Abstract: Reactor components formed using an erosion resistant alloy having desirable high temperature mechanical strength are provided. The erosion resistant components can include, but are not limited to, tubes, reactors walls, fittings, and/or other components having surfaces that can be exposed to a high temperature reaction environment in the presence of hydrocarbons and/or that can provide pressure containment functionality in processes for upgrading hydrocarbons in a high temperature reaction environment. The erosion resistant alloy used for forming the erosion resistant component can include 42.0 to 46.0 wt. % nickel; 32.1 to 35.2 wt. % chromium; 0.5 to 2.9 wt. % carbon; 0 to 2.0 wt. % titanium; 0 to 4.0 wt. % tungsten, and iron, with at least one of titanium and tungsten is present in an amount of 1.0 wt. % or more. The iron can correspond to the balance of the composition.

Abstract: A hydrocarbon feed stream may be processed by a method that may include catalytically cracking a hydrocarbon feed stream in a counter-current reactor to produce a first effluent stream, and processing a portion or all of the first effluent stream by at least one or more separations. The at least one or more separations may form at least a second effluent stream including at least 95 wt. % C4-C6 hydrocarbons, and a third effluent stream including at least 95 wt. % of ethane, propane, or a combination thereof. In some embodiments, the method may further include catalytically cracking a portion or all of the second effluent stream in a second reactor to form a second reactor effluent stream, combining a portion of all of the second reactor effluent stream with the first effluent stream, steam cracking a portion or all of the third effluent stream to form a steam cracked effluent stream, and combining a portion or all of the steam cracked effluent stream with the first effluent.

Abstract: A data broker system is described that allows multiple different systems to interoperate with each other. The data broker system provides a consistent data model of data provided by different system. Data clients can request data from the data broker system without requiring details on the different data systems that are responsible for providing the data.

Abstract: A process for pressurizing a container assembly includes engaging the outer container around a neck of the outer container at a location between a shoulder of the outer container and a mouth of the outer container with a neck clamp device. The neck clamp device is used to support the outer container as the outer container moves from one location to a different location. An at least partial seal is formed about the neck of the outer container by engaging the neck clamp device with an outer bell member of a crimper-pressurized fluid fill head.

Abstract: A process for pressurizing a container assembly includes engaging the outer container around a neck of the outer container at a location between a shoulder of the outer container and a mouth of the outer container with a neck clamp device. The neck clamp device is used to support the outer container as the outer container moves from one location to a different location. An at least partial seal is formed about the neck of the outer container by engaging the neck clamp device with an outer bell member of a crimper-pressurized fluid fill head.

Abstract: An instrument pointer assembly package for illuminating an instrument pointer is provided. The assembly package has an instrument pointer, a light pipe socket, a motor, and a plurality of light sources. The instrument pointer has a blade portion and a stem portion. The light pipe socket has a terminus portion located along a rotational axis, which is connected to the stem portion of the instrument pointer. The light pipe socket also has a base portion, which is located longitudinally farther along the rotational axis from the instrument pointer than the terminus portion. The base portion has a diameter that is larger than the diameter of the upper portion. A side tapers inward from the base portion toward the terminus portion.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for cutting a puff extrudate utilizing a first bladed roll and a second bladed roll. The first and second bladed rolls rotate in opposite directions, and work together to cut the extrudate into similarly sized pieces. The blades are positioned on the rolls offset to each other so as to cut the extrudate with a shearing action.

Abstract: The present invention comprises an improved extruder die assembly and method for using same to improve the quality of dimensional design aspects of extruded, complexly shaped, direct expanded food products. The improved system includes an improved die assembly comprising a first die and a second die having at least one orifice. A majority of the total pressure drop occurs in the first die to pre-expand the dough prior to the dough entering the second die. The orifices in the first die can be individually configured to obtain differing dough flow speeds resulting in a desired flow pattern. A plurality of extruded dough ropes formed at each orifice exit of the first die can meld together in the bore and exit the second die. Color or flavor can be added at the first die to enhance the food product.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for cutting a puff extrudate utilizing a first bladed roll and a second bladed roll. The first and second bladed rolls rotate in opposite directions, and work together to cut the extrudate into similarly sized pieces. The blades are positioned on the rolls offset to each other so as to cut the extrudate with a shearing action.

Abstract: The present invention comprises an improved extruder die assembly and method for using same to impart a distinct colored and/or flavored pattern into an extrudable food mass during the extrusion process while improving the quality of dimensional design aspects of the resulting extruded, complexly shaped, direct expanded food products. The improved system includes an improved extruder die assembly comprising a converging nozzle section having axially aligned ridgelines which gradually project into the bore of the nozzle as the nozzle converges to gradually disrupt the axial flow of an extrudate at specific peripheral points thereby altering the extrudate's velocity profile. By gradually disrupting the axial flow the extrudate in close proximity to the projecting ridgelines in the converging nozzle prior to its extrusion, the dimensional quality of the resulting direct expanded food piece is greatly improved.

Abstract: A circuit board assembly and method of fabricating an assembly are provided. The assembly preferably comprises a first circuit board defining an aperture and a second circuit board having an edge. The first circuit board has at least one conductive feature proximate the aperture, and the second circuit board has at least one conductive feature proximate the edge. Each board has at least one circuit trace in electrical communication with its respective conductive feature. The conductive features of the boards are placed in electrical communication with each other by way of the edge of the second board being disposed in the aperture of the first board. A solder joint can be disposed on the assembly so as to connect the first and second boards.

Abstract: An automatic identification of the features associated with an audio system for a vehicle based on the selection of the associated bezel (14). The audio system includes a printed circuit board (34) having at least one finger pad (30) thereon in communication with a microprocessor (16). The microprocessor (16) includes programming sequences for various possible features for the audio system. The bezel (14) may have no, one or multiple programming tabs (36) in alignment with corresponding finger pads depending upon the model of bezel chosen. Contact of the finger pads due to the programming tabs will indicate to the microprocessor which programming sequence needs to be initiated to activate the appropriate features corresponding to that particular bezel installed on the audio assembly.

Abstract: An electronic circuit assembly, comprising: a printed circuit board 10 having opposed top and bottom surfaces 12/14 and a circuit board edge 16 thereabout, a slot 18 formed in the circuit board edge (wherein the slot has two opposed longitudinal edges 20 and a transverse edge 22), and a plated through-hole 32 formed through the board adjacent the transverse edge 22; and a generally elongate antenna socket 46 having an outer surface 48 thereof, a female electrical connector 54 formed in an outboard end 52 thereof, and a finger 56 formed in and extending from an inboard end 50 thereof. The antenna socket 46 is disposed so as to rest within the slot 18 on the top circuit board surface 12 with the finger 56 extending through the plated through-hole 32.

Abstract: An automatic identification of the features associated with an audio system for a vehicle based on the selection of the associated bezel (14). The audio system includes a printed circuit board (34) having at least one finger pad (30) thereon in communication with a microprocessor (16). The microprocessor (16) includes programming sequences for various possible features for the audio system. The bezel (14) may have no, one or multiple programming tabs (36) in alignment with corresponding finger pads depending upon the model of bezel chosen. Contact of the finger pads due to the programming tabs will indicate to the microprocessor which programming sequence needs to be initiated to activate the appropriate features corresponding to that particular bezel installed on the audio assembly.