Abstract:
There is disclosed a steering wheel (1) having a gripping formation comprising an armature (5) substantially encapsulated by a cover (6) of foamed material, and a flexible outer skin (7) provided over and around the cover. The flexible skin (7) is preferably formed of leather or artificial leather. The steering wheel is characterised by the provision of a plastic insert (15) engaged within a fixing groove (8) or recess formed in the cover (6), wherein at least one edge (29) of the outer skin (7) is positioned within the fixing groove (8) or recess and fixed to the insert (15) therein by means of ultrasonic welding. In a preferred arrangement two opposed edges (29) of the outer skin (7) are both received within the fixing groove (8) or recess and fixed to the insert (15) therein by means of ultrasonic welding.
Abstract:
There is disclosed a crane control system for determining a suitable real-time operating regime for a crane arranged to lift cargo from a marine vessel, the system comprising: at least one imaging means associated with the crane; processing means; and memory means; wherein the or each said imaging means is arranged to capture images of the vessel when it is located generally below the crane and within the operational range of the crane; said processing means being operable to calculate from said captured images movement parameters characterising the movement of the vessel relative to the crane; and said memory contains performance data representative of the performance characteristics of the crane and cargo data representative of the weight of individual items of said cargo; the processing means further being configured to compare the calculated movement parameters to the performance data and the cargo data and to determine from said comparison a safe operating regime for the crane.
Abstract:
There is disclosed a crane control system for determining a suitable real-time operating regime for a crane arranged to lift cargo from a marine vessel, the system comprising: at least one imaging means associated with the crane; processing means; and memory means; wherein the or each said imaging means is arranged to capture images of the vessel when it is located generally below the crane and within the operational range of the crane; said processing means being operable to calculate from said captured images movement parameters characterising the movement of the vessel relative to the crane; and said memory contains performance data representative of the performance characteristics of the crane and cargo data representative of the weight of individual items of said cargo; the processing means further being configured to compare the calculated movement parameters to the performance data and the cargo data and to determine from said comparison a safe operating regime for the crane.
Abstract:
A system is disclosed for determining the position of a downhole drill pipe relative to a pipe handling device. The system comprises: an imaging means arranged to capture an image of the drill pipe in a region of the pipe for engagement by the device; and a processor operable to analyse said captured image and to determine therefrom the position of the drill pipe relative to said device.
Abstract:
A winch drum (11) comprising a cylindrical drum shell (2) having a radially inner surface (10), a radially outer surface (9) and a separate reinforcement layer (4; 5) which can comprise plastic applied to at least one of said surfaces.
Abstract:
There is disclosed a steering wheel (1) having a gripping formation comprising an armature (5) substantially encapsulated by a cover (6) of foamed material, and a flexible outer skin (7) provided over and around the cover. The flexible skin (7) is preferably formed of leather or artificial leather. The steering wheel is characterised by the provision of a plastic insert (15) engaged within a fixing groove (8) or recess formed in the cover (6), wherein at least one edge (29) of the outer skin (7) is positioned within the fixing groove (8) or recess and fixed to the insert (15) therein by means of ultrasonic welding. In a preferred arrangement two opposed edges (29) of the outer skin (7) are both received within the fixing groove (8) or recess and fixed to the insert (15) therein by means of ultrasonic welding.
Abstract:
A system is disclosed for determining the position of a downhole drill pipe relative to a pipe handling device. The system comprises: an imaging means arranged to capture an image of the drill pipe in a region of the pipe for engagement by the device; and a processor operable to analyse said captured image and to determine therefrom the position of the drill pipe relative to said device.
Abstract:
The application relates to a safety arrangement (1) for a motor vehicle comprising an electrical energy storage unit (2). The arrangement is particularly intended for use in a motor vehicle configured to be powered electrically, or by a so-called hybrid motor, and which hence comprises a high voltage electrical storage unit (2) such as a battery or capacitor. The safety arrangement (1) is configured to cool the storage unit (2) in response to a signal indicative of an accident situation or battery malfunction, and comprises: a source (8) of compressed inert gas (9) and a flow- release actuator, the flow-release actuator (13) being actuable upon receipt of an actuation signal so as to release a flow (46) of inert gas (9) from said source, the arrangement being configured such that said flow (46) is directed substantially onto said storage unit (2) so as to cool the unit. The invention provides a cutting mechanism (23) operable under the action of said flow of gas (9) to sever a conductor (7) electrically connecting said storage unit (2) to circuitry (6) provided within said vehicle. Thus, the storage unit (2) is cooled and isolated from the rest of the vehicle.
Abstract:
A safety arrangement (1 ) is disclosed which is suitable for use in a motor vehicle comprising an electrical energy storage unit (2) of a type comprising a plurality of sub-units (4) electrically connected in series. The arrangement is particularly suitable for use in electric or so-called hybrid motor vehicles. The arrangement comprises: a structure (3) configured to define a substantially enclosed space (8) around said storage unit (2); a source (9) of compressed gas (10) provided in fluid communication with said enclosed space (8); and a flow-release actuator (13). The flow-release actuator (13) is actuable upon receipt of an actuation signal so as to release a flow (18) of gas from said source (9) and into said space (8). The arrangement is configured such that said flow (18) is effective to raise the internal pressure within said space above atmospheric pressure. At least part of said structure (3) is substantially expandable so as to expand in response to being pressurised by the flow (18) of said gas into said space (8); and the arrangement is configured such that expansion of said expandable part (26) is effective to electrically disconnect said sub-units (4) from one another.
Abstract:
A system is disclosed for determining the position of a downhole drill pipe relative to a pipe handling device. The system comprises: an imaging means arranged to capture an image of the drill pipe in a region of the pipe for engagement by the device; and a processor operable to analyse said captured image and to determine therefrom the position of the drill pipe relative to said device.