Abstract: Portable devices for capturing images of a surface of a building material and associated methods are disclosed. In some embodiments, the portable device includes (i) a housing, (ii) an image sensor positioned in the housing and configured to capture images of the surface at multiple time points when the housing is moved along a trajectory on the surface; (iii) a lighting component configured to illuminate the surface; (iv) an encoder configured to measure a distance travelled by the housing; and (v) a controller communicably coupled to the image sensor and the encoder. The controller instructs the image sensor to capture the images of the surface at least partially based on the measured distance travelled by the housing.

Abstract: Apparatus and methods for controlling a hydraulic cylinder with a control valve in a control system. The control system comprises a voltage level shifter that produces a shift reference voltage (SHRv) substantially equal to the fraction value of a valve power supply voltage (VPSv). A controller produces a control system output voltage (CNTo) with a positive value, a negative value, or a zero value in response to a control input voltage (CNTi) and the VPSv. A voltage converter receives the SHRv and CNTo, and provides a control signal input voltage (CSi) to the control valve. The CSi is greater than the fraction value of the VPSv when the CNTo is the positive value, less than the fraction value of the VPSv when the CNTo is the negative value, and substantially equal to the fraction value of the VPSv when the CNTo is the zero value.

Abstract: Apparatus and methods for controlling a hydraulic cylinder with a control valve in a control system. The control system comprises a voltage level shifter that produces a shift reference voltage (SHRv) substantially equal to the fraction value of a valve power supply voltage (VPSv). A controller produces a control system output voltage (CNTo) with a positive value, a negative value, or a zero value in response to a control input voltage (CNTi) and the VPSv. A voltage converter receives the SHRv and CNTo, and provides a control signal input voltage (CSi) to the control valve. The CSi is greater than the fraction value of the VPSv when the CNTo is the positive value, less than the fraction value of the VPSv when the CNTo is the negative value, and substantially equal to the fraction value of the VPSv when the CNTo is the zero value.

Abstract: Apparatus and methods for controlling a hydraulic cylinder with a control valve in a control system. The control system comprises a voltage level shifter that produces a shift reference voltage (SHRv) substantially equal to the fraction value of a valve power supply voltage (VPSv). A controller produces a control system output voltage (CNTo) with a positive value, a negative value, or a zero value in response to a control input voltage (CNTi) and the VPSv. A voltage converter receives the SHRv and CNTo, and provides a control signal input voltage (CSi) to the control valve. The CSi is greater than the fraction value of the VPSv when the CNTo is the positive value, less than the fraction value of the VPSv when the CNTo is the negative value, and substantially equal to the fraction value of the VPSv when the CNTo is the zero value.

Abstract: A multi-seal sealing assembly with multiple seals so that when one seal wears out another can be moved into sealing position; and a top drive system for wellbore operations with such a sealing assembly; the sealing assembly in one aspect having a seal carrier movable to move at least one secondary seal into sealing position when a primary seal has worn out.

Abstract: A maternity bed incorporates a patient lying surface with pelvis, lumbar, and upper back regions, and left and right sides. The lying surface has two or more actuatable lifting elements arranged at the lying surface, and may incorporate four or six or more lifting elements. The lifting elements may include a left pelvis lifting element and a right pelvis lifting element at the pelvis region of the lying surface, a left lumbar lifting element and a right lumbar lifting element at the lumbar region of the lying surface, and a left upper back lifting element and a right upper back lifting element at the upper back region of the lying surface. At least one actuator may actuate the lifting elements to raise and lower various regions of a patient, such as to provide a turning function, and may be controlled by a user input device.

Abstract: The present invention provides for a highly reliable circuit, suitable for controlling the delivery of electrical power to a second electrical outlet, based on the power consumption of a first outlet. This circuit has application in home, small workshops and on job-sites where the activation of a power tool, necessitates the activation of a dust collecting device. Because of the compact size, other household applications are also possible. Briefly, a microcontroller monitors the current used by the first outlet. When that current exceeds a first predetermined value, the controller enables the second outlet after a first predetermined period of time. When the current drops below a second predetermined value, the controller disables the outlet after a second predetermined period of time.

