Abstract: A tape sticking apparatus includes a rubber sheet that partitions an airtight space formed above a chamber into first and second airtight spaces and, a tape frame that holds a tape above the rubber sheet, and a supply/exhaust mechanism that switches between pressurizing and depressurizing by supplying gas to or sucking gas from the first and second airtight spaces. The gas supply/exhaust mechanism includes a first flow-rate control valve that controls the flow rate of sucked gas when the first airtight space is depressurized, and a second flow-rate control valve that controls the flow rate of supplied when the first airtight space is pressurized.

Abstract: In various aspects, a method for producing electricity by operating two or more turbines in series is provided. The method can include introducing, at least part of, the exhaust from an upstream turbine into a combustion chamber of a downstream turbine. In one aspect, exhaust from the upstream turbine is introduced into the downstream turbine's combustion chamber via the downstream turbine's compression chamber.

Abstract: Pointing and positioning system of light beams and images including a plurality of cycloidal diffractive waveplates, each waveplate capable of deviating a generally broadband light beam over a predetermined angle. The lateral translation and deviation angles of the light beams are controlled by controlling the relative distance, rotational position, and the diffractive efficiency of a least one in the plurality of waveplates.

Abstract: Machines and methods capable of evaluating torque-tension and prevailing torque performance of prevailing-torque threaded fasteners. Such a machine may include one or more of the following features: a coordinated drive unit for achieving relative linear and rotational movement of a nut and bolt of a nut-bolt assembly; a sensor unit with multiple reaction torque sensors in series, wherein a lower-range torque sensor is protected from being overstressed while torque is transferred therethrough to a higher-range torque sensor; an optical temperature measurement unit oriented to detect a temperature at a thread interface of a nut and bolt through an opening in a device adapted to rotate the nut; and a bolt recess measurement unit that determines a bolt-through condition of a nut-bolt assembly by detecting a bolt recess of the nut-bolt assembly that has been assembled such that a prevailing torque feature thereof has been encountered.

Abstract: A wire neutralizing system for use with a vehicle including a frame adapted to be hitched to a vehicle. At least one wheel supports the frame while a bottom of the wheel rolls over terrain having buried wires. The system also includes a blade movable between a stowed position in which the blade is above the bottom of the wheel and a deployed position in which the blade is below the bottom of the wheel, such that the blade plows through the terrain to disable buried wires when in the deployed position.

Abstract: Technologies are generally described for scaling a voltage regulator implemented as an integrated circuit (IC) that includes a power transistor configured to convert an input voltage to an output voltage, and a feedback loop configured to regulate the output voltage in response to a voltage change. At least one component of the voltage regulator may be selected for scaling, and a range of scaling factors may be identified for the component. An optimal coefficient may be determined for the scaling factors within the identified range through an empirical formulation and/or by running a circuit simulation based on parameters associated with voltage, load current, and load capacitance, for example. The optimal coefficient may be a coefficient that when applied to the component optimizes the performance of the IC and thus, the component may be scaled based on the optimal coefficient to achieve an optimized performance of the IC.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for raising a self-jacking scaffold system including extending a jacking screw and jacking screw bracket axially upward, connecting a jacking screw bracket to an overhead tank bracket for a plurality of scaffold sections coupled to a jacking assembly, detaching a plurality of scaffold mounting brackets from a plurality of tank mounting brackets, raising the continuously coupled plurality of scaffold sections, and reattaching the plurality of scaffold mounting brackets to a plurality of tank mounting brackets. Noting the plurality of scaffold sections is continuously coupled proximate a circumference of a shell tank, the continuously coupled scaffold sections and tank mounting brackets provide stiffness to the tank shell to enable it to resist external loads and can be quickly moved and restored as required during tank construction.

Abstract: A vehicle cargo box tonneau cover device includes two or more hard panels formed of thin-walled, friction welded polypropylene material hermetically enclosing extruded support beams. Each panel forms an upper surface falling on a common plane when in a deployed position. Adjacent panels are joined along their common edges by a multi-pin hinge disposed entirely below the upper surface to provide a flat overall appearance. The hinge has a first flange carried by a first panel, a second flange carried by an adjacent second panel, and an elongated free-moving link mounted to the first flange for relative rotation about a first axis and mounted to the second flange for relative rotation about a second axis. The two axes are spaced from and parallel to one another, whereby the hinge enables 180° freedom of rotation between the adjacent panels when transitioning between a planer deployed position and a folded retracted position.

Abstract: Connector assemblies formed by attaching two stamped housing sections to form a connector housing having a housing groove with a groove bottom and two side walls are disclosed. Using stamped housing sections can reduce manufacturing costs and simplifies assembly, among other things. The connector housings with a canted coil spring can be used as a mechanical connector and/or as an electrical connector for numerous applications and across numerous industries. The canted coil springs can have complex shapes, with optional dimples.

Abstract: An air-driven pump includes a source of compressed air, a vacuum source including a venturi and two pump units with structurally independent pumping elements dividing pump chambers from air chambers. A directional control valve is in communication with the source of compressed air, the vacuum source, the pump unit air chambers. The directional control valve includes two valve positions alternating communication of the source of compressed air and the vacuum source with the air chambers. A pilot valve system shifts the directional control valve between the two valve positions at end of stroke positions of the pump and includes actuators extending into the air chambers to engage the pumping elements with the air chambers contracted.

