Abstract: A vehicle is provided that includes a vehicle body defining a cabin interior, a plurality of seats located within the cabin interior, each seat having an adjustable seat base and an adjustable seat back, a monitoring system for detecting and monitoring a pet within the cabin interior, and a controller processing signals generated by the monitoring system and determining a location of the pet based on the monitored signals, the controller further controlling at least one of the adjustable seat base and adjustable seat back of a seat based on the determined location of the pet so that the seat is configured to accommodate the pet.

Abstract: Techniques for implementing and/or operating a pipe handling system that includes an inboard bore plug assembly and an outboard bore plug assembly, which facilitate plugging a pipe bore in a flexible pipe. The inboard bore plug assembly includes a first inflatable plug having a first inflatable bladder that defines a first fluid cavity and a first inflation port opening and a first inflation fluid port secured within the first inflation port opening. The outboard bore plug assembly includes a second inflatable plug having a second inflatable bladder that defines a second fluid cavity, a second inflation port opening, and a bore port opening, a second inflation fluid port secured within the second inflation port opening, and a bore fluid port secured in the bore port opening to enable the pipe bore in the flexible pipe to be pressurized to an elevated fluid pressure.

Abstract: A method comprising: receiving a first image captured on an image sensor; obtaining a scene estimate for the first image, wherein the scene estimate comprises an estimate of the background signal for a region of space being imaged onto the sensor; storing the scene estimate in memory; receiving a plurality of successive images, wherein for each one of the successive images, the field of view is shifted with respect to the preceding image and overlaps partially with that of the preceding image; for each one of the successive images: retrieving the scene estimate from memory; subtracting the scene estimate from the image to obtain a background-subtracted image for output; updating the scene estimate based on the signal detected at the location on the image sensor to which the region of space is being imaged; and replacing the scene estimate stored in memory with the updated scene estimate.

Abstract: A vehicle is provided that includes a vehicle body defining a cabin interior and comprising a front row of seats and a rear row of seats, a plurality of seats located within the cabin interior, and a monitoring system for detecting and monitoring a pet or passenger within the cabin interior. The vehicle also includes a movable center console positioned between a pair of the forward row of seats and forward of the rear row of seats and comprising a holder for holding a drink container, and a controller processing signals generated by the monitoring system and determining a location of the detected pet or passenger on the rear row of seats based on the processed signals, the controller further controlling the movable console between a forward first position and a rearward second position closer to the rear row of seats.

Abstract: A storage rack beam includes top and bottom flanges and at least one web that interconnects the flanges. The web includes at least one stiffening formation arranged to stiffen an intermediate region of the web along at least a substantial portion of its length so as to resist lateral loading applied to the beam. The racking beam may take various forms, including first and second U-shaped sections in opposed abutting relationship, or formed as a closed S-shaped profile. Also disclosed is a storage rack beam that has a vertical loading capacity and a horizontal loading capacity, wherein at least part of the horizontal loading capacity is independent of the vertical loading capacity applied to the beam.

Abstract: A method of assembling pallets containing stock units is disclosed using a negative pick/put transfer having donor pallets 14 containing quantities of stock units and recipient pallets 20 receiving stock units. A distribution system 10 and control system 32 is provided to implement negative pick/put transfers of pallets. Also disclosed are methods and systems for sequencing the assembly of pallets by matching stock orders to create negative pick/put transfer opportunities.

Abstract: A protector for a structural member includes a body having a front portion and opposite side portions that extend from at least part of the front portion to define a channel. The protector is locatable over the structural member so that at least a portion of that member is received within the channel. In one form, the side portions include an inwardly turned lip that defines a constricted throat of the channel. The protector may also include bearing members which are arranged to clamp onto the front base of the structural member. A two part protector is also disclosed with one part forming a base assembly for the structural member. The protector has particular application in storage racking systems and also disclosed are assemblies for use in the support structure of a storage racking system that incorporates the protector, and associated storage racking systems including such assemblies.

Abstract: An anti-hot spot device for at least one photovoltaic module (10) including:

Abstract: A process for metering electric power passing via a certain point in a single-phase system comprises current (12) and voltage (U) stages at that point in the system and a processing stage for this information to generate data on the measurement of electric power. Each current data acquisition stage comprises the following steps: A) injection, into a winding (10a) of a magnetic circuit (10) with a predetermined structure surrounding one (LA) of the lines (LA, LB) of the system, of a current (Il+Ic) substantially proportional to the sum of a modulation current (kIl) and a "compensation" current (kIc); and B) detection at the terminals of the winding (10a) of an overvoltage leading to the immediate acquisition of the compensation current (kIc) as an image of the current passing through the line (LA). Use in the electronic metering of power in domestic installations, especially with facilities for remote transmission and information.

Abstract: Improved techniques are provided for giving new garments, such as jeans, a worn appearance by tumbling the garments with potassium permanganate impregnated pumice rock. Pumice rock is thoroughly and quickly impregnated with potassium permanganate solution by placing the rock in a sealed chamber, drawing a vacuum in the chamber, spraying a potassium permanganate solution into the chamber while allowing the vacuum to drop to a preselected level, then retrieving the impregnated rock from the chamber. The garments and impregnated rock are then tumbled in a perforated container. New garments are added with additional rock to replenish the reduced the reduced volume of the used rock, which need not be reimpregnated. A preferred stone-washed appearance may be obtained by the combined bleaching effect of the potassium permanganate and the abrasive action of the rock.