242results about How to "Reduce weight and cost" patented technology

A synchronous bi-directional active power conditioning system (11) suitable for wide variable frequency systems or active loads such as adjustable speed drives which require variable voltage variable frequency power management systems is disclosed. Common power electronics building blocks (100, 200) (both hardware and software modular blocks) are presented which can be used for AC-DC, DC-AC individually or cascaded together for AC-DC-AC power conversion suitable for variable voltage and / or wide variable frequency power management systems. A common control software building block (2, 5) includes a digital control strategy / algorithm and digital phase lock loop method and apparatus which are developed and implemented in a digital environment to provide gating patterns for the switching elements (3, 6) of the common power-pass modular power electronics building blocks (100, 200).

The present invention provides an improved surgical retractor system useful for holding tissue away from a surgical site during a medical or dental procedure. In one embodiment, the surgical retractor system is comprised of a tubular member, such as a cannula, and a retractor member. In an embodiment, the retractor member may be ring shaped. The retractor member preferably may have an opening therethrough for receiving the cannula. An engaging member associated with the retractor member may be provided for rotatably engaging the cannula. In one embodiment, the cannula may have external threads that are releaseably engaged with the engaging member and allows the degree or amount of tissue retraction to be adjusted. The cannula may be configured to be used with and secured to a handle to facilitate using the retractor system. A method of using the retractor system is also disclosed.

A composite panel structure for an aircraft includes a plurality of annular, hat-shaped frames disposed coaxially along a long axis of the aircraft in a spaced, parallel relationship, an inner skin having an inner surface bonded to an outer surface of the hat frames, a plurality of elongated, hat-shaped stringers disposed in a longitudinal direction along an outer surface of the inner skin in a spaced, parallel relationship, a solid or rigid foam offset bonded to an outer surface of each of the stringers, and an outer skin having an inner surface bonded to an upper surface of each of the offsets. The inner skin carries the loads of the structure and the outer skin defines an aerodynamic surface of the aircraft and provides impact and lighting protection. The frames, inner skin and stringers are formed on a single forming tool and cured and bonded with each other simultaneously.

A composite upholstery panel includes a layer of ticking fabric, a layer of flame and heat-resistant backing fabric, and a layer of resilient flame and heat-resistant cushioning material sandwiched between the layer of ticking fabric and the layer of backing fabric. The composite upholstery panel maintains flame and heat resistant integrity when impinged at any location with a gas flame in accordance with testing protocol set forth in Technical Bulletin 603 of the State of California Department of Consumer Affairs (TB-603). However, individually, the ticking layer, backing layer and cushioning layer would fail to maintain flame and heat resistant integrity when impinged with a gas flame in accordance with testing protocol set forth in TB-603.

A wire includes a plurality of carbon nanotube infused fibers in which the infused carbon nanotubes are aligned parallel to the fiber axes. An electromagnetic shield for a wire includes a plurality of carbon nanotube infused fibers, in which the infused carbon nanotubes are aligned radially about the fiber axes. The plurality of carbon nanotube infused fibers are arranged circumferentially about the wire with the fiber axes parallel to the wire. A self-shielded wire includes 1) a wire that includes a plurality of carbon nanotube infused fibers in which the infused carbon nanotubes are aligned parallel to the fiber axes; and 2) an electromagnetic shield that includes a plurality of carbon nanotube infused fibers in which the carbon nanotubes are aligned radially about the fiber axes. The axes of the carbon nanotube infused fibers of the wire and the carbon nanotube infused fibers of the electromagnetic shield share are parallel.

The present disclosure relates to plastic or polymeric container with reclosable zippers which make the package child-resistant. In one typical embodiment, this is achieved by a zipper with a high internal opening force and a low external opening force, wherein three flanges are sealed to the bag walls, and one external flange is left unsealed. In order to encounter the low external opening force, the user must grab the unsealed external flange while applying an external opening force to the zipper.

