Abstract: A vehicle including a side support extending in a vehicle longitudinal direction, a cross member extending transverse to the side support, and a reinforcement gusset coupled to the side support and the cross member, where the cross member and the reinforcement gusset define an interrupted interface in which one of the cross member or the reinforcement gusset includes a recessed portion and the opposite of the cross member or the reinforcement gusset includes an extended portion, and the recessed portion and the extended portion have complementary shapes and are detached from one another.

Abstract: A mechanical seal comprising; a. a sleeve which is for sealing engagement with a rotating shaft; b. one or more primary or secondary sealing faces urged toward one another via a plurality of spring members; c. a gland which is for detachable attachment to a housing of within which the seal is to be situated: d. a clamp ring wherein set screws reside to provide drive between said sleeve, clamp ring and shaft; and e. one or more setting members which are detachably attached to said clamping ring to restrict axial movement and make the internal dimensions independent of tolerances and assembly accuracy.

Abstract: According to an embodiment of the present invention, a gas-liquid circulating type gas hydrate reactor, includes: a reactor body configured to be supplied with gas and water to generate a gas hydrate; and a bubble generator configured to be disposed around a lower portion of the reactor body, wherein the gas supplied from the lower portion of the reactor body is jetted into the reactor body through the bubble generator. The gas-liquid circulating type gas hydrate reactor in accordance with the present invention makes it possible to jet gas at a high speed by using the bubble generator disposed at the low portion of the reactor body so as to promote the reaction of water and gas which are accommodated in the reactor body while forming a water stream at the lower portion of the reactor body that enables a smooth agitation of the water and the gas.

Abstract: A method for removing hydrate plugs in a hydrocarbon production station, the method comprising: fluidically isolating the production station; diverting production flow to a bypass line; and adjusting the pressure in the production station to a level sufficient to melt the hydrate plugs.

Abstract: Improved tourniquet apparatus for measuring a patient's limb occlusion pressure includes an inflatable tourniquet cuff for encircling a limb at a location and to which a tourniquet instrument is releasably connectable.

Abstract: The manufacturing of an optical device substrate is achieved by anodizing the surface of a metal plate, coating an insulative liquid bonding agent, having a viscosity which can permeate into an anodized film of the metal plate, on the metal plate, and alternately layering, pressing, and heat treating the metal plate coated with the liquid bonding agent and an insulative film bonding agent before the liquid bonding agent becomes solid so that bonding force between the metal plate and an insulation layer is strengthened, bubbles formation in the liquid bonding agent is inhibited, the fragile nature of the liquid bonding agent after the solidification is reduced producing an optical device substrate with improved mechanical strength and an insulation layer of precisely controlled thickness.

Abstract: Processes are provided for using employing lower activity hydrodesulfurization catalysts while achieving a desired product sulfur content. After determining effective reaction conditions for hydrodesulfurization using a reference catalyst system, an upstream portion of the catalyst system can be replaced with a lower activity upstream portion. The process allows tailored product sulfur levels to be achieved using reaction conditions similar to those for the reference catalyst system.

Abstract: A transfer system is described including a subsea installation fixed relative to a seabed, and a transfer element for transfer of fluid, electrical signals, or electric current between the subsea installation and a floating arrangement. The transfer element is configured to connect to the subsea installation and includes a connector for connecting to the floating arrangement. The transfer system includes a buoyancy element anchored to the seabed, and has a through-going hole in the vertical direction. The transfer element extends through the hole and is movable in both directions through the hole. The transfer element includes a fender system that extends at least partially around the circumference of the transfer element. The fender system abuts the buoyancy element when the transfer element is suspended. When the transfer element is suspended, the transfer element forms an S-shape or J-shape between the subsea installation and the buoyancy element.

Abstract: A method of preheating a hybrid vehicle including storing reserve coolant in an insulated reservoir fluidly coupled to a coolant circuit of an engine of the hybrid vehicle; powering a fluid pump fluidly coupled to the coolant circuit with a power source external to the hybrid vehicle; pumping line coolant through the coolant circuit with the fluid pump; powering a heater thermally coupled to the coolant circuit with the power source external to the hybrid vehicle; heating the line coolant with the heater as the line coolant is pumped through the coolant circuit to increase a temperature of the line coolant; and mixing the line coolant with the reserve coolant to accelerate preheating of at least the engine of the hybrid vehicle.

Abstract: Provided is a damper structure for an enclosed derrick, which can constantly compensate and maintain a pressure of an inner space of an enclosed derrick structure. The damper structure for the enclosed derrick includes: one or more communication ducts installed in a side of the enclosed derrick; and one or more open/close dampers coupled to the communication ducts to open or close the communication ducts, whereby air is selectively supplied to or exhausted from the enclosed derrick.

