An apparatus including a mounting platform, wherein the mounting platform includes a substantially planar mounting surface; a clamping mechanism on the mounting surface; a memorial item retained by the clamping mechanism; and an arrangement of handles on a side of the mounting platform, wherein the side is substantially normal to the plane of the mounting surface.

An apparatus for preserving human or animal remains comprising a burial chamber further comprising a hermetically sealed interior containing gas or water vapor, wherein the gas creates a gas pressure within the hermetically sealed interior, and a vacuum pump, wherein the vacuum pump is in functional communication with the hermetically sealed interior, wherein the vacuum pump operates to evacuate the gas or the water vapor from the hermetically sealed interior, and wherein the vacuum pump is intermittently activated to reduce the gas pressure within the hermetically sealed interior for a desiccating duration.

A decorative memorial serves to display a sealed, visible portion of cremation ashes.

A grave marker assembly that can be removably mounted and secured to a support surface such as a lawn crypt lid. The grave marker assembly has a fastening system that is not exposed to view and yet allows the grave marker to be easily installed and removed. The fastening system includes a channel and interior opening formed on a base member that is adapted to receive a fastener. The fastener in turn is adapted to be inserted into an opening formed on the crypt lid or other support surface. The assembly further includes a multi-function frame disposed along the outer periphery of the memorial marker that can serve as a decorative feature and draining functions.

A funerary urn includes a receptacle (1) that has an opening (4) that is equipped with a removable sealing partition (11) for introducing ashes. The urn is equipped with side walls (3), a lower wall (2), and an upper wall (5), with one of the walls being removable in order to open and close the urn, the urn also including first and second inside compartments (6, 7) that each has an access element that is independent of the other and separate from the opening (4) for introducing ashes. The first compartment is equipped with a window (8) toward the outside, and the second compartment is completely concealed. The urn is designed for the perpetuation of memory because it makes it possible to preserve an emotional and material trace of the deceased individual thanks to independent compartments of the receptacle receiving the ashes.

The portable alarm system for coffins is a system that enables a person who has been mistakenly interred to transmit a signal that indicates that he/she is alive. The system includes a signal transmitting structure removably secured in the coffin or tomb. A lamp or light source provides illumination for the tomb or coffin to allay the effect of panic for the entombed person. A receiving device is located in a prominent place, whereby the transmitted signal may be readily and quickly observed by security or other personnel. After a predetermined period, the system can be easily removed from the coffin for reuse.

A decorative carapace for a burial vault including a carapace having a top surface and a substrate having a decorative graphic, the substrate being attached to the top surface of the carapace.

A carrier is provided for facilitating the carrying and transportation of a funerary container having a bottom surface, a plurality of side surfaces and a top surface, along with a length and width and interior large enough to accommodate an un-cremated corpse. The carrier includes a base member having a length generally long enough to span the width of the funerary container and a upper surface sized and configured for receiving the bottom surface of the funerary container. An upstanding member has a lower end coupled to the base member and an upper end. The upstanding member extends in a plane generally perpendicular to the base member. A handle member is provided that is coupled to the upstanding member. The handle includes a hand receiving surface engageable by the hand of the user.

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.

An arrangement is disclosed for a meter cabinet, distribution cabinet or empty housing, including a frame and a door, wherein the frame can carry a door and the door is attached pivotally to the frame on its hinge side. The door may be aligned in relation to its frame quickly and without problems, with an adjustment device for aligning the door in the closed condition, the adjustment device being associated with the frame.

A rotary mechanism includes an accommodating slot structure, a supporting arm, a pivoting portion and a resilient component. The accommodating slot structure is disposed on the bezel. The accommodating slot structure includes a pivot hole structure and an opening structure, respectively formed on the lateral surface and a bottom of the accommodating slot structure. The supporting arm is disposed on the door. The pivoting portion is disposed on the surface of the supporting arm. The pivoting portion is disposed inside the pivot hole structure, so that the supporting arm is rotatably disposed inside the accommodating slot structure. The resilient component is movably accommodated inside the opening structure. A first end of the resilient component is resiliently connected to the lateral surface of the accommodating slot structure. A second end of the resilient component points the surface of the supporting arm, to prevent the pivoting portion from separation.

