Abstract: An in-situ bollard tester. The in-situ bollard tester may comprise: a frame, cable, and tensioner. The frame may mount onto a pier and around a bollard to provide structural support for the cable and tensioner. The frame may comprise a pair of base assemblies and a spreader bar. Each of the base assemblies may comprise a support frame and a cantilever arm, and the spreader bar may be coupled to the pair of base assemblies. A pair of jacks are coupled near proximal corners of the base assemblies. The tensioner may comprise a pair of hydraulic arms having first ends coupled near a proximal end of the base assemblies and a linear crossmember coupled to the second ends of the hydraulic arms. The cable may fasten to the bollard, and the tensioner may apply tension to the cable at various load angles in order to test the integrity of the bollard.

Abstract: An in-situ bollard tester. The in-situ bollard tester may comprise: a frame, cable, and tensioner. The frame is preferably adapted to mount onto a pier or wharf and around a bollard to provide structural support for the cable and tensioner. The frame may comprise a rectangular frame, pair of hanging columns, pair of jacks and pair of legs. The pair of jacks are coupled near proximal corners of the rectangular frame and are vertically disposed. The hanging columns are coupled near distal corners of the rectangular frame. The pair of legs are coupled at the lower ends of the hanging columns and are disposed in a horizontal manner. The tensioner may be coupled above the rectangular frame. The cable may fasten to the bollard, and the tensioner may apply tension to the cable at various load angles in order to test the integrity of the bollard.

Abstract: A method and/or system of partially updating data in a data collection including determining, in a first incoming row of an incoming update file, whether a first incoming column contains new data, and in response using the new data in a first updated column of a first updated row in an updated master file; and in response to the first incoming column of the incoming update file not containing new data, determining whether a first master column in a first master row of the master table contains old data; and in response using the old data in the first updated column of the first updated row in the updated master file.

Abstract: A baler for agricultural material including a reciprocating plunger that compresses crop material in a channel into flakes which are stacked to provide a bale length of the desired size. The baler is towed from and powered by a steerable tractor having an operator display. The channel receiving the plunger has right and left walls which support star wheels having points projecting into the channel for the flakes and bale. The relative movement of the bale from right to left is determined and indicated to the operator of the vehicle to steer right, left or straight to ensure that bales have thickness that is uniform across their width.

Abstract: A system, apparatus, and method are provided for monitoring a subsea flow device such as a subsea flowline. The apparatus generally includes a thermoelectric device that is adapted to generate electric power from a thermal potential between the subsea flow device and the surrounding seawater. A sensor that is powered by the thermoelectric device is adapted to monitor one or more characteristics of the flow device, such as temperature or strain, and provide a radiation output that is indicative of the characteristic.

Abstract: A baler for agricultural material including a reciprocating plunger that compresses crop material in a channel into flakes which are stacked to provide a bale length of the desired size. The baler is towed from and powered by a steerable tractor having an operator display. The channel receiving the plunger has right and left walls which support star wheels having points projecting into the channel for the flakes and bale. The relative movement of the bale from right to left is determined and indicated to the operator of the vehicle to steer right, left or straight to ensure that bales have thickness that is uniform across their width.

Abstract: A work machine includes a frame, at least one drive wheel carried by the frame, at least one caster wheel assembly carried by the frame, and at least one turn assist arrangement. Each turn assist arrangement is coupled between the frame and a corresponding caster wheel assembly. Each turn assist arrangement is configured to bias the corresponding caster wheel assembly during an operator commanded turn, and to be overridden by forces applied by the ground to the caster wheel assembly.

Abstract: An agricultural power control system including a moving element, a power source, a signal generating element and a torque modifying device. The moving element is configured to engage a quantity of crop material in a cyclical manner. The power source conveys power to the moving element. The signal generating element is configured to provide a signal relating to an anticipated quantity of crop material prior to the moving element engaging the quantity of crop material. The torque modifying device is configured to cause the power source to alter an amount of torque delivered to the moving element dependent upon the signal.

Abstract: A work machine jog drive includes a jog motor configured to operate components of the work machine primary drive system in a slow controllable manner to operate performance system components of the work machine for adjustment, maintenance and other purposes.

Abstract: A system, apparatus, and method are provided for monitoring a subsea flow device such as a subsea flowline. The apparatus generally includes a thermoelectric device that is adapted to generate electric power from a thermal potential between the subsea flow device and the surrounding seawater. A sensor that is powered by the thermoelectric device is adapted to monitor one or more characteristics of the flow device, such as temperature or strain, and provide a radiation output that is indicative of the characteristic.

