Abstract: The present invention relates to a connecting device (1) for fluid mediums, in particular hydraulic fluid mediums, consisting of a plastic connecting element (2) having at least one connecting section (4) with a receiving opening (6) for a tubular conduit end (8) to be laser-welded. The connecting element (2) consists of at least two components (K1, K2) with different material properties, a first component (K1) surrounding the receiving opening (6) in the area of the connecting section (4) and consisting of a material that is substantially transparent to laser beams.

Abstract: A roller air supply structure has a stationary compressed air supply having a stationary pressure chamber that can be loaded with pressure, and a rotatable roller that has at least one opening in a surface thereof operable to be loaded with compressed air from the stationary compressed air supply. The roller is surrounded in the axial area of the opening to be loaded with compressed air in the circumferential direction at least in sections by the stationary pressure chamber. The compressed air supply has a sealing element that can be moved by loading the pressure chamber with compressed air from a position of rest into a sealing position and by relieving the pressure of the pressure chamber to ambient pressure from the sealing position into the position of rest.

Abstract: A flexible conduit for use in a pipe system such as a vehicular exhaust system to provide a torsional or non-torsional joint between two pipes. The conduit has an outer bellows and an inner liner between which a layer of noise/thermal insulation is sandwiched to attenuate noise, resist thermal transmission and dampen vibration.

Abstract: A connector assembly includes a first connector having an outer tube and an inner tube, the outer tube being equipped with a pin having a first flow path, the inner tube being equipped with a first valve element opening and closing the first flow path; a second connector having a second flow path and a second valve element for opening and closing the second flow path; a locking device interconnecting, in an assembled state in which the first and second connectors are assembled together, the inner tube and the second connector; and an unlocking device for unlocking the connection between the inner tube and the second connector effected by the locking device. The first and second flow paths are interconnected in the assembled state. In this interconnected state, the connection between the inner tube and the second connector by the locking device cannot be unlocked by the unlocking device.

Abstract: A union nut is installed over a valve body between an outwardly flaring flange on a valve port and the valve itself. The union nut is uniquely characterized by installation threads cut into an inwardly flaring shoulder, and installation threads are also provided on the flange of the port. The shoulder can be screwed onto the flange until the union nut freely rotates about the port. A split ring is installed against a neck on the port, the neck being adjacent the flange, such that the union nut cannot threadedly engage the installation threads. The freely rotating union nut can be tightened into a suitable fitting that is part of a fluid system.

Abstract: According to one embodiment, a flange joint for joining a first pipe to a second pipe includes an adapter coupled to the first pipe. The adapter includes a convex surface. The flange joint also includes a gasket with a first concave surface and a second convex surface. The first concave surface of the gasket is matingly engageable with the convex surface of the adapter. The second convex surface is matingly engageable with the second pipe. The gasket is supported on the first pipe. The flange joint further includes a clamp that includes a concave surface that is matingly engageable with the second pipe to secure the gasket to the adapter.

Abstract: A power generation system having a wind turbine blade assembly, a generator mechanically coupled to the blade assembly, and a power converter coupled to the generator is provided. An energy storage device and a bidirectional converter coupling the energy storage device to the power converter are also provided in the system. An inertia controller is provided for generating a first transient signal to regulate active power from the wind turbine system when a power grid signal is outside of a respective signal range. The system further includes an energy storage controller for providing a second transient signal to the bidirectional converter to regulate a power to or from the energy storage device based upon the first transient signal, power generating system conditions or combinations thereof.

Abstract: In a case where a request for changing a maximum value of active power and a newly defined maximum value of active power are received from the utility grid side, a maximum value of an active power demand value set to a rated value is changed to the newly defined maximum value of active power at a predetermined change rate or less.

Abstract: The present invention relates to high-current plug connectors, in particular to electrical contact elements for plug connectors of this type, which are distinguished by low heating even at high currents, and to a corresponding method for manufacturing contact elements of this type. According to the invention, for this purpose, the contact element is made in one piece by internal high-pressure forming from a tubular blank. As a result, the contact element has at each point substantially the same line cross section, so that no local electrical or thermal load peaks can occur.

