06th week of 2011 patent applcation highlights part 17 |
Patent application number | Title | Published |
20110031718 | Trailer Coupling for Motor Vehicles - In order to improve a trailer coupling for motor vehicles comprising a towing element for the attachment of a vehicle trailer or mounting of a rear load carrier, a cross member, with which a holding unit bearing the towing element is connected, and side members connecting the cross member to a vehicle body at its end areas, in such a manner that it can be produced as simply as possible and so as to save on material as far as possible it is suggested that the cross member comprise a cross member pipe, that the holding unit be held releasably on the cross member, that the holding unit be designed to engage around the cross member in circumferential direction and have at least two holding elements which abut with supporting surfaces on casing surface areas of the cross member pipe and that the holding unit be adapted to be fixed to the cross member by way of a force locking clamping. | 2011-02-10 |
20110031719 | TOW BALL - The present invention relates to a tow ball device adapted to connection to a tow bar of a vehicle having a substantially horizontal surface and a vertical aperture, the tow ball device including a solid ball with a shaft extending to a flange, the flange including an underside surface adapted to abut with the tow bar horizontal surface, and at least two upright, parallel flat surfaces to provide an engagement surface for a gripping tool above the tow bar. The tow ball device further includes a threaded shaft extending downwardly from the flange through said tow bar aperture, and a correspondingly threaded nut adapted for engagement with the threaded shaft below the tow bar when the flange is rotated using the gripping tool. | 2011-02-10 |
20110031720 | BOARD FOR GLIDING WITH DECORATIVE COMPONENT - A protective top surface ( | 2011-02-10 |
20110031721 | Combination scooter/backpack - The combination scooter/backpack is an article carrying device with the capacity to be converted into a wheeled land vehicle, and therefore has two modes of usage. The article carrying device resembles a conventional backpack with two straps positioned to be placed over the user's shoulders, entitled backpack mode. The wheeled land vehicle functions as a popular collapsible scooter, two wheels mounted upon a board member with propulsion means provided by user's contact with the ground, entitled scooter mode. A horizontal handlebar is positioned at the top of the combination and serves to steer the front wheel during scooter mode. Conversion between backpack mode and scooter mode is accomplished with the raising and lowering of said handlebar and the manipulation of releasable fasteners and latches. In both backpack and scooter modes, a cover circumferentially surrounds the combination scooter/backpack to secure and protect components that are not in use. | 2011-02-10 |
20110031722 | Airbag - An airbag for a motor vehicle, with a support structure, by which the airbag can be moved out of a storage position into a retaining position includes an envelope, by which a retaining volume of the airbag formed by the support structure in the retaining position is surrounded. At least one opening is provided in the envelope, which can be at least partially closed in the retaining position of the airbag. | 2011-02-10 |
20110031723 | DUAL VOLUME AIR BAG - An air bag module ( | 2011-02-10 |
20110031724 | IMPACT GUARD BEAM - An impact guard beam for vehicles comprises a beam ( | 2011-02-10 |
20110031725 | SAFETY VENTING WITH PASSIVELY CLOSEABLE VENTS - The airbag cushion has a passive venting system that remains open or transitions to a closed position depending on the impact of the airbag with an occupant and the position of the occupant. The venting system self closes upon deployment when an occupant is not out of position but remains open when an occupant is out of position. The venting system self closes due to cushion membrane tension. | 2011-02-10 |
20110031726 | INFLATORS AND METHOD FOR MANUFACTURING INFLATORS - A closure assembly for an inflator comprises a housing and an outlet plate disposed within the housing. The outlet plate has an outlet opening configured to receive a burst disk. The outlet plate is joined to the housing by a deformation resistance weld. The deformation resistance weld is formed by contacting the outlet plate with a first electrode, contacting an exterior portion of the housing with a second electrode, and applying a voltage through the first and second electrodes to adhere a portion of the housing to a portion of the outlet plate. | 2011-02-10 |
20110031727 | Gas Generating System - A baffle system is provided including a first end plate having at least one opening formed therein, and a second end plate having at least one opening formed therein. At least one baffle element extends between the first and second end plates. The at least one baffle element defines a chamber. The at least one first end plate opening and the at least one second end plate opening are blocked so as to prevent fluid flow from the chamber to an exterior of the chamber system through the at least one first end plate opening and through the at least one second end plate opening. In addition, the blockage of the end plate openings is such that fluid flow is enabled into the chamber from the exterior of the chamber through the at least one first end plate opening and through the at least one second end plate opening. | 2011-02-10 |
20110031728 | VEHICLE, IN PARTICULAR CONSTRUCTION VEHICLE - The invention relates to a vehicle, in particular a construction vehicle, comprising a detachable ballast weight, a lifting means for lifting the ballast weight from a set-down position into a mounting position on the vehicle and a support means having at least one extendable support foot. An especially compact construction is achieved in that for extension of the at least one support foot the support means has at least one positioning cylinder and that the at least one positioning cylinder is designed at the same time for lifting and lowering the ballast weight. | 2011-02-10 |
20110031729 | METHOD AND DEVICE FOR MAKING AN ALBUM - The invention relates to a method and device for making an album, particularly from folded photograph sheets ( | 2011-02-10 |
20110031730 | BOOK COVER WITH LOWER MATERIAL REQUIREMENTS AND IMPROVED STRESS DISTRIBUTION - The present invention is a book cover and a method of manufacturing thereof that requires less fabric than conventional covers and uses seaming/fastening on the inside of the cover in a manner that allows for better stress distribution. The stretchable book cover is formed from a pliable material and has an outer panel portion for covering a front cover, a back cover, and a spine portion of a book; four folded-in edge panel portions, which include a first side edge panel, a second side edge panel, a top edge panel, and a bottom edge panel; and at least one fabric strap for connecting the top edge panel to said bottom edge panel, forming a pair of apertures, permitting insertion of the front and back covers of the book into the cover such that the book cover does not have any seams coincident with any of edges of the book. | 2011-02-10 |
20110031731 | BOOK-CLIP - A small clip to hold open a book, conveniently remaining in it as a marker when closed, which is unobtrusive and inexpensively made. It is a single piece metal or plastic frame consisting of a straddle plate ( | 2011-02-10 |
20110031732 | RETRACTABLE DUAL-PURPOSE FILE FOLDER - The present invention provides a retractable dual-purpose file folder, including a retractable chamber with a front panel, a rear panel, a retractable bottom wall, two retractable side walls and an accommodation space. A plurality of three-sided sealed spacers is arranged at intervals into the accommodation space of the retractable chamber, the bottom of which is coupled onto the retractable bottom wall. There is a multi-section locator, including first and second locators. The first locator is arranged onto the front panel, and the second locator arranged on the rear panel. The invention includes positioning bands, each with a positioning end located securely on the front panel and a moveable end with a mating portion mated securely with the first and second locators. The retractable dual-purpose file folder can be accommodated into the brief case and placed uprightly on the table for meeting the diversified customer requirements with better applicability. | 2011-02-10 |