A racking system for photovoltaic solar panels greatly reduces material, weight, labor and system profile as compared to previous mounting systems. Special pedestals are secured to a roof at far larger spacings and fewer number than required in previous systems. The pedestals are configured for efficient and dependable flashing for waterproofing the roof. In assembly the extruded aluminum components are fitted together quickly with efficient and strong connections, with the photovoltaic panels retained in a compact array and fully supported along the length of each panel. The fittings provide for field adjustment of the height of the uprights, helping accommodate uneven roof surfaces, such as flat roofs.

Preformed corner connectors for mattress supports and box spring bases are provided to simplify and reduce the costs of constructing the same. The corner connectors are preferably unitarily formed by plastic molding or other suitable processes. The method of using the corner connectors includes preforming the same and attaching frame members with conventional fasteners for box spring bases and mattress supports as required.

The present invention provides an improved surgical retractor system useful for holding tissue away from a surgical site during a medical or dental procedure. In one embodiment, the surgical retractor system is comprised of a tubular member, such as a cannula, and a retractor member. In an embodiment, the retractor member may be ring shaped. The retractor member preferably may have an opening therethrough for receiving the cannula. An engaging member associated with the retractor member may be provided for rotatably engaging the cannula. In one embodiment, the cannula may have external threads that are releaseably engaged with the engaging member and allows the degree or amount of tissue retraction to be adjusted. The cannula may be configured to be used with and secured to a handle to facilitate using the retractor system. A method of using the retractor system is also disclosed.

The present invention provides a secondary electrochemical cell comprising a body of aprotic, non-aqueous electrolyte, first and second electrodes in effective electrochemical contact with the electrolyte, the first electrode comprising active materials such as a lithiated intercalation compound serving as the positive electrode or cathode and the second electrode comprising a carbon material on carbon-based substrate and serving as the negative electrode or anode; whereby they provide a secondary non-aqueous electrochemical cell having improved overdischarge and overcharge acceptance ability as compared with similar secondary non-aqueous electrochemical cells having carbon anodes with metal substrate.

A portable electronic device includes an optical input device operative to capture image data, at least one subsystem for controlling at least one operating parameter of the electronic device, and a proximity detection circuit operatively coupled to said optical input device and said subsystem. The proximity detection circuit is operative to determine if an object is within a predetermined distance of the electronic device based on the captured image data and, based on the determination, command the at least one subsystem to change the least one operating parameter.

An epifluorescence microscope achieves a compact form factor without sacrificing optical sensitivity by the novel use of combined optic mounts and light baffles constructed using additive manufacturing processes. The use of additive manufacturing enables stray-light-capturing structures that are not practical to make by other techniques. Some embodiments of the present invention do not require installation of filters by an operator, reducing the likelihood of dust and contamination on optical surfaces. Some embodiments of the present invention employ a novel light path that avoids passing the fluorescent light through off-axis elements. This optical arrangement provides for the use of a microscope objective having a finite corrected-image distance, such as a DIN objective, rather than infinity-corrected objective that require additional optical elements to form an image. The reduction in complexity can both reduce system cost and improve optical performance by reducing Fresnel losses and imaging artifacts from Fresnel reflections.

The present invention provides an electrical component enclosure for installation in a location where a flammable gas or vapor is expected to be present. The electrical component enclosure incorporates a catalyst for inducing a reaction to convert a flammable fluid to a non-flammable product, thereby reducing the flammable fluid concentration and reducing the likelihood of the flammable fluid being ignited. The enclosure preferably permits the free exchange of gas and vapor between the surrounding atmosphere and the enclosure interior.