Abstract: Apparatus for electron beam treatment of three-dimensional parts that includes cavities in a shielded rotating drum that preferably includes additional rotation mechanism for rotating parts within cavities in said drum. Radiation associated with the electron beam emitter is substantially shielded by the combination of the drum and the additional radiation shielding. The rotating drum is preferably made of at least four sections axially stacked, and its shielding properties are enhanced by including lead filled holes drilled in the sections.

Abstract: A conductive polymer composition which can be homogeneously dissolved in a solvent and can form a smooth film. The conductive polymer composition is a conductive polymer composition comprising a polymer compound (A) and a ?-conjugated polymer (?), wherein the polymer compound (A) is a polymer compound obtained by polymerizing 10 to 50% by mol of a monomer (a-1) having a sulfonic acid group or a sulfonate group, 10 to 90% by mol of a monomer (a-2) having chelating ability and 0 to 70% by mol of other monomer (a-3), and the ?-conjugated polymer (?) is a ?-conjugated polymer obtained by polymerizing at least one monomer selected from monomers represented by the following formulas (I) to (III).

Abstract: A method and apparatus for removing foreign material from an upwardly oriented surface of a body-in-white are provided. The apparatus includes a vacuum member mounted to a frame for removing foreign material from the associated upwardly oriented surface and a soft-material brush mounted to the frame rearward of the vacuum member as defined by the direction of forward travel of the body-in-white. The apparatus may also include a vertical adjustment device(s) configured to adjust and maintain vertical distance between the apparatus relative to the associated vehicle. Also disclosed herein is a method for removing foreign material from an upwardly oriented surface of a body-in-white that comprises bringing the apparatus defined herein in proximate contact with at least one surface of a body-in-white as it progresses down a vehicle assembly line.

Abstract: Apparatus and methods related to umbilical buckling testing are described. For example, some embodiments may contain two damps, a plurality of test fittings, one or more pressure gages, a hydraulic cylinder, and a testing platform, and may be used for testing the umbilical buckling behavior and capacity of an umbilical testing sample.

Abstract: Apparatus and methods related to catenary riser testing are described. For example, some embodiments may contain a ground platform, elevated deck, a catenary-shaped testing sample, a fixed clamp on one end of the testing sample and a rotatable clamp on the other end of the testing sample, and a plurality of hydraulic cylinders for controlling the vertical and horizontal positions and motions of the elevated deck and the positions and rotations of the rotatable clamp, for analyzing the characteristics of the testing sample, such as its touchdown point dynamic motions and stresses.

Abstract: A system, device, and methods for autonomous navigation using geographic feature-based localization. An example method includes identifying one or more geographic features based on information received from one or more sensors disposed on a vehicle as the vehicle traverses a route and associating one of a horizontal space and a vertical space with each of the one or more geographic features. The example method further includes comparing the one or more geographic features to a geographic feature map and generating a localized vehicle position based on the comparison between the one or more geographic features and the geographic feature map. Comparing the one or more geographic features to the geographic feature map can include applying weights to the one or more geographic features based in part on the space association for each of the one or more geographic features.

Abstract: Methods for synthesizing metal nanoparticles and the nanoparticles so produced are provided. The methods include addition of surfactant to a novel reagent complex between zero-valent metal and a hydride. The nanoparticles produced by the method include oxide-free, zero-valent tin nanoparticles useful in fabricating a battery electrode.

Abstract: Vehicle structures for dissipating energy associated with a collision are disclosed herein. In one embodiment, a vehicle includes a side support that extends between a front suspension mount and a rear suspension mount of the vehicle. The side support includes a targeted energy absorption portion that defines a high-strength region of the side support. The vehicle also includes a cab mounting bracket coupled to the side support and extending outward from the side support. The cab mounting bracket includes a rearward attachment position on the side support and the rearward attachment position of the cab mounting bracket is positioned proximate to the high-strength region of the side support. The vehicle further includes a wheel assembly that is coupled to the front suspension mount and is positioned forward of the cab mounting bracket in a vehicle longitudinal direction.

Abstract: An air valve connecting device includes a housing having an inlet mouth, a sliding member engaged in the housing and having a pathway for receiving the pressurized air from the inlet mouth, a rotary member rotatably engaged with the housing and having two or more compartments each for receiving a gasket and an inflation valve, the rotary member is rotatable relative to the housing for selectively aligning either of the compartments of the rotary member with the chamber of the housing and the sliding member, and a hand grip includes a cam member attached to the housing with a pivot shaft and engaged with the sliding member for forcing the sliding member to force the gaskets to engage with the inflation valves respectively.

Abstract: With the invention, a method and device for explosive forming of work pieces, in which at least one work piece is arranged in at least one die and deformed by means of an explosive to be ignited, is to be improved, in that an ignition mechanism that is technically simple to handle, is produced with the shortest possible setup time, which permits the most precise possible ignition of the explosive with time-repeatable accuracy. This task is solved by a method and device, in which at least one work piece is arranged in at least one die and deformed by means of an explosive to be ignited, in which the explosive is ignited by means of induction.