Abstract: A geopolymer formulation comprises a precursor, a reagent, and an accelerator, wherein said precursor and reagent and are mixed to form a paste, the accelerator is then added to and mixed with paste. The foundation becomes set and available for use immediately after adding and mixing of the accelerator with the paste. A method of making and applying a geopolymer formulation, includes mixing a precursor and a reagent, introducing the precursor and reagent mixture into an extruder and nozzle assembly, adding an accelerator to the precursor and reagent mixture and mixing the accelerator with the precursor and reagent mixture, and dispensing the formed geopolymer product out of the extruder and nozzle assembly after mixing the accelerator with the precursor and reagent mixture.

Abstract: A variable thermal insulation assembly includes a plurality of sheets of film, wherein each sheet is bonded to an adjacent sheet along a plurality of longitudinally extending regions to form a plurality of longitudinally extending cavities, wherein the plurality of flexible sheets of each of the thermal cell arrays are formed of an electrically insulative material that is coated on one side with an electrically conductive material, a controller electrically coupled to the plurality of flexible sheets and configured to apply an electric potential difference between electrically conductive material of each pair of flexible sheets such that the electrically conductive coatings of the pair of flexible sheets attract each other to cause the thermal cell array to transition from an expanded state to a compressed state.

Abstract: A variable thermal insulation assembly includes at least one array comprising a plurality of sheets of film, wherein the plurality of sheets are in a stacked arrangement and each sheet is bonded to an adjacent sheet along a plurality of longitudinally extending regions such that each pair of adjacent sheets form a plurality of longitudinally extending cavities between adjacent regions of the adjacent sheets, a support frame comprising end elements, wherein the support frame frames the plurality of sheets, wherein support frame is coupled to the array to support the array such that the array may transition between an expanded state in which the array is expanded, and a compressed state in which the array is compressed, within the plane of the frame along the direction perpendicular to the longitudinal axis such that the longitudinally extending cavities are expanded or compressed, wherein in the expanded state, the front edge conforms to one of the second end of the support frame or a second front edge of a se

Abstract: A variable thermal insulation assembly includes at least one array comprising a plurality of sheets of film, wherein the plurality of sheets are in a stacked arrangement and each sheet is bonded to an adjacent sheet along a plurality of longitudinally extending regions such that each pair of adjacent sheets form a plurality of longitudinally extending cavities between adjacent regions of the adjacent sheets, a support frame comprising end elements, wherein the support frame frames the plurality of sheets, wherein support frame is coupled to the array to support the array such that the array may transition between an expanded state in which the array is expanded, and a compressed state in which the array is compressed, within the plane of the frame along the direction perpendicular to the longitudinal axis such that the longitudinally extending cavities are expanded or compressed, wherein in the expanded state, the front edge conforms to one of the second end of the support frame or a second front edge of a se

Abstract: There is provided a linear actuator. The linear actuator has a mounting member. The linear actuator has an output member constrained to move linearly with respect to the mounting member along a linear axis. The linear actuator includes a motor assembly pivotally mounted on the mounting member. The motor assembly has a pivotal actuator member which is pivotally connected to the output member. The motor assembly is capable of moving the output member along the linear axis.

Abstract: A link for a chain, which is used in a linear actuator, comprises a base member and a plate pivotably mounted on the base member. An arm extends from the plate. A first connecting means is disposed on a distal end of the arm to connect the link with a first adjacent link. The plate has a protrusion for releasably engaging a second adjacent link. A second connecting means is disposed on the base member to connect the link with the second adjacent link.

Abstract: A linear actuator comprises a pair of chains. Each chain has a first link and a second link. The second link of each chain is adjacent to the first link of the chain. A pivotal connection pivotally connects the first and second links. The first link is pivotable about a pivot axis which is non-perpendicular to a longitudinal axis of the first link. A chain connecting member connects the chains at distal ends thereof. A drive mechanism moves the chains between an extended position and a retracted position. At least a portion of each chain is helically wound when the chains are in the retracted position.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a steering apparatus for a marine craft. The marine craft has a stern and a propulsion unit. The steering apparatus includes a stern bracket connectable to the stern of the marine craft. A swivel case is connected to the stern bracket. The swivel case defines a steering axis. The steering apparatus includes an electric motor coaxially disposed within the swivel case for swivelling the propulsion unit about the steering axis. The steering apparatus includes a gear reducing unit having an input operatively engageable with the electric motor and an output. A first member operatively extends from the output and is connectable to the propulsion unit.

Abstract: A linear actuator comprises a chain having adjacent first and second links. A pivotal connection pivotally connects the first link to the second link. The first link is pivotable about a pivot axis which is non-perpendicular to a longitudinal axis of the first link. A locking mechanism releasably locks the first link and the second link to prevent the first link from pivoting about the pivot axis. A releasing mechanism releases the locking mechanism to allow the first link to pivot about the pivot axis. A drive mechanism moves the chain between an extended position and a retracted position. At least a portion of the chain is helically wound when the chain is in the retracted position.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a linear actuator. The linear actuator has a mounting member. The linear actuator has an output member constrained to move linearly with respect to the mounting member along a linear axis. The linear actuator includes a motor assembly pivotally mounted on the mounting member. The motor assembly has a pivotal actuator member which is pivotally connected to the output member. The motor assembly is capable of moving the output member along the linear axis.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a steering apparatus for a marine craft. The marine craft has a stern and a propulsion unit. The steering apparatus includes a stern bracket connectable to the stern of the marine craft. A swivel case is connected to the stern bracket. The swivel case defines a steering axis. The steering apparatus includes an electric motor coaxially disposed within the swivel case for swivelling the propulsion unit about the steering axis. The steering apparatus includes a gear reducing unit having an input operatively engageable with the electric motor and an output. A first member operatively extends from the output and is connectable to the propulsion unit.

