Abstract: Systems, methods, and computer-readable storage media for intelligent caching of concatenative speech units for use in speech synthesis. A system configured to practice the method can identify speech units that are required for synthesizing speech. The system can request from a server the text-to-speech unit needed to synthesize the speech. The system can then synthesize speech using text-to-speech units already stored and a received text-to-speech unit from the server.

Abstract: Embodiments of the present disclosure relate to a slip apparatus and methods of using same. The slips apparatus is configured to grip and hold a portion of a tubular, or a string of tubulars, within a central bore of the slips apparatus so that a tubular can be added or removed from the string of tubulars during drilling or other operations at a well.

Abstract: A vehicle battery tray includes a floor assembly that has elongated tray sections that attach together at lateral edge portions of adjacent tray sections to form a floor structure that supports vehicle batteries contained in the vehicle battery tray. The elongated tray sections each have a substantially consistent cross-sectional shape that extends longitudinally along a length of the respective tray section. A first tray section includes a first attachment feature at the lateral edge portion thereof and a second tray section includes a second attachment feature at the lateral edge portion thereof that corresponds with the first attachment feature. The first and second attachment features engage together at a longitudinal seam between the lateral edge portions of the first and second tray sections, such as to align upper surfaces of the first and second tray sections.

Abstract: A battery tray for an electric vehicle includes a tub component that has a floor portion and a perimeter wall portion that integrally extends upward around a peripheral edge of the floor portion to border a battery containment area of the tub component. The tub component may include a plurality of cross member portions that integrally interconnect with the floor portion and the perimeter wall portion so as to span laterally across the battery containment area to divide the battery containment area into separate compartments. A support structure of the battery tray may have an elongated member coupled at an exterior side of each of opposing longitudinal sections of the perimeter wall portion of the tub component.

Abstract: A battery tray for a vehicle includes a peripheral tubular member that borders at least a lateral side of a battery containment area relative to the vehicle. A crush section is attached along an outboard side of the peripheral tubular member. The crush section includes an outboard wall portion, an upper leg portion integrally extending inboard from an upper end of the outboard wall potion, and a lower leg portion integrally extending inboard from a lower end of the outboard wall potion. The upper and lower leg portions of the crush section each terminate inboard at an end flange of the crush section that is attached to the peripheral tubular member to enclose a hollow interior there between.

Abstract: A friction clutch for a motor vehicle includes an adjustment mechanism compensating for wear of a friction disk. The adjustment mechanism (40) includes a first cam ring (52) rotatably fixed and a second cam ring (54) rotatable relative to the first cam ring (52). Both cam rings (52,54) have a plurality of cam surfaces configured such that rotation of the second cam ring (54) relative to the first cam ring (52) varies a height of the adjustment mechanism (40). A torsion spring (60) applies a biasing force to the second cam ring (54). A back drive prevention assembly (70) includes a back drive spring (80) attached to the pressure plate and first cam ring (52) to prevent back drive of the second cam ring (54) through a baffle (62) including a plurality of cam teeth (72) formed on a bottom surface of the baffle (62). The cam teeth (72) are formed at an angle A relative to a bottom surface of the baffle (62) decreasing displacement and loads of the back drive spring (80).

Abstract: A method and mechanism for initiating an emergency stop for an unattended railcar is disclosed. The method may include using a trip arm placed alongside the railway tracks at a designated stop point that may contact a portable trip-cock lever arm that extends out beyond the perimeter of the railcar if the railcar reaches the stop point as it moves along the track. The trip-cock lever arm may be attached to a valve that is connected to the pneumatic brake system of the unattended railcar. As the trip-cock lever arm rotates, the valve may open to release the air pressure in the pneumatic brake system causing the brakes to engage the wheels causing the railcar to stop.

Abstract: The present invention relates to methods and compositions for identifying, selecting and/or producing a soybean plant or germplasm having iron deficiency chlorosis tolerance. A soybean plant, part thereof and/or germplasm, including any progeny and/or seeds derived from a soybean plant or germplasm identified, selected and/or produced by any of the methods of the present invention is also provided.

Abstract: An automated rig apparatus for drilling or servicing a well is provided. The apparatus can include a motor vehicle having a frame, and a hinged derrick mast pivotally attached to the frame. The apparatus can further include a rack disposed in the mast and a carriage assembly with pinion motors configured to travel up and down the rack when the mast is raised to a vertical position. A tool carrier configured to receive a top drive unit or a power swivel unit can be attached to the carriage assembly. The apparatus can further include a movable platform and an operators cab configured to be moved to a desired position relative to the derrick mast when the mast is raised to a vertical position. The apparatus can further include a hydraulic drive assembly to operate the apparatus, and a mud pump and manifold for pumping drilling mud.

Abstract: A battery support structure for a vehicle includes a plurality of side reinforcement members and front and rear reinforcement members. The plurality of side reinforcement members are configured to extend longitudinally relative to an associated vehicle frame, and the front and rear reinforcement members are configured to extend laterally relative to the associated vehicle frame. A plurality of module nodes are attached between adjacent ends of the side reinforcement members and the front and rear members to together form a containment wall that generally surrounds a battery containment area. The plurality of module nodes comprise corner sections of the containment wall, such that a length of the side reinforcement members or the front and rear reinforcement members is selected to provide a desired respective length or width of the battery containment area.

