Abstract: A methanol synthesis plant comprising: a feed pretreating section operable to pretreat a feed stream; a synthesis gas (syngas) generation section comprising one or more reactors operable to produce a syngas synthesis product stream comprising synthesis gas from the feed stream; a methanol synthesis section comprising one or more methanol synthesis reactors operable to produce a synthesis product comprising methanol; and/or a methanol purification section operable to remove at least one component from the synthesis product to provide a purified methanol product; wherein the methanol synthesis plant is configured such that, relative to a conventional methanol synthesis plant, more of the net energy required by the methanol synthesis plant, the feed pretreating section, the syngas generation section, the methanol synthesis section, the methanol purification section, or a combination thereof, is provided by a non-carbon based energy source, a renewable energy source, and/or electricity.

Abstract: An olefin synthesis plant comprising: a feed pretreatment section configured to pretreat a feed stream; a pyrolysis section comprising one or more pyrolysis reactors configured to crack hydrocarbons in the feed stream in the presence of a diluent to produce a cracked gas stream; a primary fractionation and compression section configured to provide heat recovery from and quenching of the cracked gas stream; remove a component from the cracked gas stream; and compress the cracked gas stream, thus providing a compressed cracked gas stream; and/or a product separation section configured to separate a product olefin stream from the compressed cracked gas stream, wherein the olefin synthesis plant is configured such that, relative to a conventional olefin synthesis plant, more of the energy and/or the net energy required by the olefin synthesis plant and/or one or more sections thereof, is provided by a non-carbon based and/or renewable energy source and/or electricity.

Abstract: A methanol synthesis plant comprising: a feed pretreating section operable to pretreat a feed stream; a synthesis gas (syngas) generation section comprising one or more reactors operable to produce a syngas synthesis product stream comprising synthesis gas from the feed stream; a methanol synthesis section comprising one or more methanol synthesis reactors operable to produce a synthesis product comprising methanol; and/or a methanol purification section operable to remove at least one component from the synthesis product to provide a purified methanol product; wherein the methanol synthesis plant is configured such that, relative to a conventional methanol synthesis plant, more of the net energy required by the methanol synthesis plant, the feed pretreating section, the syngas generation section, the methanol synthesis section, the methanol purification section, or a combination thereof, is provided by a non-carbon based energy source, a renewable energy source, and/or electricity.

Abstract: An elevator assembly for a harvester may include an elevator extending within between proximal and distal ends. The elevator may be configured to carry harvested crops between its proximal and distal ends. The elevator assembly may also include a storage hopper at a location adjacent to the distal end of the elevator. The storage hopper may include a rear deflector and a hopper gate. The hopper gate may be movable between a discharge position, at which the hopper gate exposes a discharge opening of the storage hopper, and a storage position, at which the hopper gate covers the discharge opening to prevent harvested crops from being discharged from the elevator assembly. Additionally, when the hopper gate is moved to the storage position, the hopper gate and the rear deflector may at least partially define a storage volume adjacent to the distal end of the elevator for storing the harvested crop.

Abstract: An elevator assembly for a harvester may include an elevator extending within between proximal and distal ends. The elevator may be configured to carry harvested crops between its proximal and distal ends. The elevator assembly may also include a storage hopper at a location adjacent to the distal end of the elevator. The storage hopper may include a rear deflector and a hopper gate. The hopper gate may be movable between a discharge position, at which the hopper gate exposes a discharge opening of the storage hopper, and a storage position, at which the hopper gate covers the discharge opening to prevent harvested crops from being discharged from the elevator assembly. Additionally, when the hopper gate is moved to the storage position, the hopper gate and the rear deflector may at least partially define a storage volume adjacent to the distal end of the elevator for storing the harvested crop.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for controlling a continuous machining process includes a robot, a machining tool, a table, and a raw parts supply mounted inside a machining cell enclosure. The table has first and second vises for holding parts. The machining tool is operated to machine a raw part in one of the vises while the robot is operated to pick a machined part from the other vise and then place another raw part into the other vise. The table can be fixed or rotatable. The robot places the picked machined parts on an exit conveyor to remove the machined parts from the enclosure.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for controlling a continuous machining process includes a robot, a machining tool, a table, and a raw parts supply mounted inside a machining cell enclosure. The table has first and second vises for holding parts. The machining tool is operated to machine a raw part in one of the vises while the robot is operated to pick a machined part from the other vise and then place another raw part into the other vise. The table can be fixed or rotatable. The robot places the picked machined parts on an exit conveyor to remove the machined parts from the enclosure.

