Abstract: An adjustable clamp has first and second handles that are pivotally joined together and first and second jaws that extend respectively from the first and second handles and end in first and second nose tips. Each of the first and second jaws has an inner portion that is housed within an outer portion in a manner to allow relative movement between the inner portion and the outer portion to move the first and second jaws between a retracted position and an extended position to decrease and increase a longitudinal length of the first and second jaws. A spring is associated with the first and second handles and exerts a biasing force to move the first and second handles away from each other and cause the first and second nose tips to apply a clamping force.

Abstract: A thermal blocking sheet for reducing the spread of fire or heat, the thermal blocking sheet comprising a first layer and a second layer of expandable graphite. If the thermal blocking sheet is exposed to heat exceeding a threshold temperature the expandable graphite is configured to expand.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for controlling arc/short between a wire and a work piece is described. A current path parallel to the wire/work is provided. The voltage drop across the parallel path can be preset, to limit the wire/work voltage, or it can be controlled to a desired level. The control can be in response to feedback.

Abstract: A sample preparation saw has a base, a housing, a saw assembly mounted to the base, a dressing assembly, a sample clamping assembly mounted to the base, and a reservoir assembly. The saw assembly includes a blade assembly with a rotating blade. The blade assembly is movable along x-, y- and z-axes by at least two drives. The dressing assembly is operable to dress the rotating blade. The sample clamping assembly includes a rail, a sample mount removably positioned on the rail and a saddle operable to hold a sample. The reservoir assembly is operable to recirculate a rinse fluid sprayed on the rotating blade, and includes a basin having a pump and a series of weirs.

Abstract: A nozzle arrangement for applying fluids onto a substrate, the nozzle arrangement comprising a spray nozzle having a nozzle body extending in a longitudinal direction of the spray nozzle and a first fluid channel coaxially extending to the longitudinal axis of the nozzle body for the fluids to be applied onto the substrate. The spray nozzle also includes a nozzle housing in which the nozzle body is received. Second fluid channels are in regions between a lateral surface and an inner surface of the nozzle body for shaping air. The second fluid channels extend over their entire length in the longitudinal direction parallel to the first fluid channel and, at an end-side nozzle outlet region of the spray nozzle, are open into a tapered or conical gap that tapers towards a nozzle outlet opening of the nozzle body.

Abstract: A horizontal directional drilling system. The system has a pilot drill and an exit side drill, with a drill string extending between them. A backreamer is positioned between the drills to enlarge a borehole. The pilot drill pulls and rotates the backreamer. The exit side drill adds segments to the product pipe and pushes the product pipe into the enlarged borehole. The exit side drill is equipped with a rotational disconnect. The disconnect is engaged to allow torque transfer between a motor and a spindle when adding segments to the product pipe. The disconnect is disengaged to prevent torque transfer between the motor and the spindle when pushing the product pipe into the enlarged borehole.

Abstract: A retention system for attaching a collar to a pipe. The collar has an internally-disposed groove configured for placement of a ring. The ring is sized such that in one orientation, it can enter the collar between torque-transmitting features into the internally-disposed groove. Once in the groove, the ring may be adjusted such that its aperture is generally aligned with the axis of the collar. In this orientation, the features retain the ring within the groove. A bolt and a pipe may then be placed within the collar from opposite sides. The bolt is attached to the pipe through the ring. Once joined, the collar is joined to the pipe, forming its box end. Such a retention system may be used to join a series of inner pipe members of a dual-member pipe assembly, as in horizontal directional drilling.

Abstract: An example device for selection of one or more masses among a plurality of masses arranged and removably fixed to a guide of a main frame of a test machine for determining material properties of a material during a test, the selected mass or masses allowing to push an effector for performing the test, the device comprising: a means for selecting at least one mass among said plurality of masses, comprising a means to determine which mass or masses are selected, said means to determine being configured to send a signal indicative of which mass or masses are selected to a computing unit for controlling a test process using the selected mass or masses.

Abstract: An example fluid container fill indicator system generates an alert in response to a change in pressure at the exhaust conduit or the fluid container. In some example, the change in pressure causes a reed or whistle type device to generate an audible alert. In some examples, the alert is a mechanical and/or electronic signal based on a change in position or orientation of a valve in response to the change in pressure.

Abstract: A slide rail mechanism includes a slide rail assembly and an auxiliary rail member. The slide rail assembly includes two slide rails. The auxiliary rail member is movably mounted to a first one of the two slide rails. When a second one of the two slide rails is detached from the first one of the two slide rails along an open direction, the auxiliary rail member is able to be moved from a retracted position to a predetermined extended position along the open direction relative to the first one of the two slide rails. The second one of the two slide rails is configured to carry a first carried object, and the auxiliary rail member is configured to carry a second carried object.

Abstract: Systems and methods for sterilization using nonthermal plasma (NTP) ionization are disclosed. An example method for inactivation of viable microorganisms includes: inactivating viable microorganisms in a predetermined volume by: installing a plurality of ceiling mounted direct current (DC) or alternating current (AC), bipolar or steady-state, ion emitter modules based on a geometry of the predetermined volume; and producing, using the plurality of ceiling mounted ion emitter modules, a DC or AC, bipolar or steady-state, nonthermal plasma (NTP), each of the ceiling mounted ion emitter modules comprising a high voltage power supply (HVPS).

Abstract: A data storage system can implement a key-value engine configured for tunable read, write, and space amplification. The key-value engine can support multi-versioning, synchronous and asynchronous key updates, and read snapshots. The key-value engine is highly scalable and can support generalized parallel, in-memory computation. Experimental results demonstrate that a key-value engine consistent with disclosed embodiments can outperform a state-of-the-art production LSM-based key-value store in a wide range of metrics.

Abstract: A locking bar for a drawer storage module which may form part of a stackable storage system is disclosed. The module includes one or more slidable drawers and a locking bar which may be pivoted between a vertical position covering the drawers and securing them within the module and a horizontal position clear of the drawers so that they can be opened. The locking bar includes upper and lower through holes. The drawer storage module may be stacked and secured on a second drawer storage module, with the lower through hole of the upper locking bar overlying the upper through hole of the lower locking bar. A single padlock may be disposed through the overlying holes to secure the modules together and preclude the locking bars from being pivoted away from the position in which they secure the drawers within the module.

Abstract: Welding-type power supplies with adjustable AC current commutation thresholds are disclosed. An example welding-type power supply includes an interface device to receive a commutation selection input, a power converter to convert input power to welding-type power, a commutator circuit to output alternating current (AC) welding-type power and to control a polarity of the AC welding-type power, and a control circuit. The control circuit determines a threshold output current based on the commutation selection input, determines an output current and a polarity of the AC welding-type power and, when the output current is less than the threshold output current, controls the commutator circuit to change the polarity of the AC welding-type power.

Abstract: The present disclosure provides embodiments of a reinforced porcelain panel product such as for renovations or new construction in buildings. In an embodiment, a reinforced porcelain panel product includes a porcelain slab and a structural core board. The porcelain slab includes a top surface with a first surface area. The structural core board includes a core material having a second surface area and a thickness greater than the porcelain slab. A top surface of the structural core board is positioned in contact with a bottom surface of the porcelain slab with an adhesive. A buffer region is defined by regions of the structural core board extending beyond outer peripheries of the porcelain slab. The buffer region enhances protection from cracking when the reinforced porcelain panel product is installed, handled, transported, or cut. The bottom surface of the structural core board is to be attach to a mounting surface when installed.