Abstract: An agricultural baling machine that includes a rotating element, a plunger, a guiding channel and a linking element. The plunger has a pivoting point. The pivoting point travels in the guiding channel. The guiding channel defines the longitudinal axis. The linking element is connected between the rotating element and the plunger. The plunger has a face configured to have a line of loading. The line of loading is generally normal to the longitudinal axis. The line of loading shifts across the face as the linking element drives the plunger generally in a direction corresponding to the longitudinal axis.

Abstract: An agricultural power control system including a moving element, a power source, a signal generating element and a torque modifying device. The moving element is configured to engage a quantity of crop material in a cyclical manner. The power source conveys power to the moving element. The signal generating element is configured to provide a signal relating to an anticipated quantity of crop material prior to the moving element engaging the quantity of crop material. The torque modifying device is configured to cause the power source to alter an amount of torque delivered to the moving element dependent upon the signal.

Abstract: An agricultural baling machine that includes a rotating element, a plunger, a guiding channel and a linking element. The plunger has a pivoting point. The pivoting point travels in the guiding channel. The guiding channel defines the longitudinal axis. The linking element is connected between the rotating element and the plunger. The plunger has a face configured to have a line of loading. The line of loading is generally normal to the longitudinal axis. The line of loading shifts across the face as the linking element drives the plunger generally in a direction corresponding to the longitudinal axis.

Abstract: A work machine jog drive includes a jog motor configured to operate components of the work machine primary drive system in a slow controllable manner to operate performance system components of the work machine for adjustment, maintenance and other purposes.

Abstract: A work machine includes a frame, at least one drive wheel carried by the frame, at least one caster wheel assembly carried by the frame, and at least one turn assist arrangement. Each turn assist arrangement is coupled between the frame and a corresponding caster wheel assembly. Each turn assist arrangement is configured to bias the corresponding caster wheel assembly during an operator commanded turn, and to be overridden by forces applied by the ground to the caster wheel assembly.

Abstract: A direct-fired steam generator used for supplying steam for re-hydrating dry crop during baling is controlled so as to produce a desired constant steam temperature output by collecting data from which the heat output of the steam generator can be calculated and using this calculation together with the difference between the actual steam temperature and the desired steam temperature to control the amount of process water sent to the steam generator in order to correct any error in steam temperature. Steam temperature is measured in either one of the steam injection manifolds or in an injection tube coupled to an injection manifold so as to be close to the point of application of the steam to the crop.

Abstract: A direct-fired steam generator body defines a combustion chamber and having an exhaust outlet. A mixing chamber is provided for receiving the exhaust gases from the combustion chamber. A flange joint between an elbow forming part of the mixing chamber and the end of the steam generator body defining the exhaust outlet is designed so as to be cooled by process water coupled to the joint by an injection port provided in one of the flanges.

Abstract: An AWG device includes a plurality of arrayed waveguides positioned close to each other. An input signal excites one of these coupled waveguides and the power is then transferred to all of the arrayed waveguides so there are enough degrees of freedom in the device to achieve any desired distribution.

Abstract: A direct-fired steam generator system is used in conjunction with a baler for providing steam for re-hydrating the crop being baled. Cooling water is pumped through water jackets defined by double walls surrounding the combustion chamber and adjacent components, with this water being routed exteriorly of the water jackets and back to a three-way water control valve provided for normally routing the water back to the cooling water reservoir. The control valve is selectively actuated to couple the returning water to an injector flange for metering the water into an outlet end of the combustion chamber only when a flame is present or soon to be present in the combustion chamber, whereby the water will come into contact with hot combustion gases and be changed to steam which is routed on to be applied to the crop being baled.

Abstract: A drive arrangement for controlling the tying function of a large rectangular baler includes a knotter drive shaft having a drive member mounted on it for free rotation. A one-way clutch is connected between the drive member and the drive shaft for rotating the drive shaft only when the drive member is rotated in a first direction. The drive member has an elongate flexible element associated therewith and is driven in the first direction by retraction of an extensible and retractable hydraulic motor having its rod end coupled to one end of the flexible element, the other end of the flexible element being coupled to a spring that stores energy only when the hydraulic motor is retracted. At the end of the tying function, the hydraulic motor is extended to its beginning position, the loaded spring then taking up the slack in the flexible element and the one-way clutch then free-wheeling.