Abstract:
Various embodiments of the present invention are directed to a repositioning mechanism adapted for use with a swing and configured to permit a child support to be secured a forward-facing position and one or more side-facing positions. In particular, the repositioning mechanism is configured to maintain the child support's center of gravity in the same lateral position in both the forward-facing and side-facing positions, as well as to effect longitudinal movement ensuring the child support remains longitudinally proximate to its point or points of support, such as a point of rotation.
Abstract:
Systems and methods associated with a fluid-activated shaft seal are provided. The systems, which feature multiple components, include a support component defining an exterior surface, a carrier component including an interior surface to slideably engage the exterior surface of the support component, and a seal disposed relative to the carrier component. The seal includes a lip portion and a fluid-responsive gel material that expands when exposed to a fluid to urge the lip portion towards or into contact with a shaft. The gel material contracts in the absence of the fluid to form or increase the size of a gap between the shaft and the lip portion. Methods of assembling and installing such a system are also described.
Abstract:
Various embodiments of the present invention are directed to a children's bouncer apparatus. In various embodiments, the apparatus includes a support frame, seat assembly configured to support a child, and bouncer control device. The support frame includes one or more semi-rigid support arms that extend above a base portion and suspend the seat assembly above the base portion. The bouncer control device is configured to impart a driving force on the seat assembly via a magnetic drive assembly, thereby causing the seat assembly to continuously oscillate at the natural frequency of the children's bouncer.
Abstract:
A reheat and tunnel furnace system, and heating processes therefor, are provided. A hydrocarbon fuel and steam mix is supplied to a chemical recuperator that uses heat from the waste gas of the reheat or tunnel furnace to produce preheated reformed fuel to the burners of the reheat or tunnel furnace. The steam may be supplied from a waste heat boiler.
Abstract:
Method and apparatus for disinfecting an item, for example, a handle for a door or a tap in a toilet facility. The apparatus includes a movable member, e.g., a door handle having a contact surface for being manually engaged to move the movable member; germicide applying means for applying germicide to the surface; and an operating mechanism coupled between the movable member and the germicide applying means and operable in response to movement of the movable member for applying germicide to the contact surface after movement of said movable member. The germicide applying means may be a pump. The operating mechanism may act to prime the pump when the door handle is turned to open the door. The germicide is sprayed over the handle after the handle is released and returns to its initial position. The return movement may be retarded.
Abstract:
A telecommunication system includes an interface device on board an aircraft that interfaces with a wireless phone of a user inside the aircraft and with a wireless bearer system, and a controller that controls the interface device to maintain RF emissions of the wireless phone below a predetermined level above which RF emissions will interfere with aircraft systems. The system may also include one or more of a wireless bearer system gateway on board the aircraft that converts signals received from the wireless phone to protocols of the wireless bearer system and that converts signals received from the wireless bearer system to protocols of the wireless phone, an antenna in a cabin of the aircraft that receives output signals from the wireless phone and conveys the output signals to the interface device, a media converter that conveys the signals between the antenna and the interface device, an RF detector that detects unwanted RF emissions above the predetermined level and unsupported cellphone types, and an external antenna that respectively transmits and receives direct cellular signals to and from the wireless phone when the aircraft is on the ground.
Abstract:
A system for processing a work piece comprises a laser jet mechanism having a laser and a fluid source. The laser is constructed and arranged to transmit laser energy to the work piece and the fluid source is constructed and arranged to direct a fluid stream to the work piece. The laser energy is transmitted to the work piece through the fluid stream. The fluid stream comprises at least one processing solution selected from the group consisting of: at least one etchant, at least one abrasive, at least one polish, at least one cleaner, at least one detergent and any combination thereof. The fluid stream optionally comprises water.
Abstract:
For monitoring railway tracks on a frequent basis, instrumentation packages are installed in service vehicles (18), for example in passenger carriages. The instrumentation package (16) comprises sensors (35, 36, 42) mounted on a bogie (24) of the vehicle (18), which provide data to a computer (40). The computer (40) processes the data to characterise the track quality, and stores the results tagged with positional information. At intervals these stored results are automatically transferred by radio to a remote base station (12). An operator at the base station can monitor the track quality daily, and hence advise on cost-effective maintenance schedules.
Abstract:
Furniture for containing computer equipment is disclosed, where the computer equipment can be concealed when not in use. The furniture is in the form of a desk or table which has at least one normal drawer and at least one false drawer front which can be moved relative to or removed from the furniture (desk, credenza and so on). Computer equipment is mounted in the furniture carcass. When the equipment is in use, the false front is pivoted downward or removed, thereby exposing the equipment for easy access, for example via the disc ports. When not in use, the false drawer is positioned vertically and is fabricated to match the front of the normal drawer in appearance.
Abstract:
The subject matter of the invention is an apparatus for the integral sprinkling of liquids laden with solid materials in suspension of appropriate granulometry, such as a blanket of marc in wine-making, contained in a vat having a vertically movable cone (1) disposed at the bottom part (8) of a return pipe (2a) of constant section on which it slides by means of a sleeve (3) and is held by means of an arm (23) provided with a projection (4) resting on the periphery (5a) of a cam (5) affixed to a shaft (6) connected to a variable-speed electric motor (7) so that, during the continuous rotation of the motor (7) the cone (1) will be positioned at variable heights with respect to the bottom part (8) of the pipe (2) in order to sprinkle the surface integrally with the liquid, and to distribute a quantity of liquid in a uniform manner at any point on the blanket.