A flue-curing apparatus and a related method are provided. The flue-curing apparatus includes a circulation chamber and a curing chamber that are separated by a divider wall. An air circulation system includes a blower positioned in the circulation chamber that directs air to a heater device and a lower passage into the curing chamber. The air may be received from one or both of an inlet and an upper passage extending from the curing chamber to the circulation chamber. A humidity control system humidifies the air directed into the curing chamber. A controller may receive signals from wet and dry bulb thermometers to determine the conditions in the curing chamber and the condition of tobacco leaves being cured therein. The controller may adjust various operational parameters to cause the tobacco leaves in the curing chamber to cure at a desired rate.

A method for extracting and isolating constituents of cellulosic matter, comprising providing cellulosic matter; contacting the cellulosic matter with a supercritical fluid; separating the supercritical fluid from the cellulosic matter, thereby forming an extract and a raffinate; and separating at least one compound present in the extraction medium by distillation.

A system for producing porous masses may include a mold cavity disposed along the material path, at least one hopper before at least a portion of the mold cavity for feeding a matrix material to the material path, a heat source in thermal communication with at least a first portion of the material path, and a cutter disposed along the material path after the first portion of the material path.

An orally-enjoyable tobacco product includes a portion of smokeless tobacco comprising an active ingredient and either: (1) a collection of tobacco particles at least partially enclosed by a coating comprising a water-soluble non-crosslinked component and a substantially water-insoluble cross-linked component, or (2) a pouch comprising smokeless tobacco enclosed in a water-permeable wrapper. The active ingredient is selected from the group consisting of a mercaptan, camphor, borneol, isoborneol, bornyl acetate, isobornyl acetate, mono-bornyl succinate, mono-isobornyl succinate, mono-bornyl formate, and mono-isobornyl formate. The active ingredient is present in an amount effective to reduce or eliminate the sensory irritation arising from the smokeless tobacco. Also disclosed is a method of making such a product.

A virtual reality display device that can include a first pixel array and a second pixel array. Pixels of the pixel arrays can have a response time that is less than 2 msec, where the response time for a pixel is a sum of a first amount of time for brightness of the pixel to rise from 10% of white luminance to 90% of white luminance and a second amount of time for response time to fall from 90% of white luminance to 10% of white luminance. Additionally, the first pixel array can be separated from the second pixel array by a gap, and a distance from a center of the first pixel array to a center of the second pixel array is between 58 mm to 72 mm.

Coin processing apparatuses, such as consumer or commercial coin processing apparatuses for counting and/or sorting coins, are described herein. The apparatuses can include coin conveyors having a plurality of individual coin carriers linked together to form a chain. In some embodiments, each of the coin carriers includes a corresponding pocket that is configured to receive a coin from a coin hopper as the carrier chain passes through the coin hopper during its cycle. The coin carriers can carry the coins past one or more sensors for identification or “discrimination” of the coin denomination. After discrimination, the coins can be knocked from the carrier pockets and into, e.g., a selected coin chute for transfer to a collection bin.

“CONVEYOR SYSTEM WITH DIFFERENT APPLICATIONS AND ISOLATION OF THE CONVEYED PRODUCT IN RELATION TO THE DRIVE SYSTEM”, is a conveyor for grains, seeds, fruit, granulated and ground products and similar products. The conveyor has different applications and isolates the product conveyed from the drive system. There are two or more tubes, and in each set of tubes there is a swivel with a drive system using roller chain, chain, cable, belt, et cetera. In this manner, the drive system is isolated from the product, avoiding mechanical damages, contamination, and also increasing the performance of the system.

This distributing device for absorbent articles is provided with a main conveyor path, a branch conveyor path that branches from the main conveyor path, a main conveyor path that conveys absorbent articles along the main conveyor path, a diverting mechanism that diverts absorbent articles in the main conveyor path from the main conveyor path to the branch conveyor path, and a branch conveyor mechanism that conveys the absorbent articles diverted by the diverting mechanism along the branch conveyor path. The diverting mechanism is provided with a diverting part for diverting the absorbent articles. The diverting part moves without stopping, entering the main conveyor path from a standby position outside the main conveyor path and then, after leaving the main conveyor path, returning to the standby position.