Abstract: A control system and a method for controlling operation of a wind turbine are disclosed. A first sensor and a second sensor are arranged for sampling or continuously measuring a first physical value and a second physical value being representative of a first physical impact and a second physical impact on components of the wind turbine in order to provide a first and a second control parameter for controlling operation of the wind turbine. The first and second control parameters are distinct. During active generation of energy the control system is adapted to selectively switch between controlling the operation of the wind turbine either on the basis of the first control parameter or on the basis of the second control parameter, i.e. to selectively switch between two different, distinct and independent control strategies. The two control strategies allow redundancy in control of the operation of the wind turbine.

Abstract: A floating offshore wind turbine and a floating offshore wind farm with at least one floating offshore wind turbine are provided. The floating offshore wind turbine includes a floating platform anchored to an underwater ground, a wind turbine mounted on the floating platform, and a drive. The drive is adapted to horizontally move the floating platform. Further a method for positioning a floating offshore wind turbine is provided.

Abstract: A method for operating a four-stroke internal combustion engine including a crankshaft coupled to a piston, which includes moving the piston in accordance with a sequence of four different strokes; mechanically driving an electric power generator with the crankshaft during the operating of the engine; generating a first sensor signal indicative of each revolution of the crankshaft with the crankshaft rotating twice during the sequence of four different strokes; providing a second sensor signal corresponding to a working fluid characteristic of the engine, the working fluid characteristic changing during the sequence of four different strokes of the piston; and timing ignition of the engine as a function of the first sensor signal and the second sensor signal.

Abstract: According to one embodiment, a faucet hydroelectric generator includes: a cylinder portion including a supply water inflow port and a supply water outflow port and having a supply water flow channel formed therein; a bucket having a rotation center axis generally parallel to the supply water flow channel, and including a bucket blade provided in the supply water flow channel so as to be rotatable about the rotation center axis; a magnet rotatable integrally with the bucket; a coil configured to generate electromotive force by rotation of the magnet; a nozzle portion including a plurality of injection ports configured to cause incoming water flowing parallel to the rotation center axis to be squirted in a plane generally perpendicular to the rotation center axis from radially outside the bucket blade toward the bucket blade; and a lid provided at an upstream end of the bucket blade and configured to rotate integrally with the bucket blade.

Abstract: A turbo-machine includes at least two rotors which are mounted so as to be rotatable in opposite directions relative to one another about a rotational axis and on which are arranged blades or vanes, having a rotatably mounted machine shaft and having a drive mechanism which connects the machine shaft to the at least two rotors and which converts a rotational movement of the machine shaft into rotational movements of the rotors in opposite directions relative to one another or vice versa. In at least one embodiment, the turbo-machine is designed to utilize the hydrodynamic advantages of counter-rotating rotors yet at the same time have comparatively low mechanical complexity and component density and therefore increased reliability.

Abstract: An underwater wave energy converter (WEC) (10) has a piston (32) that reciprocates up and down as recurring waves (22) pass over. Downward motion of the piston (32) drives the rods or plungers (50b) of a multiplicity of hydraulic jacks (50) to pressurize hydraulic fluid in an energy conversion system. Ultimately, the energy conversion system powers one or more hydraulic motors (511, 512) that drive an electric generator (510) or multiple generators. A sensor system (25) detects characteristics of in-coming waves such as by detecting changes in pressure as in-coming waves (22) pass over the sensor system (25). The sensors can be mounted on the ocean floor seaward from the WECs (10), and a control computer system (231) calculates characteristics of the in-coming waves such as wave height and speed data, and uses the data to control aspects of the WECs (10) and other components of the energy conversion system.

Abstract: The present invention provides a structure driven by floats placed in a body of water such as a sea, an ocean or the like for converting wave energy into electricity. The structure comprises a floating body to float and stabilize the structure in the water wherein a platform is provided to house and hold energy conversion systems and mechanisms. The mechanisms include a plurality of pontoons that moves with the waves.

Abstract: An infrastructure for tropospheric aeolian generator is described, which comprises a rotary basement (1), at least one orientable arm (2), at least one ventilation plant (3), at least one system (4) for supporting at least one wing (7), and a driving system (5) of control cables (6) of the wing (7).

Abstract: An improved vibrational energy harvester includes a housing and at least one energy transducer. In an embodiment, a second mass element is arranged to receive collisionally transferred kinetic energy from a first mass element when the housing is in an effective state of mechanical agitation, resulting in relative motion between the housing and at least one of the second and further mass elements. The energy transducer is arranged to be activated by the resulting relative motion between the housing and at least one of the second and further mass elements. In a further embodiment, kinetic energy is collisionally transferred in a velocity-multiplying arrangement from the first to a second or further mass element that has a range of linear ballistic motion. The energy transducer is arranged to be activated, at least in part, by the ballistic motion of the second or further mass element.