A portable electronic device includes a lower housing and an upper housing slidable relative to the lower housing between closed and open positions. The upper housing includes an auxiliary input device and a display. A primary flex connector electrically connects the lower and upper housings. At least one secondary flex connector may electrically connect the primary flex connector to the auxiliary input device or the display. The upper housing may include a cover plate that is removable to allow access to at least a portion of the flex connectors.

A handle has at least one fastening plate or holding part which can be fastened in a through-hole in a thin wall such as a sheet-metal wall by means of snap devices. According to the invention, the fastening plate forms or carries a pivot bearing for the at least one end of a handle, or the like, which is bent, for example, from a round material such as thick wire, this end having a round cross section.

A detector with a telescopic carrier/guide rod at which a measuring probe is disposed at one end, wherein the carrier/guide rod features at least two tubes longitudinally movable inside one another, in which respectively two tubes disposed adjacently in radial direction form an outer tube and an inner tube, whereby the respective outer tube at its overlapping tube end facing the measuring probe features a clamping means for engaging the inner tube. In accordance with this invention, the clamping means is formed as a clamping device that features a profile clamp with a quick-locking device. The profile clamp comprises a holding ring with two half shell-shaped clamping ring segments that are interconnected flexibly on one side and on the opposite side they can be clamped together with a clamping lever. The holding ring features ring breakthroughs and the outer tube the corresponding tube breakthroughs for the accommodation of clamping pieces that are pressed against the inner tube when clamping the clamping ring segments together under pressure. Preferably a clamping ring segment is formed on the holding ring.

Described herein is an apparatus that rests on a forearm of a user and supports a cargo handle is described. A longitudinal axis of the forearm extends in a first direction and the cargo handle extends in a second direction substantially perpendicular to the first direction. The apparatus includes a base member that is positionable between the cargo handle and forearm. Additionally, an upper surface is defined by the base member where the upper surface includes a handle reception recess. Further, a lower surface is defined by the base member where the lower surface is curved about an axis that is substantially parallel to the first direction when engaged with the forearm of the user.

A center armrest supporting structure for supporting a swivelable center armrest in a vehicle has an arm support which can be swiveled about a swivel axis into a lower use position and into an upper rest position. Console parts of the vehicle are connected to the arm support by bearing bolts. A stop bolt limits the swivel path of the arm support at least in the use position. A latching bolt prevents unintentional backward swiveling out of the use position and/or the rest position. A latching element has a sliding guide surface along which the stop bolt or the latching bolt slides when the arm support is swiveled A spring element is disposed between the frictional latching element and the bearing bolt, wherein the spring element produces a frictional force between the sliding guide surface and the stop bolt or the latching bolt, which counteracts the swivel movement.

A gear cam mounting device in a dual-hinge device for a portable terminal is provided, in which first and second hinge shafts provide first and second parallel hinge axes, respectively, first and second gear cams are fixed around the first and second hinge shafts, in engagement with each other, and first and second locking units penetrate respectively through the first and second gear cams in a direction that is perpendicular to the first and second hinge axes, for locking the first and second gear cams to surround the first and second hinge shafts.

An image forming apparatus includes a first casing, a second casing, an arm, a guide unit, a support part, and an urging member. The second casing is supported on the first casing and configured to pivot relative to the first casing. The arm has a first end portion rotatably coupled to one of the first casing and the second casing and a second end portion slidably coupled to the other of the first casing and the second casing. The guide unit is provided at the other of the first casing and the second casing and configured to slidably guide a shaft. The guide unit includes a first guide and a second guide. The support part supports the first guide such that the first guide is movable toward and away from the second guide. The urging member is configured to urge the first guide toward the second guide.

