Abstract: The present disclosure provides a winch overload protection system, a workover system, and a method for operating a workover system. The winch overload protection system, in one embodiment, includes an overload detection unit operable to detect when a load on a winch of a workover system exceeds a safety load limit. The winch overload protection system, in this embodiment, further includes an overload control unit configured to receive an overload signal from the overload detection unit, and in response thereto release a brake on the winch.

Abstract: A frangible grease cap for use in a collapsible constant velocity joint. The frangible grease cap includes a body generally having a circular shape. The frangible grease cap includes an orifice through a center section of the body. The grease cap also includes at least one reduced thickness groove on a surface of the body of the constant velocity joint grease cap. The grease cap has a circumferential flange extending from an end thereof. The grease cap includes reduced thickness grooves having predetermined shapes which will peel or rupture when a predetermined axial load is applied thereto. The grease cap is secured to an inner surface of an outer race through any known securing method which also influences when the grease cap will fracture during or completely release during a crash event when a predetermined axial load is applied thereon.

Abstract: This invention introduces, as one aspect, an apparatus for creating three-dimensional object model, comprising photographing means for photographing an object to be modeled for obtaining images to be used for creating the three-dimensional object model, setting means for longitudinally and latitudinally setting a relative position between the object and said photographing means, said setting means being capable of setting the object and said photographing means a plurality of different relative longitudinal and latitudinal positions, and control means for controlling said photographing means and said setting means so that a number of photographs taken from different relative longitudinal positions at a first relative latitudinal position is larger than that taken from different relative longitudinal positions at a second relative latitudinal position, the first relative latitudinal position being closer to a lateral position than the second relative latitudinal position.

Abstract: A propeller shaft assembly includes an inner member having an outer surface with a plurality of splines defining a splined portion, and an outer member having an inner surface with a plurality of splines defining a splined portion. The splined portion of the inner member is capable of being slidably engaged with the splined portion of the outer member to form a splined connection therebetween. One of the inner and outer members includes a tunable energy absorption feature that controls an amount of interference between the inner and outer members. For example, the tunable energy absorption feature can be in the form of a friction ramp on one member that frictionally engages an angled leading ramp on the other member, a raised portion on one or more splines, or splines having different length that can progressively absorb energy during axial deformation of the propeller shaft assembly.

Abstract: View-dependent texture images and view-independent texture data for a 3D computer model are processed to compress each view-dependent texture image by subtracting the view-dependent data and view-independent data in a common 2D image space to generate a difference image, and compression encoding the difference image. The difference images, 3D computer model and view-independent texture data are transmitted to a second apparatus, where the difference data and view-independent texture data are recombined in a common 2D image space as part of the processing to render an image.

Abstract: A plurality of texture maps for a 3D computer model of an object are generated by processing images of the object, data defining the computer model, and data defining the relative positions and orientations of the images and computer model. A respective texture map is generated for the viewing position and direction of each image. Each texture map stores texture data for all parts of the computer model which are visible from the associated viewing position and direction and also texture data for all invisible parts of the computer model. Each texture map therefore stores texture data that can be used for rendering accurate images of the 3D computer model over a wide range of viewing positions and directions.

Abstract: A frangible grease cap for use in a collapsible constant velocity joint. The frangible grease cap includes a body generally having a circular shape. The frangible grease cap includes an orifice through a center section of the body. The grease cap also includes at least one reduced thickness groove on a surface of the body of the constant velocity joint grease cap. The grease cap has a circumferential flange extending from an end thereof. The grease cap includes reduced thickness grooves having predetermined shapes which will peel or rupture when a predetermined axial load is applied thereto. The grease cap is secured to an inner surface of an outer race through any known securing method which also influences when the grease cap will fracture during or completely release during a crash event when a predetermined axial load is applied thereon.

Abstract: To generate a 3D computer model of a subject object 210, images 300-316, 380-384 of the subject object are recorded from different viewing positions and directions. The image data is processed to generate a plurality of sets of images, each set containing images having registered imaging positions and directions. A preliminary 3D computer model 390 is generated using the images from a first of the sets such that the position and orientation of the preliminary 3D computer model 390 is registered with the images in the set. The imaging positions and directions of the images in the first set are then registered with the imaging positions and directions of the images in each other respective set.