20110031733 | EXPANDABLE FILE FOLDER - The present invention provides an expandable file folder, including a main body, a hanging portion and a locating zipper. The locating zipper includes a first zipper tooth, a second zipper tooth and a zipper head. The first and second zipper teeth are fitted separately with a meshing side on the first and second cover plates of the main body; and the hanging portion is arranged at inner side of the first cover plate for hanging of the file folder. The users can increase the number of file folders depending on the growing quantity of files, and permit the file folders to be used collectively, thus improving its functionality and applicability. | 2011-02-10 |
20110031734 | CONTAINER CAP LOCKING MECHANISM - A container cap locking mechanism includes a barb and adjacent stop both projecting downward from a cap edge to mesh with a V-shaped block projecting outward from a container sidewall. | 2011-02-10 |
20110031735 | SECURITY ELEMENT - The invention relates to optical security elements, their use for identifying and authenticating objects and processes and devices for identifying and authenticating objects using the optical security elements. | 2011-02-10 |
20110031736 | METHOD AND APPARATUS FOR REPURPOSING CONSUMER MATERIALS - A method and apparatus for repurposing consumer materials. A user may repurpose an article of consumer material by reusing, recycling and sharing the consumer material with another subsequent user. A user of repurposable consumer material may track the transmission of the consumer materials by using information and resources provided and enterable into a tracking system and the process may be substantially repeated with subsequent users. | 2011-02-10 |
20110031737 | PIPE COUPLING WITH AUXILIARY CLAMP - A pipe coupling including at least one annular clamp housing at an end of a body, the at least one annular clamp housing having an opening for inserting therein a pipe and including clamp members and a tightening element that fastens and tightens the clamp members towards each other in a direction transverse to an axial length of the body so as to apply a radially-inward clamping force on a pipe inserted in the opening, at least one auxiliary clamp including auxiliary clamp members located near the at least one annular clamp housing, and an auxiliary tightening element that fastens and tightens the auxiliary clamp members towards each other in a direction transverse to the axial length of the body so as to apply a radially-inward clamping force on the pipe inserted in the opening. | 2011-02-10 |
20110031738 | Pipe Coupling Spacer Insert - A tubular coupling system and a protective spacer for use within a coupling, and methods of their use. The spacer, in at least one embodiment, has two or more separate and separable members that are length-adjustable to accommodate different distances between ends of two tubulars connected with a coupling. | 2011-02-10 |
20110031739 | CONNECTION-STATE CHECK TOOL USED FOR ASSEMBLING A PIPE COUPLING - A connection-state check tool is used for assembling a pipe coupling having a connection pipe and a coupling member. The connection-state check tool comprises a pair of arms and a frame-shaped handle. The pair of arms has claws that can clamp down on the coupling member, and are engageable with the connecting pipe. The frame-shaped handle is connected to the arms. The handle has a split at a position opposite to the arms. The handle has elasticity, due to which the split can expand. | 2011-02-10 |
20110031740 | Bulkhead Fitting - Disclosed herein is a bulkhead fitting. The bulkhead fitting includes biasing means and a plurality of guide rings. In a preferred embodiment, a first guide ring is provided with an annular sidewall and a base extending radially outward from the sidewall, and a second guide ring is configured to mate with the first guide ring. Biasing means is positioned between the guide rings and radially outward of the sidewall to allow expansion and contraction of the first and second guide rings relative to one another, while preventing or inhibiting the biasing means from catching in the threads of the shaft or otherwise contacting the shaft. | 2011-02-10 |
20110031741 | APPARATUS AND METHOD FOR SEALING COLLARS OF DOUBLE-WALL BELLOWS AND DOUBLE-WALL BELLOWS SO OBTAINED THAT CAN BE FITTED WITH CRACK MONITORING - Method in which a continuous butt-sealed rim of a collar defined by corresponding concentric ends, without undulations, of a first wall, radially innermost, and a second wall, radially outermost, of a double-wall bellows is obtained as a continuous butt-weld bead on the corresponding rims, arranged radially adjacent to each other, of the ends of the first and second walls, which have been prepared such that, before welding, they are radially spaced apart from each other by not more than 0.3 mm and with the rim of the second wall that projects in an axial direction with respect to that of the first wall for a length of 0.2-0.4 mm; butt welding is performed with a laser beam directed parallel to an axis of symmetry of the collar, making the latter rotate around the axis to progressively expose the entire perimeter of the rims of the ends of the first and second walls, simultaneously pressing the rims against each other with a force between 1 and 3 kg via spring clamping rollers. | 2011-02-10 |
20110031742 | DEVICE AND METHOD FOR CONNECTING A HYDRAULIC HOSE TO A CONNECTING NIPPLE - A hydraulic connection comprises a connecting nipple, preferably of steel or of another metal, whereby, on said nipple's tube-shaped extension, a hydraulic hose is held by compression by means of a fitting. A swelling element is arranged between the extension and the hydraulic hose, said element being swellable in the hydraulic fluid. If hydraulic fluid were to advance through to the swelling element, said element will swell and block the path to more hydraulic fluid. Furthermore, by swelling, said element deforms the hydraulic hose in radially outward direction. In this region, the hydraulic hose is held by a fitting in the form of a metal sleeve so that said hose may not be displaced. In this manner, the force of pressure on the hydraulic hose is increased in an annular zone. A durable seal is achieved. | 2011-02-10 |
20110031743 | COUPLING FOR A CONNECTOR FOR FLUID PIPES WITH A METAL WIRE SPRING - A crawling ( | 2011-02-10 |
20110031744 | ROTARY JOINT - A rotary joint of the present invention maintains cryogenic temperature of a supplying refrigerant flowing through a fluid passage, and makes available to lubricate a seal face by the supplying refrigerant as well as to minimize a running cost for the refrigerant. The rotary joint of the present invention is that, in a mechanical seal device ( | 2011-02-10 |
20110031745 | FLUID COUPLING AND RETAINER FOR FLUID COUPLING - An object of the present invention is to provide a fluid coupling, even if it has a large diameter, in which a coupling member can be readily retained by a retainer and the retainer can be readily attached to or detached from the coupling member, and a retainer for such a fluid coupling. A retainer | 2011-02-10 |
20110031746 | ROTATABLE FIRE SPRINKLER FITTING WITH ELONGATED GASKET - A pipe fitting, useable in the installation of a sprinkler head, includes (a) a body having an open upstream end and an open downstream end, the downstream end having internal threads capable of accepting a threaded male fitting, the body defining an gasket retention area located upstream of the internal threads; and (b) an gasket disposed within the gasket retention area. The gasket retention area and the gasket are chosen so that a threaded male fitting threadedly disposed within the downstream end of the body can be rotated within the downstream end of the body 360° while remaining liquid tight for pressures in excess of 300 psig. | 2011-02-10 |