A castor with separate brake device and brake release device is provided with a shell, a brake piece, a brake unit and a brake-release unit. The brake unit and the brake-release unit are two separate members, while they are interactively linked by a push portion and the notch portion, so as to ensure the accuracy of the brake operation. Whenever the castor is in a brake-activated status or brake-deactivated status, the brake pedal and the brake-release pedal pivot in opposite direction to present different angles, which makes it easier for the user to see the status of the castor (in brake position or non-brake position), and prevents confusion or accidental operation.

The invention relates to a device (10) for actuating the closure of a movable part (12) of a motor vehicle, in particular a door, or hatchback, or similar, comprising a support (11) that can be fixed to the inner face of the movable part (12), a bearing unit (20) that can be pivoted about a first axis (13) provided on the support (11) and a handle element (40) with a first (41) and a second end (42), the second end (42) being fixed to the bearing unit (20), whereby the handle element (40) can be pivoted together with the bearing unit (20). According to the invention, the first end (41) is pivotally mounted on the first axis (13) and at least one bearing element (22, 22a, 22b) is provided for the horizontal bearing of the first end (41), said bearing element being located in the region of the first axis (13).

A method for mounting a flexible tube associated with braking hydraulics on a bicycle between a braking control member and a braking member. The method provides a mounting cable for use in locating the flexible tube within a bicycle frame element while the ends of the flexible tube are exposed so a respective end can be connected to the control member and the braking member. The method simplifies the insertion process and reduces damage to the flexible tube. A tool for inserting the flexible tube is also provided.

A disc brake, preferably a compressed air-actuated disc brake, in particular for a motor vehicle, has a brake application mechanism with a brake rotary lever, at least one spindle unit having a threaded rod screwed into a bridge, and a brake caliper. The caliper frames an edge region of a brake disc. The brake caliper has a brake application portion and a caliper back which are connected together via tie bars. The brake application mechanism with the brake rotary lever is received in the brake application portion of the brake caliper from an application face side of the brake disc. The brake application portion of the brake caliper has a first region, in which the application mechanism and a force transmission portion of the brake rotary lever are arranged, a second region, which is formed as a lever housing, and a lever portion for the brake rotary lever. A support wall with a bearing portion, which forms a pivot bearing with a brake rotary lever axis that runs parallel to the brake disc, for the brake rotary lever is arranged between the first region and the second region.

A damper assembly includes a housing and rod supported by the housing. A piston assembly is attached to the rod, and is positioned to separate an interior chamber of the housing into a first fluid chamber and a second fluid chamber. The piston assembly includes an annular plate that defines at least one orifice. The orifice interconnects the first fluid chamber and the second fluid chamber in fluid communication. The damper assembly includes a piezoelectric device that is moveable between a disengaged position and an engaged position, in response to a control signal. When disposed in the disengaged position, the piezoelectric device does not affect fluid flow through the at least one orifice. When disposed in the engaged position, the piezoelectric device does affect fluid flow through the at least one orifice, to adjust a damping rate of the piston assembly.

A linear displacement damper structure includes a screw shaft, a metallic disk, a screw barrel, a controlling member, and a driving member. The screw shaft is fixed in a position, connected to the metallic disk, and threaded with the screw barrel. The screw barrel is connected to an external device and driven by the external device to perform a linear displacement along a length direction of the screw shaft relative to the screw shaft, so that the screw shaft drives the screw shaft and the metallic shaft. The controlling member has a permanent magnet and is disposed near to the metallic disk, so that the metallic disk generates a magnetic resistance to reduce the rotation speed of the metallic disk. The driving member drives the controlling member to move to change a distance between the controlling member and the metallic disk to adjust the magnitude of the magnetic resistance.

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.

A cylinder (1), particularly for a vibration damper, includes a base (3) and a sleeve-shaped add-on part (5) which at least partially surrounds the cylinder (1) and which has at an end of the cylinder a radially inwardly directed edge profile. The edge profile (11) contacts an end face of the cylinder (1) in a noncontacting manner with respect to the base.

