Abstract: A track tension system including a hydraulic cylinder coupled between a drive frame and idler of a track system, an accumulator and a hydraulic valve that controls flow between the cylinder and accumulator. The cylinder extends and retracts to change the distance between the drive frame and idler which increases and decreases, respectively, tension on the track system. The hydraulic valve can be opened to allow flow between the cylinder and accumulator, and closed to block flow between the cylinder and accumulator. Control factors can be monitored to control valve position. An overload pressure relief can allow flow between the cylinder and accumulator when the hydraulic valve is closed and pressure in the cylinder reaches overload pressure. An orifice can allow constricted flow between the cylinder and accumulator when the hydraulic valve is closed. A check valve can connect the track tension system to a vehicle hydraulic system.

Abstract: The disclosure relates to a fuel cell stack and corresponding method of operating the fuel cell stack. The method comprises: determining a maximum allowable current that may be drawn from the fuel cell stack; repeatedly determining a magnitude of change to the prevailing maximum allowable current based on a prevailing allowable current ramp rate and an actual measured current of the fuel cell stack; updating the maximum allowable current according to the periodically determined magnitude of change; and controlling operating parameters of the fuel cell stack according to the prevailing maximum allowable current.

Abstract: Embodiments relate to systems and methods for the automated configuration of new database engine servers. In one embodiment, a method includes obtaining a database engine file directory and a backup file comprising database engine parameters from an existing database engine server, bundling the database engine file directory and backup file, placing the bundle on a new database engine server, determining at least one parameter of the new database engine server, updating at least one of the database engine parameters based on the determined at least one parameter, using the determined at least one parameter and the backup file to start the new database engine server, and validating the new database engine server.

Abstract: The disclosure relates to a fuel cell stack and corresponding method of operating the fuel cell stack. The method comprises: determining a maximum allowable current that may be drawn from the fuel cell stack; repeatedly determining a magnitude of change to the prevailing maximum allowable current based on a prevailing allowable current ramp rate and an actual measured current of the fuel cell stack; updating the maximum allowable current according to the periodically determined magnitude of change; and controlling operating parameters of the fuel cell stack according to the prevailing maximum allowable current.

Abstract: The disclosure relates to a fuel cell stack and corresponding method of operating the fuel cell stack. The method comprises: determining a maximum allowable current that may be drawn from the fuel cell stack; repeatedly determining a magnitude of change to the prevailing maximum allowable current based on a prevailing allowable current ramp rate and an actual measured current of the fuel cell stack; updating the maximum allowable current according to the periodically determined magnitude of change; and controlling operating parameters of the fuel cell stack according to the prevailing maximum allowable current.

Abstract: The disclosure relates to a fuel cell stack and corresponding method of operating the fuel cell stack. The method comprises: determining a maximum allowable current that may be drawn from the fuel cell stack; repeatedly determining a magnitude of change to the prevailing maximum allowable current based on a prevailing allowable current ramp rate and an actual measured current of the fuel cell stack; updating the maximum allowable current according to the periodically determined magnitude of change; and controlling operating parameters of the fuel cell stack according to the prevailing maximum allowable current.

Abstract: Embodiments relate to systems and methods for the automated configuration of new database engine servers. In one embodiment, a method includes obtaining a database engine file directory and a backup file comprising database engine parameters from an existing database engine server, bundling the database engine file directory and backup file, placing the bundle on a new database engine server, determining at least one parameter of the new database engine server, updating at least one of the database engine parameters based on the determined at least one parameter, using the determined at least one parameter and the backup file to start the new database engine server, and validating the new database engine server.

Abstract: A plastics pipe which comprises an inner core and an outer removable skin layer bonded thereto, the outer removable skin layer comprising a polymeric material, chosen for its physical and mechanical properties, and an adhesion-modifying additive, the adhesion-modifying additive being present in the skin layer in an amount such that the adhesion of the skin layer to the inner core is sufficient to prevent substantial undesired relative movement between the skin layer and the core during installation, but insufficient to prevent the outer skin layer from being cleanly removed by peeling, at least at the ends of the pipe, and insufficient to cause a substantial reduction in the impact strength of the inner core.

Abstract: A plastics pipe provided with engageable fastener elements on an outer surface thereof, a method for manufacturing the pipe, and a fastener system comprising inter-engageable fastener elements on an outer surface of a pipe and a support therefore.

Abstract: A physiological monitoring garment includes a fabric portion. At least one elongate stretchable textile data/power bus is disposed the fabric portion. The elongate stretchable textile data/power bus includes a plurality of integral conductors, woven, knitted, or braided along the length thereof. One or more sensors are connected to the elongate stretchable textile data/power bus.

