods and systems for mixing propellant formulations are disclosed herein. In one embodiment, a method of mixing a solid propellant formulation includes placing a first component (e.g., a polymer or fuel) and a second component (e.g., an oxidizer of suitable particle size) in a mix vessel. The method further includes mixing the first and second components together by rotating the mix vessel about a first axis and, during at least a portion of the vessel rotation, revolving the vessel about a second axis spaced apart from the first axis. In one embodiment, the first axis can be a vessel spin axis, and the second axis can be spaced apart from the first axis so that the vessel revolves about the second axis in a planetary manner. In another embodiment, the vessel can rotate about the first axis in a first direction while revolving about the second axis in a second direction, opposite to the first direction.




ma

Gas-generating material and micro pump

Provided is a gas-generating material which can generate a gas in a large amount per unit time and has high storage stability. The gas-generating material 11a according to the present invention comprises a gas-generating agent that is an azo compound or an azide compound, a tertiary amine, a photosensitizing agent and a binder resin.




ma

Explosive composition having a first organic material infiltrated into a second microporous material

An energetic composition with controlled detonation having at least a first organic material and a second material, where the second material is a porous material (micro-, meso-, or macroporous), having a pore ratio of at least 10% and preferably greater than 50%, and the first material is, at least partially, infiltrated into the pores of the second material. A mixture containing such a composition, and a method for manufacturing such a composition and such a mixture. Additionally, a method for fragmenting or expanding a microporous material at nanoscale.




ma

High performance liquid rocket propellant

Disclosed is a high performance hydrocarbon fuel characterized by a hydrogen content greater than 14.3% by weight, a hydrogen to carbon atomic ratio greater than 2.0 and/or a heat of combustion greater than 18.7 KBtu/lb. The disclosed fuels generally have a paraffin content that is at least 90% by mass and a C12-C20 isoparaffin content of at least 40% by mass.




ma

Method and apparatus for feeding a laundry article to a mangle or the like

Laundry articles are spread out by input machines in front of a feed conveyor which feeds the spread-out laundry article to a mangle. The respective laundry article is previously fed by a transfer device to a draw-on device onto which the laundry article is drawn. In known input machines, relatively complicated transfer devices are provided. According to the invention, the transfer device is provided with a rectilinear conveying section ascending to the draw-on device. The laundry article is thereby transported to the draw-on device by the transfer device in the plane in which it is transferred to the transfer device. Such a transfer device needs to have only a simple set-up. Since the laundry article remains in the plane in which it is fed to the transfer device, it can be brought by the transfer device into a favorable initial position for being drawn reliably onto the draw-on device.




ma

Method for manufacturing piezoelectric element, piezoelectric element, liquid ejecting head, and liquid ejecting apparatus

A piezoelectric element is manufactured in a method including forming an adhesion layer of zirconium above a zirconium oxide insulating film, forming a first electrode above the adhesion layer, forming a piezoelectric layer of a complex oxide containing bismuth above the first electrode, and forming a second electrode above the piezoelectric layer.




ma

Sheet material conveying apparatus

A conveying apparatus includes a first roller that is rotational to convey a nonwoven fabric and a second roller that is rotational to convey the nonwoven fabric and is located on the trailing side of the first roller with respect to the conveying direction of the nonwoven fabric. The conveying apparatus includes a noncontact sensor and a controller. The noncontact sensor detects the distance from the nonwoven fabric at a position between the first roller and the second roller. The controller uses the distance detected by the sensor to compute the slack amount of the nonwoven fabric and controls the rotation speed of the second roller, thereby reducing the difference between the computed slack amount and a predetermined target value.