Abstract: A collapsing steering column assembly for an automotive vehicle, comprising an inner column tube, a steering shaft, a tilt bracket, and a steering wheel adjustment subassembly. During a secondary impact, at least a portion of the steering wheel adjustment subassembly is adapted to detach relative to the tilt bracket by way of at least one breakaway structure and translate (e.g., at least partially longitudinally) during the impact, such as a secondary impact, for moving away from a vehicle operator.

Abstract: Certain exemplary aspects of the present disclosure are directed towards dual cavity apparatus and related methods involving hermetically sealing the cavities by evacuating and atmosphere therein, filling the cavity with a gas, and sealing the gas in the cavities. This evacuation and fill approach is carried out through openings that provide access to the cavities. During evacuation of at least one of the cavities through one of the openings, one or more spacers prevent the cavity from collapsing in response to the vacuum force.

Abstract: A transfer case for a motor vehicle. An input is rotatable about an axis to receive torque, an output is rotatable about the axis to transmit torque, and a planetary gear set is rotatable about the axis and operatively coupled between the input and the output. A shift sleeve circumscribes and is axially slidably carried along the axis, and a shift sleeve lock is automatically engageable with the shift sleeve responsive to the transfer case exceeding a predetermined rotational speed, to prevent axial movement of the shift sleeve above that speed. A related method is also provided.

Abstract: Imagers and alignment methods for use by imagers imaging deoxyribonucleic acid (DNA) fragments on a flow cell are disclosed. The imagers capture intensity values at DNA fragment bead locations in tiles with each tile having a reference location in the flow cell. Flow cells may be aligned by obtaining a dark field image of each tile during a first imaging session, identifying dark field constellations of bead locations within two separate tiles during the first imaging session, identifying corresponding constellations during a second imaging session, altering the reference location of at least one tile during the second imaging session to correct for a linear offset in the corresponding constellations, and applying at least one correction factor for reading out intensity values from the imager for the bead locations in the flow cell to correct for an angular offset determined from offsets in the corresponding constellations.

Abstract: Certain exemplary aspects of the present disclosure are directed towards a disc drive apparatus. A base deck and a cover are joined to one another by a friction-stir weld along a lip of the cover that extends along a periphery of the cover and over a surface of the base deck. The base deck and cover enclose a cavity, which is hermetically sealed by the weld.

Abstract: A method for securing a fiber optic component includes: providing a holding medium having a tack and mounted on a substrate; and placing the fiber optic component in intimate contact with the holding medium to thereby secure the fiber optic component to the substrate. The tack of the holding medium releasably bonds the fiber optic component to the holding medium and the holding medium retains its tack upon removal of the fiber optic component to permit re-placement of the fiber optic component or placement of a further fiber optic component on the holding medium to secure said fiber optic component or further fiber optic component to the substrate.

Abstract: A transfer case for a motor vehicle. An input is rotatable about an axis to receive torque, an output is rotatable about the axis to transmit torque, and a planetary gear set is rotatable about the axis and operatively coupled between the input and the output. A shift sleeve circumscribes and is axially slidably carried along the axis, and a shift sleeve lock is automatically engageable with the shift sleeve responsive to the transfer case exceeding a predetermined rotational speed, to prevent axial movement of the shift sleeve above that speed. A related method is also provided.

Abstract: Described herein are certain steroid derivative compounds, for example of formula (I): wherein X1, X2, X3 L, and Ar are as defined herein, pharmaceutical compositions comprising such compounds, the use of such compounds and compositions to specifically target glucocorticoid action, and the use of such compounds and compositions in the treatment of acute and chronic inflammatory conditions, in particular rheumatoid arthritis, haematological and other malignancies, and for causing immunosuppression in the prevention or treatment of transplant rejection, as well as methods of preparing such compounds.

Abstract: A transfer case for a motor vehicle. An input is rotatable about an axis to receive torque, an output is rotatable about the axis to transmit torque, and a planetary gear set is rotatable about the axis and operatively coupled between the input and the output. A shift sleeve circumscribes and is axially slidably carried along the axis, and a shift sleeve lock is automatically engageable with the shift sleeve responsive to the transfer case exceeding a predetermined rotational speed, to prevent axial movement of the shift sleeve above that speed. A related method is also provided.

Abstract: Imagers and alignment methods for use by imagers imaging deoxyribonucleic acid (DNA) fragments on a flow cell are disclosed. The imagers capture intensity values at DNA fragment bead locations in tiles with each tile having a reference location in the flow cell. Flow cells may be aligned by obtaining a dark field image of each tile during a first imaging session, identifying dark field constellations of bead locations within two separate tiles during the first imaging session, identifying corresponding constellations during a second imaging session, altering the reference location of at least one tile during the second imaging session to correct for a linear offset in the corresponding constellations, and applying at least one correction factor for reading out intensity values from the imager for the bead locations in the flow cell to correct for an angular offset determined from offsets in the corresponding constellations.

