Abstract: A support system is provided for a passenger vehicle having front seats, rear seats, a front anchoring feature 3 forwardly of a gap between the front and rear seats and a rear anchoring feature 2 rearwardly of the gap. The support system includes (i) a panel structure, (ii) front end connectors connecting the panel structure to the front anchoring features of the vehicle, (iii) rear end connectors connecting the panel structure to the rear anchoring features of the vehicle, and (iv) a supporting arrangement providing support to laterally opposing side portions of the panel structure to resist inward displacement of the laterally opposing side portions of the panel structure towards one another when supporting a load on an upper supporting surface of the panel structure. The supporting surface extends the substantially horizontal supporting platform at the rear of a vehicle for extending the resting or storage area of the vehicle.

Abstract: A support system is provided for a passenger vehicle having front seats, rear seats, a front anchoring feature 3 forwardly of a gap between the front and rear seats and a rear anchoring feature 2 rearwardly of the gap. The support system includes (i) a panel structure, (ii) front end connectors connecting the panel structure to the front anchoring features of the vehicle, (iii) rear end connectors connecting the panel structure to the rear anchoring features of the vehicle, and (iv) a supporting arrangement providing support to laterally opposing side portions of the panel structure to resist inward displacement of the laterally opposing side portions of the panel structure towards one another when supporting a load on an upper supporting surface of the panel structure. The supporting surface extends the substantially horizontal supporting platform at the rear of a vehicle for extending the resting or storage area of the vehicle.

Abstract: Apparatus for use in subsurface drilling permits coupling and uncoupling of drill string sections while continuously moving the drill string. Tripping times can be reduced while maintaining low speeds of the drill string. In one embodiment coupling units operable to make or break couplings between drill string sections are arranged to circulate around a closed path. Each of the coupling units includes an elevator. Drill string sections may be passed off to a pipe handling system on a back side of the apparatus.

Abstract: A pipe handling system comprises a carriage having an upper surface adapted to support a tubular. The carriage comprises a first section and a second section. The first and second sections are pivotally coupled together for rotation about a pivot axis. The carriage is movable relative to a base and configured such that the leading end of the carriage is elevated as the carriage is advanced. An actuator is coupled between the first and second sections. The actuator is operable to pivot the second section relative to the first section about the pivot axis. In some embodiments the carriage is configured with a positive kink to deliver tubulars to a rig floor and with a negative kink to deliver tubulars to an online or offline stand building system. In some embodiments a live surface on the carriage is controllable to reduce or eliminate swinging of tubulars as they are transferred to or from the drill rig.

Abstract: A pipe handling system comprises a carriage having an upper surface adapted to support a tubular. The carriage comprises a first section and a second section. The first and second sections are pivotally coupled together for rotation about a pivot axis. The carriage is movable relative to a base and configured such that the leading end of the carriage is elevated as the carriage is advanced. An actuator is coupled between the first and second sections. The actuator is operable to pivot the second section relative to the first section about the pivot axis. In some embodiments the carriage is configured with a positive kink to deliver tubulars to a rig floor and with a negative kink to deliver tubulars to an online or offline stand building system. In some embodiments a live surface on the carriage is controllable to reduce or eliminate swinging of tubulars as they are transferred to or from the drill rig.

Abstract: A method of repairing a blisk having a hub with circumferentially spaced blades. The method can include removing a portion of a blade and replacing the portion with a replacement piece. The method can further include welding the replacement portion to the blade. The method can further include at least one of inspecting the weld after the completion of the weld and prior to heat treatment, dimensionally inspecting the replacement piece after machining, peening the blade, and surface finishing the replacement piece.

Abstract: A pipe handling system comprises a carriage having an upper surface adapted to support a tubular. The carriage comprises a first section and a second section. The first and second sections are pivotally coupled together for rotation about a pivot axis. The carriage is movable relative to a base and configured such that the leading end of the carriage is elevated as the carriage is advanced. An actuator is coupled between the first and second sections. The actuator is operable to pivot the second section relative to the first section about the pivot axis. In some embodiments the carriage is configured with a positive kink to deliver tubulars to a rig floor and with a negative kink to deliver tubulars to an online or offline stand building system. In some embodiments a live surface on the carriage is controllable to reduce or eliminate swinging of tubulars as they are transferred to or from the drill rig.

Abstract: Apparatus for use in subsurface drilling permits coupling and uncoupling of drill string sections while continuously moving the drill string. Tripping times can be reduced while maintaining low speeds of the drill string. In one embodiment coupling units operable to make or break couplings between drill string sections are arranged to circulate around a closed path. Each of the coupling units includes an elevator. Drill string sections may be passed off to a pipe handling system on a back side of the apparatus.

Abstract: A pipe handling system comprises a carriage having an upper surface adapted to support a tubular. The carriage comprises a first section and a second section. The first and second sections are pivotally coupled together for rotation about a pivot axis. The carriage is movable relative to a base and configured such that the leading end of the carriage is elevated as the carriage is advanced. An actuator is coupled between the first and second sections. The actuator is operable to pivot the second section relative to the first section about the pivot axis. In some embodiments the carriage is configured with a positive kink to deliver tubulars to a rig floor and with a negative kink to deliver tubulars to an online or offline stand building system. In some embodiments a live surface on the carriage is controllable to reduce or eliminate swinging of tubulars as they are transferred to or from the drill rig.

Abstract: A system for repairing holes in a turbine engine component is provided. The system includes a turbine engine component including a front surface, a back surface, and a tapered surface extending from the front surface to the back surface, the tapered surface circumscribing the hole. The system further includes a plug configured to be welded to the turbine engine component, the plug including at least one tapered portion configured to contact the tapered surface when the plug is welded to the turbine engine component, and a die plate positioned on the back surface of the turbine engine component and including an aperture defined therethrough that is configured to collect flash generated when the plug is welded to the turbine engine component.

Abstract: A portable housing is shown for containing and protecting a hand held radio transmitter-receiver and a relatively large power supply, such housing being of three molded basic sections with a handle attached thereto, the radio being removable from said housing.