A railcar brake beam assembly including a brake beam formation having a tension member, a compression member and strut, and with the strut defining an axis for the brake beam assembly. First and second brake head assemblies are disposed to opposite lateral sides of the axis, with each brake head assembly being operably carried by the brake beam formation and includes a guide member extending in a direction away from the axis. The first and second brake head assemblies are generally centered laterally relative to the axis of the brake beam assembly. A distal end of the guide member on the first brake head assembly is disposed a different lateral distance from the axis of the brake beam assembly than is a distal end of the guide member on the second brake head assembly to minimize lateral shifting movements while maintaining adequate clearances for permitting reciprocal moments of the brake beam assembly during application of braking forces. A method of designing a brake beam assembly for a railcar is also disclosed.

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.

A metal matrix composite article that includes at least first and second regions, first and second reinforcement materials, a metal matrix composite material occupying the second region of the body and comprising a metal matrix material and the second reinforcement component, a preform positioned in the first region of the body and infiltrated by at least the metal matrix material of the metal matrix composite material. The article further includes a transition region located proximate an outer surface of the preform that includes a distribution of the second reinforcement component comprising a density increasing according to a second gradient in a direction toward the outer surface of the preform.

The invention relates to a brake shoe (1) for disk or drum brakes, which comprises a supporting plate (2) with a friction pad (3) attached thereto and at least one wear indicator (4), characterized in that the wear indicator (4) has a wear sensor (6) for continuous or multi-stage measurement of the wear of the friction lining and a receiver and transmitter unit (5) for wireless signal transmission, the receiver and transmitter unit being a passive RFID (Radio Frequency Identification) or SAW (Sound Acoustic Wave) transponder.

An interdigitated cellular cushioning system includes an array of void cells protruding from each of two sheet layers interdigitated between the two sheet layers. Peaks of each of the void cells are attached to the opposite sheet layer forming the interdigitated cellular cushioning system. The interdigitated cellular cushioning system may be used to absorb and distribute a source of kinetic energy incident on the interdigitated cellular cushioning system (e.g., an impact or explosion) so that the amount of force transmitted through the interdigitated cellular cushioning system is low enough that it does not cause injury to personnel or damage to personnel and/or equipment adjacent the interdigitated cellular cushioning system.

An energy conversion process that exports by-product CO2 at elevated pressure where a fuel gas feed stream is mixed with a reactant stream and additional CO2 is added to at least part of, the fuel gas feed stream, the reactant stream or both through desorption by contacting with a CO2-rich solvent stream in a first stage contactor to produce a mixed feed gas stream and a CO2-lean solvent stream; passing said mixed feed gas stream to a chemical conversion step, where further CO2 is produced; chilling at least part of the products of said chemical conversion step and thereby produce a CO2-lean gas stream; and passing at least part of said CO2-lean gas stream said to a second stage contactor where further CO2 is removed, by absorption, to produce a product gas stream and a solvent stream rich in CO2 from which said CO2-rich solvent stream is subsequently derived.

The present application is directed to gas generators comprising a fuel mixture and a catalyst. The catalyst is contained in a self-regulated reactor or buoy, and selectively opens and closes to produce a gas in accordance with the demand for gas. This fuel mixture is generally a solution formed by dissolving a solid fuel component in a liquid fuel component. The mixing preferably occurs before the first use, and more preferably occurs immediately prior to the first use. The inventive gas generators preferably further comprises a starting mechanism that isolates the solid fuel from the liquid fuel or vice versa before the first use. In one embodiment, the starting mechanism further comprises a catalyst shield mechanism that isolates the catalyst in the reactor or buoy from the liquid and/or the solid fuel prior to the first use.

A system comprises an injection well for accessing a reservoir containing a native fluid comprising a hydrocarbon. The reservoir is located below one or more caprocks, is at a first temperature, and is accessible without using large-scale hydrofracturing. The system further includes a production well in fluid communication with the reservoir, a supply apparatus configured to feed a non-water based working fluid at a second temperature that is lower than the first temperature through the injection well to the reservoir. The working fluid mixes with the native fluid to form a production fluid comprising at least a portion of the working fluid and at least a portion of the hydrocarbon at a third temperature that is higher than the second temperature. An energy recovery apparatus in fluid communication with the productions well converts energy contained in the production fluid to electricity, heat, or combinations thereof.