A sortation conveyor for transporting and diverting a plurality of articles includes a first conveying path and a second conveying path angularly positioned relative to the first conveying path. A plurality of pusher elements may be selectively diverted laterally across the first conveying path to divert articles to the second conveying path. A piezoelectric actuated switch assembly positioned adjacent to the second conveying path selectively engages the pusher elements to divert the selected article to the second conveying path.

An article sorting and conveying device that conveys articles by the vibrations of a movable body provided through an elastic support unit, includes a first vibration unit that imparts a periodic vibration force to the movable body in a direction inclined from a vertical direction; a second vibration unit that imparts a periodic vibration force in a direction crossing the periodic vibration force by the first vibration unit; and a vibration control unit that causes a periodic vibration force imparted by each vibration unit to have a phase difference and occur simultaneously at the same frequency, and that creates an elliptical vibration trajectory in the movable body. The articles are sorted and conveyed on the movable body by setting the vibration trajectory of the movable body by the vibration control unit such that articles having a different coefficient of friction are conveyed in different directions.

Various embodiments of ladders, ladder components, accessories for ladders, ladder systems and related methods are provided. In one embodiment a ladder and platform system is provided having at least two ladders and a platform or plank. The platform or plank has coupling mechanisms that provide adjustable but secure coupling of the platform to the ladders, either with the top cap or with the rungs. Other embodiments include storage devices and paint trays for use with ladders and ladder systems incorporating such devices.

A tether device includes a magnetic base; a pole having a first end attached to the magnetic base; and a connector or clip attached at a second end of the pole, for removably connecting the tethering device to a user. Also, a method for tethering a user to a hull of a vessel including the steps of providing a tether device having a magnetic base, a pole having a first end attached to the magnetic base, and a connector or clip attached at a second end of the pole; connecting the connector or clip to the user; and engaging the magnetic base with the hull of the vessel.

A ladder safety accessory kit (5) for straight and extension ladders (1) having an upper stabilizer assembly (2) that makes the ladder adaptable to any shaped structure or surface, a lower stabilizer assembly (3) that makes the ladder adjustable to accommodate for uneven ground, a leveling measurement device (4) that allows a user to quickly and easily determine that the ladder is level and angled correctly and a storage tray (36) that provides a storage area for tools and other items. The ladder safety accessory kit may be integrated with new ladders or used to retrofit existing ladders.

A ladder accessory that is used with a ladder that extends out from the side of the ladder to provide footing for a worker. The accessory comprises an elongated rectangular open box structure defining at least one set of two parallel ladder rail channels that are placed crosswise (perpendicular) to the length of the box structure and are spaced apart a distance such that one of said channels can engage one rail of a ladder and the other channel can engage the other rail and both channels engage a rung. The rectangular elongated box defines two side walls that contain single hook key slots that can be engaged with rungs of the ladder when the accessory is placed lengthwise parallel to the rails of the ladder and, with a rung lock mechanism, can be fastened to the ladder and carried with the ladder.

A sensor signal processing device includes an AD conversion section, a filter section, a timing signal generation section, and an arithmetic section. The timing signal generation section generates a signal synchronized with a crank angle of an engine based on a signal indicating the crank angle and generates a data acquisition timing signal by compensating the signal synchronized with the crank angle with a delay time of the filter. The arithmetic section acquires a plurality of sensor signals, which is transmitted from a sensor, converted from an analog signal to a digital signal by the AD conversion section, and filtered by the filter section, in a term before and after receiving the data acquisition timing signal and generates a data synchronized with the data acquisition timing signal.

A device for injecting fuel over a cylinder head of an engine, including a tubular body, an injection nozzle forming an extension of the tubular body, a needle extending coaxially to the nozzle in a form of a rod, an end of which includes a head forming a valve on a seat supported by the injection nozzle, and an actuator configured to cause a movement of the head so as to open the valve, the needle configured to axially resonate when the same is subjected to axial pulses at a predetermined nominal frequency by the actuator. A system for mounting the device includes a spacer for bearing on the cylinder head, as well as on a front surface of the tubular body at the connection to the nozzle.

