Abstract: A technique that is usable with a subterranean well includes communicating a wireless stimulus in the well. The technique includes actuating a valve in response to the communication. The valve has more than one controllable open position.

Abstract: A tool connects a stud in place to a longitudinal track in a metal stud wall system installation. The tool includes a tool head having an upright slot in which a track flange is received and a pair of rams mounted on the tool head for linear movement transversely of the track. The rams are spaced apart and straddle opposite sides of the stud. The rams have leading tips with cutting edges. An actuator moves the rams into cutting engagement with the track flange in the upright slot to cut hinged tabs in the track flange, and to bend the hinged tabs into frictional engagement with the opposite sides of the upright stud to connect the upright stud in place to the track.

Abstract: Improved concrete form insert assemblies (20) are provided for use in the construction of thermally insulated poured concrete sandwich wall structures (22). The insert assemblies (20) include a central sheet (32) of insulative material such as synthetic resin foam, which is preferably encapsulated by a sheath (78) to enhance the structural integrity of the sheet (32). A pair of reinforcing bar assemblies (46, 48) preferably made up of welded-together horizontal and vertical bars (50, 52) are respectively positioned adjacent the side surfaces (34, 36) of the sheet (32). The bar assemblies (46, 48) are secured to sheet (32) by means of connector elements (54) extending through the sheet (32) and presenting oppositely outwardly extending, apertured segments (56, 58).

Abstract: A tubular hollow profile, particularly a spacer tube for the production of spacer frames for insulated glazing, has a profile wall. The profile wall is configured to be double-walled and has an outer wall made of metal, particularly stainless steel or aluminum, and an inner wall made of plastic, which are connected with one another, preferably in firm, i.e. non-displaceable manner. A device and a method for production of the hollow profile are also provided.

Abstract: A corner block has spaced-apart front and rear sections interconnected by two spaced-apart side sections that jointly define a through-cavity that extends through the block from a top face thereof to a bottom face. Upper protrusions are provided on the top face of the block, and lower protrusions are provided inside the cavity at the bottom of the block. The upper and lower protrusions are configured and arranged relative to one another so that when two corner blocks are stacked one atop another with one block rotated 90 degrees relative to the other, the upper protrusions of the lower block interlock with the lower protrusions of the upper block to interlock the two blocks. The corner blocks are constructed in two variants, a corner block A and a corner block B, which are mirror images or opposite hands of each other. The corner blocks A and B are alternately stacked upon one another to construct a 90-degree corner of a segmental retaining wall or other wall structure.

Abstract: A blanket assembly includes a shear fabric and an attachment frame wrapped in the shear fabric. A thermal protection blanket is carried by the shear fabric.

Abstract: The present invention relates generally to photovoltaic devices. The present invention relates more particularly to photovoltaic roofing products in which a photovoltaic element is joined to a roofing substrate. In one embodiment, the present invention provides a photovoltaic roofing element comprising: an encapsulated photovoltaic element having a top surface and a bottom surface, a top layer material at its top surface and a bottom layer material at its bottom surface; a roofing substrate having a top surface; and a tie layer system disposed between the encapsulated photovoltaic element and the roofing substrate and joining the bottom surface of the encapsulated photovoltaic element to the top surface of the roofing substrate.

Abstract: An electrical equipment rack, such as a computer server rack, with a protective shield to protect the electrical equipment rack and equipment thereon from water damage is described. In general, the shield is constructed of a curved polycarbonate shell fastened to an aluminum frame having arc-shaped end sections attached to spaced elongated side rails. The aluminum frame is attachable to threaded rod hangers of the type that are used in most server rack rooms. Multiple shields may be fastened together end-to-end to increase the length of the overall shield, to extend over the entire length of the server racks or cabinets needed to be protected. Gaskets such as neoprene seals are compressed between shield sections to prevent water from penetrating between the fastened sections. Deployable curtains are fastened to the elongated side rails to further protect the electrical equipment rack from water damage.

Abstract: A conferencing assembly, the assembly comprising a support, at least one table top member forming a substantially flat top surface, the at least one top member supported by the support with the flat surface substantially horizontal, the at least one top member including at least first and second substantially straight edge sections where the second edge section forms an angle with respect to the first edge section of less than substantially sixty degrees and at least first and second display screens positioned adjacent and substantially parallel to the first and second edge sections, respectively, each of the first and second display screens facing across at least a portion of the top surface of the top member.

Abstract: Method and system for installing the guide rails (1, 2), such as the car guide rails and/or counterweight guide rails, in an elevator shaft (3). The guide rails are installed by assembly in phases starting from the bottom (4) of the elevator shaft by placing one on top of the other guide rail sections (51, 52; 61, 62; 71, 72 . . . ) that are shorter than the whole length of the guide rail and by aligning the guide rail sections perpendicularly by means of the laser beam produced by a direction laser (8). The direction laser (8) is moved upwards along with progressive assembly of the guide rail. As assembly progresses the direction laser (8) is supported in the proximity of the top end of the topmost vertically aligned guide rail section at the time for aligning the next guide rail section to be installed in the vertical direction. These phases are repeated until the entire guide rail is assembled.