Solid carboniferous fuels contain varying quantities of moisture, mercury, chlorine, nitrogen, sulfur, heavy metals and other materials that attain vapor pressure at elevated temperatures. The cost effective removal of these degrading and sometimes hazardous materials is important to the further use of the fuel for combustion as a solid, liquid, or gas. The solid fuel is cut, shredded, ground or sieved to appropriate size, and heated in a chamber that can exclude oxygen and air thus preventing ignition. The unwanted materials are driven in the gaseous state and extracted for disposal. The solid fuel cleaned of pollutants exits the chamber and is cooled below ignition temperature prior to contact with oxygen. The solid fuel thus purified is more appropriate for combustion, liquefaction or gasification due to the reduced costs in use as a fuel or in the post combustion clean up.

Described herein are systems and methods for achieving fast pyrolysis of wood and other carbonaceous solids in rotary reactors. Novel heating, feeding and condensing methods result in high oil yields near those currently achieved with more complicated fast pyrolysis systems. High intensity burners are arranged and controlled to produce high heating rates and uniform temperature of the rotating cylindrical walls of the reactors. The feeding system delays the onset of pyrolysis until the solids fall onto the heated kiln walls. The pyrolysis gases and vapors are rapidly withdrawn and quenched with recycled liquids. The first condenser incorporates a clean out nozzle. Char products are readily separated and discharged into a heat exchanger where heat is recovered and used together with heat from reactor flue gas to dry the solids prior to being fed to the reactor.

Provided are an apparatus and a method for rapidly producing a synthetic gas from a bio-diesel byproduct using microwave plasma, in which, while a plasma flame is generated by a plasma generator and waste glycerin, a bio-diesel byproduct, as fuel, is gasified by being supplied to the generated plasma flame of high temperature, the fuel is supplied in various types to increase the contact time or the contact area with the plasma flame and thus promote gasification thereof and the contents of steam and oxygen supplied and the plasma power are controlled to increase the collection amount of combustible gas and thus allow rapid production of the synthetic gas.

The present invention relates to a process and system for gasifying biomass or other carbonaceous feedstocks in an indirectly heated gasifier and provides a method for the elimination of condensable organic materials (tars) from the resulting product gas with an integrated tar removal step. More specifically, this tar removal step utilizes the circulating heat carrier to crack the organics and produce additional product gas. As a benefit of the above process, and because the heat carrier circulates through alternating steam and oxidizing zones in the process, deactivation of the cracking reactions is eliminated.

Processes for the catalytic conversion of a carbonaceous composition into a gas stream comprising methane are provided. In addition, the processes provide for the generation of a hydrogen-enriched gas stream and, optionally, a carbon monoxide-enriched gas stream, which can be mixed or used separately as an energy source for subsequent catalytic gasification processes.

The present disclosure is generally directed to process of gasification of carbonaceous materials to produce synthesis gas or syngas. The present disclosure provides improved methods of gasification comprising: adding one or more carbonaceous materials, adding a molecular oxygen-containing gas, adding a methane-containing gas and optionally adding water or steam into said gasifier. This disclosure is also directed to process of production of one or more alcohols from said syngas via fermentation or digestion in the presence of at least one microorganism.

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.

The disclosed embodiments provide systems for the removal and use of tar from a biomass gasification system. For example, in one embodiment, a biomass gasification system includes a reactor configured to gasify a biomass fuel in the presence of air to generate a producer gas. The system also includes an absorber configured to receive a mixture of the producer gas and tar and to absorb the tar into an organic solvent to produce treated producer gas and a rich solvent mixture containing at least a portion of the tar. The system further includes a recycle line configured to direct the rich solvent mixture to a biomass gasifier.