To provide a magnetic element capable of performing skyrmion transfer, a skyrmion memory to which this magnetic element is applied, and a shift register, for example, a magnetic element capable of performing skyrmion transfer is provided, the magnetic element providing a transverse transfer arrangement in which the skyrmion is transferred substantially perpendicular to a current between an upstream electrode and a downstream electrode, and including a plurality of stable positions in which the skyrmion exists more stably than in other regions of a magnet, and a skyrmion sensor that detects a position of the skyrmion.

To provide a magnetic element which can generate a skyrmion, and a skyrmion memory which applies the magnetic element or the like. To provide a magnetic element with a chiral magnet for generating a skyrmion, the chiral magnet is made of a magnetic material having a β-Mn type crystal structure. Also, to provide a magnetic element with a chiral magnet for generating a skyrmion, the chiral magnet is made of a magnetic material having an Au4Al type crystal structure.

A magnetic element capable of generating and erasing a skyrmion, including a magnet shaped as a thin layer and including a structure surrounded by a nonmagnetic material; a current path provided surrounding an end region including an end portion of the magnet, on one surface of the magnet; and a skyrmion sensor that detects the generation and erasing of the skyrmion. With Wm being width of the magnet and hm being height of the magnet, a size of the magnet, with the skyrmion of a diameter λ being generated, is such that 2λ>Wm>λ/2 and 2λ>hm>λ/2. With W being width of the end region in a direction parallel to the end portion of the magnet and h being height of the end region in a direction perpendicular to the end portion of the magnet, the end region is such that λ≧W>λ/4 and 2λ>h>λ/2.

Provided is a magnetic element capable of generating one skyrmion and erasing the one skyrmion. The magnetic element includes a magnet shaped like a substantially rectangular flat plate, an upstream electrode connected to the magnet in a width Wm direction of the magnet and made of a non-magnetic metal, a downstream electrode connected to the magnet in the width Wm direction to oppose the upstream electrode and made of a non-magnetic metal, and a skyrmion sensor configured to detect the skyrmion. Here, a width Wm of the substantially rectangular magnet is such that 3·λ>Wm≧λ, where λ denotes a diameter of the skyrmion, a length Hm of the substantially rectangular magnet is such that 2·λ>Hm≧λ, and the magnet has a notch structure at the edge between the upstream electrode and the downstream electrode.

A mechanism that allows the successful decoding of MCS information of cell edge UEs while retaining the performance for the other UEs of the cell is provided. In one aspect, a UE may determine an uplink control coding rate based on an uplink signal quality. The UE may encode uplink control data based on the uplink control coding rate. The UE may apply a pattern of unused resource element locations in uplink control resource elements based on the uplink control coding rate. The UE may transmit the uplink control resource elements with the pattern of unused resource element locations. In another aspect, an eNB may receive uplink control resource elements. The eNB may determine an uplink control coding rate based on a pattern of resource element locations in the uplink control resource elements. The eNB may decode uplink control data based on the uplink control coding rate.

A VDC resource request method, user equipment, and a base station, where the VDC resource request method includes sending, by user equipment, a VDC resource request message to a base station when the user equipment needs to request a VDC resource for sending vehicle service information, where the VDC resource request message includes at least one piece of the following information: a VDC resource status list, or travel information of the user equipment, and an available VDC resource is indicated in the VDC resource status list, receiving a VDC resource allocation indication message from the base station, and sending the vehicle service information by using the VDC resource indicated by the VDC resource allocation indication message.

The present invention relates to a wireless communication system, and a method for determining a resource for device-to-device communication by a user equipment is disclosed. A method for determining a resource for device-to-device communication according to an embodiment of the present invention may comprise the steps of: receiving, from an eNode B (eNB), configuration information related to a resource pool configured for each level; selecting the resource pool of the device-to-device communication on the basis of the configuration information; and selecting a resource for the device-to-device communication in the resource pool. Herein, the resource pool may be configured to have two or more levels.

