Abstract: A lightning shelter that is useful to provide temporary shelter on golf courses and for people engaged in other outdoor activities. The shelter includes a floor secured to the ground, walls extending upward from the floor and a roof that are connected together to define a completely enclosed, lightning protected region therein. The floor, walls and roof include metal electrically conductive material at least 0.03″ thick and having a maximum spacing between portions of conductive material of 4″. The metal electrically conductive material of the floor, walls and roof are electrically connected in a unitary electrical system so as to provide a Faraday cage enclosure that protects against lightning, shielding occupants within the shelter from very high voltage surges and protecting against internal arcs.

Abstract: A rotatable gutter system that includes a gutter and a pair of support members each located at an opposite end of the gutter to mount it onto a building. The gutter is rotatable relative to the support members about an axis that extends between them. The gutter includes a drive member accessible through an opening in one of the support members. Rotation of the drive member causes concomitant rotation of the gutter. In this way, the gutter can be inverted for easy cleaning and for storage during winter months to prevent ice buildup in the gutter. An elongated drip edge can be provided above the gutter such that it contacts an outer surface of the gutter when it is rotated to a closed (inverted) position. The gutter can have an end piece at each end with the drive post being a unitary extension of that end piece.

Abstract: A lift screen comprises an upright post, a lift mechanism, and a partition board. The upright post is a hollow body, the lift mechanism is disposed in the upright post; and the partition board provides at least an elongated slide plate at a facial side thereof and a lower side thereof connects with the lift mechanism. The lift screen is possible to be set up into multiple forms with multiple functions so as to offer a high mobility and more flexibility while in use and to be set up into a form with a worktable, so as to satisfy various needs and desired arrangements.

Abstract: A composite roof form includes first, second and third upright building walls laterally connected to define an interior building space, wall upper end segments of the at least a first upright building wall, a second upright building wall and a third upright building wall; the interior building space containing a building floor; an abutment beam and a laterally adjacent roof support beam defining a recessed horizontal lip portion facing the second wall, the beam upper segment defining a fourth roof form side wall; and a roof form support structure comprising at least one support leg extending from the building floor upwardly along the opposing wall to substantially the bottom of opposing second wall upper end segment and including a support panel having a panel connected end joined to the support leg and a panel engaging end with a panel upper surface and with a lip portion engaging structure resting on and supported by the lip portion, so that the panel upper surface extends along the bottom of the wall upper

Abstract: A form assembly for forming a roof slab, an eave, and a peripheral beam in a monolithic structure is provided. The form assembly is detachably attached to upright columns of a housing frame structure and includes an eave formwork and a peripheral formwork. The eave formwork is mounted on the upright columns while the peripheral formwork is disposed between columns to be coupled to the eave formwork. The peripheral beam is formed between the eave and the roof slab and encloses a portion of top beams of the housing frame structure.

Abstract: The present invention relates primarily to a foundation support for use with manufactured homes, such as mobile homes and trailers, as well as the more conventional prefabricated home. Using a tube-in-tube construction, where sleeves of rubber lay compressed, one adjacent the other, intermediate an inner and outer tube, provides an earthquake resistant support. The elastomeric portion of the foundation support provides isolation from vibrations produced from ground movement, wind forces or from traffic vibrations. A screw jack located centrally within the inner cylinder permits the ideal adjustment in providing and maintaining support for the manufactured building at a dead level. A ball swivel joint facilitates the installation and adjustment. As a protective safety device, to prevent the over extension of the screw jack, there is a stop at the distal end of the threaded jack rod to maintain sufficient thread engagement when the jack is fully extended.

Abstract: A multi-sheet glazing unit includes a closed spacer frame, the spacer frame has one side having a pair of legs joined to a base to provide the spacer frame with a U-shaped cross-section. An inner sheet has an edge mounted in an edge receiving member mounted between the legs of the U-shaped side of the spacer frame. The remaining edges of the inner sheet are within the interior of the closed spacer frame and spaced from the spacer frame. The inner sheet is held within the spacer frame by sheet retaining members mounted to the spacer frame. A sheet e.g. glass sheet is secured by a moisture-impervious adhesive to outer surface of each of the legs of the spacer frame. One type of sheet retaining members has a horizontal member and a vertical member, and a locking member. The locking member is mounted on the horizontal member spaced from the vertical member to form a groove to hold the inner sheet within the closed interior of the spacer frame.

