Abstract: A balloon arrangement comprises a base member. At least one stem unit is configured for removably engaging the base member. At least one balloon hoop unit is configured for removably engaging the stem unit. The balloon hoop unit comprises a hoop portion that is configured to rotate from a substantially flat position for storage to a substantially horizontal position for supporting a balloon. The balloon hoop unit further comprises a self-sealing balloon tie portion that is configured for sealing a tail of a balloon. At least one balloon is operable to be inflated by breathable air in which the self-sealing balloon tie portion seals a tail of the balloon inflated with the breathable air. The hoop portion, in the supporting position, supports the balloon inflated with the breathable air in a position for simulating being held up by helium inflation.

Abstract: Optical ground tracking apparatus for use with buried object locators or other instruments or devices are disclosed. In one embodiment, a method for tracking movement of a buried utility locator over a surface includes generating an output light, providing the output light to the surface, receiving a portion of the output light that is reflected from the surface, and generating information associated with a user-applied movement of the locator over the surface based at least in part on the received reflected portion of the output light.

Abstract: Thermal extraction architectures for heat-generating electronic devices such as cameras or lights are disclosed. An electronic device such as a camera head may include a housing, a printed circuit board (PCB) within the housing, and a thermal extraction element positioned between the housing and PCB to transfer heat from the PCB to the housing and external environment.

Abstract: An asymmetric bearing device automatically decreases, without the need for manual adjustment, an amount of friction exerted against rotation of a drum or other mechanism upon reversal of the direction of rotation of the drum.

Abstract: An apparatus includes an internal combustion engine with an engine block and a cylinder liner housing a piston. The engine block includes at least one cylinder cavity and at least one replaceable cylinder liner positioned within the cylinder cavity. At least two press fit areas create an interference fit between the engine block and the replaceable cylinder liner. One press fit area is located proximate to the top surface of the engine block and the other press fit area is located in the engine block at the opposite end of the cylinder liner. A storage volume is formed between the press fit areas by the outer surface of the cylinder liner and the surface of the engine block defining the cylinder cavity.

Abstract: The value of a target variable is predicted by obtaining historical values for the target variable at each of several time points and obtaining previously predicted values and currently predicted values for each of several predictor variables, the predictor variables being different from the target variable. Values are assigned to parameters of a forecasting model to obtain the best fit of the previously predicted values for the predictor variables to the historical values for the target variable. Finally, a value of the target variable is predicted from the currently predicted values for at least a subset of the predictor variables using the forecasting model and the values assigned to the parameters of the forecasting model.

Abstract: Catalyst support materials, catalysts, methods of making such and uses thereof are described. Methods of making catalyst support material include combining anatase titania slurry with i) a low molecular weight form of silica; and ii) a source of Mo to form a TiO2—MoO3—SiO2 mixture. Catalyst support material include from about 86% to about 94% weight anatase titanium dioxide; from about 0.1% to about 10% weight MoO3; and from about 0.1% to about 10% weight SiO2. Low molecular weight forms of silica include forms of silica having a volume weighted median size of less than 4 nm and average molecular weight of less than 44,000, either individually or in a combination of two or more thereof. Catalyst include such catalyst support material with from about 0.1 to about 3% weight of V2O5 and optionally from about 0.01% to about 2.5% weight P.

Abstract: A pipe inspection system may include a cable storage drum and a length of resilient flexible push-cable. An asymmetric bearing device supports the cable storage drum for rotation about the rotational axis in a pay-out direction and an opposite pay-in direction. In one embodiment, the asymmetric bearing device automatically decreases, without the for manual adjustment, an amount of friction exerted against rotation of the cable storage drum upon reversal of the direction of rotation of the cable storage drum from the pay-out direction to the pay-in direction.

Abstract: Catalyst support materials, catalysts, methods of making such and uses thereof are described. Methods of making catalyst support material include combining anatase titania slurry with i) a low molecular weight form of silica; and ii) a source of Mo to form a TiO2—MoO3—SiO2 mixture. Catalyst support material include from about 86% to about 94% weight anatase titanium dioxide; from about 0.1% to about 10% weight MoO3; and from about 0.1% to about 10% weight SiO2. Low molecular weight forms of silica include forms of silica having a volume weighted median size of less than 4 nm and average molecular weight of less than 44,000, either individually or in a combination of two or more thereof. Catalyst include such catalyst support material with from about 0.1 to about 3% weight of V2O5 and optionally from about 0.01% to about 2.5% weight P.

Abstract: Pressure relief valves for use in high pressure applications that may include a conical shaped plunger, a body with a conical shaped mating surface corresponding to the shape of the conical shaped plunger, and one or more sealing elements, such as a pair of O-rings, are disclosed.