A method and apparatus for upgrading coal and other carbonaceous fuels includes subjecting the carbonaceous fuel to a pyrolyzing process, thereby forming upgraded carbonaceous fuel and a flow of lean fuel gases. Auxiliary fuel is combusted in an auxiliary fuel combustor to produce auxiliary fuel combustion gases, and the lean fuel gases are heated with the auxiliary fuel combustion gases. The heated lean fuel gases are combusted in a lean fuel combustor, thereby producing a gas stream of products of combustion, and at least a portion of the gas stream of products of combustion are directed to the pyrolyzer.

The present application is directed to a hydrophobic membrane assembly (28) used within a gas-generating apparatus. Hydrogen is separated from the reaction solution by passing through a hydrophobic membrane assembly (28) having a hydrophobic lattice like member (36) disposed within a hydrogen output composite (32) further enhancing the ability of the hydrogen output composite's ability to separate out hydrogen gas and prolonging its useful life.

Various processes and apparatus are discussed for an ultra-high heat flux chemical reactor. A thermal receiver and the reactor tubes are aligned to 1) absorb and re-emit radiant energy, 2) highly reflect radiant energy, and 3) any combination of these, to maintain an operational temperature of the enclosed ultra-high heat flux chemical reactor. Particles of biomass are gasified in the presence of a steam carrier gas and methane in a simultaneous steam reformation and steam biomass gasification reaction to produce reaction products that include hydrogen and carbon monoxide gas using the ultra-high heat flux thermal energy radiated from the inner wall and then into the multiple reactor tubes. The multiple reactor tubes and cavity walls of the receiver transfer energy primarily by radiation absorption and re-radiation, rather than by convection or conduction, to the reactants in the chemical reaction to drive the endothermic chemical reaction flowing in the reactor tubes.

This invention relates to a process and apparatus for the production of pure hydrogen by steam reforming. The process integrates the steam reforming and shift reaction to produce pure hydrogen with minimal production of CO and virtually no CO in the hydrogen stream, provides for CO2 capture for sequestration, employs a steam reforming membrane reactor, and is powered by heat from the convection section of a heater.

A process for recovering sulfur from a hydrogen sulfide-bearing gas utilizes an aqueous reaction medium, a temperature of about 110-150° C., and a high enough pressure to maintain the aqueous reaction medium in a liquid state. The process reduces material and equipment costs and addresses the environmental disadvantages associated with known processes that rely on high boiling point organic solvents.

A system includes a carbon dioxide treatment system that includes a catalyst configured to treat carbon dioxide to produce a treated carbon dioxide. The system also includes a gasifier injector configured to inject the treated carbon dioxide, a fuel, and oxygen into a gasifier. The gasifier injector may be coupled to or located inside the gasifier.

The present invention provides a reformer tube apparatus, including: an axially aligned tubular structure including a flange section, a top section, a middle section, and a bottom section; wherein the top section of the axially aligned tubular structure includes a first portion having a first wall thickness; wherein the top section of the axially aligned tubular structure includes a second portion having a second wall thickness; and wherein the top section of the axially aligned tubular structure includes a third portion having a transitioning wall thickness that joins the first portion to the second portion. The flange section includes a concentric flange disposed about a top portion thereof. The bottom section of the tubular structure includes a plurality of concentric wedge structures disposed about the interior thereof. The bottom section of the tubular structure also includes a recess disposed about the exterior thereof. The axially aligned tubular structure further includes a secondary flange section coupled to the flange section, wherein the secondary flange section includes a concentric flange disposed about a top portion thereof. Optionally, the reformer tube apparatus is disposed within a reformer used in a direct reduction process.

An electrical connector includes first and second connector parts and an electrical connection detector. The electrical connection detector includes a contact spring with a spring contact on the first connector part and a contact strip on the second connector part. The electric connection detector establishes an electrical connection between the contact spring and the contact strip when the connector parts are joined together. The second connector part includes an electrically insulating protrusion which forms a guide bevel that rises in a joining direction of the first connector part toward the second connector part. The spring contact is guided over the guide bevel, rests behind the protrusion, and physically contacts the contact strip when the connector parts are joined together to thereby establish an electrical connection between the contact spring and the contact strip.