Abstract: Methods and apparatus are disclosed for determining a subrogation score for a potential subrogation claim. The systems and methods described herein provide a user, such as a claims adjuster, with the tools to retrieve and communicate information related to one or more products likely to have caused a property loss. The systems and methods may further determine a subrogation score indicative of subrogation opportunity for a potential subrogation claim relative to the one or more products. The subrogation score may be based on information in at least one database. The subrogation score may be provided to the user such as an insurance carrier. The user may then decide whether to proceed with further investigative analyses (e.g., component testing of the one or more products) pursuant to a potential subrogation claim. Additional systems and methods disclosed herein facilitate the insurance carrier's submission of the one or more products for component testing.

Abstract: In various aspects, systems and methods are provided for operating a solid oxide fuel cell at conditions that can improve or optimize the combined electrical efficiency and chemical efficiency of the fuel cell. Instead of selecting conventional conditions for maximizing the electrical efficiency of a fuel cell, the operating conditions can allow for output of excess synthesis gas and/or hydrogen in the anode exhaust of the fuel cell. The synthesis gas and/or hydrogen can then be used in a variety of applications, including chemical synthesis processes and collection of hydrogen for use as a fuel.

Abstract: Welding material for welding of superalloys comprising boron with the range of 0.3-0.8 wt. % B, 0.2-0.8 wt. % C, 17-23 wt. % Cr, 0.35-10 wt. % Mo, 0.1-4.15 wt. % Nb with nickel or iron and impurities to balance for weld repair of engine components manufactured of precipitation hardening superalloys with high content of gamma prime phase at an ambient temperature.

Abstract: Elastically deformable air inlets are disclosed. In one embodiment, an air inlet includes a first portion having an interior surface and an exterior surface, and a second portion having an interior surface and an exterior surface and including at least one deformation zone. The first portion and the second portion define a hollow space. The air inlet also includes at least one support member including a first end and a second end that extends from the interior surface of the first portion toward the interior surface of the second portion. The second end of the support member contacts the deformation zone, wherein when an external force is applied to the air inlet, the second end of the support member extends through the deformation zone.

Abstract: A power riding trowel for finishing concrete comprising rotors turned by gearboxes driven by gearbox driveshaft's linked to the moor output by CVT gear ratio control. The motor output shaft drives a first jackshaft driven at a higher speed than the motor RPM. A CVT pulley assembly comprising first and second CVT pulleys and a CVT belt entrained between them has a first CVT pulley driven by the first jackshaft. A second jackshaft splined to the second CVT pulley drives the gearbox driveshaft at a speed lower than said second jackshaft to operate the rotor means at a proper speed and torque.

Abstract: Molten carbonate fuel cells are operated with a cathode inlet stream that contains a portion of a combustible gas which may be a hydrocarbon, hydrogen, or other gas that will combine with oxygen to form heat on the cathode catalyst surface. The combustible gases can be reacted in the cathode and/or in a stage that is heat integrated with the cathode. The heat generated by the combustion reaction in the cathode can be used, for example, to allow additional endothermic reactions (such as reforming) to take place in the anode portion of the fuel cell while still maintaining a desirable temperature gradient across the fuel cell. Optionally, the cathode of the fuel cell can be modified to further enhance or control the combustion within the cathode, such as by introducing an additional catalytic surface in the cathode.

Abstract: Systems and methods are provided for incorporating molten carbonate fuel cells into a heat recovery steam generation system (HRSG) for production of electrical power while also reducing or minimizing the amount of CO2 present in the flue gas exiting the HRSG. An optionally multi-layer screen or wall of molten carbonate fuel cells can be inserted into the HRSG so that the screen of molten carbonate fuel cells substantially fills the cross-sectional area. By using the walls of the HRSG and the screen of molten carbonate fuel cells to form a cathode input manifold, the overall amount of duct or flow passages associated with the MCFCs can be reduced.

Abstract: Methods and apparatus are disclosed for determining one or more characteristics of an object is described, the method including providing, via a graphical user interface on a mobile device, at least one tool from a virtual toolbox, the at least one tool including one or more of a roof gauge, level, ruler, flashlight, compass, and unit converter; identifying user selection of a given tool of the at least one tool; providing the given tool in response to the user selection; and determining, via the given tool, the one or more characteristics of the object. Methods and apparatus are disclosed for providing the at least one tool. Methods and apparatus are disclosed for using the at least one tool.

Abstract: A dual rotor, manually steered riding trowel comprises powered, downwardly projecting rotors driven by reduction gear boxes that are tilted by parallel levers beneath the machine. A pair of vertical hand steering levers actuate the parallel levers to tilt the rotors. Each rotor may be swiveled in an arc parallel with the biaxial plane to produce pivoted fore and aft trowel movement. At least one rotor responds to lateral movements of one or both steering levers by tilting in an arc perpendicular to the biaxial plane, moving the trowel left or right. To emulate prior Allen trowels, lateral movements of one of the hand levers is mechanically disabled with a transformation link anchored to the frame. The transformation link may be disconnected from the frame and instead connected to the foot of the companion hand steering lever, allowing both steering levers to pivot laterally, resulting in a different steering “feel.

Abstract: Methods and apparatus are disclosed for providing a roof guide, the method including: receiving, via an application on the mobile device of a user, a query related to one or more of a type of a roof and a type of damage to the roof; providing the query to a central server; retrieving, from the central server, at least one first roof image responsive to the query; receiving, via the application on the mobile device of the user, user input of a second roof image of a portion of the roof; and displaying, via the application on the mobile device of the user, the at least one first roof image and the second roof image.