Abstract: A building for use as a drive-by retail store, including a floor, a roof, a plurality of walls extending from the floor to the roof and defining a perimeter, at least one access door, and at least one cashier's station located at one end of the building. The perimeter is substantially formed by a plurality of temperature-controlled display cabinets, wherein the display cabinets have transparent exterior walls and interior access doors.

Abstract: A system for boarding up a store front window, and more specifically a corner bracket for use in removably supporting a panel respective an opening formed by a store front frame having corners. The panel temporarily closes the opening while avoiding damage to the frame, and preventing intrusion through the store front frame. The corner bracket has spaced parallel flanges connected by perpendicular load bearing wall members. One bracket is received at each corner of the store front frame and the load bearing wall members bear against adjacent frame members that form a corner. One of the flanges engage an interior surface of the frame while the opposed flange is attached to the panel. This causes the corner bracket to urge the panel against the exterior wall surface of the frame. The panel can be of an area greater than the area defined by the inner periphery of the frame to bring the marginal edge of the panel into engagement with the exterior frame face.

Abstract: Slidable connections from a support to a supported section combined with slidable end connections between adjoining supported sections allow relative motion between adjoining supported sections to be limited to less than the relative motion between adjoining supports. This is accomplished in an open-gap mullion embodiment for supporting a curtain wall assembly by providing an open gap between mullion sections equal to or less than a tolerable range for the curtain wall. When floor support deflections close the gap, further floor deflection causes an adjacent lower mullion section to provide support for the contacted upper mullion section that would otherwise move outside a tolerable range. In a limited-gap embodiment, the gap between mullion sections may exceed the tolerable motion of the associated curtain wall assembly, but a slidable gap-limiting means is provided to limit relative displacement between sections.

Abstract: A mullion connector connects a mullion to a building structure, the mullion connector having a first flange and a second flange in a plane generally perpendicular to the first flange with a first flange having a first fastener opening capable of allowing relative motion of the mullion connector relative to the mullion in at least one direction and a second flange having an second fastener opening capable of allowing relative motion of the mullion connector relative to the building in at least two generally perpendicular directions. By placing the second flange on a generally horizontal surface such as a building floor, and loosely fastening the second flange through the second fastener opening to a building anchor, the first flange opening may be attached to the mullion allowing up and down and rotational motion while the second flange opening allows in & out and left to right motion while supporting the mullion.

Abstract: A drywall finishing system for finishing 1) normal inside and outside corners of any angle, 2) stub wall or closet corners, 3) window wrap corners, and 4) L-metal for window sills and areas where drywall ends against some other surface like brick. The finishing system comprises a preformed trim piece comprising a semi-rigid member that is relatively thick in the center and tapers laterally to a thin edge. A layer of paper is bonded to the inside surface of the semi-rigid member for receiving joint compound to continuously bond the trim piece to the dry wall. A layer of finishing material is bonded to the exterior surface of the semi-rigid member. To install one of the pieces, it is selected from stock and cut to length. A flat coat of mud is applied to both sides of an exterior or interior angle, and the trim piece is placed over the mud and smoothed into place. Since it is preformed, the piece makes a straight line at the required angle.

Abstract: A floor panel for elevated floors comprising a base adapted to be supported and providing a load bearing surface; an inner panel adhesively secured to said base; an outer panel adhesively secured to said inner panel, said inner panel extending beyond said outer panel so as to present a border along the edge of said inner panel.

Abstract: An access floor panel is disclosed having improved load-bearing strength. One access floor panel in accordance with the present invention includes an upper plate having a surface to support loads and a lower plate being substantially parallel with the upper plate. A core is disposed between the upper and lower plates and a reinforcing member disposed in the core.

Abstract: A structural building system comprised of interconnected improved, frameless structural-load-bearing panel components, each panel component having front and back sections, an insulating core, integral symmetrical joinery, a thermal break, and at least one shear resistance connector. The panels are asymmetrical about one axis, and are designed to be directionally positioned with respect to the maximum anticipated shear force. The panel components interconnect to form frameless panel sections out of which the building system is constructed, which requires no exterior framing support members. The panel component and the resultant panel sections resist all three primary directions of force required of structural wall, roof and floor systems; the panel sections being yet stronger than the individual panel components.

