Abstract: A method for producing methoxypolyethylene glycols includes the steps of, in the order recited: (1) preparing a reactor by washing the reactor with water; pressurizing the reactor with nitrogen; and evacuating to completely remove water and reduce oxygen content in the reactor; (2) pressurizing the reactor with nitrogen, introducing ingredients including methanol and a catalyst comprised of sodium methoxide in methanol into the reactor, and heating the ingredients; (3) introducing ethylene oxide into the reactor at a rate of 800˜1200 kg/h and reacting the methanol and the ethylene oxide to completely react the methanol; (4) introducing additional ethylene oxide into the reactor at a rate of 8000˜12000 kg/h to continue the reaction and provide final reaction products; (5) reducing the pressure in the reactor and adjusting pH of the reaction products to a ph of 5 to 7; and (6) transferring the reaction products to a tank yard.

Abstract: A flexible shaft assembly that transfers torque from a driver to a driven member includes a stub shaft that includes an elongated shaft axis, where the stub shaft couples to the driver, and a flexible coupling that includes a first hub that is adjustably connected to a second hub, where the second hub is coupled to the driven member and includes an external cylindrical interface. The flexible shaft assembly further includes a spacer that includes a spacer body, a shaft clearance hole that passes through the spacer body having a central axis extending therethrough, and a cylindrical guide surface concentric with the shaft clearance hole, where the external cylindrical interface of the flexible coupling is located inside the cylindrical guide surface, and the first hub adjusts relative to the second hub when the elongated shaft axis is out of alignment with the central axis of the shaft clearance hole.

Abstract: Methods are provided for upgrading asphaltene-depleted crude fractions. The asphaltene-depleted crude fractions are upgraded by oxidizing the crude fractions by air blowing. Upgrading an asphaltene-depleted crude fraction can allow more valuable grades of asphalt to be formed from the crude fraction. Alternatively, upgrading an asphaltene-depleted crude fraction can allow for incorporation of a greater percentage of such a crude fraction in a blend of crudes that are used for making a desired grade of asphalt.

Abstract: A method to build, manage and analyze a gap analysis model in software of safety instrumented system architecture for a safety instrumented systems in a facility. The safety instrumented system architecture has at least one instrumented protective function and the non-transitory computer instructions use a real world software model in support of process safety lifecycle management.

Abstract: An otter habitation section, an overland section, an inclined-surface section, a first spawning section, a second spawning section and a roost are all provided. Accordingly, otters and birds can sufficiently obtain preys, and fishes secure a spawning ground suitable for spawning characteristics. Therefore, the otters, the fishes and the birds can inhabit together. Further, since frames are made of wood for providing buoyant force or the frames are made of stainless steel for reinforcing strength and wood for providing buoyant force, a small amount of polyethylene foam is required. Accordingly, it is possible to obtain floating wetland equipment with a simple structure. Furthermore, the wooden frames itself provide a spawning ground of fishes.

Abstract: An improvement in table saw safety is provided, being a new and improved apparatus and method for stopping the blade of a saw very quickly, thereby preventing serious harm to the operator of the saw. The saw brake senses the approach of a conductive element, such as a finger or a hand, to the saw blade, and immediately stops the saw.

Abstract: A system for compressing and drying a gas generally includes a compressor having multiple stages of compression and a dryer. The compressor includes a first heat exchanger and an after-cooler each of which utilizes a fan. A sensor is provided downstream of the after-cooler. The fan and sensor are in communication with the controller. A final stage compressed gas outlet of the compressor provides hot compressed gas to the regenerative portion of the dryer. Utilization of the final stage compressed gas for regeneration while also utilizing the compressor's after-cooler provides gas which is sufficiently hot to regenerate desiccant in the dryer and allows the communication between the sensor, the controller and compressors to remain intact.

Abstract: The present invention provides a semiconductor device, a semiconductor package and a semiconductor process. The semiconductor process includes the following steps: (a) providing a semiconductor wafer having a first surface, a second surface and a passivation layer; (b) applying a first laser on the passivation layer to remove a part of the passivation layer and expose a part of the semiconductor wafer; (c) applying a second laser, wherein the second laser passes through the exposed semiconductor wafer and focuses at an interior of the semiconductor wafer; and (d) applying a lateral force to the semiconductor wafer. Whereby, the cutting quality is ensured.

Abstract: The present invention relates to an improved gasifier injection system. In particular, the present invention provides an improved apparatus and operating scheme to improve the control flow of solid particulates in a multi-burner gasifier. The system also provides for integrated flow control and emergency shutoff in the case of abnormal operating conditions or unexpected backflow of the process burners. This improved design simplifies the mechanical systems required for large multi-burner gasifiers thus providing a more reliable and compact gasifier feed system. In preferred embodiments, the gasifier hydrocarbon feed is substantially in a solid particulate state and is preferably comprised of coal, petrochemical coke, and/or solid biomass.