Abstract: Push-cables and associated apparatus and systems are disclosed. In one embodiment, a push-cable assembly for use with a pipe inspection system may include a push-cable element having a proximal end and a distal end, with a spring assembly having varying flexibility coupled to or near the distal end. The spring assembly may include an outer coiled spring having a proximal and a distal end, and an inner coiled spring nested at least partially within the outer coiled spring. A camera head and/or other elements such as a cutting or jetting apparatus may be coupled at or near the distal end.

Abstract: Systems for inspecting pipes or cavities including a camera head having an array of two or more imaging elements with overlapping Fields of View (FOV) are disclosed. The camera head may include one or more light source elements, such as LEDs, for providing illumination in dimly lit inspection sites, such as the interior of underground pipes. The imaging elements and LEDs may be used in conjunction with a remote display device, such as an LCD panel of a camera control unit (CCU) or monitor in proximity to an operator, to display the interior of a pipe or other cavity.

Abstract: Optical ground tracking apparatus for use with buried object locators or other instruments or devices are disclosed. In one embodiment, a ground tracking apparatus integral with or coupled to a buried object locator includes a housing, a plurality of camera modules, a distance measurement module, and a processing element to generate tracking information based on images or video streams from the camera modules in combination with distance data generated from the distance measurement module.

Abstract: Lighting device embodiments having a housing enclosing one or more interior volumes, along with a serviceable port in the housing to allow venting of one or more of the interior volumes, are disclosed. The lighting devices may further include internal venting paths to allow transfer of contaminating gases to the serviceable port, and a gas permeable pressure valve to allow transfer of contaminants from the interior of the lighting device. The pressure valve may be selectively permeable as a function of applied exterior pressure. The lighting device may also include one or more electronic circuit elements disposed in the one or more interior volumes, and a selectively permeable barrier element disposed in the housing having a first area exposed to one of the interior volumes and a second area exposed to a gas or liquid volume exterior to the housing to allow diffusion of browning contaminants from the one of the interior volumes to the gas or liquid volume exterior to the housing.

Abstract: Lighting device embodiments having a housing enclosing one or more interior volumes, along with a serviceable port in the housing to allow venting of one or more of the interior volumes, are disclosed. The lighting devices may further include internal venting paths to allow transfer of contaminating gases to the serviceable port, and a gas permeable pressure valve to allow transfer of contaminants from the interior of the lighting device. The pressure valve may be selectively permeable as a function of applied exterior pressure. The lighting device may also include one or more electronic circuit elements disposed in the one or more interior volumes, and a selectively permeable barrier element disposed in the housing having a first area exposed to one of the interior volumes and a second area exposed to a gas or liquid volume exterior to the housing to allow diffusion of browning contaminants from the one of the interior volumes to the gas or liquid volume exterior to the housing.

Abstract: Camera heads and associated rotating contact assemblies are disclosed. In one embodiment a slip-ring assembly includes a rotating contact assembly including slip rings having a cylindrical ring assembly and a flexible or bendable brush assembly. Brush elements may flexed to remain in contact with corresponding ring assembly electrical contacts. Bush contacts may be coated or have attached contact assemblies to increase hardness and oxide resistance with materials such as palladium nickel, rhodium, or hard gold, though a variety of other materials may be used as a suitable coating.

Abstract: A video pipe inspection system may include a push-cable, camera head, and pipe guide having a pair of cylindrical shells, with each shell having a plurality of radially extending circumferentially spaced vanes and structure for holding the shells together when the shells are axially mated end-to-end. A pair of curved tab arms may extend circumferentially about corresponding ones of the cylindrical shells. A pair of slide-locks may be configured to slide over corresponding ones of the tab arms to move them into a locking position in which keys on the tab arms extend between adjacent coils of a coil spring surrounded by the shells.

Abstract: A camera head for inspecting pipes or cavities including an array of two or more imaging elements with overlapping Fields of View (FOV) is disclosed. The camera head may include one or more light source elements, such as LEDs, for providing illumination in dimly lit inspection sites, such as the interior of underground pipes. The imaging elements and LEDs may be used in conjunction with a remote display device, such as an LCD panel of a camera control unit (CCU) or monitor in proximity to an operator, to display the interior of a pipe or other cavity.

Abstract: High-bandwidth push cables configured for high speed data communication, such as that used in video signal transmission between a camera head and a cable reel or other device, are disclosed.

Abstract: The mechanism includes a primary load path element having at least one slot. A pin-key within the primary load path element slot allows freedom of movement in a rotational direction orthogonal to a positioning direction. A secondary load path element includes at least one secondary load path element slot. A key is positioned between the load path elements. A compression cam is positioned within an opening in the secondary load path element that defines a grooved cam seat. A tension cam is positioned within the opening in the secondary load path element. The tension cam has a defined pivot and stop. A cam follower rests on lobe surfaces of the cams. The cam follower applies a preload force to both cams opposing the cam's rotation. A push rod is seated in a hole in the cam follower and extends through a respective hole in the secondary load path element.