Abstract: A clamp device has a gripping member which is expandable and contractible and is inserted into an aperture in a workpiece and grips the aperture, a clamp rod including a tapered shaft portion that fits into the gripping member, and a drive means for driving the clamp rod forwards and backwards. Provided is a support mechanism that supports the gripping member by fluid pressure when the gripping member is radially expanded, and a fluid pressure release means that releases the fluid pressure of the support mechanism after radial expansion of the gripping member when the clamp rod is driven by the drive means to perform clamping. The support mechanism has an annular pressure reception member that supports the gripping member, and a supporting fluid chamber that causes fluid pressure in the direction opposite to the clamping direction to be received on the annular pressure reception member.

Abstract: An omnidirectional structural color (OSC) having a non-periodic layered structure. The OSC can include a multilayer stack that has an outer surface and at least two layers. The at least two layers can include at least one first index of refraction material layer A1 and at least one second index of refraction material layer B1. The at least A1 and B1 can be alternately stacked on top of each other with each layer having a predefined thickness dA1 and dB1, respectively. The dA1 is not generally equal to the dB1 such that the multilayer stack has a non-periodic layered structure.

Abstract: A structural body part and a method of assembling a structural body part are provided. The structural body part includes an inner wall surface defining an enclosed space. A nut is disposed within the enclosed space. The structural body part includes an aperture for receiving a fastener so as to accommodate the addition of additional structure. The body structure includes a spacer. The nut is attached to the spacer. The spacer is configured to suspend the nut above the inner wall surface of the structural body part. Thus, the inner wall surface of the structural body part is exposed and covered with a solution when submersed therein.

Abstract: An example radar apparatus has a transmission frequency modulated by a chirp waveform having three chirp segments, including increasing, decreasing, and a constant frequency segments. The chirp waveform may extend over the full revisit time of the radar beam. The frequency difference between the transmitted and echo signals are determined at least once per chirp segment. Example apparatus include a Doppler radar for vehicle use.

Abstract: A system and a method for diagnosing and isolating a power integrator malfunction are herein provided. The system includes a controller for processing inputs from vehicle electronic control units (ECUs) to actuate semiconductor switching elements to further actuate vehicle electrical systems. The switching elements are in connection with the controller and actuated by a low current signal to actuate a high current circuit to drive an electrical load. Additional semiconductor devices are connected the switching devices for the purpose of monitoring overcurrent, overtemperature, and electromagnetic interference conditions that may affect the switching elements. A communications module is provided to send and receive communications relating to conditions affecting the switching elements over a communications bus. A display connected to the communications bus is operable to display conditions affecting the switching elements.

Abstract: A method of monitoring a reformer unit is disclosed. The method includes analyzing at least one of the feedstock and the product stream. The analyzing includes performing a detailed hydrocarbon analysis of at least one of the feedstock and the product stream. The method further includes obtaining a one-dimensional output from the detailed hydrocarbon analysis and adjusting the one-dimensional output to produce a multi-dimensional equivalent output. Adjusting the one-dimensional output includes applying an appropriate correlation matrix to the one-dimensional output to produce the multi-dimensional equivalent output. The appropriate correlation matrix is selected based upon the characteristics of the feedstock and the particular refinery unit.

Abstract: A method for preparing polymethylene polyphenyl polycarbamate is provided. The method includes dissolving phenylcarbamate in a water-immiscible organic solvent to form a solution A, formulating an aqueous acid catalyst solution to form a solution B, forming a reaction system comprising an organic phase and an aqueous phase by firstly adding a methylating reagent to the solution B and then mixing the solution A and the solution B, wherein the organic phase comprises phenylcarbamate and the aqueous phase comprises the acid catalyst and the methylating reagent. The method further includes reacting the reaction system under stirring at a reaction temperature of 30° C. to 200° C. and a reaction pressure of 0.05 MPa to 5 MPa to produce a polymethylene polyphenyl polycarbamate product mixture dissolved in the organic phase, and separating the polymethylene polyphenyl polycarbamate product mixture by allowing the organic phase and the aqueous phase to stand still and stratify.

Abstract: A vehicle can include a navigation unit configured to determine a position of the vehicle. A detection unit can be configured to recognize position and features of objects external to the vehicle. An identification unit can be configured to identify objects expected to be detected based on a determined position of the vehicle, by comparing the recognized features to feature data of object reference data stored in a local database. When the identification unit is unable to identify an object, the identification unit can compare recognized or stored object features to the additional feature data received from a remote database. A navigation unit can update the position of the vehicle based on position data of identified objects and more accurate and safe autonomous operation of a vehicle can be achieved.

Abstract: An air pump device includes a housing having a barrel, a gasket engaged in the housing and having a cavity for engaging with an inflation valve, a pumping mechanism coupled to the barrel for generating and supplying a pressurized air to the barrel and the housing, the barrel includes an outer peripheral recess communicating with the chamber of the barrel for receiving the pressurized air from the barrel, and a pressure gauge includes a ring member engaged onto the barrel and includes an inlet formed in the pressure gauge and communicating with the outer peripheral recess of the barrel for receiving the pressurized air from the barrel and for indicating a pressure in the chamber of the barrel.