20110031747 | VARIABLE LIQUID COLUMN OSCILLATOR USING WAVE ENERGY - Disclosed is a variable liquid column oscillator using wave energy in which an energy absorption mechanism of a wave energy apparatus tunes vibration characteristics responding to waves to a vibration cycle of waves to maximize energy absorption efficiency. | 2011-02-10 |
20110031748 | WIND TURBINE GENERATOR, CONTROL METHOD FOR WIND TURBINE GENERATOR, WIND TURBINE GENERATOR SYSTEM, AND CONTROL METHOD FOR WIND TURBINE GENERATOR SYSTEM - [Problem] It is an object to stabilize a utility grid even when an unexpected fluctuation in the frequency of the utility grid occurs. | 2011-02-10 |
20110031749 | Energy harvesting buoy - An energy-harvesting buoy is provided comprising an air-pressure generator, such as a piezo-electric generator, or any other generator that can harvest energy from an air pressure. The energy harvesting buoy consists of a first float and a second float. An air pressure is created when relative vertical motion occurs between the first float and the second float which drives an air pressurization means such as a piston driven air pump using a linkage member pivotably mounted between the respective floats. The generator uses the air pressure from the air pressurization means to drive the generator to generate electrical power. | 2011-02-10 |
20110031750 | WAVE POWERED ELECTRICITY GENERATION - The generation of electricity using waves on a body of water is disclosed herein. Two flotation devices floating on a body of water are each attached to cables that extend to anchors at an ocean/sea/lake floor. The cables slideably attach to the anchors, further extend along the floor, and then connect to a stationary generator station located on or near land adjacent the body of water. As the waves propagate on the water, each of the flotation devices moves in an elliptical fashion as each wave passes underneath each flotation device. The periodic oscillatory motion of each of the flotation devices causes the cables to likewise periodically retract and extend from the station. The periodic retraction/extension of the cables provides the mechanical power necessary for the station to generate electricity. The station includes mechanical and electrical equipment associated with the wave-powered electricity generation system, including an electrical generator. | 2011-02-10 |
20110031751 | MOVABLE OBJECT TYPE HIGH-EFFICIENCY WAVE ENERGY APPARATUS - Disclosed is a movable object type high-efficiency wave energy apparatus which further accelerates vibration of floating bodies according to vibration of waves to maximize electric power generation efficiency. | 2011-02-10 |
20110031752 | MARITIME GENERATOR - This device is composed by a floating platform(s) ( | 2011-02-10 |
20110031753 | APPARATUS, SYSTEM, AND METHOD FOR IMPROVED WATER BASED POWER GENERATION - The disclosed embodiments include a power generating system and method. The system includes a barge comprising a working platform and water support members. The barge provides an operating surface on a body of water, and the water support members define a water channel in the body of water. The system also includes an axle coupled to the barge and a turbine coupled to the axle such that the turbine can be lifted into and out of the water channel. The system configures the turbine to rotate on an axis of the axle in the water channel. Finally, the system includes a gearbox configured to transmit rotational energy of the axle to a generator to produce electricity and a lift coupled to the axle. The system configures the lift to variably raise and lower the turbine. | 2011-02-10 |
20110031754 | APPARATUS FOR GENERATING POWER FROM A FLUID STREAM - An apparatus for generating power from a fluid stream comprising a foil arm connected to a support by a pivot; a bidirectional foil comprising first and second edges connected to the foil arm remote from the pivot; and, an actuator connected between bidirectional foil and foil arm, the actuator being adapted to adjust the angle between foil and foil arm. | 2011-02-10 |
20110031755 | WIND TURBINE GENERATOR - A wind-driven generator whose yaw system ( | 2011-02-10 |
20110031756 | SELF-STARTING DARRIEUS WIND TURBINE - A Darrieus rotor supported by a bearing system to rotate about a vertical axis for capturing wind energy has an alternator that is directly-driven by the rotor and converts rotational power from the rotor into electrical power. An electronic controller controls the electrical load applied to the alternator and the power output from the alternator to an output. The alternator is constructed having a substantially constant reluctance torque for all angular positions of rotation of the rotor. The bearing system includes upper and lower rolling element mechanical bearings that provide radial support of the rotor against wind load and axial support of the rotor, and a magnetic bearing that provides axial lift that reduces the axial load on the mechanical bearings and reduces the starting torque for rotating the rotor. The electronic controller applies minimal electrical load to the alternator until the rotor is at a rotational speed greater than a deadband for the rotor in the instantaneous wind speed, whereby the electronic controller, the alternator and the bearing system together avoid retarding forces that would otherwise prevent passive self-starting. | 2011-02-10 |
20110031757 | Vibration damping sheet for wind power generator blades, vibration damping structure of wind power generator blade, wind power generator, and method for damping vibration of wind power generator blade - A vibration damping sheet for wind power generator blades includes a resin layer and a restricting layer laminated on the resin layer. | 2011-02-10 |
20110031758 | Reinforcing sheet for wind power generator blades, reinforcing structure of wind power generator blade, wind power generator, method for reinforcing the wind power generator blade - A reinforcing sheet for wind power generator blades includes a resin layer and a restricting layer laminated on the resin layer. | 2011-02-10 |
20110031759 | Foam filling material for wind power generator blades, foam filling member for wind power generator blades, wind power generator blade, wind power generator, and method for producing the wind power generator blade - A foam filling material for wind power generator blades is obtained by forming a foam filling composition containing a polymer and a foaming agent into a given shape so as to be positioned in an interior space of a wind power generator blade, and is capable of filling the interior space of the wind power generator blade by foaming. | 2011-02-10 |
20110031760 | SUPERCONDUCTING TURBINE WIND RING GENERATOR - A wind generator is disclosed in which superconducting ring generators are utilized without the need for a load bearing drive shaft and other mechanical components, decreasing overall weight and enabling the use of variable geometry blades for increased overall efficiency. | 2011-02-10 |
20110031761 | Momentum-Conserving Wind-Driven Electrical Generator - Wind-driven electrical generators will slow and lose kinetic energy when the wind slows or stops. When the wind slows or stops, kinetic energy in the rotating turbine and other rotating components that would otherwise be lost, is conserved by supplying a supplemental mechanical energy to the rotating components using a battery-powered motor. The electrical power for the drive motor is obtained from solar-charged batteries. In an alternate embodiment, solar cells provide all of the energy for the drive motor. | 2011-02-10 |
20110031762 | WIND ENERGY SYSTEM HAVING A CONNECTION PROTECTION DEVICE - A wind energy installation includes a rotor, a generator driven by the rotor, and a converter for generating electrical power which is output into a power supply system via a transformer. The installation also includes an open-loop control system having an open-loop converter control unit. The open-loop control system supplies an actuating signal for a reactive component to the converter. The installation further includes a voltage measurement device arranged on the transformer. The voltage signal of the voltage measurement device is applied to an input of a state-dependent setpoint value shifter, whose output signal is applied to a limitation module for the reactive component acting on the converter. With this configuration, the installation can be better protected and the transformer can be better utilized. | 2011-02-10 |
