Abstract: There is provided an electrically-powered material-transport vehicle having a vehicle-charging contact on one side of the vehicle, and a second vehicle-charging contact on the opposite side of the vehicle. The vehicle has a load-bearing cap that covers the top of the vehicle, and a cap elevator for raising and lowering the cap. The cap can be raised and lowered to a transit position, a payload-engagement position, a charging position, and a maintenance position. In the transit position and payload-engagement position, the cap covers the vehicle-charging contacts so that they are not exposed. In the charging position, the cap is raised so that the vehicle-charging contacts are exposed. The vehicle can enter a charging-dock with the cap in the charging position in order to recharge the vehicle's battery.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a lubricant base stock, lubricant formulations, a method of lubricating a rotating shaft within a stern tube and the use of a lubricant base stock. The base stock and lubricant formulations may be particularly suited for use in aqueous environments (including fresh water or salt water). A lubricant base stock comprising a first (EO)(PO)(EO) block co-polymer and a second (EO)(PO)(EO) block co-polymer which is different from the first (EO)(PO)(EO) block co-polymer in a marine lubricant formulation wherein the lubricant base stock has a density of at least 1028 kg/m3 at 20° C. and at most 1022 kg/m3 at 40° C. in particular is provided.

Abstract: Techniques are disclosed for systems and methods associated with a modular electrical power distribution system with module detection. A modular electrical power distribution system may include a plurality of controllers, a shared serial communication bus between the plurality of controllers, and a module detection signal line coupled through the plurality of controllers. The plurality of controllers may include a master controller, a power input controller, and one or more load controllers disposed between the master controller and the power input controller.

Abstract: The present invention relates to an apparatus for and a method of holding high top tension pipeline (101) during pipe-lay from a rolling and pitching vessel (730). In one implementation, a clamp system (711, 712) for supporting a pipe on a vessel includes a first clamp for coupling to the pipe and a second clamp for coupling to the pipe. The second clamp is disposed above the first clamp. At least one of the first clamp or the second clamp is movable relative to the other of the first clamp or the second clamp.

Abstract: A computer system and corresponding method are used to assist in planning a trajectory for a surgical insertion into a skull to a target representing an anatomical region.

Abstract: The present invention provides a drilling fluid comprising a compound c) which comprises a dimer and/or trimer fatty acid residue and an alkyleneoxy chain comprising a first ethyleneoxy section, a second ethyleneoxy section and a propyleneoxy section located between said first and second ethyleneoxy sections, wherein the propyleneoxy section comprises from 1 to 20 propyleneoxy groups. Use of such a drilling fluid to lubricate a drill bit, and a method of drilling a well bore comprising circulating such a drilling fluid, are also provided.

Abstract: The present disclosure is directed to a method for purifying a sample containing nucleic acids to obtain isolated nucleic acids of a desired size range, either above a size cut-off, below a cut-off, or within a defined band of sizes, including: a) combining a nucleic acid-containing sample with a binding buffer to provide a binding mixture; b) contacting the binding mixture with a silica nanomembrane, wherein the silica nanomembrane adsorbs nucleic acids from the binding mixture within a desired size-range; and c) separating the bound nucleic acid from the remaining sample. Kits including a silica nanomembrane, a binding buffer and one or wash buffers are also provided herein.

Abstract: A virtual reality (VR) attraction method includes implementing a kit corresponding to plans associated with VR representations. The kit includes fixed accessories, moveable accessories, a platform having a pattern of markings, and sections. The platform has mounts to affix the fixed stage accessories to the platform. The pattern identifies coordinates corresponding to a location of the mounts. The sections interconnect according to the pattern to form the platform. The platform is configurable according to stage plans.

Abstract: A virtual reality (VR) experience augmentation method includes: generating VR representations, each preprogrammed to simulate a virtual environment with virtually represented objects; associating stage kits with one or more of the representations, each kit having a modular stage and stage accessories, the modular stage marked to aid assembly; and building one of the kits, by: assembling the accessories to the stage according to the one of the kits by using coordinates identified by stage markings; and configuring a motion tracking system to track a VR participant's movements and movements of one of more of the stage accessories by communicating identity, location and/or orientation information to a VR simulation engine. Locations and orientations of the objects within the virtual environment correspond to locations and orientations of the stage accessories that are arranged according to the one of the kits.

