Abstract:
An annular sealing element to seal between metal surfaces for use in flanges, joints, packers and the like, located in oil and gas exploration and production equipment. The sealing element has inner and outer metal deformable surfaces joined at ends, defining an interior volume which is entirely filled with a plastic deformable material. The surfaces are arranged such that on compression of the element from the ends, the element will deform in a controlled manner on a cantilever principle. The volume of filler and the interior volume remain substantially equal during compression so that delamination does not occur. Thus the sealing element provides a seal combining the flexibility of elastomer seals with the integrity of a metal to metal seal.
Abstract:
A cold method of heated distillation by manipulating bubbles, and cold distillate condensation is described. The continuous method introduces counter-current gas bubbles to a solution under vacuum at cold temperatures, using passive bubble manipulation. This approach accomplishes volatile evaporation at temperatures too low for thermal damage to occur, scrubs distilland mist from evaporated distillate, and condenses distillate by adding little or no heat. The method operates between freezing and ambient temperatures, but primarily near freezing, thus reducing energy consumption, and completely avoiding common thermal damage to delicate aroma, flavor, color, and nutritional distillate constituents that are characteristic of conventional aroma or essence extraction, food or drink concentrations, and chemical separation processes.
Abstract:
The gene encoding a 4-hydroxybutyryl-Co A transferase has been isolated from bacteria and integrated into the genome of bacteria also expressing a polyhydroxyalkanoate synthase, to yield an improved production process for 4HB-containing polyhydroxyalkanoates using transgenic organisms, including both bacteria and plants. The new pathways provide means for producing 4HB containing PHAs from cheap carbon sources such as sugars and fatty acids, in high yields, which are stable. Useful strains are obtaining by screening strains having integrated into their genomes a gene encoding a 4HB-CoA transferase and/or PHA synthase, for polymer production. Processes for polymer production use recombinant systems that can utilize cheap substrates. Systems are provided which can utilize amino acid degradation pathways, α-ketoglutarate, or succinate as substrate.
Abstract:
In ultrasonic welding of a seam, such as for creation of an imaging belt, an ultrasonic welding horn is applied to an overlap area. The welding horn has a contact surface within a certain set of dimensions comparable to the overlap area. The welding horn defines a conical main body that tapers to the dimensions of the contact area through a short length.
Abstract:
A new and improved insurance policy with a limit on the number of claims indemnified is herein disclosed. An insurance policy includes a limitation clause, wherein the policy is limited if more than a specified number of claims occur, incidents reported, or losses paid, wherein at least one limitation in the limitation clause is chosen from the group comprising: decreasing payment of defense costs, decreasing payment of loss amount, decreasing payment of both defense costs and payment of loss amount, and terminating the policy. An insurance policy includes a first coverage amount and at least a second coverage amount, the at least a second coverage amount being different than the first coverage amount, wherein the coverage amounts are not per claim coverage amounts. A re-insurance policy includes a coverage amount, the coverage amount insuring an associated primary policy provider against losses for at least a first claim subsequent to a specified number of claims.
Abstract:
A method for controlling a robot during an interpolation of a trajectory or motion to any prescribed position, comprises the steps of a) ignoring at least one of the three originally prescribed or interpolated tool center point orientation values; b) finding new tool center point orientation values that place the wrist center point of the robot closest to its base while c) maintaining the originally prescribed or interpolated tool center point location values and d) maintaining the original prescribed or interpolated tool center point orientation values not ignored. Said method can preferably be used for carrying a load with a plurality of robots. Its main advantage is an increase of the available working volume.
Abstract:
An electrical socket is provided that holds an array of contacts. Each contact includes first and second contact elements that are configured to be joined in an electrically common manner. The first and second contact elements have first and second contact beams, respectively, that are oriented to project toward one another and to overlap. The first and second contact elements each have base portions that are formed separate from one another and are configured to be joined to a common conductive path on the circuit board.
Abstract:
Methods for controlling an aspect of an application in a mobile or wearable device and a mobile or wearable device user's representation in real time are described, where the user is performing a gait activity with a gait cadence, and the gait cadence is used for control. Additional user's mobility characteristics leveraged for control may include velocity and stride length, and the sensors utilized to obtain any contextual information may be accelerometers.
Abstract:
A loading and transportation roof rack for the roof of a vehicle. It pivots off of its mounting plate on the vehicle's roof to a position parallel and beside the vehicle so the kayak can be loaded on and lashed down to its C shaped cradle. Thereafter, the roof rack may be tilted vertically onto the vehicle's roof and locked into place. There is a brace that is used to lock the cradle assembly in either the vertical or horizontal positions.
Abstract:
A tire traction assembly for mounting upon a tire. The assembly includes a plurality of flexible members such as chains or cables engaged in pivoting connections with brackets at opposing ends. A separable adjustable connector such as a toothed member is attached to a first of the two brackets and configured for engagement with a ratchet mechanism attached to the second of the brackets to releasably secure the tire traction assembly around the tire. A plurality of traction cables configured to traverse the rolling surface of the tire are located in-between the brackets. The brackets may include a planar tread plate which has opposing planar side surfaces configuring the brackets to a U-shape.