The disclosure relates in some aspects to resource requirement signaling and rate setting for communication on an unlicensed band. The disclosure also relates in some aspects to determining a token arrival rate as a function of traffic arrival information. In some aspects, the disclosed schemes may avoid traffic collisions on a resource and promote access fairness on the resource.

The sensing method a first vehicle user equipment (UE) for collision avoidance in a wireless communication network comprises receiving a set of scheduling assignment (SA) information allocated to a set of second vehicle UEs, decoding the set of SA information, each of which includes SA information to each of the set of second vehicle UEs, performing energy sensing operation for resources to be used by each of the set of second vehicle UEs to determine additional potential SA transmission and data transmission from the set of second vehicle UEs over the resources, determining available resources for the data transmission from the first vehicle UE based on the performed energy sensing and SA sensing, skipping a channel sensing operation on at least one subframe that is used for the data transmission from the first vehicle UE, and transmitting data among resources identified as unused in next transmissions from second vehicle UEs.

Provided is a method of assigning a slot, the method including transmitting an assignment request for at least one slot of a first frame to a terminal, determining whether an acknowledgement (ACK) of the assignment request is received from the terminal, in a slot corresponding to the at least one slot in a second frame which is a subsequent frame of the first frame, and determining whether the at least one slot for which the assignment request is transmitted has been assigned based on whether the ACK of the assignment request is received.

An improved apparatus for correcting deflection in small diameter feed and retard rolls of an open width stabilizer so as to create a straight line nip with uniform pressure across the nip. The improved apparatus provides apparatus for adjusting deflection of the rolls to thereby maintain a desired size to a passageway between them so as to optimize compaction of a fabric web material. A wedge-like member is disposed between, and in moving relationship to, feed and retard roller bearings. The wedge-like member is asymmetrical, has feed and retard sides that engage the feed and retard roller bearings, respectively, and exerts reaction forces against each of the respective bearings. Improvement resides in the reaction forces causing the rolls the rolls to not deflect downwardly.

A pendulum absorber system attenuates torsional vibrations within a drive train of a vehicle. The system can be incorporated between an engine and an automatic transmission, for example, within a flex plate assembly attached to an engine's crankshaft, within a pump housing cover of a torque converter, or as a stand-alone unit between a flex plate assembly and a torque converter. The system includes at least one pendulum weight that dynamically moves along a predetermined path in response to variations in rotational velocities of a housing of the system and that is tuned to attenuate excitation of torsional vibrations within the drive train. A limiter assembly, which can include multiple limiters, is provided within the system for stopping movement of the weight when it reaches endpoints of the predetermined path, by mechanically impeding further movement at both of a first and second end of the weight.

An electronic device is provided with an inclination sensor for computing inclination, a control unit which conducts predetermined control based on a value computed by the inclination sensor, a case which has the inclination sensor and the control unit therein, and a suspension portion for suspending the case, and the control unit controls correction of the reference value of the inclination sensor based on a state where the case is suspended by the suspension portion and still.

A probe deployment mechanism of a coordinate measuring machine provides for extending and retracting a probe. The probe is displaceable with respect to the actuator body connected to the measuring machine. A locator coupling secures the probe to the actuator body at the extended position for taking measurements. A drive coupled to the probe displaces the probe between the extended and retracted positions but at the extended position, the drive is releasable from the probe for kinetically isolating the locator coupling.

A system is invented to combine different signals from various sensors together so that an object (such as a car, an airplane etc.)'s position and/or orientation can be measured.

A system and method for inspection and quality control for goods determines whether the goods comply with desired configurations. In an embodiment, an inspection and quality control system for a good includes a template. The template includes a template body and a positive offset. The positive offset includes a maximum length of the good and a maximum width of the good. The positive offset is configured for the good to be disposed in the positive offset when the good is less than the maximum length and the maximum width. The system also includes a negative inset. The negative inset includes a minimum length for the good and a minimum width for the good. The negative inset is configured to be disposed in the positive offset over the good disposed in the positive offset.