Abstract: There is provided an electrically-powered material-transport vehicle having a vehicle-charging contact on one side of the vehicle, and a second vehicle-charging contact on the opposite side of the vehicle. The vehicle has a load-bearing cap that covers the top of the vehicle, and a cap elevator for raising and lowering the cap. The cap can be raised and lowered to a transit position, a payload-engagement position, a charging position, and a maintenance position. In the transit position and payload-engagement position, the cap covers the vehicle-charging contacts so that they are not exposed. In the charging position, the cap is raised so that the vehicle-charging contacts are exposed. The vehicle can enter a charging-dock with the cap in the charging position in order to recharge the vehicle's battery.

Abstract: A comprehensive solution is provided to transforming locations and retail spaces into high-traffic VR attractions that provide a VR experience blended with a real-world tactile experience. A modular stage and kit of stage accessories suitable for a wide variety of commercial venues contains all of the necessary equipment, infrastructure, technology and content to assemble and operate a tactile, onsite VR attraction. Utilizing a modular set of set design and physical props, the physical structure and layout of the installations are designed to be easily rearranged and adapted to new VR content, without requiring extensive construction or specialized expertise.

Abstract: A system includes an offer datastores including one or more offers from one or more merchants, a registered card module to register one or more payment cards to be used for a purchase transaction, a transaction matching module to identify the one or more merchants from a collection of purchase transaction data and to match the purchase transaction of the identified one or more merchants with one or more offers in the offer datastore from the identified one or more merchants, and a rewards module to determine an incentive to be applied to the one or more payment cards based on any offer associated with the matched merchant and generate a qualified transaction data to be transmitted to an issuer of the one or more payment cards.

Abstract: A virtual reality system includes a stage kit, a motion tracking system, and a VR engine. The kit corresponds to plans associated with VR representations, and includes fixed and moveable props that are represented in one or more of the representations. The kit has a stage including a marked platform with accessory mounts to affix the fixed props to the platform, and stage sections that are interconnected according to the markings to form said platform. The platform is configurable according to differently dimensioned plans. The motion tracking system generates tracking information corresponding to the props and a VR participant on the stage. The VR simulation engine receives the tracking information, and employs that tracking information to generate the VR representations that simulate a virtual environment with virtually represented objects corresponding to the props, where the props are arranged according to a corresponding stage plan.

Abstract: A virtual reality (VR) system is provided that mixes real-world tactile stimulation with audiovisual stimulation provided through VR headgear. The VR system uses three sets of components. The first set comprises mobile objects that are tracked using motion tracking LEDs. The second set comprises stationary objects that are tracked using wires connected to an I/O controller to a game server. The third set comprises objects that are not tracked at all, but which are depicted with a thematic rendering in the VR world. A grid is set up that provides discrete locations for setting up both stationary and mobile components. A VR game server serves constructs of a VR world having thematically-embellished virtual objects that appear to be located in positions and orientations that match the positions and orientations of the components of the first, second, and third sets.

Abstract: A computer system and corresponding method are used to assist in planning a trajectory for a surgical insertion into a skull to a target representing an anatomical region.

Abstract: The present application provides a filtration system for a gas turbine engine. The filtration system may include a holding frame with a positioning element extending therefrom and a filtration unit for mounting within the holding frame. The filtration unit may include a positioning slot therein such that the positioning element extends through the positioning slot when the filtration unit is mounted within the holding frame.

Abstract: A turntable assembly for performing welding or other operations in a pivotably-mounted J-lay tower is disclosed. The assembly includes an annular turntable supported by a base frame to turn about a pipe string in use and a tilt-compensating mechanism acting on the base frame to level the turntable as the tower pivots in use. The tilt-compensating mechanism includes at least one support that is driveable up and down with respect to the tower. In the embodiment disclosed, the support is a carriage movable along an upright track that pivots with the tower.

Abstract: A virtual reality system includes a stage kit, a motion tracking system, and a VR engine. The kit corresponds to plans associated with VR representations, and includes fixed and moveable props that are represented in one or more of the representations. The kit has a stage including a marked platform with accessory mounts to affix the fixed props to the platform, and stage sections that are interconnected according to the markings to form said platform. The platform is configurable according to differently dimensioned plans. The motion tracking system generates tracking information corresponding to the props and a VR participant on the stage. The VR simulation engine receives the tracking information, and employs that tracking information to generate the VR representations that simulate a virtual environment with virtually represented objects corresponding to the props, where the props are arranged according to a corresponding stage plan.