Abstract: Methods are provided for designing a blending component for making a plurality of lubricant products that contain the designed blending component. This can be accomplished by first determining a plurality of manufacturability index values for each desired lubricant product for a family of proposed blending components. The manufacturing index values can then be used to construct a manufacturability window for each lubricant product. The manufacturability windows for each lubricant product can then be analyzed to determine regions of overlap, if any, where a proposed blending component can be used with an increased likelihood to formulate each of the desired products. Alternatively, manufacturability windows can be used to determine suitability of pre-existing blending components for formulation of desired products.

Abstract: An ophthalmological device (1) for processing eye tissue includes a projection optical unit for focused projection of a laser beam (L) into the eye tissue, and a scanner system upstream of the projection optical unit for beam-deflecting scanning of the eye tissue with the laser beam (L) in a scanning movement (s') performed over a scanning angle along a scanning line(s). The ophthalmological device includes at least one optical element upstream of the projection optical unit, the optical element configured to generate a divergence—dependent on the scanning angle—of the laser beam (L), the scanning line(s) tilted in a plane running through the optical axis of the projection optical unit and the scanning line(s). Tilting of the scanning line(s)displaces—dependent on the scanning angle—the focus of the laser pulses projected into the eye tissue without vertical displacement of the projection optical unit.

Abstract: The present invention provides a process for producing a hydrocarbon oil by performing a Fischer-Tropsch synthesis reaction using a reactor for a Fischer-Tropsch synthesis including a reaction apparatus having a slurry containing catalyst particles and a gaseous phase located above the slurry to obtain a hydrocarbon oil, wherein the Fischer-Tropsch reaction is performed while controlling a temperature of the slurry so that a difference T2?T1 between the average temperature T1 of the slurry and a temperature T2 at the liquid level of the slurry in contact with the gaseous phase is 5 to 30° C.

Abstract: An apparatus and methods for changing the shape of a wing using a plurality of morphing structures. One example method includes coupling a plurality of morphing structures to each other. Each morphing structure includes an anchor, a plurality of hinges, a plurality of shape-memory alloy members wherein each shape-memory alloy member extends from the anchor to a different hinge, a plurality of springs wherein each spring extends from the anchor to a different hinge, and a plurality of rigid members wherein each rigid member extends between two hinges. The method further includes actuating the plurality of shape-memory alloy members in at least some of the morphing structures wherein the shape-memory alloy members contract when actuated to pull against the hinges and anchors within the actuated morphing structures to rotate the rigid members and change the shape of the actuated morphing structure.

Abstract: Provided is a dendritic ethylene polymer. The polymer is a dendritic polymer of an ethylene/alpha-olefin-diene copolymer and a vinyl-terminated polyethylene. There is also provided a process for making a dendritic ethylene polymer. The process includes the steps of preparing a dendritic ethylene polymer by reacting ethylene/alpha-olefin-diene copolymer with vinyl-terminated polyethylene in the presence of a radical source. There is also provided a blend and a blown film that include the dendritic ethylene polymer.

Abstract: A plural-frequency capacitive occupancy sensing system comprises an antenna electrode and a detection circuit, which is configured to drive the antenna electrode at least with a first and a second signal at a first and a second frequency, respectively, so as to obtain at least a first and a second measurement value indicative of at least one of conductance, susceptance, resistance, reactance and capacitance between the antenna electrode and a reference node, at the first frequency and the second frequency, respectively. The detection circuit compares the capacitance between the antenna electrode and the reference node with a threshold capacitance, the threshold capacitance being derived from a difference between the first and second measurement values and/or the capacitance between the antenna electrode and the reference node being corrected based upon the difference between the measurement values. The detection circuit outputs an occupancy state signal depending on the comparison.

Abstract: A headrest holder includes two tension pieces defined in the body portion thereof and a head portion. The two tension pieces, each including a protrudent portion, are spaced apart from each other along the longitudinal direction of that body portion, while being in a mutually facing relation, so that a headrest stay inserted in the headrest holder is retained between the two protrudent portions against wobbling. Further, those two tension pieces and either the head portion or a support bracket of seat frame establish three supportive points. Namely, the headrest holder inserted in the support bracket is retained against wobbling because the two protrudent portions and the headrest holder's neck portion closely contact the support bracket. Also, a headrest stay inserted in the headrest holder is retained against wobbling because the two protrudent portions and headrest holder's head portion closely contact the headrest stay.

Abstract: A system for activating and deactivating a gear change in a vehicle. The system including a steering wheel, first and second paddle shifters coupled to the steering wheel or column, a switch having an activate state and a deactivate state and coupled to the steering wheel, a center console, an instrument panel, or an integrated display, and a locking mechanism connected to the first and second paddle shifters to inhibit movement or functioning of the first and second paddle shifters when the switch is in the deactivate state and to allow movement or functioning of the first and second paddle shifters when the switch is in the activate state as a stand-alone lock out method or integrated with an electronic lock out method.

Abstract: A multimedia assembly and an instrument panel assembly for use in an automotive vehicle are provided. The multimedia assembly includes a multimedia device and an auxiliary device. The multimedia device has a faceplate which is disposed on the outer surface of the instrument panel so as to be exposed to the cabin space of the vehicle. The auxiliary device is disposed beneath the multimedia device and hidden behind the outer surface of the instrument panel of the vehicle.

Abstract: A method to evaluate, determine and optimize production parameters for a coating application of a UV cationic polymerizable coating system to a substrate is provided. The method is based on a simulation model which includes both shadow and dark cure processes. Both of an active center generation process and the active center diffusion process are mathematically described. In the model, the two processes are considered separately since they are driven by different fundamental phenomena and occur on different timescales. Evaluation or prediction of the effect of process variables on the curing of a cationic coating of a complex substrate according to the described method allows characterization and understanding of process variables which may save set-up costs and improve production efficiency.