Ultrasound scaler tip and ultrasound scaler has high sterilization effect. Toothbrush has reduced effect on mouth interior. An ultrasound scaler tip has tip body and optical fiber. Tip body has tubular shape with pointed-end opening and rear-end opening, rear end that can be attached to ultrasound scaler body, and intermediate curved part. Optical fiber is thinner than minimum inner diameter of tip body and has rear end toward which light from light source can enter. Optical fiber is inserted from rear-end opening to pointed-end opening of tip body, and has intermediate part that is in contact with curved part, so that end is vibrated by ultrasonic vibration of tip body. Ultrasound scaler body houses liquid supply device, ultrasound-generating device, and light source, which is attached to rear end of ultrasound scaler tip. Light source causes light for sterilization in predetermined wavelength range to enter rear end of optical fiber.

A torsional vibration damper assembly for a hydrokinetic torque coupling device, comprises a torsional vibration damper, and a dynamic absorber operatively connected to the torsional vibration damper. The torsional vibration damper comprises a driven member rotatable about a rotational axis, a first retainer plate rotatable relative to the driven member coaxially with the rotational axis, and a plurality of damper elastic members interposed between the first retainer plate and the driven member. The damper elastic members elastically couples the first retainer plate to the driven member. The dynamic absorber includes an inertial member. The inertial member is mounted to the torsional vibration damper rotatably relative to the driven member. The inertial member is rotationally guided and centered relative to the rotational axis by the driven member of the torsional vibration damper.

The invention relates to a polymer composition which absorbs infrared radiation (IR), containing a transparent thermoplastic plastic, an inorganic infrared absorber, also referred to as IR absorber hereinbelow, at least one inorganic nano-scale pigment, and the combination of at least two organic coloring agents of a specific structure, and to the preparation and use of the polymer compositions according to the invention and to products produced therefrom.

The present invention provides a modified cellulosic fiber having reduced hydrogen bonding capabilities. The modified fiber formed in accordance with the present invention may be useful in the production of tissue products having improved bulk and softness. More importantly, the modified fiber is adaptable to current tissue making processes and may be incorporated into a tissue product to improve bulk and softness without an unsatisfactory reduction in tensile.

As associative thickener obtainable by free radical polymerization, the preparation thereof and the use thereof in paper coating slips are described. The associative thickener is formed from (a) acid monomers selected from ethylenically unsaturated C3- to C8-carboxylic acids, (b) associative monomers of the general formula H2C═CR1—COO-(EO)n—(PO)m—R2, in which R1 is hydrogen or methyl, n is a number of at least two, m is a number from zero to 50, EO is an ethylene oxide group, PO is a propylene oxide group and R2 is a C8-C30-alkyl group or a C8-C30-alkaryl group, and (c) nonionic, copolymerizable monomers differing from a) and b), the reaction product having been reacted, after the polymerization, with initiators forming nonionic radicals.

The present invention relates to a hair dye composition, and more particularly, to a foam-type hair dye composition comprising: a first agent including a dye and an alkaline agent and a second agent including an oxidant; and a nonionic viscosity increasing agent of a PEG-aliphatic acid ester or a PPG-aliphatic acid ester in one or both of the first agent and the second agent, thereby largely improving dyeing properties without dripping after the composition is coated on hair.

A solid state power control apparatus includes: (a) at least one IGBT and at least one FET, for supplying current to a load, and (b) a current controller for shutting off the IGBT and FET. The current controller is arranged to start shut off of the IGBT before it starts shut off of the FET. Further, the current controller is arranged to reduce current flow prior to start of the turn off of the IGBT and FET.

A phase locked loop (PLL) includes a controllable oscillator, a charge pump, a type II loop filter, a frequency divider, a phase error processing circuit, a phase frequency detector and a phase alignment circuit. The controllable oscillator generates an oscillating signal. The charge pump circuit generates a charge pump output in a calibration mode. The type II loop filter generates a first control signal to the controllable oscillator according to the charge pump output. The frequency divider performs frequency division upon the oscillating signal for generating a feedback signal. The phase error processing circuit outputs an adjusting signal by comparing a reference signal with the feedback signal. The phase frequency detector generates a detection signal by comparing the feedback signal and the reference signal. The phase alignment circuit generates a second control signal in the calibration mode.