Abstract: A plastics pipe provided with engageable fastener elements on an outer surface thereof, a method for manufacturing the pipe, and a fastener system comprising inter-engageable fastener elements on an outer surface of a pipe and a support therefore.

Abstract: A physiological monitoring garment includes first and second elastic fabric portions. An elongate stretchable textile data/power bus is disposed between the first and second elastic fabric portions. The elongate stretchable textile data/power bus includes a plurality of integral conductors, woven, knitted, or braided along the length thereof. One or more sensors are connected to the elongate stretchable textile data/power bus.

Abstract: An electrofusion fitting for a composite plastics pipe, the pipe comprising at least one inner plastics layer, at least one outer plastics layer and at least one barrier layer therebetween, the fitting comprising a tubular body formed at least in part from a thermoplastic polymer material and adapted to receive a cut end of the pipe, and a plurality of electric heating elements disposed within the body, the body having a first section adapted to receive a length of the inner plastics layer and a second section adapted to receive a cut-back length of the outer plastics layer, each of the first and second sections being provided with a discrete heating element adapted, when energized, to make a fusion joint between the section and its adjacent pipe layer, such that the exposed barrier layer at the cut end of the pipe is environmentally sealed on each side by a fusion joint.

Abstract: A physiological status monitoring system includes a shirt and a stretchable circumferential band attached to the shirt. The stretchable band includes a respiration detector subsystem and signal transmission conductors. One or more sensors on the band are electrically connected to a signal transmission conductor. At least one sensor has an exposed electrode inside the shirt. The system includes a cover over the band and/or the one or more sensors. A connection subsystem on the band is electrically connected to the respiration detector subsystem and the signal transmission conductors and includes signal traces therefrom to a first connector accessible from outside the shirt. An electronics module is releasably attached to the shirt and includes a second connector which mates with the first connector. The electronics module includes a processing system and a transmitter. The remote display unit includes a receiver, a display, and a processing system.

Abstract: A method for joining a metal surface to a plastics surface, which comprises disposing between the surfaces a hot melt adhesive and an electric heating element, and energising the electric heating element to activate the hot melt adhesive and form an adhesive bond between the metal surface and the plastics surface.

Abstract: A plastics pipe which comprises an inner core and an outer removable skin layer bonded thereto, wherein the inner core and the outer removable skin layer comprise polymeric materials chosen to have matching Young's moduli, such that the Young's modulus of the skin layer is equal to or less than the Young's modulus of the inner core, and the adhesion of the skin layer to the inner core is sufficient to prevent substantial undesired relative movement between the skin layer and the core during installation, but insufficient to prevent the outer skin layer from being cleanly removed by peeling, at least at the ends of the pipe, and insufficient to cause a substantial reduction in the impact strength of the inner core.

Abstract: A plastics pipe which comprises an inner core and an outer removable skin layer bonded thereto, the outer removable skin layer comprising at least two layers of compatible polymeric materials, a first outer protective layer chosen for its physical and mechanical properties, and a second inner bonding layer which adheres to the inner core, the adhesion of the bonding layer to the inner core being sufficient to prevent substantial undesired relative movement between the skin layer and the core during installation, but insufficient to prevent the outer skin layer from being cleanly removed by peeling, at least at the ends of the pipe, and insufficient to cause a substantial reduction in the impact strength of the inner core.

Abstract: A plastics pipe which comprises an inner core and an outer removable skin layer bonded thereto, the outer removable skin layer comprising a polymeric material, chosen for its physical and mechanical properties, and an adhesion-modifying additive, the adhesion-modifying additive being present in the skin layer in an amount such that the adhesion of the skin layer to the inner core is sufficient to prevent substantial undesired relative movement between the skin layer and the core during installation, but insufficient to prevent the outer skin layer from being cleanly removed by peeling, at least at the ends of the pipe, and insufficient to cause a substantial reduction in the impact strength of the inner core.

Abstract: A physiological monitoring garment includes first and second elastic fabric portions. An elongate stretchable textile data/power bus is disposed between the first and second elastic fabric portions. The elongate stretchable textile data/power bus includes a plurality of integral conductors, woven, knitted, or braided along the length thereof. One or more sensors are connected to the elongate stretchable textile data/power bus.

Abstract: A composite of a homo- or co-polyolefin having an average molecular weight greater than 100,000 with from 30 to 50% by volume of a particulate inorganic solid for use in endoprosthesis.