The invention discloses a double-turbine interaction type ventilation and power generation dual-use machine, belonging to the technical field of new energy. The double-turbine interaction type ventilation and power generation dual-use machine comprises two turbine type spherical wind wheels, the two turbine type spherical wind wheels are respectively arranged on two outer rotors of a coaxial power generator, a spindle is fixed in a rack, and a wire is respectively connected with the coaxial power generator, a control box or a lighting resistor, a load, a photovoltaic battery and a fan. The double-turbine interaction type ventilation and power generation dual-use machine is characterized in that the two turbine type spherical wind wheels comprise a plurality of arc-shaped blades, the second wind wheel is arranged in the first wind wheel, the fan drives indoor air to rapidly rise in a spiral way to push the second wind wheel to rotate anticlockwise, air discharged from clearances of the arc-shaped blades pushes the first wind wheel to rotate clockwise, and the two wind wheels respectively drive the two outer rotors to rotate in different directors for power generation. The exhaust direction of air flow for indoor ventilation can be changed and isolated, the defect of mutual offset of two types of air flow caused when the volume of outdoor natural wind is larger than the volume of the indoor rising air flow, and the rate of utilization of wind energy and the ventilation performance can be improved, the all-weather operation can be achieved, and the power generation efficiency can be improved by more than one time.

Provided are a braking control system for a vehicle which is controlled in a priority order, and a method of the same. In more detail, the present invention relates to a braking control system for a vehicle equipped with an electronic brake at each wheel, in which the braking control system includes: a first control unit controlling the operation of a first electronic brake mounted at a front-left wheel and a second electronic brake mounted at a front-right wheel in response to braking signals; and a second control unit controlling the operation of a third electronic brake mounted at a rear-left wheel and a fourth electronic brake mounted at a rear-right wheel in response to the braking signals. In this configuration, when a fail occurs in any one of the first and second control units, the other control unit selectively controls at least one or more of the first to fourth electronic brakes, in accordance with predetermined logic.

A system for washing building windows and other exterior surfaces. The system uses substantially pure water as the washing medium, and uses a novel cable restraint system for restraining an automatic cleaning device against the building surface.

Synthesis of polystyrene and / or other thermoplastic polymers or polymer blends which, for example, contain activated carbon and / or bamboo carbon carrying a co-blowing agent such as water and / or at least one of 1-dimensional, 2-dimensional, and 3-dimensional nano / micro-materials in suspension polymerization without using the inverse emulsion process. CO2 or other blowing agent based foaming processes such as extrusion, batch foaming, and injection molding may then be carried out to produce polymer foams that have low density, high-R value, bimodal structures, good mechanical properties, and high fire retardance.

A method and apparatus for electronically steering a RADAR beam across an array of feed horns by moving the phase center of the beam to different origination points on the array—each origination point being the phase center of a feed horn pair. Variations include polarized beams, polarized feed horns, dual-beam systems, dual direction steering, diagonal steering, and cross-polarized wire grids to control beamwidth.

The turbine housing 1 is formed by sheet metal scroll members 5 and 7 butted opposite each other and welded together. A center core part 9 arranged in a central part of the scroll part 3 is integrally formed in one piece from a steel pipe member such as to include a housing portion 93 surrounding a turbine wheel 24, a bearing receiving portion 91 axially supporting the turbine wheel 24, and a plurality of circumferentially spaced supports 92 bridging a gap between the housing portion 93 and the bearing receiving portion 91.

An object of the present invention is to provide a wind turbine generator and a tidal current generator equipped with a hydraulic transmission with a combination of a hydraulic pump and a hydraulic motor and which has a superior productivity and maintainability. The wind turbine generator 1 has the hydraulic transmission 10 for transmitting the rotation energy of a main shaft 8 to a generator 20. The hydraulic transmission 10 includes a hydraulic pump 12 of variable displacement type which is driven by the main shaft 8, a hydraulic motor 14 of variable displacement type which is connected to the generator 20, and a high pressure oil line and a low pressure oil line which are arranged between the hydraulic pump 12 and the hydraulic motor 14. The hydraulic transmission 10 is at least partially constituted of a plurality of modules (M1 to M7).