Abstract: A drywall joint assembly strip device comprised of an elongate core having a cover bonded to its exterior surface and extending beyond its longitudinal edges to form flexible flaps in which longitudinal, parallel grooves and ridges and/or spaced-apart perforations are formed for flow of joint compound during the installation process.

Abstract: The end portions of building siding panels are covered with a corner trim molding. The corner trim molding is adhesively fastened to one or more brackets which are fastened to a corner of a building or other structure. One or more adhesive members, such as double sided tape, are pre-applied to the bracket. A removable cover is provided over the adhesive members and is removed on a job site to adhesively fasten the corner trim molding to the bracket.

Abstract: An apparatus for forming a building support structure includes opposing, inward-facing concrete forms arranged adjacent to one another and in a closed-perimeter formation. Each inward-facing concrete form has an associated truss module. The apparatus includes actuator devices which are mounted on selected truss modules. The actuator devices can move the inward-facing concrete forms translationally with respect to the respective truss module. An insert concrete form is arranged in a closed-perimeter shape and can be located within the closed-perimeter formation of the inward-facing concrete forms. A yoke system connects selected truss modules to the insert concrete form. Climbing devices are attached to the yoke system and can engage associated climb rods to thus move the apparatus along the climb rods.

Abstract: A plurality of precast ground bearing foundation pads are provided at spaced-apart locations. Precast wall sections span between and bear upon the pads, each pad having a groove in its upper surface for receiving and holding a base of the wall section. Separate foundation holes may be excavated for each pad, the holes are backfilled to fix the pads in position.

Abstract: A generally planar, structural insulated panel for building construction includes a pair of outer facings disposed on opposed surfaces of a plastic foam core. One of the outer facings is of a gypsum or cementous composite for use on the panel's inner surface, while the other outer facing is of oriented strand board (OSB) or other conventional building material which forms the panel's outer surface. Disposed between and laminated to the inner surface of the gypsum or cementous composite facing and the plastic foam core by a conventional bonding agent is a sheet of paper impregnated with urethane or polyisocyanurate plastic. The impregnated sheet of paper serves as a vapor barrier near the panel's inner surface to prevent moisture from permeating from the warm interior of the structure through the plastic foam insulation to the outside.

Abstract: A sheathing adapted to be fastened to at least one wall supporting structure comprises at least two layers. The first layer comprises a polymeric foam layer. The second layer comprises a polymeric scrim and is located adjacent to the first layer. The second layer reinforces its periphery so as to inhibit the failure of the scrim. The reinforced periphery may include a selvage tuck or a folded-edge.

Abstract: A corner form for an insulating concrete form system. The corner form has two spaced apart insulating panels connected by a plurality of webs. Each insulating panel comprises a short leg of length of eighteen inches and a long leg of thirty inches forming an obtuse angle at their respective intersections. The insulating panels have projections formed in the upper surface thereof and corresponding, vertically aligned notches formed in the lower surface. The projections and notches receivingly cooperate with one another so that stacked corner forms can interlock with one another. The projections and notches accommodate alternating orientation of long and short legs to enable alternating overlapping connection of forms of succeeding courses. The exterior insulating panel of the corner form optionally includes a plurality of vertical reinforcing brackets each having perpendicularly arranged plates extending the full height of the corner form.

Abstract: Floor panel of the type comprising a hard top layer (3) forming a decorative surface, from which, together with other identical or similar floor panels (1), a floor covering can be formed, wherein this floor panel (1) includes at least one sound-absorbing layer (4) which is integrated into the floor panel (1) and is located between other layers of this floor panel (1).

Abstract: An improved joint edge assembly, of the type used in the construction of concrete slabs, is disclosed. The assembly comprises a longitudinal joint rail, preferably of steel, which is supported off the ground by temporary formwork. The joint rail is secured to the formwork by mounting brackets. The joint rail comprises first and second joint edge members that are connected to each other by connectors with self-release elements. A plurality of studs extends downward and outward from each of the joint edge members into the concrete slabs provide a positive mechanical connection between the slab and the joint rail. As the concrete shrinks during hardening, the self-release elements of the connectors allow the joint to freely open. The joint edge assembly thus provides a self-releasing expandable joint between adjacent slab sections, and protects the edges of the adjacent slab sections from damage. A dowel aligner may also be integrated into the assembly, to allow proper positioning of dowels within the slab.