An apparatus includes an integrated circuit (IC). The IC includes a power controller, which includes a regulator and a controller. The regulator receives a plurality of input voltages and provides a regulated output voltage. The controller controls the regulator to generate the regulated output voltage from the plurality of input voltages. The power controller provides power to a load integrated in the IC from a set of arbitrary input voltages. The set of arbitrary input voltages includes the plurality of input voltages.

A circuit suitable for data backup of a logic circuit is provided. The circuit includes first to fourth nodes, a capacitor, first to third transistors, and first and second circuits. Data can be loaded and stored between the circuit and the logic circuit. The first node is electrically connected to a data output terminal of the logic circuit. The second node is electrically connected to a data input terminal of the logic circuit. The capacitor is electrically connected to the third node. The first transistor controls electrical continuity between the first node and the third node. The second transistor controls electrical continuity between the second node and the third node. The third transistor controls electrical continuity between the second node and the fourth node. The first and second circuits have functions of raising gate voltage of the first transistor and raising gate voltage of the second transistor, respectively.

The present invention relates to a positive electrode active material for a sodium secondary battery, and a method for preparing the same. The positive electrode active material for the sodium secondary battery according to the present invention is structurally more stable by replacing a part of the transition metal with Li, and accordingly, the thermal stability and life characteristics of the sodium battery including the positive electrode active material are greatly improved.

In some embodiments, a solid oxide fuel system is provided. The solid oxide fuel cell system may include a chromium-getter material. The chromium-getter material may react with chromium to remove chromium species from chromium vapor. The solid oxide fuel cell system may also include an inert substrate. The chromium-getter material may be coated onto the inert substrate. The coated substrate may remove chromium species from chromium vapor before the chromium species can react with a cathode in the solid oxide fuel cell system.

A solid oxide fuel cell having an electric power generating element unit that is configured by sandwiching a solid electrolyte layer between a fuel electrode layer and an oxygen electrode layer with a pore that is present in the solid electrolyte layer and is covered with a sealing material. In addition, a pore that is present in an interconnector, which is electrically connected to the fuel electrode layer or the oxygen electrode layer, is covered with the sealing material. Consequently, the solid oxide fuel cell is capable of easily preventing gas leakage.

A battery electrolyte solution contains a lithium salt dissolved in a solvent phase comprising at least 10% by weight of methyl (2,2,3,3-tetrafluoropropyl) carbonate. The solvent phase comprises optionally other solvent materials such as 4-fluoroethylene carbonate and other carbonate solvents. This battery electrolyte is highly stable even when used in batteries in which the cathode material has a high operating potential (such as 4.5V or more) relative to Li/Li+. Batteries containing this electrolyte solution therefore have excellent cycling stability.

A solid electrolyte for an all-solid secondary battery, the solid electrolyte including: Li, S, P, an M1 element, and an M2 element, wherein the M1 element is at least one element selected from Na, K, Rb, Sc, Fr, and the M2 element is at least one element selected from F, Cl, Br, I, molar amounts of lithium and the M1 element satisfy 0

The described technology relates to an electrolyte solution comprising a sulfur dioxide-based ionic liquid electrolyte, and a sodium-sulfur dioxide (Na—SO2) secondary battery having same, one purpose of the described technology being to enhance the storage characteristics of sulfur dioxide gas in an electrolyte solution. The sodium-sulfur dioxide secondary battery includes a negative electrode which is formed from an inorganic material and which contains sodium. The battery also includes a positive electrode which is formed from a carbon material and a sulfur dioxide-based inorganic electrolyte solution. Here, the electrolyte solution contains a sulfur dioxide-based ionic liquid electrolyte prepared by injecting SO2 gas in an ionic liquid.

A battery electrolyte solution contains a lithium salt dissolved in a solvent phase comprising at least 10% by weight of ethyl (2,2,3,3-tetrafluoropropyl) carbonate. The solvent phase comprises optionally other solvent materials such as 4-fluoroethylene carbonate and either or both of diethyl carbonate and ethyl methyl carbonate. This battery electrolyte is highly stable even when used in batteries in which the cathode material has a high operating potential (such as 4.5V or more) relative to Li/Li+. Batteries containing this electrolyte solution therefore have excellent cycling stability.