Abstract: Apparatuses and methods for making reinforcement structures are provided. In one example, an apparatus for making a reinforcement structure includes a rigid mandrel and a flexible bladder. The flexible bladder at least partially surrounds the rigid mandrel for supporting a reinforcement structure-forming material during fabrication of the reinforcement structure. The flexible bladder is configured to apply a force to the reinforcement structure-forming material in a direction opposite the rigid mandrel in response to a pressure differential between inside and outside of the flexible bladder.

Abstract: Stiffening structures, wing structures and methods for manufacturing stiffening structures are provided. In accordance with an exemplary embodiment, a stiffening structure includes a first longitudinal member, a second longitudinal member, and a first rib that extends from the first longitudinal member to the second longitudinal member and is integral with the first longitudinal member and the second longitudinal member. The first longitudinal member has a first wall, a second wall and a joining wall that joins the first wall and second wall. The first wall, the second wall and the joining wall form a space having a trapezoidal shape.

Abstract: A downhole tool conveyed via tubing within a wellbore at a wellsite comprises a hydraulic tool driven by fluid pumped to the hydraulic tool via the tubing. The downhole tool further comprises a valve in fluid communication between the tubing and the hydraulic tool. The valve is configurable in the wellbore between an expanded position, establishing a bypass diverting at least a portion of the pumped fluid away from the hydraulic tool, and a compressed position, closing the bypass.

Abstract: A bone plate assembly and method of utilizing same are disclosed. The assembly includes at least two plates affixed to the bone in two different locations. One of the plates includes a porous bone in-growth surface, and may be entirely porous. The assembly may further include at least one bone screw and cable for affixing the plates to the bone. In the method of use, the plates may be affixed by the screws and/or cables and the plate including the porous surface may be left in place after bone is allowed to grow therein.

Abstract: A method of operating a material handling machine, the machine including an engine, ground engaging means, and a control means selectively operable by an operator to move the ground engaging means, the method including the steps of: a) starting with the ground engaging means in a first position and the engine running at a first engine speed, b) actuating the control means to move the ground engaging means towards a second position, actuation of the control means causing the engine speed to increase, c) unactuating the control means so as to simultaneously stop movement of the ground engaging means and allow the engine speed to reduce towards the first engine speed.

Abstract: An apparatus for providing power at a vehicle turret powered by a turret power source is provided. A power module is configured to be coupled to the turret power source such that the power module receives power from the turret power source. A coupling device is configured to couple the power module to the turret power source such that the power module receives the power from the turret power source via the coupling device. One or more power outlets are configured to provide power to an electronic device coupled to one of the power outlets. The power module and coupling device rotate in conjunction with the vehicle turret when the vehicle turret rotates.

Abstract: An apparatus for releasably connecting a cable with a tool that has an outer cone. The outer cone has a lower portion and an upper portion. A weak point is located between the lower portion and upper portion. The apparatus also includes an inner cone configured to fit within the outer cone.

Abstract: A method of orientating a materials handling vehicle to a desired angle includes providing a first and second stabilizers on the right and left sides, respectively, of a chassis and being selectively engageable with the ground, providing a controller to control operation of the first and second stabilizers in response to an input, positioning the vehicle on ground with the first and second stabilizers being disengaged from the ground such that the chassis is at an initial roll angle, providing a desired roll angle, providing an input to the controller requiring deployment of the stabilizers to simultaneously deploy the first and second stabilizers, and upon detection of a change in roll angle away from the desired roll angle caused by engagement of one of the stabilizers with the ground, the controller automatically stops deployment of one stabilizers and continues deployment of the other stabilizer.

Abstract: A vehicle having a plurality of operator controls, an operator seat moveable between a first and second position, securing means for releasably securing the seat in the first position, and a single operator actuated means operable to both selectively disable one or some of the operator controls and selectively release the securing means to allow the seat to move away from the first position, the single operator actuated means being the sole means for selectably releasing the securing means.

Abstract: A method of operating a material handling machine, the machine including an engine, ground engaging means, and a control means selectively operable by an operator to move the ground engaging means, the method including the steps of: a) starting with the ground engaging means in a first position and the engine running at a first engine speed, b) actuating the control means to move the ground engaging means towards a second position, actuation of the control means causing the engine speed to increase, c) unactuating the control means so as to simultaneously stop movement of the ground engaging means and allow the engine speed to reduce towards the first engine speed.