20110031763 | UPWIND WIND TURBINE WITH BLADES SUPPORTED ON THE LEEWARD SIDE - A wind turbine comprising a number of blades extending substantially radially from a rigid hub on a main shaft having a substantially horizontal axis. The blades together with the hub constituting a rotor with a rotor plane, which can be put into rotation by wind. The main shaft is pivotally mounted in a nacelle mounted on top of a tower, the nacelle being able to pivot around a vertical axis in relation to the tower, hereby being able to adjust the rotor plane of the blades in relation to a direction of the wind. The wind turbine is an upwind machine in that the rotor during normal use of the wind turbine is positioned on the upwind side of the tower. The rotor during normal use of the wind turbine having a windward side and a leeward side, and each blade having an innermost part comprising a root section of the blade and an outermost part comprising a tip section of the blade. Each blade is supported on the leeward side by at least a first leeward supporting means having a first end and a second end, the first end being connected to the blade at a first leeward mounting point positioned in a radial distance from the horizontal axis, and the second end being connected to a second leeward mounting point at a rotatable part of the wind turbine, the second leeward mounting point being positioned in an axial distance from the rotor plane on the leeward side of the rotor. | 2011-02-10 |
20110031764 | RECOVERY OF POTENTIAL ENERGY FROM THE APRON OF A ROLLER BLIND - The invention relates to the recovery of the potential energy from the apron of a roller blind including driving means provided with a motor connected to autonomous supply means during the expansion or retraction phase of the apron. More particularly, during the expansion or retraction phase of the apron, the method comprises determining an energy recovery phase corresponding to a motor torque applied by the apron on the driving means. The invention also allows energy recovery without damaging the components of said blind. | 2011-02-10 |
20110031765 | HOLD OPEN LEVER INTEGRATED TO LATCH HOUSING - A compartment latch is shown. It includes a fork bolt that moves between an open position and a closed position and a first detent lever that that cooperates with the fork bolt and that moves between a latched position and a released position. A support for holding the fork bolt and the detent lever is also provided. A second detent lever for biasing against the first detent lever when the first detent lever is in the released position is provided. The second detent lever is connected to the support at a hinge. | 2011-02-10 |
20110031766 | CASING WITH MAGNETIC LATCH - A casing with magnetic latch that is easy to produce and a cover can be quickly opened. The casing has a first magnetic unit and a third magnetic unit respectively mounted in the cover and base. A second magnetic unit is slidably mounted between the first and third magnetic units. When the cover is closed, attraction between the first and third magnetic units holds the cover firmly against the base. When the second magnetic unit is slid between the first and third magnetic units, repulsion between the first and second magnetic units pushes the cover away from the base. | 2011-02-10 |
20110031767 | OPENING AND/OR CLOSING MECHANISM ON DOORS, GATES/FLAPS OR THE LIKE, IN PARTICULAR ON MOTOR VEHICLES - An opening and/or closing mechanism on doors, gates/flaps or the like for a motor vehicle, with a lock ( | 2011-02-10 |
20110031768 | Door Strike Having a Kicker and an Adjustable Dead Latch Release - An actuator-controlled strike comprising a housing disposable within a doorframe and including a cavity for a spring latch and a dead latch of a mortise-typelockset. A keeper is pivotably mounted within the chamber to engage the spring latch. A pivotably mounted kicker cooperates with the keeper. A pivotably mounted dead latch release is supported by the keeper when the spring latch is within the strike. The keeper is released by the actuator and rotates into a position to ramp the spring latch out of the strike, also allowing the dead latch release to release the dead latch into the cavity, allowing the spring latch to be ramped out of the strike. Pivoting the keeper causes the kicker to urge the spring latch onto an exit ramp on a face of the keeper. The dead latch release can be installed in a plurality of different locations in the housing. | 2011-02-10 |
20110031769 | BUMPER CROSS BEAM FOR A MOTOR VEHICLE - The present invention refers to a bumper cross beam ( | 2011-02-10 |
20110031770 | SAFETY SLING FOR A TIRE CURING MACHINE - A safety sling secures an upper mold section of a tire press. The safety sling includes a first link, a second link, a third link, and a fourth link. The second link is connected to the first link by a first strap section. The third link is connected to the second link by a second strap section. The fourth link is connected to the link ring by a third strap section. The fourth link is also connected to the first link by a fourth strap section to define a quadrilateral configuration. The first link is connected to a link ring by a fifth strap section. The second link is connected to a sixth link by a sixth strap section. The third link is connected to a seventh link by a seventh strap section. The fourth link is connected to an eighth link by an eighth strap section such that the fifth, sixth, seventh, and eighth links are secured to the tire press for allowing the safety sling to catch the upper mold section in the event the upper mold section becomes otherwise unsecured from the tire press. | 2011-02-10 |
20110031771 | STORAGE TRUNK IN THE FRONT OF A VEHICLE - A storage trunk for a vehicle. In one embodiment, the storage trunk comprises a floor and two side lids, one located at the driver side and the other located at the passenger side of the vehicle, respectively, enclosing a storage space in the front of the vehicle. Each of the two side lids is attached to a frame via a pivoting mechanism adapted for allowing said side lid to rotate about the pivoting mechanism when said side lid is being opened or closed. The pivoting mechanism is positioned such that the storage trunk can be accessed from either the driver side or the passenger side of the vehicle when one or both side lids are open. | 2011-02-10 |
20110031772 | VEHICLE SEAT ARRANGING STRUCTURE - With a vehicle seat arranging structure, a second-row passenger-side seat may be placed in a rearward slide position by sliding the second-row passenger-side seat toward the rear of a vehicle by 150 millimeters so that the second-row passenger-side seat is closer to the rear of the vehicle than the second-row driver-side seat. In addition, each of the second-row driver-side seat and the second-row passenger-side seat may be placed in an obliquely-inward frontward-oriented position by swiveling each of the second-row driver-side seat and the second-row passenger-side seat from the frontward-oriented position 10 degrees inward in the vehicle-width direction. In this way, the sense of distance between the occupants seated in the second-row driver-side seat and the second-row passenger-side seat is reduced. As a result, it is possible to promote communication between these occupants (to make it easier for these occupants to communicate with each other). | 2011-02-10 |