Abstract: A composite wall panel is provided. The composite wall panel comprises a first layer of molded structural material and a second layer of molded structural material. An insulating foam layer is disposed between the first and second molded structural layers. The foam layer includes a first major side in contact with the first layer of molded structural material and a second major side in contact with the second layer of molded structural material. The first and second major sides of the insulating foam layer each have at least one groove. Each groove has at least one groove shoulder. At least one connector is configured to anchor the first and second layers of structural material to the insulating foam layer. The first and second layers of molded structural material extend into the grooves and under the groove shoulders to form a mechanical engagement between the insulating foam layer and the first and second layers of molded structural material.

Abstract: Membrane body (1) comprising at least one pair of panels (10, 11) connected together in an adhesive manner and for each pair of said panels (10, 11), at least one flexible sheath (15) arranged stably according to a set pattern to resist membrane stress acting on the panels (10, 11); each sheath (15) housing a respective tie rod (16), connected to the panels (10, 11) in an end position in a set manner in such a way as to be suitable for resisting normal stress to free the panels (10, 11) from the respective membrane stress, thereby maintaining the—group of the panels (10, 11) flexible and maintaining the corresponding production method.

Abstract: A system and method for cutting shingles according to which a plurality of cutting blades are mounted on the outer circumference of a cutting cylinder, and the cylinder is rotated with the blades engaging the sheet while effecting relative translational movement between the cylinder and the sheet so that shingles are cut from the sheet upon one rotation of the cylinder.

Abstract: A power generating system is integrated within an exterior shell or façade of a building structure. The energy generating devices (which can be photovoltaic), control units and associated power/signal wiring are incorporated and integrated within individual unitized curtain wall units making up the façade. Electrical power can be more advantageously generated from surface areas of building structures previously untapped for solar energy harvesting.

Abstract: The present invention relates generally to photovoltaic devices. The present invention relates more particularly to photovoltaic roofing products in which a photovoltaic element is joined to a roofing substrate. In one embodiment, the present invention provides a photovoltaic roofing element comprising: an encapsulated photovoltaic element having a top surface and a bottom surface, a top layer material at its top surface and a bottom layer material at its bottom surface; a roofing substrate having a top surface; and a tie layer system disposed between the encapsulated photovoltaic element and the roofing substrate and joining the bottom surface of the encapsulated photovoltaic element to the top surface of the roofing substrate.

Abstract: The subject matter of the invention relates to a support arm for a lifting platform, comprising at least one relatively wide support arm and an extension arm telescopically slidable therein, the arms each having torsionally rigid and flexurally stiff hollow profiles, a support bearing at the rear end of the accommodating arm for the pivotable hinging connection to a lifting carriage of a column and a bearing foot at the free end of the respective extension arm. A cost-effective production of support arms in different sizes and shapes is obtained by cutting at least the accommodating arm from a steel panel blank and forming it into a hollow profile and providing it with at least one transverse reinforcement.

Abstract: Flexible and resilient masts are connected by flexible and resilient inner and outer spars, and flexible cords radially connect the spars. A flexible material is attached to the cords. The assembly is wrapped around a rotatable cylindrical drum in the structure's stored configuration. Each mast is flexible only about an axis lying parallel to the axis of rotation of the drum, and is otherwise rigid. Each mast is linear when extended and has a bending stress when deformed into a non-linear configuration, such as when wrapped around the drum. When the structure is in its stored configuration, a restraining device opposes the bending stress and another prevents the drum from rotating. Upon disengagement of the restraining devices, the stored bending strain energy forces the drum to rotate and the masts to extend into the deployed configuration and thereby unfurl the flexible material.

Abstract: Methods are described for integrating a UL compliant power generating system within an exterior shell or façade of a building structure. The energy generating devices (which can be photovoltaic), control units and associated power/signal wiring are incorporated and integrated within individual unitized curtain wall units making up the façade, and are adapted to be UL compliant.

Abstract: A fastening system for panels and trim having a fastening element including a reveal edge and a serpentine edge. A projection and a recess is disposed adjacent to each other on the same serpentine edge. The fastening element guides and connects adjacent panel faces into a flush horizontal alignment with each other. Panels with the fastening element on each side may be combined together in a multiple course structure. The fastening element accommodates dimensional changes in adjacent wood panels from moisture and temperature fluctuations by allowing for expansion both with the elimination of the gap in the serpentine edge expansion area and with the compression of the expansion relief aperture adjacent to the expansion bulge in the recess of the adjacent panel. An expansion relief aperture on the projection of a fastening element can receive a trim fastener for applying perimeter trim with a hidden fastener onto many structurally different panel designs.

Abstract: Embodiments of the invention described herein pertain to a collapsible staircase comprising a plurality of tread assemblies. Each tread assembly is disposed adjacent to at least one of another of the tread assemblies and includes a tread plate and a first and a second telescoping support member attached to a rear surface of the tread plate. The first and second telescoping support members of each tread assembly are operable to slideably engage the telescoping support members of the adjacent tread assemblies for adjusting a height of the staircase and for defining a substantially fixed angle between the tread plates of each of the tread assemblies.