A transmission for driving one or more powered devices from a single drive motor. The transmission includes at least one output drive shaft, and at least one gear. Each gear is in constant driving engagement with at least one other gear, and one gear is engaged with the motor. Each of the output shafts is adapted to be coupled to at least one of the devices and at least one of the gears. The transmission also includes a plurality of clutches. Each of the clutches is uniquely associated with one of the output drive shafts and one of the gears, and each of the clutches selectively couples a gear to a corresponding output drive shaft. The transmission may include a control system for activating the motor and the clutches at desired time intervals.

An improved air moving device that is scalable for use in a variety of applications requiring different fan sizes. The fan includes a number of fan blades, each having a discrete magnet mounted thereon. The orientation of each magnet is such that the direction of the magnetic field alternates from one blade to the next. The outside edge of each blade is metalized in a way that the magnetic field is present across the entire outer edge of the fan blade. In an alternate embodiment the fan blade assembly includes fan blades fabricated of a ferrous material in which the tips of the blades are magnetized through exposure to a strong magnetic field after fabrication of the blade assembly. The configuration of the blades in both embodiments enables the differential in field strength to assist with the rotation of the fan blades.

An oil cooled electric drive module for hybrid vehicles includes an AC motor assembly having a shaft parallel to an output shaft, with the shafts being interconnected by a set of helical reduction gears. The motor shaft is provided with a rotary union for cooling oil that passes first axially and then radially through the shaft to an outer circumferential surface thereof beneath the core of a rotor attached thereto. The cooling oil passes beneath the rotor to the outer ends thereof, where annular deflectors disburse the oil to provide a coanda effect over the shorting rings of the rotor, onto the stator windings, and thence onto the motor housing for return to a cooling sump, which may include hydraulic and electric pumps for further desired cooling circulation. The invention also includes solenoid valves for shifting a splined collar between positions of interconnection and disconnection between the motor shaft and output shaft. The module of the invention is adapted for interpositioning within the drive shaft of a motor vehicle, with the output shaft of the module being connected at opposite ends to the vehicle drive shaft.

An automotive starting system includes an accumulator, a hydraulic motor, and an engine controller. The accumulator is adapted for holding a charge of pressurized fluid. The hydraulic motor has a fluid input operatively connected to the accumulator and has an output shaft operatively connected to an internal combustion engine of an automotive vehicle. The engine controller shuts off the engine if an idle engine condition exists and restarts the engine using the hydraulic motor following an idle engine shut-off if a predetermined engine-start condition exists. A method for starting an internal combustion engine of an automotive vehicle includes having the engine controller shut off the engine if an idle engine condition exists and thereafter having the engine controller restart the engine using the hydraulic motor if a predetermined engine-start condition exists.

Exemplary embodiments of the present invention relate to polystyrene and / or thermoplastic polymer or polymer blend composite foam or a foamable polymeric material precursor, which contains activated carbon and / or at least one of 1-dimensional, 2-dimensional, and 3-dimensional nano / micro-materials in polystyrene and / or thermoplastic polymer and / or polymer blend matrix to carry a co-blowing agent such as water without using any surfactant-like molecules and / or polymers, having or adapted to have the properties of low density, high-R value, good mechanical properties, and fire retardance thereof. Exemplary embodiments of the present invention include various manufacturing methods that may be employed including, but not limited to, extrusion, batch molding, and injection molding. One example includes synthesis and CO2 and water-based extruded foaming of such a material.

To provide a chain tension adjustment device for a chain saw. When a first mechanism is rotated around an axis, a bevel gear of a second mechanism is engaged with a bevel gear of the first mechanism and rotated, and a bevel gear of a third mechanism is engaged with the other bevel gear of the second mechanism, so that a shaft portion is rotated. A plate portion integrated with a nut portion of a fourth mechanism screwed on a screw formed on the shaft portion moves in an axial direction, and a guide bar engaged with an engagement portion of the plate portion via an engagement hole moves in a longitudinal direction, to adjust tension of the chain saw by adjusting the movement amount. Thus, fine adjustment can be performed while reducing an operating force, and reducing the weight and the cost.