Abstract: A method and apparatus for securing a flexible pipe to a further flexible pipe in an end-to-end configuration, wherein the apparatus includes and the method utilizes an elongate tubular element having a first and second end and an outer surface comprising a raised central region. At least one vent passage extends at least partially across the raised central region.

Abstract: Architectures or techniques are presented that can facilitate automated function testing (AFT) in connection with an HVAC system or component thereof. The architectures detailed herein can facilitate creation, modification, or duplication of quiz data (e.g., a test). This quiz data can be executed in order to automatically test the function of the HVAC system or component. Additionally, prior to execution, a verification procedure can be performed to ensure that an expected state indicated in the quiz data can in fact be exhibited by the device. Further, execution of the quiz data can include an exit condition that, when satisfied can cause termination of the execution prior to completion. Such can be useful to avoid potentially dangerous situations or to avoid undue disruption to a service provided by the HVAC system.

Abstract: An assembly for manually rotating a rotor includes a housing enclosing a first shaft and a second shaft accessible through an exterior wall of the housing. The first shaft extends from a first end rotationally coupled to the rotor to a second end selectively engageable with the second shaft. The second shaft includes a thrust plate extending from and rotatable with the second shaft. A spring disposed between the thrust plate and the housing biases the second shaft towards the exterior wall of the housing.

Abstract: A foldable vehicle seat includes a seat base having a seat support frame, a seat back extending from the seat base, and a foldable section connected to the seat back. The folded section has a folded and unfolded configuration, and comprises a hinge mechanism with a pivot point, a first support, a second support, and a top surface configured to store luggage thereon. The first support is connected to the hinge mechanism and is rotatable about the pivot point. Likewise, the second support is connected to the hinge mechanism and is rotatable about the pivot point. The first and second supports contain first and second magnets, respectively, which are configured to retain the foldable section in the folded configuration.

Abstract: A reusable pour spout system that may be attached to different container types to dispense different substances, including course and fine granular materials and liquids. A port component has a proximal tubular end and a flange that is larger than the tubular end. The flange further includes a hole-cutting structure adapted to pierce the wall of a container, with a cutting edge adapted to form a hole in the container when the port component is rotated by a user after piercing. This positions the flange within the container with the tubular end exposed to receive a nut that traps the wall of the container between the nut and the flange. A cap is provided to seal off the port. The tubular end of the port component, the nut, and the cap may all be threaded. Different structures to enhance cutting and sealing are disclosed along with preferred method steps.

Abstract: A reusable pour spout system that may be attached to different container types to dispense different substances, including course and fine granular materials and liquids. A port component has a proximal tubular end and a flange that is larger in diameter than the tubular portion. The flange further includes a hole-forming structure adapted to pierce the wall of a container, leading to a ramp that captures the container material when the port component is rotated by a user. This positions the flange within the container, with the tubular end exposed to pour the contents from the container. A cap may be provided to seal off the port. The tubular end of the port component, the nut, and the cap may all be threaded. Integrally formed port devices are also disclosed along with bolstering and reinforcing layers and materials to control hole formation.

Abstract: A sand handling system having, for example, one to three sand separators are configured to be operatively connected to a well and an inlet of a common dumping vessel. Advantageously, the dumping vessel has a sensor to measure an amount of sand in the dumping vessel and provide a signal to a programmable controller which is arranged to dump the dumping vessel when a specified amount of sand is in the dumping vessel. The system automates the sand handling process and also measures and records data associated with a number of flowback parameters. The data can then be used in well design to improve oil and/or gas production, lessen sand production, reduce well damage and/or equipment corrosion due to, for example, sand.

Abstract: The disclosed 2-D resistance tomographic imaging method optimizes computation speed for performing electrical impedance tomography using a model-space with a minimal number of orthonormal polynomial basis functions to describe discernable features in the 2-D resistance tomographic image, determining a minimal number of contacts to take fewer measurements than available information based on the number of basis functions, selecting a subset of rows of a matrix of calculated sensitivity coefficients to form a square Jacobian matrix for a linearized forward problem to be solved and inversion of the linear forward problem, and solving an inverse problem based on the square Jacobian matrix by performing at least one iteration of a Newton's method solve.

Abstract: A vehicle includes a traction battery and a controller. The controller is programmed to, in response to dynamic resistance and capacity of the traction battery for a drive cycle differing from dynamic resistance and capacity of the traction battery for a previous drive cycle by threshold percentages, controlling the traction battery to reduce lithium plating.

Abstract: Various embodiments of an apparatus, methods, systems and computer program products described herein are directed to a Topic Engine. The Topic Engine captures a plurality of content identifier sequences. Each respective sequence represents an order at which a corresponding user account accessed content. The Topic Engine generates a plurality of clusters. Each cluster is associated with respective content identifiers appearing within a proximity to each other across the plurality of content identifier sequences of different user accounts. The Topic Engine obtains one or more sample content identifiers from at least one cluster via sampling the cluster. The Topic Engine extracts keywords from content represented by the one or more sampled content identifiers. The Topic Engine identifies a topic for the cluster based on the one or more extracted keywords.