Abstract: A system for improving performance of a hybrid vehicle at higher elevations. The system includes a plurality of wheels, an engine, an altitude sensor, a transmission, a memory for storing target engine speeds, and a processor. The engine provides a torque to the plurality of wheels through the transmission, based on gear ratios limited by a wide open throttle (WOT) guard. The altitude sensor determines an elevation of the vehicle. Above a certain threshold elevation, the processor changes the WOT guard to improve performance at lower gears, such as standing start performance.

Abstract: A system for decelerating a hybrid vehicle, the system includes a continuously variable transmission (CVT), a brake pedal, an accelerator pedal, a sensor for detecting a vehicle deceleration, a memory for storing a target deceleration corresponding to a coasting deceleration of the vehicle, and a processor. When the brake pedal and the accelerator pedal are released, the vehicle coasts. If the vehicle deceleration does not match the target deceleration, the processor adjusts the torque output by the CVT so that the vehicle deceleration substantially matches the target deceleration.

Abstract: An electrochemical cell casing may be made from a non-conducting material. A conducting area may be formed on the casing. For example the conductive area may include a charge collector and/or a link and/or a terminal. The conducting area may be formed for example by coatings and/or deposits and/or molded interconnect device technology and/or multicomponent molding. An electrochemical cell may be modular. The cell may have interlocking features for stacking into a compound battery. An electrochemical cell may have an arbitrary shape, for instance prismatic. The cell may be flexible. The cell may fit into a standard battery receptacle.

Abstract: An automation controller may wirelessly poll a plurality of remote monitoring devices configured to monitor an electric power distribution system and store monitored system data collected therefrom. The automation controller may be wirelessly coupled to the plurality of remote monitoring devices using a spread-spectrum protocol, such as Bluetooth®. The automation controller may gather the monitored system data using the Distributed Network Protocol (DNP3). DNP3 packets may be communicated as the payload of Bluetooth® packets. The spread-spectrum protocol may limit the number of devices to which the automation controller may be actively connected at one time. Accordingly, the automation controller may couple and uncouple from the remote monitoring devices in a round-robin pattern to collect the monitored system data from all of the remote monitoring devices. The automation controller may provide engineering access and/or collect relay event data using the spread-spectrum protocol and a high-bandwidth protocol.

Abstract: Methods, systems and devices for making a surface resistant to frost are disclosed.

Abstract: The invention relates to a method for bending at least one edge of a composite sheet, which has at least two outer metallic layers and an inner plastic layer, in which the edge of the composite sheet is edge-bent in a first step and is bent into the finished form in at least one further method step. In addition, the invention relates to a correspondingly bent composite sheet. The object of making a method for bending a composite sheet available, in which cracks in the metallic layers of the composite sheet can be prevented and, at the same time, in which a seam can easily be provided, is achieved by using an edge-bending punch, a holding-down device and an edge-bending jaw during the edge-bending operation and by the edge-bending punch having a notch running in the bending direction below the bending edge of the edge-bending punch.

Abstract: A locking wheel useful for wheels on small vehicles. The locking wheel fits over a shaft and has a bore for receiving the end of the shaft. An outer member is connected to and spaced from the hub. A finger is adjacent to the bore and has a protrusion that extends into the bore. The finger is resilient and movable between a first and second position. The first position has the protrusion protruding into the bore and the second position has the protrusion outside of the bore with the finger being bent radially outward. The shaft has a notch or hole that receives the finger's protrusion. A locking device may selectively be placed between the outer member and the hub to prevent the finger from moving into its second position, thereby locking the hub onto the shaft.

Abstract: A warning light has a light transmissive dome, longitudinally extending base, plurality of clamps, and a plurality of warning light assemblies. The light transmissive dome has sidewalls which terminate in a bottom edge. Spaced apart attachment regions with a staging area, a locking area, and a first retaining lip are located along the bottom edge. The longitudinally extending base has sidewalls which terminate in a top edge. A second retaining lip extends downward from an exterior projection of the top edge. A plurality of clamps each have a face portion, and first and second engagement jaws which extend from the face portion. The first and second engagement jaws are configured to engage the first and second retaining lips. A fastener portion located on the face portion corresponds with a fastener. The fastener portion and fastener draw the first and second engagement jaws together.

Abstract: A platoon model allows improved prediction of preceding vehicle future state. In this context, the preceding vehicle is a vehicle immediately ahead of the host vehicle, and the dynamic state of the preceding vehicle was predicted based on data received from one or more vehicles in the platoon. The intelligent driver model (IDM) was extended to model car-following dynamics within a platoon. A parameter estimation approach may be used to estimate the model parameters, for example to adapt to different driver types. An integrated approach including both state prediction and parameter estimation was highly effective.

Abstract: The invention provides a sealer to be used for a bolt including a sprayed preservative coating coated onto at least a threaded portion. The sealer contains a wax therein in the range of 1 to 10 mass % both inclusive.