A one-piece sheet-metal structure includes a first wall, a second wall perpendicularly extending from the first wall, and a third wall perpendicularly extending from the first wall. The second wall is perpendicular to the first wall and the third wall. An end edge of the second wall is adjacent an end edge of the third wall to form a corner. The corner is provided with a clench lock so that the corner is weld-free. The clench lock includes bottom and top tabs. The bottom tab perpendicularly extends from the end edge of the second wall at a bottom tab bend and engages an inner side of the third wall. The top tab perpendicularly extends from an outer edge of the third wall at a top tab bend and bends around the bottom tab and engages an inner side of the bottom tab to clench the bottom tab at the corner.

A nickel-based superalloy comprises in mass percent: 4.0% to 6.0% chromium; 0.4% to 0.8% molybdenum; 2.5% to 3.5% rhenium; 6.2% to 6.6% tungsten; 5.2% to 5.7% aluminum; 0.0 to 1.6% titanium; 6.0% to 9.9% tantalum; 0.0 to 0.7% hafnium; and 0.0 to 0.3% silicon; the balance being constituted by nickel and any impurities. A monocrystalline blade comprises such an alloy and a turbomachine including such a blade.

A mold that abuts an innerliner against a mold surface of a mouthpiece comprises two molds, an upper mold and a lower mold. The upper mold comprises a heating portion that heats an outer abutting surface that abuts the cylinder portion of the innerliner against the first annular surface of the mouthpiece and comprises an upper mold side positioning cylindrical surface; and the lower mold comprises an inner abutting surface that abuts a section of a dome portion near the cylinder portion against a second annular surface of the mouthpiece and comprises a lower mold side positioning cylindrical surface that is capable of engaging with the upper mold side positioning cylindrical surface. The section that comprises the lower mold side positioning cylindrical surface is formed of a material with a lower thermal conductivity than that of the upper mold.

A process for producing a textured laminate sheet includes a) positioning a substrate material adjacent a barbed face of a metal sheet. The barbed face has a plurality of barbs, and the metal sheet has an opposed face opposite the barbed face. The process further includes b) forcing the metal sheet and the substrate material together to impale the substrate material on the barbs and secure the substrate material and the metal sheet together as a laminate sheet, and c) debossing the opposed face to form a plurality of depressions in the laminate sheet and texture the laminate sheet.

A process for producing a textured laminate sheet includes a) positioning a substrate material adjacent a barbed face of a metal sheet. The barbed face has a plurality of barbs, and the metal sheet has an opposed face opposite the barbed face. The process further includes b) forcing the metal sheet and the substrate material together to impale the substrate material on the barbs and secure the substrate material and the metal sheet together as a laminate sheet, and c) debossing the opposed face to form a plurality of depressions in the laminate sheet and texture the laminate sheet.

A fixation device for securing a linear element to a workpiece includes a contact component and a fixation component. The contact component typically includes (i) a first contact surface for application to a workpiece and (ii) a first opening for receiving a linear element. The fixation component typically secures a portion of the linear element on a side of the first contact component opposite the first contact surface. The fixation component engages the contact component to prevent passage of the linear element's secured portion through the workpiece when a tension is applied to the linear element in a direction opposite the contact surface.

A fixation device for securing a linear element to a workpiece includes a contact component and a fixation component. The contact component typically includes (i) a first contact surface for application to a workpiece and (ii) a first opening for receiving a linear element. The fixation component typically secures a portion of the linear element on a side of the first contact component opposite the first contact surface. The fixation component engages the contact component to prevent passage of the linear element's secured portion through the workpiece when a tension is applied to the linear element in a direction opposite the contact surface.

An insulating insert is positioned around a field joint of a pipeline to insulate the field joint. The insert comprises a longitudinal series of annular or part-annular filler segments of insulating material, curved about a longitudinal axis, that are each joined to one or more adjacent segments of the series by at least one link. The links may be webs, rods or articulated links. The links are flexible relative to the segments to facilitate bending of the insert along its length by enabling relative angular displacement between adjacent segments of the series.

An insulating insert is positioned around a field joint of a pipeline to insulate the field joint. The insert comprises a longitudinal series of annular or part-annular filler segments of insulating material, curved about a longitudinal axis, that are each joined to one or more adjacent segments of the series by at least one link. The links may be webs, rods or articulated links. The links are flexible relative to the segments to facilitate bending of the insert along its length by enabling relative angular displacement between adjacent segments of the series.

Systems, methods and apparatus for automated vehicle wheel removal and replacement are provided. One system includes a computer system with applications for scheduling the replacement of tires for the vehicle. An electronically controlled lift device and robotic apparatus is configured for interaction with the computer system. The lift device mechanically adjusts arms for placement on lift points of vehicles. The robotic apparatus detects positioning of lug nut configuration for a wheel, removes lug nuts, and then removes the wheel from the wheel hub with gripping arms. The wheel and tire are then handed off to a separate tire changing machine. When a new tire is replaced the robotic apparatus then mounts the wheel to the original wheel hub, and then secures the lug nuts to the lug nut bolts.