20110031773 | REAR VEHICLE SEAT RELEASE AND CARRYING HANDLE - The present invention discloses a removable rear seat assembly for use in a motor vehicle having a passenger compartment and a vehicle floor. A seat frame is mounted to the vehicle floor. A release mechanism is provided operatively connecting the seat frame to the vehicle floor as to prevent movement of the seat frame. A release handle is mounted to a rear of the seat frame and is connected to the release mechanism for purposes of activating the release mechanism. The release handle may also be used as a carrying handle allowing for increased maneuverability of the seat frame after removal. The seat frame is removable from the passenger compartment upon a downward pulling and upward rotation of the release handle. This specific movement requirement prevents the inadvertent release of the seat frame from the vehicle floor. The release handle is prevented from an immediate rotation upwards preventing a vehicle occupant from activating the release mechanism by kicking or lifting the release handle. The release handle is freely rotatable downwards to the vehicle floor creating a breakaway feature allowing a vehicle occupant to step on or kick the release handle without activating the release mechanism. These safety features prevent the inadvertent release of the seat frame. | 2011-02-10 |
20110031774 | SEAT SLIDE APPARATUS FOR VEHICLE - A seat slide apparatus for a vehicle includes: a plurality of lower rails adapted to be fixed at a floor of the vehicle in an inclining manner relative to the floor of the vehicle; a plurality of upper rails adapted to be slidably supported by the lower rails, respectively, and to support a seat for the vehicle; a motor generating a driving force for moving the upper rails in a manner where the upper rails slide relative to the corresponding lower rails; a transmitting mechanism transmitting the driving force of the motor to the upper rails; and at least one slide-resistance applying portion provided in the transmitting mechanism and applying an increased slide resistance to the transmitting mechanism when the upper rails move to slide downwardly on the inclination while applying a decreased slide resistance to the transmitting mechanism when the upper rails move to slide upwardly on the inclination. | 2011-02-10 |
20110031775 | Vehicle Seat Stow Release System And Method - A fold flat seat and more specifically a cable control system for engaging and disengaging various actuators and latches to allow a vehicle seat to move between an upright position and various stowed or folded positions, as well as a method for stowing a vehicle seat with a single motion by the operator of the vehicle. | 2011-02-10 |
20110031776 | VEHICLE FLOOR ASSEMBLY WITH INSERT - An insert that can be used support a vehicle floor if a cross member fails either mechanically or through corrosion. The insert may also be used to protect a fastener used in a vehicle floor assembly. | 2011-02-10 |
20110031777 | AERODYNAMIC PROPERTIES OF GROUND VEHICLES - The present invention relates to the improvement of the aerodynamic properties of bluff-body shaped ground vehicles. A least one air modulator is assembled on the vehicle to modify an air flow around the vehicle, such that the drag on the vehicle is decreased. Each air modulator has an array of openings including a number of openings, which are arranged next to one another along a essentially straight line. A control unit controls the at least one air modulator output oscillating air from each opening such that air vortices are formed outside the opening. The at least one air modulator is arranged on the vehicle, such that these air vortices have axes that, in proximity to the opening, are essentially perpendicular to a forward driving direction of the vehicle. | 2011-02-10 |
20110031778 | BED CORRUGATION FOR VEHICLE LOAD-CARRYING BED - A cargo protecting system for a vehicle having a load-carrying bed comprises a support structure and a bed floor fixedly supported by the support structure. The support structure forms at least a portion of a frame of a vehicle. The bed floor includes a support surface having a plurality of longitudinal extending, spaced apart raised ridges for directly supporting cargo. Each ridge has elevated and angled parts and an upper part. The upper part of each ridge has an increased thickness compared to the other parts and a raised section for increased strength and rigidity of the ridge. Each ridge includes a wear resistant surface having a first texture disposed substantially over the entire ridge and a second texture disposed over the upper part of the ridge. The second texture is disposed at least partially over the first texture. | 2011-02-10 |
20110031779 | VEHICLE BODY REINFORCING MEMBER - Using as a vehicle body reinforcing member a bent tube with mixed bends of inward and outward projection according to the present invention makes it possible, during a vehicle body collision, to absorb more energy than and exhibit better impact resistance than a vehicle body reinforcing member that uses one of a known straight tube and a curved tube of radius R entirely. Thus the dimensions (outside diameter, wall thickness) of the steel tube that is used as the vehicle body reinforcing member can be reduced, and the tube shape can be modified, while impact resistance is maintained. Modifying the shape in this manner makes it possible to provide the ever higher required level of vehicle body impact resistance at the same time that it reduces the weight of the vehicle body and lowers the cost. The present invention can therefore be widely used as an occupant protection technology. | 2011-02-10 |
20110031780 | Passenger Car with a Transverse Element that is Associated with a Vehicle Seat - A passenger car with a transverse element that is associated with a vehicle seat and that has a non-deformable center region and deformable outer regions, is supported on respective ends thereof on associated body regions in the transverse direction of the vehicle. The transverse element is supported on respective ends thereof on associated side skirts. The vehicle seat is arranged in a vehicle center and is movable along with the center region following a crash-induced length reduction of an outer region facing a side impact force which causes a length reduction of the outer region facing away from the side impact force. | 2011-02-10 |
20110031781 | BODY STRUCTURE OF VEHICLE - A hinge reinforcement is provided at a hinge pillar at a specified position which corresponds to an upper door-hinge attachment portion. Attachment portions which extend toward a hinge pillar inner and are attached to this hinge pillar inner are provided at the hinge reinforcement which corresponds to the upper door-hinge attachment portion. A branch frame and a gusset member which transmit an impact load inputted from a front side frame extending in a vehicle longitudinal direction to the attachment portions via the hinge pillar inner are provided so as to extend from the front side frame. Accordingly, the impact load inputted to the vehicle body at the vehicle collision can be properly transmitted to the vehicle rear portion, so that the deformation of the vehicle compartment can be restrained surely. | 2011-02-10 |
20110031782 | Method of Mounting a Roof Element as well as a Mounting Arrangement of a Roof Element - The invention relates to a method and apparatus for mounting a roof element on a vehicle body, particularly of a passenger car. Relative to a roof frame element, the roof element is moved from a prefixing position into a final mounting position. In the prefixing position, the roof element is held by a prefixing pairing of at least one roof-element-side and at least one roof-frame-element-side prefixing element. | 2011-02-10 |
20110031783 | Foldable rocking chair - A foldable rocking chair includes a base having a curved rocking portion, a first adjustment rod pivotally connected to the base, a seat having a front end pivotally connected to a front end of the base, a second adjustment rod pivotally connected to the seat, and a folding joint for interconnecting the first and second adjustment rods. The seat is adjustable relative to the base between a fully unfolded position and a folded position. The folding joint is constructed so as to allow pivoting movement of the seat from the folded position to the fully unfolded position, while preventing pivoting movement of the seat from the fully unfolded position to the folded position when no external force is applied the folding joint. | 2011-02-10 |
