Abstract: A person support apparatus including a person support surface having a head section and a foot section opposite the head section, a bladder positionable between a non-inflated state and an inflated state, the bladder positioned at the head section of the person support surface, a fluid supply device in fluid communication with the bladder, the fluid supply device storing a fluid, and a controller communicatively coupled to the fluid supply device and configured to operate the fluid supply device to deliver the fluid to the bladder and position the bladder between the non-inflated state and the inflated state.

Abstract: A suction device for sucking a process gas from a process chamber and to an apparatus for producing a three-dimensional component by selectively solidifying a building material, applied layer by layer, by means of a beam acting on the building material, having an suction tube which at one end has an outlet opening at an end face, to which an suction line can be connected, having an intake opening which extends in the longitudinal direction of the suction tube and is slot shaped, wherein there is provided at the outlet opening of the suction tube a connection port which can be inserted into a connection interface on or in the process chamber, and at the opposite end of the suction tube there is provided a holding element which is releasably held by a holding device associated with an opening of the process chamber.

Abstract: A person support system including a person support surface. The person support surface may include a blower subassembly and a surface foundation layer. The person support surface may further include a turn assist bladder layer, a working cushion layer, and a support cushion layer positioned between a first lateral side bolster and a second lateral side bolster of the surface foundation layer, a foot bladder layer positioned proximally adjacent the surface foundation layer, and a microclimate management (MCM) layer, where the blower subassembly may be configured to supply air to the MCM layer. A top encasement portion of the person support surface may be removably coupled to a bottom encasement portion of the person support surface to enclose such included components within the person support surface.

Abstract: A suction device for sucking a process gas from a process chamber and to an apparatus for producing a three-dimensional component by selectively solidifying a building material, applied layer by layer, by means of a beam acting on the building material, having an suction tube which at one end has an outlet opening at an end face, to which an suction line can be connected, having an intake opening which extends in the longitudinal direction of the suction tube and is slot shaped, wherein there is provided at the outlet opening of the suction tube a connection port which can be inserted into a connection interface on or in the process chamber, and at the opposite end of the suction tube there is provided a holding element which is releasably held by a holding device associated with an opening of the process chamber.

Abstract: Method and plant for recovery of a processed, powdered structural material in a plant for manufacturing a three-dimensional component by selective solidification of the structural material by a beam directed onto the structural material, in which, in a construction station which includes a process chamber, the component is manufactured on a substrate plate in a construction module by layered hardening of the structural material and/or in which, in an unpacking station which includes an unpacking chamber, the component manufactured in the construction module is removed from the construction module, and the processed, non-hardened structural material is removed from the component, in which the processed structural material is collected in a collecting device by a recovery device and provided for further feeding into the process chamber for manufacturing further components, wherein the recovery device includes at least one cartridge filled with the processed structural material collected in the application devic

Abstract: Disclosed is an improved system and method for carrying out the petroleum coking process. The improvements provide for recovery of gaseous hydrocarbons from operational units and use of the recovered gaseous hydrocarbons in place of steam during the coking process and during the stripping of volatile compounds from the coke drums.

Abstract: Disclosed is an improved system and method for carrying out the petroleum coking process. The improvements provide for recovery of gaseous hydrocarbons from operational units and use of the recovered gaseous hydrocarbons in place of steam during the coking process and during the stripping of volatile compounds from the coke drums.

Abstract: A surgical distance adjusting assembly for a distractor has a base having a first connecting portion configured to hold a first bone attachment member and a carrier having a second connecting portion configured to hold a second bone attachment member. The base and the carrier are movable relative to each other, wherein the first and second connecting portions provide a releasable mechanical coupling to the first and second bone attachment members. The releasable mechanical coupling comprises a hook member at one or both of the first and second connecting portions and configured to engage the respective bone attachment member. Alternatively, the releasable mechanical coupling comprises an opening at one or both of the first and second connecting portions. The opening has a thread for a fixation screw configured to releasable couple the respective bone attachment member to the respective connecting portion.

Abstract: A surgical distance adjusting assembly for a distractor has a base having a first connecting portion configured to hold a first bone attachment member and a carrier having a second connecting portion configured to hold a second bone attachment member. The base and the carrier are movable relative to each other, wherein the first and second connecting portions provide a releasable mechanical coupling to the first and second bone attachment members. The releasable mechanical coupling comprises a hook member at one or both of the first and second connecting portions and configured to engage the respective bone attachment member. Alternatively, the releasable mechanical coupling comprises an opening at one or both of the first and second connecting portions. The opening has a thread for a fixation screw configured to releasable couple the respective bone attachment member to the respective connecting portion.

Abstract: The current invention provides an improved petroleum coking process wherein the risk of silicone poisoning of units downstream of the coke drums is eliminated. The method of the current invention controls the foam layer within the coke drum by injection of a non-silicone anti-foam agent, preferably a tire oil. In another embodiment, the current invention provides a controlled foaming method which increases the liquid production from the coke drum. In the controlled foaming method, an anti-foam agent is cyclically injected into the drum early in the coke drum fill cycle. The cyclic injections manage the foam layer without inducing the induction phase in the coke feedstock, thereby increasing the total volume of feedstock received by the coke drum.