Abstract: The present invention provides for a highly reliable circuit, suitable for controlling the delivery of electrical power to a second electrical outlet, based on the power consumption of a first outlet. This circuit has application in home, small workshops and on job-sites where the activation of a power tool, necessitates the activation of a dust collecting device. Because of the compact size, other household applications are also possible. Briefly, a microcontroller monitors the current used by the first outlet. When that current exceeds a first predetermined value, the controller enables the second outlet after a first predetermined period of time. When the current drops below a second predetermined value, the controller disables the outlet after a second predetermined period of time.

Abstract: A siderail support mechanism with multiple locks and an impact release feature is configured to positively lock in an upright deployed position, but is adapted to release upon imposition of a longitudinal impact load such as that caused by striking a stationary barrier.

Abstract: A siderail support mechanism with multiple locks and an impact release feature is configured to positively lock in an upright deployed position, but is adapted to release upon imposition of a longitudinal impact load such as that caused by striking a stationary barrier.

Abstract: A rocker arm assembly for an internal combustion engine is provided which is lightweight and inexpensive to manufacture, which securely mounts and supports a pair of rocker arms and associated structures on the cylinder head of an internal combustion engine, and which provides and maintains a supply of lubricant to the rocker arm bearing structures, valves and push rods. The rocker arm assembly includes a two part pedestal which clamps the shaft on which the rocker arms are journaled to the engine. The base portion of the pedestal includes a pair of positioning projections which position and support the pedestal so that the proper alignment of the rocker arms relative to the longitudinal axis of the engine is achieved and maintained.

Abstract: A head gasket, for sealing a junction between a top face of a cylinder block of an engine and a bottom face of a cylinder head thereof, of the type having a row of relatively large circular cut-outs, that, in use, correspond in size, number and position to that of cylinder spaces formed in the cylinder block and a plurality of apertures that are relatively small in comparison to the circular cut-outs that, in use, correspond in number and position to coolant passages formed in the faces of the cylinder block and cylinder head, as well as holes sized and positioned, in use, in accordance with holes in the cylinder block and head for connecting bolts and holes for lubricant circulation. In addition to a first row of apertures extending along a first lateral side of the circular cylinder cut-outs, the gasket is provided with a second row of apertures that are used to orifice outlet coolant passages from the cylinder head to the cylinder block.

Abstract: A lubricant supply rail is provided for an internal combustion engine to provide an adequate supply of lubricant from the engine lubrication circuit to the bearing surfaces of the rocker arms, the valves and the push rods. The lubricant supply rail of the present invention is configured to provide automatic fluid communication between the cylinder head lubricant outlet port and the lubrication channels contained within the rocker arm support assembly and includes a lubricant supply inlet which communicates directly with the cylinder head and a plurality of transfer bores spaced to communicate directly with each rocker arm support assembly. The lubricant supply rail is preferably formed of nylon or like material and includes a conduit portion sealed at each end by end caps having a configuration which permits effective sealing of the conduit by ultrasonic welding techniques.

Abstract: An internal combustion engine, of the type having a block with a line of cylinders and a cylinder head attached to the block and coolant distribution and discharge manifolds provided adjacent each other on one side of the block is provided with an improved coolant arrangement. Coolant from a pump enters the distribution manifold at a point intermediate the ends of the line of cylinders and from there flows freely up into the cylinder head through cast openings corresponding in number to the number of cylinders. The majority of coolant flows across the cylinder head and down to coolant chambers surrounding the engine cylinders via a pair of orificed holes for each cylinder. The orificed holes control the flow of coolant around the cylinders and are provided in a gasket between the cylinder block and cylinder head. After the coolant flows around the cylinder liners, it is discharged from the coolant chambers in the cylinder block to the discharge manifold via a cast opening for each cylinder.

Abstract: A valve cover for an internal combustion engine has a cover body of an inverted trough-like configuration and a perimetric flange surrounding its open bottom side. A seal receiving groove is formed in a bottom surface of the perimetric flange and extends more than one full circuit around the perimeter of the open side. An elongated elastomeric seal strip of a length that is greater than the circumference of the cover body, as measured within the seal receiving groove, is inserted into the seal receiving groove in a manner wherein opposite ends of the seal strip are overlapped side-by-side and wherein the bottom of the seal strip extends out of the seal receiving groove in a manner forming a sealing ridge around the bottom of the perimetric flange of the cover body.