Abstract: A product package or packaging is configured such that: (i) the product(s) are obscured from a potential buyer's view when the product package 10 is in a closed position and (ii) the product(s) becomes visible to the potential buyer when an extent of the product package is in a partially opened position. Once the product(s) becomes visible to the potential buyer, an illumination assembly illuminates the product(s). This selective illumination of the product(s) permits: (i) the illumination assembly to be battery powered, (ii) highlights features and attributes of the product(s) in order to attract and keep the potential buyer's attention, and (iii) makes it easier to see the product(s) within the product package, which helps prevent potential buyers from removing the product(s) from the package thereby reducing the chance that the product is inadvertently damaged.

Abstract: A drive assembly for a gas turbine engine according to an exemplary embodiment includes, among other things, an epicyclic gear train having an input and an output, the input coupled to a first turbine, the output coupled to an accessory drive shaft, and at least one engagement feature on a component of the gear train. An actuator is engageable with the at least one engagement feature to cause the accessory drive shaft to rotate. A method of driving a section of a gas turbine engine is also disclosed.

Abstract: The fish screen for a suction strainer includes at least one first plate having a central opening formed therethrough, a second plate, a helical spring, and a mesh bag. The helical spring has opposed first and second ends, with the first end secured to the at least one first plate and the second end secured to the second plate. The helical spring has first and second portions positioned respectively adjacent to the first and second ends. The second portion has a smaller diameter than a diameter of the first portion. The mesh bag releasably and removably covers and receives the at least one first plate, the second plate and the helical spring. The second portion of the helical spring is adapted for releasably holding a free end of a suction strainer received within an interior of the helical spring through the central opening of the at least one first plate.

Abstract: A system includes a trailer frame, a lifting mechanism coupled to the trailer frame, wherein the lifting mechanism is configured to raise or lower a coil of pipe or a reel of pipe, a braking mechanism configured to apply pressure to the pipe while the pipe is being deployed by the system, and a hydraulic power unit configured to hydraulically power the system.

Abstract: A system includes a drum assembly that includes a support bar having a first end and a second end, and a plurality of drum segments coupled to the support bar. The drum segments are movable between retracted and extended positions, and the drum assembly is configured to be disposed within an interior region of a coil of flexible pipe when the plurality of drum segments are in the retracted position. The system also includes a first containment flange coupled to the drum assembly at the first end, a second containment flange coupled to the drum assembly at the second end, a first coupling device configured to removably couple the first containment flange to the drum assembly, and a second coupling device configured to removably couple the second containment flange to the drum assembly. The first and second containment flanges are configured to contain the flexible pipe.

Abstract: A method of manufacturing a motoring system for a gas turbine having the steps of: assembling a pinned mechanical fuse, the pinned mechanical fuse including at least one shear pin; forming an outer housing; installing a reduction gear train into the outer housing, the reduction gear train having an input and an output; operably connecting a motor to the input; operably connecting a clutch to the output using the pinned mechanical fuse, the clutch in operation engages and disengages the reduction gear train; operably connecting a starter to the clutch, the starter having an output shaft; and operably connecting an accessory gearbox to the output shaft of the starter. The clutch is operably connected to the accessory gearbox through the starter and the output shaft. The at least one shear pin in operation shears when torque on the pinned mechanical fuse is greater than or equal to a selected value.

Abstract: A trailer oscillation and stability control device including an accelerometer and an angular rate sensor. An oscillation detection discriminator detects oscillatory lateral trailer motion in response to trailer displacement data derived from inputs from the angular rate sensor and acceleration signals received from the accelerometer, and then generates corresponding oscillatory event data. A brake controller generates a braking control signal in response to oscillatory event data received from the oscillation detection discriminator.

Abstract: Systems and methods are provided for collecting and distributing material. In one embodiment, a collection system comprises at least one storage compartment comprising a plurality of regions. A bin is provided for transporting material from a first environment towards the storage compartment. The system comprises a diverter, wherein the diverter is dimensioned to distribute material among the plurality of regions within the storage compartment. The diverter has a first position during use in which at least a portion of the diverter is positioned below the bin when the bin is in a raised position for emptying material, and at least a portion of the diverter is positioned above the plurality of regions in the first position during use.

Abstract: Disclosed are aromatic enol ethers that have utility as film-hardening additives for coating formulations. The aromatic enol ethers have particular utility as film-hardening additives for water-based coating formulations. The aromatic enol ethers provide improvements in hardness and hardness related properties such as block resistance without contributing to the volatile organic content of the composition.