Abstract: A substrate for use in a flooring system which has a subfloor and a decorative upper layer. The substrate is made in a continuous sheet which has a bottom surface, a top surface, side surfaces and end surfaces. The top surface and the oppositely facing bottom surface are essentially parallel to each other and are spaced apart by the thickness of the substrate. Voids are provided in the substrate, the voids are provided between particles of rubber or other similar material. When the substrate is positioned between the subfloor and the decorative top layer, the particles of rubber provide the strength required to prevent deformation of the substrate in the direction of the thickness and the voids contribute to the sound dampening characteristics required to provide decibel reduction across the thickness of the substrate.

Abstract: A stress plate or seam plate for use in connection with securing membrane sheets to underlying roofing decking substructure comprises a circular disk having a central aperture for receiving a screw fastener. A plurality of concentric ribs are defined between the central aperture and the peripheral edge of the plate for providing reinforcing and bending or flexibility characteristics to the stress plate or seam plate, and in accordance with the principles and teachings of the present invention, a plurality of circumferentially spaced, downwardly extending projections having substantially V-shaped cross-sectional configurations are provided upon the underside of the seam or stress plate so as to engage the membrane sheets and retain the same at their desired locations upon the underlying roofing deck substructural assembly.

Abstract: Improved, modified flat wall insulating concrete forms similar to a “waffle grid” type for generating posts, beams, and interconnecting webs of concrete. The novel forms incorporate interlocking structure for a plural vertically stacked forms. The forms are provided as angled corner or straight forms having an overall length of four feet. Tie brackets connecting interior and exterior synthetic expanded foam walls of the form have flanges which are embedded within and concealed by the walls. Tie brackets are spaced apart from one another at one foot intervals, and from ends of the interior and exterior walls of the form by distance intervals of six inches. Interior and exterior walls are configured to enclose a void space therebetween. When filled with concrete, the space forms posts, beams, and webs filling openings which would otherwise occur among the posts and beams. The posts and beams, and webs are square or rectangular in cross section, presenting a uniform exterior panel thickness.

Abstract: A tie bracket for supporting opposing synthetic foam insulating panels of a concrete receiving form, and a form utilizing such brackets. The tie bracket has intersecting horizontal and vertical members forming circumferentially closed openings therein. Most openings are arranged in horizontal series. An upwardly open trough is formed in each tie bracket. The horizontal members span and connect spaced apart parallel plates. The plates of each tie bracket are embedded in one foam insulating panel and are of height equal to that of the insulating panel. Each insulating panel has projections formed in its upper surface and cooperatively formed notches formed in its lower surface to enable interlocking and alignment of vertically stacked forms.

Abstract: A seam plate for use in connection with securing membrane sheets to underlying roof decking substructure comprises a substantially rectangular plate having a central aperture for receiving a bolt fastener. Upstanding rib structure is provided upon the plate so as to provide different regions thereof with different rigidity, flexibility, and bendability properties. The rib structure can have, for example, a substantially diamond-shaped configuration or an X-shaped configuration for respectively providing corner regions of the plate with increased or decreased flexibility. A plurality of downwardly extending projections, having substantially V-shaped cross-sectional configurations, are provided upon the underside of the seam plate so as to engage the membrane sheets and retain the same at their desired locations upon the underlying roof deck substructure assembly.

Abstract: The invention relates to a locking system for mechanical joining of floorboards (1, 1′) which have a body (30), a lower balancing layer (34) and an upper surface layer (32). A strip (6) is integrally formed with the body (30) of the floorboard (1) and extends under an adjoining floorboard (1′). The strip (6) has a locking element (8), which engages a looking groove (14) in the underside of the adjoining floorboard (1′) and forms a horizontal joint. A tongue (38) and a tongue groove (36) form a vertical joint between upper and lower plane-parallel contact surfaces (43, 45) and are designed in such manner that the lower contact surfaces (45) are on a level between the upper side of the locking element (8) and a plane containing the underside (3) of the floorboard. The invention also relates to a floorboard having such a locking system, a floor made of such floorboards, as well as a method for making such a locking system.

Abstract: A metal structuring system is disclosed preferably consisting of a plurality of inner wall elements and a plurality of outer wall elements fastened together to form the walls of a building/structure. The system uses the inner and outer metal wall elements as structural ingredients, as well as a cosmetic covering, to provide rigidity and strength, while also providing overall lightness. The attachment of the inner wall and outer wall elements, yields a single, hollow space between the inner and outer walls for the injection of an insulating materials, such as impregnated foam. The inner wall elements and the outer wall elements are preferably similar in shape and construction.