Abstract: A link for a chain, which is used in a linear actuator, comprises a base member and a plate pivotably mounted on the base member. An arm extends from the plate. A first connecting means is disposed on a distal end of the arm to connect the link with a first adjacent link. The plate has a protrusion for releasably engaging a second adjacent link. A second connecting means is disposed on the base member to connect the link with the second adjacent link.

Abstract: A linear actuator comprises a pair of chains. Each chain has a first link and a second link. The second link of each chain is adjacent to the first link of the chain. A pivotal connection pivotally connects the first and second links. The first link is pivotable about a pivot axis which is non-perpendicular to a longitudinal axis of the first link. A chain connecting member connects the chains at distal ends thereof. A drive mechanism moves the chains between an extended position and a retracted position. At least a portion of each chain is helically wound when the chains are in the retracted position.

Abstract: A linear actuator comprises a chain having adjacent first and second links. A pivotal connection pivotally connects the first link to the second link. The first link is pivotable about a pivot axis which is non-perpendicular to a longitudinal axis of the first link. A locking mechanism releasably locks the first link and the second link to prevent the first link from pivoting about the pivot axis. A releasing mechanism releases the locking mechanism to allow the first link to pivot about the pivot axis. A drive mechanism moves the chain between an extended position and a retracted position. At least a portion of the chain is helically wound when the chain is in the retracted position.

Abstract: A tensile force measuring device provides improved linearity and temperature transient behavior. A column load cell (10) in the device is connected at its ends to a first and a second roller chain portion (34, 36), which are in turn connected to the tensile force, to dispose the column load cell to the tensile force between the chain portions. The roller chain portions are connected to the load cell in mutually perpendicular orientation. The load cell has notches (18) formed in the side thereof to equalize the strain thereupon when tensile load is applied. Longitudinal and transverse strain gages (20) are positioned longitudinally intermediate to the notches, and may be on a gaging web (22).

Abstract: A method of forming a lug or spacer on a tubular housing of a ladder stabiliser for supporting a ladder. The lug or spacer is welded to an adjacent surface of the housing only at a top location and a bottom location respectively as a fillet weld. A ladder stabiliser having a tubular housing and a telescopic leg which is movable within a hollow bore of the housing. The telescopic leg has a plurality of holes for co-operating with a securing means to maintain the housing at a suitable height when in use for supporting the ladder. The telescopic leg is formed with an integral locating groove wherein each of the plurality of holes is located so that it is in the exact center width wise of the telescopic leg or coincides with a longitudinal axis of the hollow leg.

Abstract: A helm apparatus for a marine craft or other vehicle having a steered member such as a rudder includes a mechanically rotatable steering device and a sensor which senses angular movement of the steering device when the craft is steered. A communication link to the rudder enables the helm to monitor the rudder position. A bi-directional stop mechanism is actuated when the helm determines that the rudder position is beyond starboard or port hard-over thresholds, indicating that the rudder has reached a limit of travel. The helm can cause the stop mechanism to fully engage the steering device to stop further rotation of the steering device in a first rotational direction, corresponding to rotational movement towards the limit of travel.

Abstract: A helm apparatus for a marine craft or other vehicle having a steered member such as a rudder includes a mechanically rotatable steering device and a sensor which senses angular movement of the steering device when the craft is steered. A communication link to the rudder enables the helm to monitor the rudder position. A bi-directional stop mechanism is actuated when the helm determines that the rudder position is beyond starboard or port hard-over thresholds, indicating that the rudder has reached a limit of travel. The helm can cause the stop mechanism to fully engage the steering device to stop further rotation of the steering device in a first rotational direction, corresponding to rotational movement towards said limit of travel. Rotational play is provided between the sensor and the stop mechanism, whereby the steering device can be rotated a limited amount, relative to the sensor, when the stop mechanism is fully engaged.

Abstract: A device for rotating with a rotatable first member includes a second member having a portion engageable with the first member. The portion has a first part and a second part which is resiliently biased away from the first part. The second member tightly engages the first member. There may be a device for measuring rotation of the shaft such as a potentiometer. The rotation measuring device may include an electrical connector for the potentiometer including a socket and a post which is pressable into the socket. The device may also include a rotationally adjustable connector. There may be a coupling connected to the second member which includes a third member with a portion having n sides and a fourth member with a portion having n sides which receives the portion of the third member in a mating relationship, thereby allowing the device to be adjusted to a total of at least m.n rotational positions.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a support apparatus or accessory capable of attaching to an article, such as a ladder via mating and locking of a primary attachment member connected to the support and a complementary secondary attachment member securable to the ladder. In a preferred form, the support is an adjustable length support for levelling a ladder on an uneven surface. The adjustable length support comprises a fixed component and a moveable component that moves relative to the fixed component to thereby adjust a length of the adjustable length support. The moveable member is securable at a desired length by a securing means.