20110031784 | DRILL BIT EXTENSION - The present invention relates to a drill bit extension assembly comprising: a shaft; a chuck, where said chuck is attached to one end of the shaft and includes a mechanism for holding a drill bit; and an attachment end, where the attachment end is opposite to the chuck end of the shaft. The shaft may be a hexagonal shape with a quick release tip and designed various lengths, such as 3, 6 or 12 inches in length. The mechanism for holding a drill bit may include a plurality of jaws. The chuck may include an adjustment knob, where said adjustment knob opens and tightens the plurality of jaws. | 2011-02-10 |
20110031785 | CHAIR ARM TRANSFORMABLE INTO A WORK SURFACE - A chair arm transformable into a work surface. | 2011-02-10 |
20110031786 | CENTRIFUGAL AIR BLOWER AND AUTOMOBILE SEAT - A centrifugal multi-blade impeller ( | 2011-02-10 |
20110031787 | GET A GRIP GRAB HANDLE - One example embodiment includes a grab handle for a user to grip. The grab handle includes a handle, where the handle includes a rod and a cover, where the cover is placed over a portion of the rod and includes a squeezable material. The grab handle also includes a base, where the base supports the handle and allows the handle to rotate in at least one plane, and a connection means, where the connection means are configured to connect the base to an armrest. | 2011-02-10 |
20110031788 | ERGONOMIC COMPUTER CHAIR - The present ergonomic computer chair relates to chairs for special purposes, and more particularly, to computer operator's chair which is ergonomically designed to prevention of orthopedic and cardiovascular diseases and creation of psychophysical comfort, especially as regards reduction of fatigability during long-lasting work with computer. The ergonomic computer chair includes a seat with a backrest and a pedestal with a support frame made in the circular arc form, a support ring installed on the support frame wherein said support ring can rotate around its axis. The backrest is made of a rigid part and an elastic part separated from one other by at least three elastic bladders connected to a compressor by air tubes having electric valves. The rigid part of the backrest is hinged to the seat, and the seat is hinged to a seat inclination drive and to a footrest. A mounting of the computer monitor and keyboard is made by means of a movable sector which is made as a arched pipe with centering bearings. The chair has electric drives to move the support ring along the support frame of the pedestal, to move the movable sector along the support ring, to move the monitor longitudinally and to control monitor's inclination. This makes it possible to change the user's body position within the space against the Earth's gravitational field vector during the entire time of the work with computer. The use of the proposed device reduces the probability of orthopedic diseases occurrence, creates comfort and increases efficiency of the computer user. | 2011-02-10 |
20110031789 | Car seat head rest with built-in screen - A car seat head rest, which is adapted for mounting on a car seat having two spaced apart retention slots, includes a head pillow, a display screen supported at the rear side of the head pillow, and an adjustable mounting arrangement including a length-adjustable sliding guider longitudinally supported within the interior cavity of the head pillow, a supporting frame having two overlapped sliding panels and two supporting arms downwardly and parallelly extended from the sliding panels respectively through the bottom side of the head pillow to define an engaging distance between the two supporting arms, and an adjuster provided at the sliding guider to control a length of the sliding guider so as to selectively adjust the engaging distance of the supporting arms for slidably engaging with the two retention slots respectively so as to securely support the head pillow on the car seat. | 2011-02-10 |
20110031790 | Selective Stabilization Seatback Support Assembly - A selective stabilization seatback support assembly includes a back plate member or generally rigid back plate member having a plurality of adjustable, positionable cushion elements attachable to the inside surface thereof to provide unique and selective cushioning of a person positioned in the seat. The device is attachable to pre-existing seatbacks such as provided for chairs, wheelchairs, automobile seats and the like. | 2011-02-10 |
20110031791 | INTER-SCAPULAR BOLSTER - A back support for supporting at least a portion of the back of a user is provided. The back support includes a backrest and an inter-scapular bolster. The backrest has a lumbar support that is shaped to engage the lumbar region of the user and to urge the lumbar spine of the user towards a neutral curve. The inter-scapular bolster has a bolster body. The bolster body is connected to the backrest and is positioned for engaging the user between the scapulae, wherein the bolster body has a bottom that is positioned to engage the user no lower than approximately the lower edge of the T8 vertebra of the user. | 2011-02-10 |
20110031792 | LOWER PELVIC CORNER SUPPORT DEVICE FOR AUTOMOTIVE RECLINER SEAT - The present invention pertains to an automotive recliner seat support device to provide a dynamic support for a driver's foot-leg-hip axis at its lower pelvic end to ease the driver's muscle stress from lower limbs to upper back when the driver is using his/her lower limbs to push the clutch and/or brake pedals in performing normal and emergency driving operations of a vehicle. Two preferred embodiments of the invention are disclosed. The first one is an attachable device intended to retrofit to the existing vehicle seats; whereas the second one is integrated into the seat structure, and is intended to be built into future vehicles. | 2011-02-10 |
20110031793 | RECLINING CHAIR WITH ENHANCED ADJUSTABILITY - An adjustable reclining chair including a seat configured to support a user, a chair back, a base and a control mechanism mounted on the base. The control mechanism coupling the chair back to the seat with the chair back located generally adjacent to the user's back when the user is seated upon the seat. The control mechanism including a resistance adjustment mechanism for varying the control mechanism's resistance to a reclining force applied by the user to the chair back in order to move the chair back rearward from an upright position. The resistance adjustment mechanism activated by the weight of the user when seated in the chair, such that easy adjustment of the resistance is facilitated with the chair in an upright position. The resistance adjustment mechanism including a resilient member placed under a load during reclining of the chair to provide resistance to the reclining force. | 2011-02-10 |
20110031794 | Link mechanism for a chair and a chair - There is provided a link mechanism for a chair that is a link mechanism that is used at a chair, the link mechanism for a chair having: a first link whose one end is connected to a bottom surface of a link that supports a seat surface portion of the chair; a second link whose one end is connected to another end of the first link; a first joint portion rotatably connecting the first link and the second link; a second joint portion provided at another end of the second link; and a first elastic resistance unit imparting elasticity in a rotating direction to the second joint portion. | 2011-02-10 |
20110031795 | Headrest Support - The invention relates to a headrest support composed of a tube having means for receiving a headrest and a recess for joining to a seat. In order to guarantee flexible production, it is provided that a body is inserted into the tube in the area of the recess. | 2011-02-10 |