Abstract: A sealing element comprises two distinct materials of different melting points. An outer shell material has a higher melting point than an inner core material. The core material can be a relatively low melting point metal, plastic or polymer. The seal is positioned in the wellbore and, in response to heating to a selected temperature, such as a bottom hole static temperature, the core material melts or softens. Upon melting or softening of the inner material, the outer shell's elastic modulus decreases, allowing longitudinal compression and radial expansion of the sealing element. The inner material can also thermally expand and thereby assist or cause radial expansion of the outer shell. The sealing element can provide a metal-to-metal seal with a casing or tubing. The cross-sectional shape of the outer shell can take various shapes to promote controlled compression, expansion and sealing.

Abstract: Certain exemplary aspects of the present disclosure are directed towards an apparatus in which a base deck and a forged base deck cover are coupled to one another, via a weld joint, to provide a hermetically sealed cavity within. The base deck includes an outer region, and the base deck cover includes a lip that interfaces with the outer region of the base deck to provide the weld joint. Similarly, the base deck is formed by an outer region of a base deck bottom portion interfacing with a lip of the shroud to form, via welding, the base deck.

Abstract: A method for securing a fiber optic component includes: providing a holding medium having a tack and mounted on a substrate; and placing the fiber optic component in intimate contact with the holding medium to thereby secure the fiber optic component to the substrate. The tack of the holding medium releasably bonds the fiber optic component to the holding medium and the holding medium retains its tack upon removal of the fiber optic component to permit re-placement of the fiber optic component or placement of a further fiber optic component on the holding medium to secure said fiber optic component or further fiber optic component to the substrate.

Abstract: A method is provided for assembling an aircraft structure assembly composed of a plurality of sections, and doing so without use of any shimming, locating fixtures or final-hole-size drill jigs. The method includes supporting the first and second frame sections on respective adjustable supports, and positioning the interconnecting frame section therebetween. The method includes aligning first pre-drilled mating holes in the interconnecting frame section with first pre-drilled mating holes in the first and second frame sections, and installing fasteners though the aligned, first pre-drilled mating holes. The method includes positioning a structural mating section relative to the first and second frame sections and interconnecting frame section.

Abstract: A method of manufacturing an aircraft part for an assembly includes creating a 3D geometry model for an aircraft part having surface features and holes represented by the 3D geometry model and sized to nominal dimensions. The method includes generating a NC machining program directly from the 3D geometry model, with instructions for a single NC machining apparatus to machine the aircraft part, and including instructions to machine the holes to nominal. And the method includes machining the aircraft part utilizing the NC machining program. For this, the NC machining apparatus utilizes a hole-forming tool set at substantially the nominal, instead of at a high or low side of a related hole-diameter tolerance range to allow for tight geometric dimensioning and tolerancing requirements, whereby the holes are machined to substantially the nominal. This method enables the full process capability of the CNC machines while utilizing inspection tolerances that are measureable.

Abstract: A collapsing steering column assembly for an automotive vehicle, comprising an inner column tube, a steering shaft, a tilt bracket, and a steering wheel adjustment subassembly. During a secondary impact, at least a portion of the steering wheel adjustment subassembly is adapted to detach relative to the tilt bracket by way of at least one breakaway structure and translate (e.g., at least partially longitudinally) during the impact, such as a secondary impact, for moving away from a vehicle operator.

Abstract: A pneumatic tire includes a carcass reinforced by a carcass ply extending from a first bead to a second bead and a single belt ply disposed radially outward of the carcass ply in a crown portion of the pneumatic tire. The single belt ply includes a first group of cords oriented in a first direction relative to a centerline of the pneumatic tire and a second group of cords oriented in a second direction relative to the centerline of the pneumatic tire.

Abstract: A pneumatic tire includes an integrated belt/overlay component having a plurality of individually dipped and tackified cords applied individually to the tire component.

Abstract: A device for orthopedic measurements includes a main housing, a center member, a measurement indicator, and a flexible member. The main housing has a proximal end with a top opening and a distal end with a side opening, and defines a longitudinal axis and includes a main housing cavity. The center member is disposed along the longitudinal axis within the main housing cavity. The measurement indicator is operatively connected to the center member, and is configured and adapted to display a measurement of a distance. The flexible member is threaded through the main housing cavity, and includes a first end and an opposed second end with an eyelet disposed proximate the side opening of the main housing. The eyelet is configured to be drawn away from the main housing, extending the flexible member outward with respect to the side opening to display a measurement on the measurement indicator.

Abstract: A device for orthopedic measurements includes a main housing, a center member, a measurement indicator, and a flexible member. The main housing has a proximal end with a top opening and a distal end with a side opening, and defines a longitudinal axis and includes a main housing cavity. The center member is disposed along the longitudinal axis within the main housing cavity. The measurement indicator is operatively connected to the center member, and is configured and adapted to display a measurement of a distance. The flexible member is threaded through the main housing cavity, and includes a first end and an opposed second end with an eyelet disposed proximate the side opening of the main housing. The eyelet is configured to be drawn away from the main housing, extending the flexible member outward with respect to the side opening to display a measurement on the measurement indicator.