Abstract: When water is pumped manually to the overhead tank, the weight of the water is felt on the opposite end of the lever. Thus, an equal or heavier weight to counter that weight is thought of This idea works on the Output Process but not on the Input Process. However, unlike conventional water pumps, C-M87 works on both processes using techniques (invention) that employ the underlying Principles of Equilibrium or Perfect Balance. These techniques constitute the secret of C-M87, a very powerful multi-lever perpetual motion machine capable of using equal or heavier weights to counter the weights on the other end of the lever on both the Input and the Output Operations. Therefore, since it is perfectly balance, pumping out 2 cubic meters of water per stroke through a 1.6-meter diameter 200-meter high pipe, with total water weight of 400 tons, becomes an easy task for C-M87.

Abstract: A solar thermal power generation apparatus of the present invention is made up of a turbine 12 rotatable around a vertical axis 11, a power generator 13 driven by the turbine 12, a funnel 14 disposed along the vertical axis 11 so as to house the turbine 12 and having an intake port 14a at the lower end of the funnel 14, and a transparent box body 15 disposed so as to surround a lower portion of the funnel 14 and having the air intake port 15e at a position being lower than the intake port 14a and a heat collector 16 disposed in a standing manner at a distance between the box body 15 and the funnel 14, wherein an upper end of the heat collector 16 is at a position being higher than the intake port 14a, wherein, by using an updraft occurred by heating air having flown from the air intake port 15a into the inside of the box body 15 by the heat collector 16, the turbine 12 is rotated, which causes the power generator to generate power.

Abstract: A system for controlling power load to a rig engine of a wellbore rig. The system includes a controller for controlling the rig engine, a sensor for sensing the exhaust temperature of the rig engine, the sensor in communication with the controller for providing to the controller signals indicative of the exhaust temperature. The controller maintains the power load to the rig engine based on the exhaust temperature.

Abstract: A vehicle latch including a ratchet (18), a first pawl (20), a cam (22), a second pawl (24) and a drive mechanism (50,52,54,56,58). The ratchet is movable between a striker (12) release position wherein the ratchet is positioned to receive a striker, and a striker holding position wherein the ratchet is positioned to retain the striker. The ratchet is biased to the striker release position. The first pawl is movable between a ratchet locking position wherein the first pawl is positioned to hold the ratchet in the striker holding position, and a ratchet release position wherein the first pawl permits the movement of the ratchet out of the striker holding position. The first pawl is biased towards the ratchet locking position.

Abstract: A door latching system for securing an armored door or window includes a latch assembly which is bolted to the interior of an armored door, a handle assembly which is welded to the exterior of the armored door and a strike plate which is welded to a vehicle structure or an armored side plate. The latch functions by moving an interior handle or an exterior handle in a rotary motion, which rotates a square key stock to which a cam is attached that retracts a latch. The latch is spring-loaded which allows the latch to extend to its original position when a handle is released. The springs also move the handles back to their original locations when released. When the door is shut the latch is pushed back by the strike plate, which moves the latch away from the cam, thus allowing the door to close and latch without movement of the handles. The strike plate has a roller mounted on it, which allows the latch to roll on it when the door is closed.

Abstract: A motor vehicle door lock, comprising a locking mechanism (1, 2), and a closing/opening device (3 to 7) having a drive, wherein the closing/opening device (3 to 7) acts on the locking mechanism (1, 2), and wherein-the closing/opening device (3 to 7) contains an interposed damping element (16).

Abstract: A locking apparatus uses a handle pivotally connected to a base to control the movement of a slide block slidablely accommodated in a base. The slide block includes a locking tongue. The locking tongue protrudes out of the base or retracts back into the base according to the movement of the slide block. Thus, the locking apparatus can lock the hard disk when the locking tongue protrudes out of the base and unlock the hard disk when the locking tongue retracts back into the base.

Abstract: The latch includes a ratchet and pawl operable to move between an engaged position to hold a striker and a released position to permit the striker from exiting the latch. In addition, a release lever and a lock lever are pivotally mounted to the opposite surface of the latch housing. A lock link lever connects the release lever to the lock lever, having a first end pivotally mounted to the lock lever and a second end slidably located in a slot on the release lever. Actuating the release lever while the second end of the lock link lever is in its locked position pivots the lock link lever in a first arc and actuating the release lever while the lock link lever is in its unlocked position pivots the lock link lever in a second arc to actuate the pawl into its released position.