Abstract: An elevator assembly for a harvester may include an elevator extending within between proximal and distal ends. The elevator may be configured to carry harvested crops between its proximal and distal ends. The elevator assembly may also include a storage hopper at a location adjacent to the distal end of the elevator. The storage hopper may include a rear deflector and a hopper gate. The hopper gate may be movable between a discharge position, at which the hopper gate exposes a discharge opening of the storage hopper, and a storage position, at which the hopper gate covers the discharge opening to prevent harvested crops from being discharged from the elevator assembly. Additionally, when the hopper gate is moved to the storage position, the hopper gate and the rear deflector may at least partially define a storage volume adjacent to the distal end of the elevator for storing the harvested crop.

Abstract: A debris removal system for an agricultural harvester may include a chopper assembly configured to chop harvested crops into billets; an elevator having an elevator inlet that receives a stream of billets from the chopper assembly; and an extractor positioned adjacent the elevator inlet that is configured to remove from the harvester debris separated from the billets. A fan assembly may be positioned between the chopper assembly and the elevator inlet and may include a fan and a fan discharge outlet. The fan assembly may blow a stream of air through the stream of billets and toward the extractor to separate the debris from the billets for removal by the extractor. Moreover, the fan has a diameter that is approximately twice a height of the fan discharge outlet. Other debris removal systems and methods for removing debris from harvested crops also are provided.

Abstract: A door handle attachment is provided having (1) at least one lateral support member, (2) a handle ridge, and (3) an adhesive backside. The lateral support members are coupled along one longitudinal edge at a substantially right angle to the handle ridge, such that the handle ridge rises up away from the lateral support members. The adhesive backside is formed from the posterior surface, i.e. the underside of the lateral support members, and is substantially coated with an adhesive.

Abstract: A system comprising at least one transmitter module, at least one receiver module, and at least one communication network. The transmitter module is placed on a barrier, wherein the transmitter module comprises a position detector. The receiver module is placed in a close proximity to a user, wherein the receiver module comprises a user alert feature. The receiver module may include a mobile device. The communication network is capable of providing a working communication between the transmitter module and the receiver module. The system is capable of monitoring and providing an alert if the barrier is left open by a user.

Abstract: A system comprising at least one transmitter module, at least one receiver module, and at least one communication network. The transmitter module is placed on a barrier, wherein the transmitter module comprises a position detector. The receiver module is placed in a close proximity to a user, wherein the receiver module comprises a user alert feature. The receiver module may include a mobile device. The communication network is capable of providing a working communication between the transmitter module and the receiver module. The system is capable of monitoring and providing an alert if the barrier is left open by a user.

Abstract: By including a Variable Second Pad Keel, a watercraft experiences a reduction in Slamming forces as well as generally improved Seakeeping and Seakindliness.

Abstract: By including a Concentric Pad Keel, a watercraft experiences a reduction in Slamming forces as well as generally improved Seakeeping and Seakindliness.

Abstract: A shield system for an ordnance includes a frame and a flexible net subsystem supported by the frame. Diagonal lines of net material intersect at nodes forming diamond shaped mesh openings and a hard point is attached to at least select nodes.

Abstract: A protection system includes a net made of flexible, low breaking strength intersecting lines connected at nodes. A frame supports the net and spaces the net from a vehicle and/or structure. Hard points are disposed at least at select net nodes and feature a multi-sided body with a cavity therein behind a front face thereof. The body includes a lip extending into the cavity. A protrusion extends outwardly from the front face. A tapered plug is received in the cavity and includes a ledge engaged by the lip locking the plug and a net node in the cavity and securing the hard point to the net node in a pivotable fashion.

Abstract: A method of designing an RPG. A computerized model is created of a shield mesh opening with lines of a net intersecting at nodes and with hard points positioned at least at select nodes. The effectiveness of the mesh opening at a plurality of obliquity angles is determined. In the model, a change is made to the size of the mesh opening and the effectiveness is determined again at a plurality of different obliquity angles. Iterations of this process allow an optimal mesh opening size to be determined for a threat such as an RPG.

Abstract: A shield system for an ordnance includes a frame and a flexible net subsystem supported by the frame. Diagonal lines of net material intersect at nodes forming diamond shaped mesh openings and a hard point is attached to at least select nodes.

Abstract: A shield system for an ordnance having a fuse sensitivity includes a frame and a flexible net subsystem supported by the frame. Chords of net material intersect at nodes forming mesh openings and a hard point is attached to at least select nodes. The net material has a breaking strength such that a chord will break upon impact of an ordnance fuse with the chord for a predetermined percentage (e.g., 100%) of ordnance fuse impacts.

Abstract: A protection system includes a net made of flexible, low breaking strength intersecting lines connected at nodes. A frame supports the net and spaces the net from a vehicle and/or structure. Hard points are disposed at least at select net nodes and feature a multi-sided body with a cavity therein behind a front face thereof. The body includes a lip extending into the cavity. A protrusion extends outwardly from the front face. A tapered plug is received in the cavity and includes a ledge engaged by the lip locking the plug and a net node in the cavity and securing the hard point to the net node in a pivotable fashion.