Abstract: The present invention provides a valve (1) for obturating a pipe (2), having: a central axis X, a body (10) having an inlet (12) and an outlet (14), defining an aperture (18), a plurality of obturating portions (30) for obturating said aperture (18), a valve mechanism (70), the plurality of obturating portions (30), moveable from a first closed position (8) to a second open position (9), a valve seat (20), a plurality of first fixed pivot mounts (41) on the body (10) and wherein each obturating portion (30) is pivotally mounted within a first fixed pivot mount (41); a plurality of second non-fixed pivot mounts (42) connected to the valve mechanism (70) and wherein each obturating portion (30) is pivotally mounted within a second non-fixed pivot mount (42); and wherein the valve mechanism (70) and hence each second non-fixed pivot mount (42) is movable in three dimensions.

Abstract: This invention concerns a contractile device. The device includes a body, which has a wall including a tessellation of elements. The body is deformable through pressurisation of fluid within the body between a first, extended state and a second, contracted state in which the axial length of the body is reduced and the internal volume increased compared to the first, normal state. The tessellation of elements includes a series of protruding and intruding formations which are arranged such that the body remains substantially cylindrical through its deformation between its normal and deformed states. The protruding and intruding formations of the tessellation of elements may be in the form of protruding and intruding pyramids.

Abstract: This invention concerns a contractile device. The device includes a body, which has a wall including a tessellation of elements. The body is deformable through pressurisation of fluid within the body between a first, extended state and a second, contracted state in which the axial length of the body is reduced and the internal volume increased compared to the first, normal state. The tessellation of elements includes a series of protruding and intruding formations which are arranged such that the body remains substantially cylindrical through its deformation between its normal and deformed states. The protruding and intruding formations of the tessellation of elements may be in the form of protruding and intruding pyramids.

Abstract: A dairy product comprising a sweetened dairy composition with a mass ratio of lactose to glucose equal to 1.0:2.7 to 2.6:1.5 and a mass ratio of lactose to galactose equal to 1.0:2.2 to 2.6:1.1. In a second aspect, a method comprises hydrolyzing lactose in the starting dairy composition in a lactase-catalyzed hydrolysis reaction and deactivating the reaction to provide a lactose percent conversion of 46 to 80 wt. %. In a third aspect, a dairy product comprises a fermented sweetened dairy composition comprising a lactose:glucose mass ratio of 0.01:2.4 to 1.0:1.0 and a lactose:galactose mass ratio of 0.01:2.7 to 1.0:1.0. In a fourth aspect, a method comprises hydrolyzing and fermenting lactose in a starting dairy composition, thereby providing a fermented sweetened dairy composition with a lactose percent conversion of 80 to 100 wt. %.

Abstract: In some embodiments, a secure package delivery system and methods may include a door lock smart device in communication with a system server, a delivery information device in communication with the system server, and a client device in communication with the system server. The delivery information device may provide delivery status information of a package to the system server. The door lock smart device may govern access to a door at the location to which the package is to be delivered. The system server may, in response to receiving the delivery status information of the package from the delivery information device, communicate with the door lock smart device to enable access to the door governed by the door lock smart device. The system server may also be configured to communicate delivery completion information to the client device.

Abstract: In some embodiments, a secure package delivery system and methods may include a remotely-controllable electronic door lock device accessible by in a system server, a delivery information device in communication with the system server, and a client device in communication with the system server. The delivery information device may provide delivery status information of a package to the system server. The remotely-controllable electronic lock device may enable or prevent access to a door at the location to which the package is to be delivered. The system server may, in response to receiving a notification that the package en route for delivery is proximate the delivery location and receiving a secure package delivery indicator associated the package recipient's account that indicates whether the package recipient has provided consent for a package delivery in a structure at the delivery location locked with an electronic lock without further instruction by the package recipient at a time of delivery.

Abstract: Computer-implemented systems and methods are provided for reducing a number of options presented to a user where the options have characteristics that are arranged in a multi-dimensional hierarchical space. A system and method can be configured to identify common dimensions using dimension nodes in dimensional points and identify compatible nodes for each dimension in the multi-dimensional hierarchical space by determining whether an association exists. Compatible pairs of surviving points are generated after applying each of the compatible nodes from the common dimensions. Greatest lower bounds (GLBs) are computed for each of the generated compatible points, and a set of options is generated comprising points from the generated compatible points and the computed GLBs.

Abstract: Computer-implemented systems and methods are provided for reducing a number of options presented to a user where the options have characteristics that are arranged in a multi-dimensional hierarchical space. A system and method can be configured to identify common dimensions using dimension nodes in dimensional points and identify compatible nodes for each dimension in the multi-dimensional hierarchical space by determining whether an association exists. Compatible pairs of surviving points are generated after applying each of the compatible nodes from the common dimensions. Greatest lower bounds (GLBs) are computed for each of the generated compatible points, and a set of options is generated comprising points from the generated compatible points and the computed GLBs.

Abstract: A wear component for ground engaging machinery is disclosed. The wear component has a shell formed from a first metallic material and an inner body formed from a second metallic material. The first material is relatively tough, and resistant to impact forces, and the second material is relatively abrasion resistant. A metallurgical bond exists between the first material and the second material.

Abstract: A self-vacuum arrangement for pneumatic equipment is provided. A Venturi device having first and second ports and a central tap is provided. A first check valve having a first port operably coupled with the central tap of the Venturi device is configured to prevent pneumatic flow from the central tap through the first check valve. Optionally included is a second valve having a first port operably coupled with the first port of the Venturi device, and a second port operably coupled with the second port of the Venturi device.

Abstract: A self-vacuum arrangement for pneumatic equipment is provided. A Venturi device having first and second ports and a central tap is provided. A first check valve having a first port operably coupled with the central tap of the Venturi device is configured to prevent pneumatic flow from the central tap through the first check valve. Optionally included is a second valve having a first port operably coupled with the first port of the Venturi device, and a second port operably coupled with the second port of the Venturi device.

Abstract: A system and method for fuel balancing is disclosed. The system and method measures the difference in fuel levels between two fuel tanks. In one case, when the difference in the two fuel levels exceeds a predetermined amount, an indicator is activated. In another case, when the difference in the two fuel levels exceeds a predetermined amount, the fuel is only drawn from the fuel tank containing the most fuel.

Abstract: This invention relates to a method of making an olefin from a dialkyl ether comprising (a) introducing an ether having a formula CxH2x+1CyH2y+1 into a thermal or catalytic cracking unit processing a hydrocarbon feedstock; and (b) decomposing at least a portion of the ether to form an olefin having a formula CxH2x and/or CyH2y and an alcohol having a formula CxH2x+1 and/or CyH2y+1OH, wherein x and y independently range from about 1 to about 30. This invention also relates to a method of reducing coking in a thermal or catalytic cracking unit comprising (a) introducing an ether, having a formula CxH2x+1OCyH2y+1, into the cracking unit processing a hydrocarbon feedstock in an amount effective to reduce coke formation relative to processing the hydrocarbon feedstock in the absence of the ether, wherein x and y independently range from about 1 to about 30.

Abstract: An attachment system for connecting a first member such as a lip plate (12) of a mechanical digging device to a second member such as a ground engaging tool (10). The first member has a lug (22) attached thereto, and the second member has a recess (50) which is located about the lug (22). A stabilizing member (98) is located within a slot (57) in the recess. A clamping member (60) is between the lug and the stabilizing member, and includes a resilient portion (90) such as a compression spring. A compressive force supplied to the resilient portion restricts the movement of the second member relative to the lug.