Abstract: A door assembly includes a plurality of spacers. The spacers have a first side and a second side. A first sheet of fire-resistant insulating material is coupled to the first side. A second sheet of fire-resistant insulating material is coupled to the second side. A first outer skin is coupled to the first sheet opposite said plurality of spacers. A second outer skin is coupled to the second sheet opposite the plurality of spacers.

Abstract: A method and unit for wrapping sweets, whereby a sweet, housed in a relative first peripheral seat of a distribution plate rotating about a first axis, is extracted from the relative first seat in an extraction direction parallel to the first axis, and is then fed to a relative second seat of a wrapping wheel, rotating about a second axis crosswise to the first axis, in a feed direction substantially crosswise to the extraction direction and through a feed line parallel to the first axis and for supplying sheets of wrapping material.

Abstract: Conveyor assembly for packagings, comprising a substantially horizontally conveying conveyor. Situated near the delivery end of said conveyor is a bearing plate, which when the pack moves onto it moves further substantially at the same speed as the conveyor into an accommodation in which the pack has to be placed. When the pack is entirely clear of the conveyor, the bearing plate is moved back so fast that the pack, through its inertia and through its speed of displacement, does not move back and comes to a standstill, so that it is subsequently received in the accommodation.

Abstract: A strapless spur system having a base attached to a boot or other footwear, the spur assembly mating with the base on the footwear. A preferred embodiment includes a base that is threaded and built into the boot, and a knurled annular base to assist in mounting the spur to the base or retainer. The spur assembly may also be attached by a mounting plate and have a telescoping spur.

Abstract: A bed air purification system including a mattress; a headboard at the head of the mattress with an air chamber therein and including a number of openings in communication with the air chamber; an air filtration device; and a duct interconnecting the air filtration device and the air chamber of the headboard to thereby provide a blanket of filtered air over the face of a person lying on the mattress.

Abstract: A separator adapted to be placed in a mist collection system prior to the final air cleaning stage, and adapted to remove a substantial portion of the mist from the air, includes stationary vanes in a cylindrical housing to establish a cyclonic flow therethrough, an annular flow restriction collar to establish a liquid collection area at the downstream end of the housing, a drain for discharge of the liquid from the collection area, and a flow interrupter to direct the swirling liquid into the drain.

Abstract: A kernel processor includes a pair of rollers which are controlled such that the spacing between them varies inversely, or such that the contact pressure between them varies directly, in response to varying moisture content of the crop material being processed.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for manually handling large quantities of debris and placing such debris into containers. The method and apparatus is directed to a rake panel utilized in combination with a rake. The rake panel includes a panel and an open sleeve configured to removably attach with a rake via an interference fit. In one embodiment, the open sleeve removably attaches to a rake shaft, and in another embodiment, the open sleeve removably attaches to a rake head. The rake panel therefore is easily attachable and removable to and from a rake and, therefore, easily accessible with the rake. The rake panel also simplifies handling debris by simply sandwiching large quantities of debris between the rake panel and a rake head, making for easier cleanup.

Abstract: A combustion chamber arrangement for gas turbines includes a multiplicity of individual combustion chambers which open out in a common annular combustion chamber and are arranged in the shape of a circle. The arrangement is such that it can be cooled highly efficiently using convective cooling, while also as far as possible dispensing with the use of impingement cooling. In such a combustion chamber arrangement, the annular combustion chamber, in the transition region to the individual combustion chambers, is of a height which fluctuates periodically and which is minimal in the region between adjacent individual combustion chambers.

Abstract: A jet engine comprises a housing having an inlet. An air net is located adjacent to the inlet cowl and configured by compressed air streams for adequately blowing foreign objects from entering the inlet.

Abstract: An hydraulic valve arrangement including a fluid pressure actuable valve which is actuable between a first position in which fluid flow through the fluid pressure actuable valve is prevented and a second position in which fluid flow through the fluid pressure actuable valve is permitted at a first rate. The hydraulic valve arrangement also includes a second valve which is actuable between an open state, in which fuel flows through the second valve at a second rate, and a closed state in which there is no flow through the second valve.