20110031796 | HEIGHT CONTROL UNIT OF A HEADREST FOR A VEHICLE SEAT - The present invention relates to a height control unit of a headrest for a vehicle seat, in which the height of the headrest may be simply controlled by the driving force of an electric motor. The height control unit of a headrest for a seat of a vehicle includes a bracket fixed to an inner frame of a seat back, a motor fixed on a side of the bracket, a lead screw axially supported at a lower end by a stopper plate so as to be driven forward or backward towards a lower part of the bracket via a reduction gear box by the motor, lifting rods standing on both sides between the bracket and the stopper plate, and a carrier screw-coupled with the lead screw to be lifted or lowered by the guide of the lifting rods and having pockets opened upward at both sides so as to receive poles of the headrest. | 2011-02-10 |
20110031797 | Assembled Product and Garden Chair - The invention provides an assembled product, comprising a main body, and a left part and right part which are of the same construction and symmetrically mounted to the main body. Each left and right parts have a connecting hole defined therein for engaging the respective connecting holes defined inside the main body. The invention also provides a garden chair, comprising a seating plate; a backrest arranged at one side of and connected with the seating plate; a pair of left and right front legs coupled with the seating plate symmetrically and respectively; and a pair of left and right rear legs which are coupled with the seating plate symmetrically and respectively. The product of the invention can be widely applicable to kinds of furniture. | 2011-02-10 |
20110031798 | KNOCK-DOWN CHAIR WITH INTERMEDIATE SUPPORT AND COMPOUND LEG - An intermediate support structure provides a device whereby individual members of a furniture item can be assembled into an optimized configuration. The use of the intermediate support structure provides a means whereby the individual members of a furniture item can be assembled to achieve maximum structural benefit from their arrangement. | 2011-02-10 |
20110031799 | Passenger head support - A head restraint assisting a sleeping or resting passenger may provide for a pleated fabric hammock portion supported by the back of the seat by a retaining strap, the tensioned hammock portion cradling the user's head and/or face. | 2011-02-10 |
20110031800 | VEHICULAR SEAT BELT - A vehicular seat belt device including: a belt reel on which a webbing that restrains an occupant is wound; an actuator that generates instantaneous rotational drive force by gas that is generated during an emergency; a flywheel that rotates by the rotational drive force of the actuator; a speed increasing mechanism that is housed inside the flywheel and that increases the rotational speed of the actuator and transmits it to the flywheel; and a connecting and disconnecting unit that connects a low-speed rotation side of the speed increasing mechanism and the belt reel during rotation of the flywheel, wherein the belt reel rotates to the webbing winding-up direction by the rotational drive force of the actuator. | 2011-02-10 |
20110031801 | Expanded Size Sludge Vacuum Tanker - An extendable mobile fluid carrying apparatus including a first frame configured to couple to a tractor. A fluid container is coupled to the first frame and configured to rotate about a pivot device of the first frame. The container defines a closable orifice configured to decant a fluid from the container. A high-CFM blower is coupled to the container and configured to draw a vacuum. A lift mechanism is coupled to the first frame and the fluid container and configured to lift the fluid container to an angle greater than 45° relative to the first frame. A second frame is slidingly coupled to the first frame, with the second frame configured to extend away from the first frame a predetermined distance. The second frame includes a wheel set. The tractor may include a power takeoff mechanism coupled to a prime mover and to the blower. | 2011-02-10 |
20110031802 | HOIST EMPLOYING A MULTIPLE PISTON CYLINDER - A vehicle includes a vehicle chassis, a load support body connected to the chassis and movable between a lowered position and a raised position, and a hoist operable to forcibly move the load support body from the lowered position to the raised position. The hoist includes a cylinder and a pressurized drive fluid supply system. The cylinder includes a housing assembly and a shaft assembly. The housing assembly defines first and second cylinder chambers separated by a center cap. The shaft assembly is slidably mounted in the housing assembly and includes a shaft and first and second pistons affixed to the shaft at axially spaced apart locations along the shaft. The first piston is disposed in the first cylinder chamber and the second piston is disposed in the second cylinder chamber. The pressurized drive fluid supply system is operable to supply a pressurized fluid into each of the first and second cylinder chambers to forcibly extend the shaft assembly relative to the housing assembly in an extension direction to forcibly move the load support body from the lowered position to the raised position. The cylinder is configured such that, when the shaft assembly is fully extended, a volume of the pressurized drive fluid in the second cylinder chamber exerts an offset force on the center cap in a direction opposite the extension direction to offset axially expansive counter-forces on the cylinder housing. | 2011-02-10 |
20110031803 | OUTER-ROTOR TYPE MOTOR AND OUTER-ROTOR TYPE IN-WHEEL MOTOR - An outer rotor-type motor of the present invention comprises a stator block, a stator, a main cooling part, an outer rotor and an outer housing. The stator block is formed in the shape of a cylinder with a rear end closed. The stator block is installed on a shaft passing through a central portion of the rear end thereof. The stator is fixedly installed on an outer circumferential surface of the stator block. The main cooling portion is provided on an inner circumferential surface of the stator block to lower temperature of a corresponding portion. The outer rotor rotatably installed at an outside of the stator and the outer housing has a circumferential portion fixed to a front circumferential portion of the outer rotor. | 2011-02-10 |
20110031804 | BRAKING SYSTEM - A braking system includes: a first connecting line (L | 2011-02-10 |
20110031805 | POWER SUPPLY APPARATUS VEHICLE AND METHOD OF CONTROLLING POWER SUPPLY APPARATUS FOR VEHICLE - When a change in an output voltage of a main power supply is a decrease, and a degree of the decrease is larger than a reference value, a power supply control portion decreases a boosted voltage of a voltage-boosting circuit according to the degree of the decrease. When the change in the output voltage of the main power supply is an increase, and a degree of the increase is larger than the reference value, the power supply control portion increases the boosted voltage of the voltage-boosting circuit according to the degree of the increase. | 2011-02-10 |
20110031806 | Load Control System Having An Energy Savings Mode - A load control system for a building having a lighting load, a window, and a heating and cooling system comprises a lighting control device for controlling the amount of power delivered to the lighting load, a daylight control device, such as a motorized window treatment, for adjusting the amount of natural light to be admitted through a window, and a temperature control device for controlling a setpoint temperature of the heating and cooling system to thus control a present temperature in the building. The load control system may also comprise a controllable electrical receptacle for turning on and off a plug-in electrical load connected thereto. The lighting control device, the daylight control device, the temperature control device, and the controllable receptacle are controlled so as to decrease a total power consumption of the load control system in response to a received demand response command. | 2011-02-10 |