Abstract: An object grasping control method, in which an object grasping control apparatus grasps a plurality of graspable members using a grasping unit, includes recognizing at least one of a shape, position, and attitude of each of the plurality of graspable members, setting, based on at least of one of the shape, position, and attitude of each of the plurality of graspable members, an attitude range as a graspable attitude range in which each of the plurality of graspable members and the grasping unit do not interfere with each other for each of the plurality of graspable members, and setting, as a grasping target to be grasped by the grasping unit, a graspable member, among the plurality of graspable members, the set graspable attitude range of which is greater than a predetermined threshold value.

Abstract: A multi-fingered robotic hand comprises a base, a rotation member rotatably connected to an end of the base, a driving means, and a plurality of digits. The driving means is configured for driving the rotation member to rotate. Each digit comprises a proximal phalanx, a middle phalanx and a first transmission member. The proximal phalanx is connected to the rotation member. The middle phalanx is rotatably connected to the proximal phalanx. The first transmission member includes two ends respectively attached to the proximal phalanx and the middle phalanx, wherein the first transmission member is configured for transmitting rotation of the proximal phalanx to the middle phalanx.

Abstract: A storage device is provided for an object in a motor vehicle, that includes, but is not limited to a base and a side wall that defines a receiving space for the object, as well as including, but not limited to at least one elongate, elastic band element, which is mounted in the area of its two ends at least in the side wall. The band element can be transferred from a position abutting against the side wall into a position connecting wall sections, in which it divides the receiving space. In the area of its respective end the band element, a bearing pin at the top and at the bottom is received, the upper bearing pin being mounted in the area of the upper end of the side wall in said side wall and the lower bearing pin being mounted in the base, adjacent to the side wall.

Abstract: A collar system for a connecting the cab of a vehicle to the cargo bed cover or similar boxed attachment, the vehicle mounting collar including a webbed collar frame designed to mount to a standard driver's compartment or cab, without modification to the vehicle. The collar and attachment method are extremely flexible and accommodates any vehicle tolerance variation. The collar mounts to the rear flange on the cab of the vehicle, and the bulkhead of the collar has slots to receive shell of the cargo bed cover. Shell bolts within the bulkhead slots allow the shell to be adjustably repositionable on the bulkhead of the collar by slippage of the shell bolts within the bulkhead slots.

Abstract: A vehicle storage assembly of a vehicle includes a deployable and retractable shelf member connected to a tailgate of the vehicle. In a deployed configuration, the shelf member is supported spaced-above the tailgate to provide a horizontal support surface with the tailgate in an open position and the shelf member is supported spaced horizontally from the tailgate to provide a sidewall of a storage compartment with the tailgate in a closed position.

Abstract: The invention relates to a seat (1) for an armoured vehicle, incorporating a back rest (2) integral with a wall or the roof (4) of the vehicle and a sitting part (3) mounted able to pivot with respect to the back rest (2) between a folded position in which it is substantially parallel to the back rest (2) and an unfolded position where it is held by a limit stop and is substantially perpendicular to the back rest (2). This seat is characterised in that the sitting part (3) is connected to the back rest (2) by linking means (6, 8) ensuring, in the event of a predetermined load, the release of the limit stop (8) of the sitting part (3) and its pivoting beyond the unfolded position.

Abstract: To provide a seat cowl structure of a saddle-riding type vehicle that can reduce weight of a seat cowl support structure, while achieving stiffness to support an occupant load. The seat cowl structure includes a pair of left and right seat rails and a stiffness portion. The pair of left and right seat rails extends rearwardly from a vehicle body frame and is disposed inside a seat cowl. The stiffness portion connects between seat cowl fastening portions of the left and right seat rails in a vehicle width direction and is disposed inside an upper surface portion and side surface portions of the seat cowl.

Abstract: A glare shield apparatus that allows a glare shield to be removably attached to a sun visor provided in a vehicle such as an automobile includes a clip that removably attaches the glare shield to the sun visor so that the glare shield can be rotated between a rest position and a use position, a guide frame that is fitted to the glare shield from an upper long side of the glare shield to a halfway position of each short side of the glare shield, a portion of the guide frame that is fitted to each short side of the glare shield being formed as a guide section that guides a movement of the glare shield, and positioning means that is included in at least one of the guide section and the glare shield, and positions the glare shield at a withdrawn position or a pull-out position.