Abstract: A vehicle including an engine, the engine being selectably operably couplable to ground engaging motive means, the vehicle including a foot throttle for selectively controlling power delivery from the engine, a hand throttle for selectively controlling power delivery from the engine and an operator seat being moveable between a front facing position and a rear facing position, the vehicle including a static operating mode in which: the operator seat faces forwards, the engine is decoupled from the ground engaging motive means and/or a park brake is on, and, the foot throttle is the default throttle the vehicle further including an excavation mode in which: the operator seat faces rearwards, the engine is decoupled from the ground engaging motive means and the hand throttle is the default throttle.

Abstract: A downhole tool conveyed via tubing within a wellbore at a wellsite comprises a hydraulic tool driven by fluid pumped to the hydraulic tool via the tubing. The downhole tool further comprises a valve in fluid communication between the tubing and the hydraulic tool. The valve is configurable in the wellbore between an expanded position, establishing a bypass diverting at least a portion of the pumped fluid away from the hydraulic tool, and a compressed position, closing the bypass.

Abstract: A method of controlling the operation of a door of a vehicle relative to a door frame of the vehicle is provided. The position of the door is sensed and a door open command or a door close command is received. Opening or closing of the door at preselected speeds is initiated based on the command received. The length of time that the open command or close command is continuously received is then determined. The door is moved at a relatively slow speed for a predetermined initial time period and after the predetermined initial time period has ended the door is moved at a relatively faster speed.

Abstract: A customizable apparatus for controlling rotational movement of a turret of a vehicle is provided. The apparatus includes a memory that stores information relating to operation of the turret. A communication port of the apparatus is adapted to exchange communications relating to operation of the turret with an external computing device. A controller processes communications received at the communication port from the external computing device. The controller processes the communications, and the controller selectively provides access to the stored information relating to operation of the turret to the external computing device.

Abstract: An apparatus for controlling rotational movement of a turret of a vehicle is provided. The apparatus includes a controller that generates a control signal for controlled operation of the turret in a controlled mode of operation. In response to a determination that a manual mode of operation has been initiated, the controller disables controlled operation of the turret of the vehicle.

Abstract: An apparatus for providing power at a vehicle turret powered by a turret power source is provided. A power module is configured to be coupled to the turret power source such that the power module receives power from the turret power source. A coupling device is configured to couple the power module to the turret power source such that the power module receives the power from the turret power source via the coupling device. One or more power outlets are configured to provide power to an electronic device coupled to one of the power outlets.

Abstract: A method is described of operating an apparatus which has at least two alternative operational modes, and a plurality of controllable operating devices and a controller to which demand signals to operate the controllable operating devices are input by the operator from a main operating control structure, and from which command signals are issued to the controllable operating device, to change the operating states of the devices, and the apparatus further including a warning device, and an auxiliary control structure for the operator to input an auxiliary signal to the controller, the auxiliary control structure being operationally separate from the main operating control structure, at least one of the operating devices having an expected operating state appropriate for an operational mode, the method including determining the selected operational mode in which the apparatus is being operated or is about to be operated, and determining the operating state of the at least one operating device, comparing the det

Abstract: A technique is presented for simultaneously releasing a plurality of control lines, and in particular to facilitate an oilfield operation with respect to a subsea wellbore. A hose reel or a plurality of hose reels may be mounted on a skid which, in turn, may be positioned on a vessel that works in cooperation with an offshore platform. Each hose reel is designed to engage a hose bundle via a release mechanism which releasably couples a plurality of control lines carried by the hose bundle. The release mechanism comprises a primary release and a secondary release to selectively enable disconnection of the control lines and release of the hose bundle from the skid.

Abstract: A well access line monitor. The monitor may be employed to directly interface and establish the current yield strength of a plastically deformable line such as coiled tubing or slickline. Such interfacing may take place in advance of, or during an application. Thus, the fitness of the line for the application may be established in real-time. Further, with comparison to a reference log of projected yield strength for the line over the course of multiple bend cycles, the remaining life of the line may also be established.