Abstract: A welding process may be configured to convert a substrate comprised of short staple fibers into a welded substrate having significantly increased strength as compared to the raw substrate. When applied to a one-dimensional substrate, such as a yarn, the welding process may also reduce the diameter of the welded substrate compared to that of the raw substrate. Additionally, the welding process may be configured to impart superior color properties to the welded substrate compared to the color properties of the raw substrate, which superior color properties may be very pronounced when performing a welding process on a raw substrate comprised of colored and/or dyed recycled fibers.

Abstract: A pin connection for a machine is provided that comprises a structural member that defines a pin receiving bore, a bearing housing that defines a bearing receiving bore, a self-lubricating bearing that defines a pin receiving bore, and a pin that is disposed in the bores of the bearing and the structural member. The pin connection may further comprise a seal assembly that is disposed in the bearing receiving bore of the bearing housing, the seal assembly comprising a micro-cellular closed cell foam member and a first rigid member.

Abstract: A dyeing and welding process may be configured to convert a substrate into a welded substrate having at least some color imparted thereto via a dye and/or coloring agent by applying a process solvent having a dye and/or coloring agent therein to the substrate, wherein the process solvent interrupts one or more intermolecular force between one or more component in the substrate. The substrate may be configured as a natural fiber, such as cellulose, hemicelluloses, and silk. The process solvent may include a binder, such as dissolved biopolymer (e.g., cellulose). After application of a process solvent comprised of a dye and/or coloring agent, the substrate may be exposed to a second application of a process solvent comprised of a binder, which second application may occur before or after a process temperature/pressure zone, process solvent recovery zone, and/or drying zone.

Abstract: A dyeing and welding process may be configured to convert a substrate into a welded substrate having at least some color imparted thereto via a dye and/or coloring agent by applying a process solvent having a dye and/or coloring agent therein to the substrate, wherein the process solvent interrupts one or more intermolecular force between one or more component in the substrate. The substrate may be configured as a natural fiber, such as cellulose, hemicelluloses, and silk. The process solvent may include a binder, such as dissolved biopolymer (e.g., cellulose). After application of a process solvent comprised of a dye and/or coloring agent, the substrate may be exposed to a second application of a process solvent comprised of a binder, which second application may occur before or after a process temperature/pressure zone, process solvent recovery zone, and/or drying zone.

Abstract: A dyeing and welding process may be configured to convert a substrate into a welded substrate having at least some color imparted thereto via a dye and/or coloring agent by applying a process solvent having a dye and/or coloring agent therein to the substrate, wherein the process solvent interrupts one or more intermolecular force between one or more component in the substrate. The substrate may be configured as a natural fiber, such as cellulose, hemicelluloses, and silk. The process solvent may include a binder, such as dissolved biopolymer (e.g., cellulose). After application of a process solvent comprised of a dye and/or coloring agent, the substrate may be exposed to a second application of a process solvent comprised of a binder, which second application may occur before or after a process temperature/pressure zone, process solvent recovery zone, and/or drying zone.

Abstract: A pin connection for a machine is provided that comprises a structural member that defines a pin receiving bore, a bearing housing that defines a bearing receiving bore, a self-lubricating bearing that defines a pin receiving bore, and a pin that is disposed in the bores of the bearing and the structural member. The pin connection may further comprise a seal assembly that is disposed in the bearing receiving bore of the bearing housing, the seal assembly comprising a micro-cellular closed cell foam member and a first rigid member.

Abstract: A wall may be formed by a method comprising providing an extrusion platform having a plurality of perforations extending through a surface of the extrusion platform, and extruding a cementitious composite through the perforations of the extrusion platform to grow a plurality of cementitious composite rods each extending from a respective one of the perforations. The method may further comprise allowing the cementitious composite rods to cure to provide the wall.

Abstract: A welding process may be configured to convert a substrate into a welded substrate by applying a process solvent to the substrate, wherein the process solvent interrupts one or more intermolecular force between one or more component in the substrate. The substrate may be configured as a natural fiber, such as cellulose, hemicelluloses, and silk. The process solvent may be configured as an ionic-liquid based solvent and the welded substrate may be a congealed network after the process solvent has been adequately swollen and/or mobilized the substrate. A welding process may be configured such that individual fibers of a substrate are not fully dissolved such that material in the fiber core may be left in the native state by controlling process variables. The welding process fibers may have a tenacity 10% or 20% greater or a diameter 25% less than that of a cellulosic-based yarn substrate.

Abstract: A synthetic rope arrangement is disclosed for use with a construction machine. The synthetic rope arrangement may have a synthetic rope with an end, and an anchor having an opening formed therein to receive the end of the synthetic rope. The anchor may be removably connectable to the construction machine. The synthetic rope arrangement may also have a stop coupled to the end of the synthetic rope and configured to inhibit the end of the synthetic rope from passing through the anchor.

Abstract: A wall may be formed by a method comprising providing an extrusion platform having a plurality of perforations extending through a surface of the extrusion platform, and extruding a cementitious composite through the perforations of the extrusion platform to grow a plurality of cementitious composite rods each extending from a respective one of the perforations. The method may further comprise allowing the cementitious composite rods to cure to provide the wall.

Abstract: A liner system for a bed of a material hauling machine is provided. The liner system includes a first panel having a first surface and a second surface. The second surface includes a plurality of projected sections and defines a recess between each of the plurality of projected sections and a keyway recess. The liner system also includes a second panel having a first lip portion and a second lip portion configured to interconnect with the second and first lip portion of adjacent second panels respectively. The second panel also includes a first protruding portion configured to be received into the recess and a second protruding portion configured to be received into the keyway recess. The liner system further includes a locking panel having a first extension member, a second extension member and one or more fastening means configured to fasten the second panel to the first panel.

Abstract: A liner system for a bed of a material hauling machine is provided. The liner system includes a first panel having a first surface and a second surface. The second surface includes a plurality of projected sections and defines a recess between each of the plurality of projected sections and a keyway recess. The liner system also includes a second panel having a first lip portion and a second lip portion configured to interconnect with the second and first lip portion of adjacent second panels respectively. The second panel also includes a first protruding portion configured to be received into the recess and a second protruding portion configured to be received into the keyway recess. The liner system further includes a locking panel having a first extension member, a second extension member and one or more fastening means configured to fasten the second panel to the first panel.

Abstract: A method of controlling a paving process is disclosed. The method may include mixing at least one capsule that at least partially encloses a dye within a paving material and dispensing the paving material at a desired location. The method may also include performing a compacting process on the paving material and monitoring for a presence of the dye at a surface of dispensed paving material. The method may further include controlling the compacting process based on the presence of the dye.