Abstract: A battery tray for an electric vehicle includes a battery support structure that has a floor and a perimeter wall extending around a peripheral portion of the floor to border a battery containment area. A plurality of cross members are coupled with the perimeter wall at opposing sides of the battery support structure, where the cross members extend laterally across the battery containment area. A cover is engaged with an upper portion of the perimeter wall of the battery support structure. The cover, the floor, and/or the cross members may include a retention element that is integrally formed therewith and that is configured to engage a component that is disposed in the battery containment area.

Abstract: A twin plate separation system, comprising a pressure plate, an intermediate plate facing the pressure plate, and a spring separator assembly. The spring separator assembly comprises a mounting extending out from the intermediate plate towards the pressure plate. A spring surrounds the mounting, and the spring is biased to push the pressure plate and the intermediate plate apart. The mounting or another fixture can secure at least one drive strap to the intermediate plate. Alternatively, the mounting extends out of the pressure plate towards the intermediate plate, and the spring surrounds the mounting and is biased to push the pressure plate and the intermediate plate apart. In this alternative, the intermediate plate does not comprise a hole for receiving the mounting.

Abstract: A battery tray for supporting batteries at a lower portion of a vehicle frame includes a floor plate and a perimeter wall disposed around the of the floor plate to substantially surround a containment area for storing vehicle battery cells. The perimeter wall includes a tubular member that extends along a periphery of the floor plate to form a perimeter wall around a containment area for storing vehicle battery cells. The perimeter wall is attached at an upper surface of the floor plate, such that the containment area may be generally bounded horizontally by the perimeter wall and at the bottom by the floor plate.

Abstract: A battery support tray for an electric vehicle includes a tray floor structure that has an upper surface that is configured to interface with battery modules. The battery support tray also includes a plurality of cooling features that integrally extend along portions of the tray floor structure that are configured to draw heat away from the battery modules supported at the upper surface of the tray floor structure. The tray floor structure may also have a cross-sectional profile that is substantially consistent longitudinally along a length of the tray floor structure or laterally across a width of the tray floor structure, such as formed from extruding a metal, such as an aluminum alloy.

Abstract: A method and mechanism for initiating an emergency stop for an unattended railcar is disclosed. The method may include using a trip arm placed alongside the railway tracks at a designated stop point that may contact a portable trip-cock lever arm that extends out beyond the perimeter of the railcar if the railcar reaches the stop point as it moves along the track. The trip-cock lever arm may be attached to a valve that is connected to the pneumatic brake system of the unattended railcar. As the trip-cock lever arm rotates, the valve may open to release the air pressure in the pneumatic brake system causing the brakes to engage the wheels causing the railcar to stop.

Abstract: A mobility access hybrid vehicle that includes a floor assembly that defines a mobility access system mounting area and a battery well, the battery well being located at a position forward of the mobility access system mounting area. A mobility access system is mounted within the mobility access system mounting area defined by the floor assembly. A hybrid battery is mounted within the battery well defined by the floor assembly. A first cover plate mounted over the battery well and a second cover plate mounted over the mobility access system together define a substantially flat interior floor area for first and second rows of occupant seating areas of the mobility access hybrid vehicle.

Abstract: A replacement floor assembly may include a base member having a top side, a bottom side, a front end, a rear end, a left side, and a right side. The front end and forward portions of the left and right sides define a forward section of the base member, whereas the rear end and rear portions of the left and right sides define a rear section of the base member. A first outboard flange member is mounted to at least a portion of the left side of the base member and a second outboard flange member is mounted to at least a portion of the right side of said base member. A front flange member is mounted to at least a portion of the front end of said base member so that at least portions of the forward section of the base member, the first and second outboard flange members, and the front flange member define a battery well.

Abstract: A battery tray for supporting batteries at a lower portion of a vehicle frame includes a floor plate and a perimeter wall disposed around the of the floor plate to substantially surround a containment area for storing vehicle battery cells. The perimeter wall includes a tubular member that extends along a periphery of the floor plate to form a perimeter wall around a containment area for storing vehicle battery cells. The perimeter wall is attached at an upper surface of the floor plate, such that the containment area may be generally bounded horizontally by the perimeter wall and at the bottom by the floor plate.

Abstract: A hand-held microfluidic testing device is provided that includes a housing having a cartridge receiving port and a cartridge for input to the cartridge receiving port. An optical detection system in the housing is capable of providing an illuminated electric field useful for Raman spectroscopy. The cartridge may have a sample well. The sample well is loaded with a mixture of water containing the analyte, Raman-scattering nanoparticles and a calibration solution. The calibration solution contains an analogue of the analyte differing in its Raman response, for example an isotope of the analyte. Optionally, a chemical compound capable of increasing interaction between the analyte and the nanoparticles may be added.

Abstract: A vehicle battery tray includes a floor assembly that has elongated tray sections that attach together at lateral edge portions of adjacent tray sections to form a floor structure that supports vehicle batteries contained in the vehicle battery tray. The elongated tray sections each have a substantially consistent cross-sectional shape that extends longitudinally along a length of the respective tray section. A first tray section includes a first attachment feature at the lateral edge portion thereof and a second tray section includes a second attachment feature at the lateral edge portion thereof that corresponds with the first attachment feature. The first and second attachment features engage together at a longitudinal seam between the lateral edge portions of the first and second tray sections, such as to align upper surfaces of the first and second tray sections.