Abstract: The present invention is a thermoplastic composite liftgate system with reinforcements in key areas to allow the system to meet performance requirements, while lowering the tooling investment, lowering the system mass, and improving the styling flexibility. The present invention includes an inner panel and at least one bracket or reinforcement member connected to the inner panel such that when a force is applied to the bracket, the force is distributed to the inner panel.

Abstract: An assembly comprising two panels, a profiled section, a clamping bracket and a fastener, wherein an edge of each panel is received in a respective edge receiving profile of the profiled section, the clamping bracket is engaged with the panels, and the fastener is connected between the clamping bracket and the profiled section so as to clamp the edges of the panels between the profiled section and the clamping bracket. Also, a method of joining two panels, the method comprising positioning an edge of each panel in a respective edge receiving profile of a profiled section, engaging a clamping bracket with the panels, and connecting the clamping bracket to the profiled section using a fastener so as to clamp the edges of the panels between the profiled section and the clamping bracket. The invention is particularly suitable for joining body shell panels of a mobile vehicle, such as a caravan or the like.

Abstract: A vehicle with carriage anti-tilting structure, which comprises a frame and, a carriage of a cylindrical shape, with its central axis in parallel along the length of the vehicle and is connected with the frame in a free rotation state. The rotating axis of the carriage is the central axis of the carriage, and the gravity center of the carriage is lower than the rotating axis. An electrical locking mechanism for stopping the rotation of carriage is arranged between the carriage and frame, and is connected with a vehicle tilting angle detector which installed on the frame. The locking mechanism acts as an actuator of the vehicle tilting angle detector. In the event of tilting of the vehicle, the vehicle tilting angle detector detects the tilting condition, and then output signal to the electrical locking mechanism, which releases the locking of the carriage and enables it to stay leveled.

Abstract: A swivel frame for a swivel work machine includes a swivel base plate supported on a traveling machine body to be pivotable about a swivel axis and mounting an engine at a rear portion thereof, a support bracket provided at a front end of the swivel base plate for supporting an excavator, a partition wall provided on the swivel base plate for partitioning space forwardly of the engine in the fore/aft direction, and a pair of right and left vertical ribs provided on the swivel base plate for interconnecting the support bracket and the partition wall. The swivel base plate is divided into a rear plate portion on the rear side thereof and a front plate portion on the front side thereof, the rear plate portion being formed of a plate thinner than the front plate portion. The rear plate portion and the front plate portion are fixedly connected to each other in such in a manner that upper surfaces thereof are flush each other. A rear portion of the front plate portion projects more rearward than the partition wall.

Abstract: A rear body structure for a vehicle includes a body cover for covering a vehicle body, a rear grip member attached to a vehicle body frame and configured to be gripped by an occupant of the vehicle during operation of the vehicle, and a rear grip cover attached to and covering the rear grip member. A portion of the body cover overlaps a top surface of the rear grip member. The rear grip member is provided with a body cover positioning section for positioning the body cover thereon. The rear grip cover is arranged above the body cover positioning section of the rear grip member for providing covering thereto. Such vehicle rear body structure provides an improvement in the outward appearance of a rear body structure of a vehicle.

Abstract: An interior body trim arrangement is basically provided with an interior body trim panel and a back closure member. The interior body trim panel has an interior facing surface and an outboard facing surface opposite the interior facing surface. The back closure member is fixed to the outboard facing surface of the interior body trim panel. The inboard facing surface of the back closure member and the outbound side surface of the interior body trim panel define an integrated HVAC duct having a first opening end and a second open end.

Abstract: There are provided a seatback supporting backs of plural passengers seated on a bench type of seat cushion, a headrest provided at an upper portion of a first portion of the seatback and supporting a head of the passenger seated in front of the first portion, a pressure-receiving portion provided at a second portion of the seatback which is arranged beside the first portion so as to move rearwardly when being pressed by a rearward move of the passenger seated in front of the second portion, and a headrest moving mechanism provided to connect the pressure-receiving portion to the headrest so that the headrest is moved forwardly or upwardly in accordance with a rearward move of the pressure-receiving portion. Accordingly, the passenger's head can be protected with a simple structure.

