Abstract: The present invention relates to a method and an apparatus for non-destructive testing of an effective anchorage depth of a fully grouted anchor bolt, which are applicable in geotechnical engineering. The method provided by the invention is for non-destructive testing of an effective anchorage depth of a fully grouted anchor bolt; the method is convenient to operate, non-destructive to an anchor bolt, and capable of testing an anchorage length of the anchor bolt. The present invention further provides an apparatus for non-destructive testing of an effective anchorage depth of a fully grouted anchor bolt. The apparatus has a simple structure, is convenient to install, and is capable of measuring an anchorage length of an anchor bolt without damaging the anchor bolt.

Abstract: Distributed control of vehicles with coordinating cars that implement a cooperative control method, and non-coordinating cars that are presumed to follow predictable dynamics. A cooperative control method can combine distributed receding horizon control, for optimization-based path planning and feedback, with higher level logic, to ensure that implemented plans are collision free. The cooperative method can be completely distributed with partially synchronous execution, and can afford dedicated time for communication and computation, features that are prerequisites for implementation on real freeways. The method can test for conflicts and can calculate optimized trajectories by adjusting parameters in terminal state constraints of an optimal control problem.

Abstract: A material with high oxygen permeability based on marine biological substance is disclosed. The material is obtained by compounding a silicon-containing substance with a silicon-oxy group and a bioactive substance selected from one or more of alginic acid, collagen, hyaluronic acid and a salt thereof, in the presence of a crosslinking agent. Also disclosed is a preparation method for the material including: mixing the silicon-containing substance and bioactive substance under acidic condition, and then crosslinking the mixture in the presence of a crosslinking agent. Also disclosed is a use of the material with high oxygen permeability or method thereof to prepare a corneal contact lens, corneal scaffold material, or corneal substitute. The material can satisfy the requirement of high oxygen permeability for extended wear and shows good wearing comfort. The material is biocompatible and has high safety performance.

Abstract: A valve having a balancing function for a fluid distribution system. A valve closing member is movable between a closed position and a fully opened position. An actuation device is provided for changing the position of the valve closing member. A control unit is provided and includes an electronic memory adapted to receive and store an opening limitation value, the opening limitation value being representative of a selected intermediate position between the closed position and the fully opened position of the valve closing member, wherein the control unit controls the actuation device to limit the movement of the valve closing member to positions from the closed position to the selected intermediate position. Also, a valve system and to a method of operating a valve.

Abstract: The present invention provides a particle packing apparatus which can pack uniformly particles of catalyst, etc. without breaking the particles. The particle packing apparatus for packing particles into a vessel, comprises: a base held at a fixed position with respect to the vessel; a distributor which is rotational symmetrical to a central axis extended vertically and distributes the particles; a bearing fixed to the base and holding the distributor rotatably; a particle supplying unit fixed to the base, being rotational symmetrical to the central axis, having a bottom opening being smaller than an inner diameter of the bearing and supplying the particles to the distributor through the bottom opening; and a motor rotating the distributor.

Abstract: Provided is a cable assembly backshell capable of three angular configurations: straight, 45°, and 90°. The backshell is designed to rotate at two joints that allow it to assume these three angular configurations. A locking mechanism is associated with the backshell which prevents unintended reconfigurations.

Abstract: A heavy petroleum oil feed is upgraded by having its amenability to cracking improved by subjecting the oil to selective partial oxidation with a catalytic oxidation system to partially oxidize aromatic ring systems in the heavy oil. The partially oxidized oil can then be cracked in the conventional manner but at lower severities to lower molecular weight cracking products. The cracking following the partial oxidation step may be thermal in nature as by thermal cracking, delayed, contact or fluid coking or fluid catalytic cracking or hydrogenative as in hydrocracking.

Abstract: A vehicle includes a side support extending in a vehicle longitudinal direction, a drive unit spaced apart from the side support in a vehicle lateral direction, where the drive unit includes a crankshaft extending in the vehicle lateral direction, and a spacer member positioned between the side support and the drive unit in the vehicle lateral direction, where the spacer member coupled to one of the drive unit and the side support, and the spacer member is detached and spaced apart from the other of the drive unit and the side support, and where the spacer member is positioned rearward of the crankshaft in the vehicle longitudinal direction.

Abstract: A computing device is configured for communication with at least one autonomously controllable vehicle system or component. The computing device includes one or more processors for controlling operation of the computing device, and a memory for storing data and program instructions usable by the one or more processors. The one or more processors are configured to execute instructions stored in the memory to control the vehicle so as to execute one of an autonomous passing operation, an autonomous road exit operation, and an autonomous exit search operation responsive to manual actuation of an associated control mechanism.

Abstract: A refrigerant and oil treatment composition for introduction into a vapor-compression system such as a refrigerator, heat pump, freezer, air conditioner, thermal control device, and refrigerant recovery apparatus has a composition alcohol and a drying agent. The drying agent is 2,2-dimethoxypropane which can react with moisture in the system to form an alcohol as a reaction product. The alcohol reaction product along with the composition alcohol separates any acid in the system from oil, refrigerant and hard surfaces of the system to form an acid-containing solvent composition. The quantity of the composition introduced into the system is based on the adsorption capacity of the filter-drier.

Abstract: Provided is a blast-furnace operating method including: a first step of adjusting a charging rate of coke while monitoring a furnace-top temperature Ttop; a second step of adjusting an injection rate of pulverized coal while monitoring an in-furnace superficial gas velocity u and the furnace-top temperature Ttop; a third step of adjusting an oxygen-enrichment ratio of oxygen-enriched air while monitoring a tuyere combustion temperature Tf and the furnace-top temperature Ttop; and a fourth step of determining whether an injection rate of the oxygen-enriched air needs to be adjusted, based on a value of the in-furnace superficial gas velocity u.