Abstract: Propellant modules for Micro Pulsed Plasma Thrusters, and techniques for bundling propellant modules and for using a two-stage discharge process to increase MicroPPT propellant throughput, and decrease the output voltage required from the power-processing unit are provided.

Abstract: This invention describes vertical take off and landing (VTOL) propulsion systems that develop a forward flow of air through the air intake ducts during vertical takeoff and landing. This forward air flow in the air intake ducts is developed by a internal duct system, reversing the rotation of the fan, or altering the blade pitch of a variable pitch fan.

Abstract: An exhaust gas treatment unit for conversion and in particular reduction of nitrogen oxide compounds in an exhaust gas stream of a combustion system, in particular a Diesel internal combustion engine, having a storage unit for storing a urea-water solution and a metering unit for metering the urea-water solution into the exhaust gas stream, and at least one measuring instrument for ascertaining a concentration of the urea-water solution in the storage unit with an electronic evaluation unit with which the concentration of the urea-water solution can be ascertained without major effort and economically favorably, so that an exact metering of urea into the exhaust gas stream can be achieved. At least one measuring instrument is provided in the treatment unit, for ascertaining a concentration of the urea-water solution in the storage unit with an electronic evaluation unit, and the storage unit of the measuring instrument includes at least one pressure sensor for ascertaining a pressure.

Abstract: A method of initiating regeneration of a particulate filter for a diesel engine having a common rail injection system permitting, at each engine cycle and in each cylinder of the engine, a fuel injection strategy performing one or more of the following injections: a main injection; a first pre-injection preceding the main injection and performed at the compression stroke; a second pre-injection preceding the main injection and following the first pre-injection; a first post-injection following the main injection; and a second post-injection following the first post-injection and performed at the exhaust stroke; the second pre-injection and the first post-injection being performed close enough to the main injection to participate, together with the main injection, in the actual fuel combustion phase.

Abstract: An exhaust system used for a motor vehicle and extending between an exhaust-generating internal combustion engine and an exhaust pipe for release of exhaust into the surrounding environment, includes a three-way catalytic converter disposed in proximity of the combustion engine, a NOx-adsorber disposed upstream of the exhaust pipe, and an exhaust line, which extends between the catalytic converter and the NOx-adsorber, for conducting exhaust. The exhaust line includes an inner tube, an outer tube in spaced-apart surrounding relationship to the inner tube to define a space, and a separation tube received in the space, to thereby define between the inner tube and the separation tube an inner annular gap for conducting exhaust, and between the outer tube and the separation tube an outer annular gap for conducting a coolant. A shut-off device is integrated in the inner tube for regulating the flow of exhaust through the inner tube.

Abstract: A hydraulic switching device (1; 101) for use in a circuit (7; 107) that comprises at least two movable drive units (2; 3) with a first direction of movement in the functional direction or a counter-direction, where said drive units can be pressurized with a pressure medium via at least two connection lines (13, 26; 24; 31), whereby externally controllable selector switches (14; 15; 16) are provided for controlling the pressurization with a pressure medium, is designed so that exactly one controllable selector switch (14; 15; 16) is provided for each drive unit (2; 3; 6) and at least two drive units (2; 3) are interconnected via logical AND and/or OR valve elements (22, 25; 141, 142, 143, 144) so that at least with a resulting introduction of force to the first drive unit (2) in the functional direction (F), a force release of the second drive unit (3), and with an introduction of force to the first drive unit (2) in the counter-direction (G), an introduction of force to the second drive unit (3) in the funct

Abstract: The present invention provides a tandem pump unit that includes: a first hydraulic pump and a second hydraulic pump respectively having a first pump shaft and a second pump shaft respectively having adjacent ends connected together so that the first and second pump shafts are coaxially aligned and non-rotatably connected in tandem; a common housing for accommodating the first hydraulic pump and the second hydraulic pump; and a first center section and a second center section that respectively support the first and second hydraulic pumps.

Abstract: An autonomous gas powered ram comprising a main body having an internal cavity and an actuator mounted in this internal cavity. The actuator is movable in the cavity from a first operative mode to a second operative mode. Movement of the actuator towards the second operative mode is caused by the detonation of an explosive charge located within the cavity. The explosive charge is detonated upon detection of an operation failure, a fire or a hazardous operation condition. The ram also comprises a lock for preventing the actuator from moving to the first operative mode once the explosive charge has detonated.