Abstract: When a supporting frame is assembled to a seat, the child chair is used as a high chair. When the supporting frame is detached from the seat, the child chair may be served as a booster. The seat includes storages with straps connected. Each storage is covered with a cover selectively configured between a closed position and an opened position. When the supporting frame is detached from the seat, the covers may be moved to the opened position, covering coupling sections of the seat so that the supporting frame is not permitted to assemble to the seat; the straps are reachable outward the storages to secure the seat to an adult chair. When the straps are stored in the storages, the covers may be moved to the closed position, covering the storages and the coupling sections are exposed. The supporting frame is then permitted to assemble to the seat.

Abstract: When a leg frame is assembled to a seat, the child chair is used as a high chair. When the leg frame is detached from the seat, the child chair may be served as a booster. Legs of the detached leg frame are further assembled with a footrest for storage purpose. The footrest has coupling slots that are formed by resilient arms to hold the detached legs. The footrest may also serve as a pedal for feet when the leg frame is assembled to the seat.

Abstract: An armrest for a motorcycle passenger, which permits one or both armrests to swing out to a side thereby accommodating a boarding passenger. Optionally, the armrests can be pivoted to rearward-facing orientation in order to form a rack behind a sissy bar of a motorcycle.

Abstract: A folding type seat of the present invention includes a body section supporting bracket, supporting a body section of a reclining mechanism, and a passive section supporting bracket, supporting a passive section of the reclining mechanism, which are located inward of external surfaces of a seat cushion or a seat back at positions spaced therefrom by predetermined distances. At least one of the brackets is provided with an impact absorbing section, which is caused to deform for absorbing impact energy imparted to a vehicle.

Abstract: An occupant protection device includes: a collision prediction part; a seatback actuator that adjusts a reclining angle; a seatbelt retracting part; a reclining angle sensor; and a controller that sets the reclining angle to a target angle and that controls the seatbelt retracting part so that the seatbelt is retracted when the collision prediction part determines that a collision will occur. Accordingly, the controller executes a control so that the driving force of seatbelt retracting part when the reclining angle is decreased is smaller than at least one of the driving force of seatbelt retracting part when the reclining angle is not changed or when the driving force of seatbelt retracting part when the reclining angle is increased.

Abstract: A vehicle seat comprises a rectangular-shaped seat back frame having right and left side frames; a flexible plate member provided between the right and left side frames; a seat back cushion provided in front of the flexible plate member; a mechanism for pushing the seat back cushion to a front direction by forwardly protruding the flexible plate member that results from the flexible plate member being bent; a headrest for supporting a head of a seat occupant, wherein the headrest is forwardly movably connected to the right and left side frames via right and left link members; and a rear-end collision detecting plate disposed at a portion of the seat back frame behind the seat occupant, wherein the rear-end collision detecting plate detects rearward movement of the seat occupant.

Abstract: A multiple-chair cover having a front side, a back side a right edge and a left edge with an open interior area positioned therebetween. At least one divider is positioned within the open interior which separates the open interior into separate compartments. At least one pad is positioned within the open interior. This provides a multiple-chair cover which prevents chairs from rattling against one another while in transit while also maintaining the alignment and position of multiple chairs.

Abstract: A car seat includes a vertically adjustable head rest and harness support apparatus that will properly locate the position of the harness relative to the child in response to the positioning of the head rest. The head rest is movable along a curved track to provide horizontal clearance with respect to the vehicle head rest when in a fully raised position. The harness belt is trapped in a length adjustment lock and follows a path that extends around a fixed guide bar at the top of the car seat frame then downwardly through a guide member that directs the belt through an opening in the seat back for engagement with the child. The guide member is supported on a harness control tube that engages a rack device to fix the position of the harness control tube when the position of the head rest is selected.

Abstract: A car seat has a base for placement on a vehicle seat and a seat shell attachable to and detachable from the base. A latch mechanism is biased to a latched arrangement attaching the shell to the base. A release actuator is connected to the latch mechanism and can move the latch mechanism to a released arrangement, detaching the shell from the base permitting its removal from the base. The shell can be optionally adjustable on the base between at least two different recline positions. The latch mechanism in the latched arrangement can then also retain the shell in one of the recline positions. A recline actuator can be connected to the latch mechanism and can move the latch mechanism allowing adjustment of the shell recline position but not permitting removal from the base.