Abstract: A system for resolving a user's question regarding media at the user's location where the question includes ambiguity as to the context of the question. Context information is acquired from a device or devices at the user's location, and if multiple possible contexts are identified, the system may attempt to resolve the question for more than one of the possible contexts. The system for answering questions and the source of the media may be different and independent.

Abstract: A heavy-duty material processing shears includes pivotally connected jaws and a hydraulic cylinder operatively extending between the jaws to open and close the jaws. One of the jaws includes a cutting blade with a substantially convex cutting edge. The cutting blade's surfaces intersect at an acute angle to define the cutting edge. The cutting blade's shape enables it to efficiently pierce and cut through large diameter structures such as conductor pipes. The other jaw includes a substantially concave portion that cradles the work piece. The shears include various features that facilitate subsea or above-water use of the shears to cut portions of a decommissioned oil platform.

Abstract: A hydraulic piston and cylinder unit comprising the combination of a cylinder assembly defining a cylindrical chamber, a piston member mounted in the cylindrical chamber for reciprocating movement therein in response to movement of hydraulic fluid under pressure into and out of the chamber, and a piston rod member connected to the piston member for movement therewith and extending from one end of cylinder assembly. The members have meshing threads thereon configured to be meshingly interengaged when the members are rotationally moved into an assembled position relative to one another in one direction.

Abstract: A demolition/scrap processing shears assembly includes pivotally connected jaws. The first jaw has first and second laterally-spaced shearing edges. The second jaw has third and fourth laterally-spaced shearing edges. The first and second shearing edges have a plurality of staggered shearing apexes that sequentially shearingly mate with the third and fourth shearing edges, respectively, as the shear assembly closes. As viewed from the side, the third and fourth shearing edges are offset from each other such that the first and third shearing edges shearingly mate with each other asynchronously relative to the second and fourth shearing edges as the jaws close. Staggering the shearing apexes and offsetting the shearing action of the left and right side of the shear assembly reduces the power that an actuator must generate to shear processed material.

Abstract: A hydraulic piston and cylinder unit comprising the combination of a cylinder assembly defining a cylindrical chamber, a piston member mounted in the cylindrical chamber for reciprocating movement therein in response to movement of hydraulic fluid under pressure into and out of the chamber, and a piston rod member connected to the piston member for movement therewith and extending from one end of cylinder assembly. The members have meshing threads thereon configured to be meshingly interengaged when the members are rotationally moved into an assembled position relative to one another in one direction.