Abstract: A method of providing a vehicle rear seat reminder using a vehicle rear seat reminder system is provided. The method includes exposing a user input device of the vehicle rear seat reminder system by opening a door of a vehicle. The user input device is accessible to a user with the door in an open condition. The user input device being inaccessible to the user with the door in a closed condition. The user input device is actuated with the door in the open condition thereby initiating an alert program.

Abstract: A bladder and attachment member assembly for use with a container comprises an elastomeric gas-filled bladder comprising a valve stem. A first attachment member is disposed over the valve stem within the container with the bladder. A second attachment member is disposed over the valve stem and over the first attachment member. The second attachment member is outside of the container interposed between the valve stem and a container opening. Rotational movement of the valve stem is fixed relative to one or both of the first and second attachment members. In an example, the valve stem comprises one or more surface features that register with one or more surface features of the first and/or second attachment member to thereby fix relative valve stem rotational movement. In an example, the valve stem surface feature is a flat surface that registers with a flat surface of the second attachment member inside diameter.

Abstract: An optical sensor apparatus illuminates nested optical cavities by a broadband light source, such as a tunable laser. A composite interference signal is obtained from light reflected from the nested optical cavities, partial interference spectra are recovered from the composite interference signal, cavity depths are measured based on the partial interference spectra, and electrical signals are provided based on the final measured cavity depths.

Abstract: A repair and strengthening system for a reinforced concrete structure has a ribbed steel plate, and a filler. The ribbed steel plate is disposed facing a strengthened area with a predetermined space therebetween. The strengthened area is an area to be strengthened in a structure surface that is a surface of a reinforced concrete structure. The filler is injected in the space between the structure surface and the ribbed steel plate. Ribs are formed on the ribbed steel plate by hot rolling. The ribs protrude from a steel-plate front face that is a side of the ribbed steel plate facing the structure surface.

Abstract: Catalyst compositions and methods for use of such catalyst composition in the exhaust gas recycle stream of an internal combustion engine for reforming of a methane-containing fuel are provided. A reformer incorporating such a catalyst for use in an exhaust gas recycle portion of an internal combustion engine powertrain is described. A powertrain incorporating such a reformer, a method of increasing the octane rating of an exhaust gas recycle stream, and a method of operating an internal combustion engine for methane combustion are also described.

Abstract: Systems and methods for determining an inventory layer for material stored in a plurality of storage units. The amount of material stored in each storage unit is measured. The activity status of each storage unit is categorized. An inventory layer is then determined based on the amount of material stored in each storage unit and the activity status of each storage unit. One or more batch characteristics can also be identified. The inventory layer and/or batch characteristics can be used to identify potential volume reductions.

Abstract: A system and apparatus for monitoring and control of the operation of various types of industrial plants, including power plants, nuclear power plants and plants including various types of mechanical, electrical and chemical machinery. The invention employs modular non-microprocessor based, non-software based digital hardware that enables communication between sensors and control logic and between the control logic and actuators that control a functional aspect of each plant.

Abstract: The present invention relates a peptide having cancer selective translocation function, and the use thereof, and more particularly to a VEGF-binding protein transduction domain (VPTD) represented as SEQ ID NO: 1 or a heparin-binding protein transduction domain (HPTD) represented as SEQ ID NO: 2, which bind specifically to VEGF and heparin, which are overexpressed specifically in tumor cells or tumor tissues, and to a conjugate comprising a drug linked to the peptide. The peptide and the peptide-drug conjugate bind specifically to VEGF and heparin in tumor cells or tumor tissue and accumulate in the tumor cells or tumor tissue, and thus can be used for the accurate diagnosis and treatment of cancer. Also, the non-specific distribution of the peptide or the conjugate in the body after administration is inhibited, and thus the side effects thereof can be minimized. Accordingly, the peptide or the conjugate is useful for the diagnosis and treatment of cancer.

Abstract: A barrel alignment structure for a pair of barrel sections each defining an end surface configured to abut each other is disclosed. The barrel alignment structure comprises of a plurality of alignment pins distributed on the end surface of the first barrel section. The barrel alignment structure further comprises of a corresponding number of slots defined on the end surface of the second barrel section, each slot configured to receive one alignment pin, wherein the slot has a width substantially equal to that of the alignment pin and a length larger than the width of the alignment pin permitting relative thermal expansion between the pair of barrel sections. An extruder barrel section is also disclosed. The extruder barrel section defining an end surface configured to abut the end surface of another extruder barrel section. The extruder barrel section comprises of a plurality of alignment pins distributed on its end surface.

Abstract: Light-emitting semiconductor packages and related methods. The light-emitting semiconductor package includes a central barrier, a plurality of leads, a light-emitting device, a first encapsulant, a package body, and a second encapsulant. The light-emitting device is disposed in the interior space defined by the central barrier and is electrically connected to the leads surrounding the central barrier. The light-emitting device includes upper and lower light-emitting surfaces. The first encapsulant and the second encapsulant cover the upper and lower light-emitting surfaces, respectively. The package body encapsulates portions of the central barrier, portions of each of the leads, and the first encapsulant. The light-emitting semiconductor package can emit light from both the upper and lower sides thereof.