20110031807 | IMAGE FORMING APPARATUS, IMAGE FORMING METHOD IN IMAGE FORMING APPARATUS, AND COMPUTER PROGRAM PRODUCT - There is provided an image forming apparatus includes: a first electric-power supply path, through which electric power is supplied from a commercial electric power supply to the apparatus when the first electric-power supply path is in closed state; a second electric-power supply path, through which electric power is supplied from the commercial electric power supply to the apparatus when, at least, a detecting unit has detected that the first electric-power supply path is in the open state; and a plurality of drive-voltage generating units, each of which converts a voltage fed from the electric power supply through any one of the first electric-power supply path and the second electric-power supply path into a predetermined drive voltage; a plurality of systems, to each of which the drive voltage converted by a corresponding one drive-voltage generating unit of the drive-voltage generating units is fed. | 2011-02-10 |
20110031808 | APPARATUS AND METHOD FOR DETERMINING TYPE OF ACCESSORY IN A PORTABLE TERMINAL - An apparatus and method for determining the type of accessory connected to an earphone terminal in a portable terminal are provided. The apparatus includes a switching unit for controlling a power source supply time for an operation of an Analog to Digital Converter (ADC) via a power source independent of a power source supplying power to the ADC for other operations. | 2011-02-10 |
20110031809 | WIRING METHOD AND WIRING SYSTEM FOR STRUCTURES - A unitized wiring portion (wiring unit) has a hard pipe member, a wire provided in the pipe member, and outside wiring connectors connected at each end of the wire. A plurality of wiring units are prepared in advance wherein wiring units are divided into multiple groups having different length of wires and so on. The wiring units are arranged in a structure (e.g. a vehicle body) and the outside wiring connectors are connected to each other to form a wiring network. The wiring units are fixed to frame and/or reinforcing members to thereby increase mechanical strength of the structure. | 2011-02-10 |
20110031810 | ELECTRICAL GENERATOR ARRANGEMENTS - An electrical generator arrangement comprising a distribution network having a first generator and a second generator, the first generator arranged to provide electrical power to a transmitter source, the second generator coupled to the distribution network by a switch to enable isolation of the second generator, the switch associated with an electrical characteristic comparator to compare the phase and/or frequency of the voltage provided by the second generator with the incidental modulation of a transmitter signal from the transmitter due to variations in the phase and/or frequency of the voltage provided by the first generator to the transmitter, the comparator arranged to operate the switch to isolate or connect the second generator to the distribution network dependent upon a variation in the change of the phase and/or frequency of the voltage provided by the second generator and the incidental modulation of the transmitted signal. | 2011-02-10 |
20110031811 | CIRCUITS AND METHODS FOR CONTROLLING SUPERCAPACITORS AND KITS FOR PROVIDING THE SAME - A circuit can include a supercapacitor switch including first and second terminals, that is configured to electrically couple the terminals to one another in a closed position and to electrically de-couple the terminals from one another in an open position responsive to a supercapacitor switch control signal. A first supercapacitor has a first terminal that is electrically coupled to the first terminal of the supercapacitor switch and has a second terminal that is electrically coupled to a reference voltage. A second supercapacitor has a first terminal that is electrically coupled to the second terminal of the supercapacitor switch and has a second terminal that is electrically coupled to the reference voltage. | 2011-02-10 |
20110031812 | VOLTAGE DETECTION DEVICE AND POWER SUPPLY SYSTEM USING SAME - A voltage detection device has: a differential voltage detection circuit, which detects a potential difference across a pair of input terminals; a multiplexer which selects two electrode terminals among electrode terminals of a plurality of series-connected battery modules, and has a sampling switch for respectively connecting the two selected electrode terminals to first and second wiring lines; a flying capacitor circuit, which acquires a voltage across the first and second wiring lines, and outputs the voltage to the pair of input terminals; and a signal generator, which applies common-mode noise to the flying capacitor circuit. | 2011-02-10 |
20110031813 | Method and Circuit Arrangement for Connecting at Least One String of a Photovoltaic System to an Inverter - A circuit arrangement in combination with a first string of series-connected solar modules separated into a first substring and a second substring is provided, wherein each substring includes a first terminal and a second terminal, and further in combination with a solar inverter configured to supply electrical energy from the solar modules to an AC power grid. The arrangement includes a first switch configured to selectively couple the first terminal of the first substring to a first power cable of the inverter, and a second switching circuit configured to selectively couple the second terminal of the first substring to a first terminal of the second substring at a center point, thereby coupling the first and second substrings to form the at least one string. The arrangement further includes a third switch configured to selectively couple the second terminal of the second substring to a second power cable of the inverter, and a shared actuator configured to open the first switch, the second switching circuit, and the third switch if a current between the center point and a circuit ground exceeds a threshold value. | 2011-02-10 |
20110031814 | PV Sub-Generator Junction Box, PV Generator Junction Box, and PV Inverter for a PV System, and PV System - A photovoltaic (PV) sub-generator junction box ( | 2011-02-10 |
20110031815 | FUSE FOR DISCONNECTING AN INVERTER FROM A PHOTOVOLTAIC GENERATOR - A photovoltaic system includes an inverter, a photovoltaic generator with a plurality of serially connected photovoltaic modules, said photovoltaic generator connected to the inverter by an electrical supply line, a controllable fuse interconnected in the electrical supply line between the inverter and the photovoltaic generator and having a signal input, and a voltage-dependent resistor connected between the signal input of the controllable fuse and the electrical supply line and generating a control signal which triggers the controllable fuse responsive to the control signal and interrupts the electrical supply line. The controllable fuse can be used to disconnect the electrical connection of the photovoltaic system to the inverter when a switch short-circuiting one or more modules of the photovoltaic generator malfunctions. The arrangement permits operation of photovoltaic system at an operating voltage of close to 1000 V, thereby allowing use of thinner cables. | 2011-02-10 |
20110031816 | PHOTOVOLTAIC UNIT, A DC-DC CONVERTER THEREFOR, AND A METHOD OF OPERATING THE SAME - A photovoltaic unit is disclosed comprising a plurality of sub-units connected in series, each sub-unit having a main input and a main output, which main output is connected to the respective main input of a neighbouring sub-unit, each sub-unit further comprising a segment comprising one or more series-connected solar cells, and a supplementary power unit, wherein the supplementary power unit is configured to at least one of receive power from or supply power to the neighbouring sub-unit. The supplementary power unit is preferably a DC-DC converter, and arranged to exchange energy between neighbouring segments, without requiring a high-voltage connection across the complete string (of more than 2 segments). The converter may be inductive or capacitive. | 2011-02-10 |
20110031817 | RECTIFYING ANTENNA ARRAY - A rectifying antenna array includes a plurality of rectifying antennas connected in parallel. Each of the rectifying antennas includes a reception-side antenna receiving AC power through magnetic induction with a reception-side resonant antenna of a resonant wireless power receiver and a rectifier diode connected to the reception-side antenna and converting the AC power into DC power. | 2011-02-10 |