Abstract: An apparatus and a method are provided for a heating, ventilation, and air conditioning (HVAC) home air filter to remove airborne molecular contaminants and volatile organic compounds (VOCs) from air within residential spaces. The HVAC home air filter comprises a supportive frame having a shape and size suitable to orient the HVAC home air filter within a residential HVAC system. A filter medium is retained within the supportive frame to remove the airborne molecular contaminants and VOCs from air flowing through the residential HVAC system. The filter medium comprises a combination of media layers configured to exhibit a relatively high filtration efficiency and a low air pressure drop across the filter medium. The supportive frame comprises a plurality of elongate sections and corner sections disposed along perimeter edges of the filter medium to support the filter medium within the residential HVAC system so as direct air through the filter medium.

Abstract: Method and apparatus for environment protection (climate change) from toxic elements and subsidence by existing underground coal seam fires by expansion termination of these fires. The method is based on creating, on the path of or around a burning coal seam fire, a subterranean void-barrier, with non-combustible gases (or fluids) and absence of oxidiser. The void-barrier may be substantially free from combustible material. The void-barrier will prevent further expansion of the existing coal seam fire, and may be created by known methods of coal extraction in gasified form, such as Underground Coal Gasification (USG). By-products from void-barrier creation can be utilized to reduce environmental pollution and for production of useful commercial entities such as gas or liquid fuels like: petrol, diesel, jet fuel, avgas, paraffin or electrical power generation and/or chemicals like CO2 for enrichment of coal or which may be sold.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a process of oxidizing copper in a copper etching solution by using oxygen gas and/or air as an oxidizing agent, the process comprising the steps of: a) introducing the oxidizing agent into an acidic reduced copper etching solution comprising Cl? and Cu+, b) stirring the solution obtained in step a), and thereby allowing the reaction 2Cu++½O2 (aq)+2H+?2Cu2++H2O to occur, thereby producing an oxidized copper etching solution comprising less Cu+ than the reduced copper etching solution. An advantage of the present invention is that it provides an improved process at least in terms of the speed of the oxidation and the quality of the etching.

Abstract: To separate an interference signal regardless of a power and an arrival direction of the interference signal. A delay adjustment unit acquires a plurality of interference signals comprising identical signal components and synchronizes the predetermined single signal component of each interference signal. A waveform shaping unit adjusts phases of the predetermined single signal components included in the plurality of interference signals the delays of which are adjusted by the delay adjustment unit. An addition unit adds the plurality of interference signals in which the phases of the predetermined single signal components are adjusted by the waveform shaping unit.

Abstract: A reactor technology is disclosed for carrying out thermochemical processes namely splitting reactions of gas molecules fed into the reactor where at least one of the product species is temporarily stored within the reactor.

Abstract: A lubricating oil composition which can reduce the occurrence frequency of LSPI and which can ensure detergency. The lubricating oil composition which includes a lubricant base oil, a compound having calcium and/or magnesium, a compound having molybdenum and/or phosphorus, and an ashless dispersant having nitrogen and which satisfies X??0.85 and Y?0.18 (wherein X is calculated according to formula (1): X=([Ca]+0.5[Mg])×8?[Mo]×8?[P]×30 and Y is calculated according to formula (2): Y=[Ca]+1.65[Mg]+[N]). The lubricating oil composition for use in an internal combustion engine, more particularly, a lubricating oil composition for use in a supercharged gasoline engine.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a positioning system for service lines. Generally, the invention relates to a mechanism for the deployment, retraction, and transportation of fixed-length service lines such as electrical, pneumatic, hydraulic, and communication resources necessary to the operation of a drilling rig used for subterranean exploration. More particularly, the invention provides an extendable cable positioning system for use with drilling rigs where pad drilling will require relatively short distance movements of the drilling rig, and it is desirable to leave the energy resource systems stationary.

Abstract: This application discloses apparatuses and methods for selecting and tuning of a select mode of a multi-longitudinal mode device seeded or wavelength locked to a spectrum-sliced external wavelength by either self-seeding or broadband light-source seeding through an array-waveguide grating.

Abstract: A support structure assembly for an automotive vehicle includes a side member extending in a generally longitudinal direction and having a forward end; a link member having a generally fixed shape and having outer and inner mounting portions with the inner portion being mounted to the side member via an inner hinged connection; and a bumper having a main bumper member and a bumper extension member forming an end portion of the bumper. The bumper extends generally transverse and lateral to the longitudinal direction of the side member, and the bumper extension member extends laterally across and beyond the forward end of the side member. The bumper extension member includes forward and rearward wall portions. The rearward wall portion is sandwiched between the main bumper member and the forward end of the side member.

Abstract: A method for operating a cooling fan of a vehicle including detecting at least one of a battery charge of a battery of the vehicle and a state of engagement of an air conditioning system of the vehicle and rotating the cooling fan in a direction to expel air from an engine compartment of the vehicle based on at least one of a detected battery charge of the battery or a detected state of engagement of the air conditioning system.