Abstract: A system, method, and apparatus for containing oil and gas leaking from an underwater wellhead or other man-made structure. The apparatus includes a conduit having an upper end and a lower end with an opening. The conduit is sized for the lower end to be positioned over a plume leaking from the man-made structure and the upper end to be substantially near or at the seawater surface. The apparatus also includes a port for introducing a suitable gas such as nitrogen into the interior of the conduit for displacing seawater from the interior of the conduit. In addition, the apparatus includes a plurality of valves for metering liquid and gas flow within the interior of the conduit. The conduit is positioned over the leaking man-made structure and oil and gas flow upward from the leaking man-made structure through the interior of the conduit.

Abstract: The current invention provides an improved petroleum coking process wherein the risk of silicone poisoning of units downstream of the coke drums is eliminated. The method of the current invention controls the foam layer within the coke drum by injection of a non-silicone anti-foam agent, preferably a tire oil. In another embodiment, the current invention provides a controlled foaming method which increases the liquid production from the coke drum. In the controlled foaming method, an anti-foam agent is cyclically injected into the drum early in the coke drum fill cycle. The cyclic injections manage the foam layer without inducing the induction phase in the coke feedstock, thereby increasing the total volume of feedstock received by the coke drum.

Abstract: The invention relates to an arrangement for obtaining electrical energy from low temperature or waste heat. The heat energy is then converted into electrical energy. Two heat exchangers (1, 2) are configured as two pressure vessels and are connected to a gas-pressure machine (4) built into a pressure vessel (3). Process gas is introduced into the heat exchangers (1, 2) at a pressure of 20 to 200 MPa and thereafter, simultaneously, heat is introduced via a flow channel (7) into the heat exchanger (1) and the cold is introduced into the heat exchanger (2) via a flow channel (8).

Abstract: An apparatus for cutting a product includes a conveyor assembly and a slitter assembly. The conveyor assembly conveys the product in a feed direction and defines a conveyance surface, on which the product is conveyed. The slitter assembly slits the product into strips as the product is conveyed in the feed direction. The slitter assembly comprises a plurality of cutting elements arranged in a V shape and overlapping one another in the feed direction, as viewed in a direction substantially normal to the conveyance surface. A chopping assembly is positioned downstream of the slitter assembly. The chopping assembly comprises an elongated blade, which moves in an elliptical cutting motion, such that it has a component in the downward direction to sever the strips of product, and a component in the feed direction to toss the severed pieces of product in the feed direction.

Abstract: A method that enables focus to be given to a displayed control item when a cursor is positioned within a predetermining activating area outside of the outer edges of the displayed control item. More particularly, the computer-implemented method for selecting a displayed control item on a display screen which includes the steps of: displaying a cursor on the display screen; displaying a control item on the display screen; providing an area extending around the control menu item; and providing focus to the control item when the cursor is positioned within the area extending around the control item. Preferably, the area extending around the control item is not visible on the display screen. With respect to the dimensions of the area extending around the control item, the dimensions preferably are (height H+constant C1) by (length L+constant C2), where H is the dimension defining the height of the control item and L is the dimension defining the length of the control item.

Abstract: An object-oriented system for generating and displaying control items that allow users of an interactive network to recognize and select control functions via a graphical user interface. The manipulation of the control items on a display screen is linked to a set-top terminal associated with the interactive network. The control items, which can be visible or audible, are associated with control objects. Control objects are arranged in a hierarchy, and can contain one or more child control objects. Attributes of a child control object are inherited from an ancestor control object. A control item can be graphically manipulated independently by drawing the control item into its own sprite, or can be manipulated by drawing the control item into the sprite of a parent. The system provides building blocks of control elements that can be composed and customized to produce versatile interfaces for applications and content.

Abstract: Effluent with entrained particles is drawn through a filter module (A) by an exhaust blower (B). The filter module includes an inertial separator (C) for providing an inertial separation of particles from the effluent air and a plurality of filter cartridges (D) which allow air to pass therethrough but not particles. A plenum E interconnects the filter cartridges with the exhaust blower to channel the filtered air from the filter module to the exhaust blower. A flow controller (F) controls the flow rate of air through each of the filter cartridges maintaining it substantially constant. The flow controller includes a flow rate sensor for sensing the flow rate through each filter cartridge and a butterfly damper blade for selectively restricting the plenum to maintain the flow rate substantially constant. A filter cartridge cleaner (G) is selectively actuated when the flow controller is unable to maintain a preselected minimum flow rate.

Abstract: Effluent with entrained particles is drawn through a filter module (A) by an exhaust blower (B). The filter module includes an inertial separator (C) for providing an inertial separation of particles from the effluent air and a plurality of filter cartridges (D) which allow air to pass therethrough but not particles. A plenum E interconnects the filter cartridges with the exhaust blower to channel the filtered air from the filter module to the exhaust blower. A flow controller (F) controls the flow rate of air through each of the filter cartridges maintaining it substantially constant. The flow controller includes a flow rate sensor for sensing the flow rate through each filter cartridge and a butterfly damper blade for selectively restricting the plenum to maintain the flow rate substantially constant. A filter cartridge cleaner (G) is selectively actuated when the flow controller is unable to maintain a preselected minimum flow rate.