Abstract: A slide motion control apparatus for a mechanical press comprising: a slide which is disposed so as to be relatively vertically movable with respect to a driven body to which a drive force is transmitted through a con rod of the mechanical press; a relative position commander that outputs a relative position command indicating a relative position of the slide with respect to the driven body; a relative position detector that detects a relative position of the slide with respect to the driven body, and outputs a relative position detecting signal indicating the detected relative position; a servomotor; a drive mechanism that relatively moves the slide with respect to the driven body by a drive force of the servomotor; and a controller that controls the servomotor based on a relative position command signal output from the relative position commander, and the relative position detecting signal output from the relative position detector.

Abstract: Reactors and methods for solar thermochemical reactions are disclosed. The reactors and methods include a cascade of reduction chambers at successively lower pressures that leads to over an order of magnitude pressure decrease compared to a single-chambered design. The resulting efficiency gains are substantial, and represent an important step toward practical and efficient solar fuel production on a large scale.

Abstract: Disclosed is a method and apparatus for regulating tourniquet cuff pressure based on a personalized tourniquet pressure (PTP) to facilitate safe performance of a surgical procedure. The apparatus includes a dual-purpose tourniquet cuff adapted to encircle a region of a patient limb to provide both a sensor during a pre-surgical time period and an effector during a surgical time period. An effector module communicates pneumatically with an inflatable bladder of the cuff for maintaining pressure in the bladder near a PTP during the surgical time period to safely stop penetration of arterial blood past the cuff. A pulsation sensor that communicates pneumatically with the inflatable bladder during the pre-surgical time period senses and characterizes pressure pulsations that are indicative of penetration of arterial blood into the region of the limb encircled by the cuff.

Abstract: Disclosed is state trajectory prediction in an electric power delivery system. Electric power delivery system information is calculated from measurements by intelligent electronic devices (IEDs), and communicated to a state trajectory prediction system. The state trajectory prediction system may be configured to generate a load prediction profile. The load prediction profile may provide a predicted response of a load at a future time. Further, the state trajectory prediction system may be configured to generate a generator prediction profile that provides a predicted response of a generator at a future time. The state trajectory prediction system may generate a state trajectory prediction based, at least in part, on the load prediction profile and the generator prediction profile. The state trajectory prediction may represent a future state of the electric power delivery system.

Abstract: A fuel pump comprises a cam assembly having a lobe, and a body assembly including a cavity for receiving the cam assembly. The body assembly includes both a body portion and a cover portion that cooperatively form the cavity. The body portion includes a lobe cavity, an engagement surface and an opening at the cavity, with the cover portion including a respective engagement surface and opening. The engagement surfaces are mated together with the cam assembly disposed in the cavity and extending through the openings, and is configured to rotate in the cavity with the lobe disposed in the lobe cavity. A groove is formed in one of the engagement surfaces of the body portion or cover portion for receiving a seal cap at least partially therein adjacent the lobe cavity.

Abstract: A sensing system that provides an isolation diaphragm through which pressure is transmitted from a process fluid to a fill fluid contained within the sensing system's body is provided. In the system, fill fluid transfers pressure to semiconductor sensors that provide signals for both the differential pressure and the static pressure, thereby allowing for signal conditioning of the differential output to compensate for the effects of static pressure. The system's body provides a cavity for fill fluid behind each of the isolation diaphragms. At least one flat plate actuation diaphragm allows controlled movement of oil as the differential pressure of the isolation diaphragm increases. Fluid volumes are managed for thermal effects, passive thermal volume change; compensation is accomplish by offsetting the large coefficient of thermal expansion (CTE) of fill fluid by providing at least one insert whose coefficient of thermal expansion is smaller than the CTE of the system body.

Abstract: An air filter retention interface for use with an internal combustion engine is disclosed. The interface is substantially secured in an opening of a wall and the interface attaches to an air filter at the front end of the interface and an air intake tube on the back end of the interface. The interface has a filter sleeve and a filter base. During operation of the engine the filter sleeve is disposed through the opening in the wall such that the wall is between beads disposed on the external surface of the filter sleeve and the filter base thereby substantially securing the interface in place and the front end of the filter base is attached to the filter and the back end of the filter base is attached to the air intake tube and air passes through the filter then through the filter base and filter sleeve and then into the air intake tube and toward the engine.

Abstract: The present invention is a hydrated, nanocellulose nonwoven sheet and method for manufacturing the nanocellulose sheet having dermatologically active ingredients. The sheet is formed through a high pressure or vacuum filtration process from a dilute suspension. This suspension, which contains the nanocellulose, may also contain dermatologically active ingredients. The dermatologically active ingredients are incorporated into the unwoven sheet. The dilute suspension may contain binding agents that improve the strength of the nonwoven nanocellulose sheet. These binding agents can also be cross-linked after the formation of the sheet by applying other chemical agents or treating the sheet after formation.

Abstract: An electrochemical cell having an anode containing few-layered transition metal dichalcogenide is disclosed. The few-layered configuration of the transition metal dichalcogenide causes the material to have relatively low electric potential, enabling its use opposite a wide variety of cathode materials. In general, the few-layer configuration allows deployment as anode material of transition metal dichalcogenides that would typically otherwise be limited to use as cathode materials.