Abstract: Systems and methods for efficiently managing bulk material are provided. The disclosure is directed to a portable support structure used to receive one or more portable containers of bulk material and output bulk material from the containers directly into the blender hopper. The portable support structure may include a frame for receiving and holding the one or more portable bulk material containers in an elevated position proximate the blender hopper, as well as one or more gravity feed outlets for routing the bulk material from the containers directly into the blender hopper. In some embodiments, the portable support structure may be transported to the well site on a trailer, unloaded from the trailer, and positioned proximate the blender unit. In other embodiments, the portable support structure may be a mobile support structure that is integrated into a trailer unit.

Abstract: Techniques for cross referencing data are presented. A first database object and a second database object are linked together. The linkage is automatically cross referenced to a third database object. Access to any of the database objects can be achieved via any of the remaining database objects and vice versa. Additionally, the link and cross reference can be visualized and visually manipulated and modified.

Abstract: Disclosed is a computerized method for dispatching energy from distributed resources in a discharge event so that the energy stored in individual devices is ilevelized, or so that an operator request is met. Evaluation of event parameters may be deferred. The method may be utilized to dispatch energy from plug-in electric vehicles. Systems and methods to account for electricity dispatched to or from electric vehicles are disclosed. Systems and methods for incentivizing consumers to participate in a dispatch event or curtail energy use are disclosed.

Abstract: A method for making a coating composition by mixing one or more latex polymers and an aliphatic epoxy resin system having an epoxy equivalent weight less than 1000 and being distinct from the one or more latex polymers to provide an aqueous first component, and providing a second component having reactive groups that can react with the one or more epoxy resins. A mixture of the first and second components provides a film-forming curable coating composition that may be used on substrates including cement, cement fiberboard, wood, metal, plastic, ceramic, glass and composites.

Abstract: Techniques for managing data relationships are presented. A database element from a first database table is linked with a database element of a second database table via a Graphical User Interface as directed by a user. The link establishes a data relationship having attributes and properties. The relationship along with the attributes and properties are graphically presented to the user for inspection and analysis.

Abstract: A reaction mixture containing a copolymer having a number average molecular weight less than about 4,000 amu and a polydispersity less than about 3 formed in the presence of a free radical initiator and a heated liquid reaction mixture fed with one or more added olefinic monomers, the reaction mixture otherwise consisting essentially of non-homopolymerizable olefinic monomer.

Abstract: Disclosed is a computerized method for dispatching energy from distributed resources in a discharge event so that the energy stored in individual devices is levelized, or so that an operator request is met. Evaluation of event parameters may be deferred. The method may be utilized to dispatch energy from plug-in electric vehicles. Systems and methods to account for electricity dispatched to or from electric vehicles are disclosed. Systems and methods for incentivizing consumers to participate in a dispatch event or curtail energy use are disclosed.

Abstract: A method for making a coating composition by mixing one or more latex polymers and an aliphatic epoxy resin system having an epoxy equivalent weight less than 1000 and being distinct from the one or more latex polymers to provide an aqueous first component, and providing a second component having reactive groups that can react with the one or more epoxy resins. A mixture of the first and second components provides a film-forming curable coating composition that may be used on substrates including cement, cement fiberboard, wood, metal, plastic, ceramic, glass and composites.

Abstract: A copolymer is made by feeding one or more added olefinic monomers into a reaction vessel containing a non-homopolymerizable olefinic monomer heated to a temperature of at least about 100° C. The process may be performed in a batch or continuous fashion, may use an unpressurized reactor, may be performed without added solvent, and may form a copolymer whose number average molecular weight is less than about 4,000 amu and whose polydispersity is less than about 3.

Abstract: A coated fiber cement article in the form of an unattached fiber cement board substrate having a first major surface at least a portion of which is covered with a crush resistant final topcoat composition comprising a multistage latex polymer, and a method for making a crush resistant coated fiber cement article by coating a fiber cement board substrate with such a composition and stacking the coated boards.

Abstract: A copolymer is made by feeding one or more added olefinic monomers into a reaction vessel containing a non-homopolymerizable olefinic monomer heated to a temperature of at least about 100° C. The process may be performed in a batch or continuous fashion, may use an unpressurized reactor, may be performed without added solvent, and may form a copolymer whose number average molecular weight is less than about 4,000 amu and whose polydispersity is less than about 3.

Abstract: A coating system, a method of coating a substrate, and a coated substrate (e.g., a coated cement fiberboard article) include one or more latex polymers, an aliphatic epoxy resin system, optionally a silicate additive, and optionally one or more olefinic compounds and an initiator. The coating system may be applied in one or more layers and may be applied to all the surfaces of the substrate (e.g., the front side, back side and edges of a board). The coated substrate may then be coated with other optional coatings, e.g., decorative or protective topcoats.

Abstract: A vinyl polymer pigment dispersing agent having a vinyl addition polymer backbone, one or more polymer side chains with pendant cyclic urea functional group(s) separated from the polymer backbone by at least 10 intervening atoms, and in some embodiments one or more polymer side chains comprising pendant urea functional groups separated from the polymer back-bone by less than 10 intervening atoms. The dispersing agent may be made by addition polymerizing a mixture of one or more vinyl monomers and one or more monomers having cyclic urea functional groups and vinyl functional groups. The dispersing agent may be combined with pigment particles, a carrier and an optional surfactant to make a pigment grind dispersion with excellent pigment wetting and dispersing properties.

Abstract: A coated fiber cement article in the form of an unattached fiber cement board substrate having a first major surface at least a portion of which is covered with a crush resistant final topcoat composition comprising a multistage latex polymer, and a method for making a crush resistant coated fiber cement article by coating a fiber cement board substrate with such a composition and stacking the coated boards.

Abstract: A copolymer is made by feeding one or more added olefmic monomers into a reaction vessel containing a non-homopolymerizable olefmic monomer heated to a temperature of at least about 100° C. The process may be performed in a batch or continuous fashion, may use an unpressurized reactor, may be performed without added solvent, and may form a copolymer whose number average molecular weight is less than about 4,000 amu and whose polydispersity is less than about 3.

Abstract: A coated fiber cement article in the form of an unattached fiber cement board substrate having a first major surface at least a portion of which is covered with a crush resistant final topcoat composition comprising a multistage latex polymer, and a method for making a crush resistant coated fiber cement article by coating a fiber cement board substrate with such a composition and stacking the coated boards.

Abstract: A vinyl polymer pigment dispersing agent having a vinyl addition polymer backbone, one or more polymer side chains with pendant cyclic urea functional group(s) separated from the polymer backbone by at least 10 intervening atoms, and in some embodiments one or more polymer side chains comprising pendant urea functional groups separated from the polymer back-bone by less than 10 intervening atoms. The dispersing agent may be made by addition polymerizing a mixture of one or more vinyl monomers and one or more monomers having cyclic urea functional groups and vinyl functional groups. The dispersing agent may be combined with pigment particles, a carrier and an optional surfactant to make a pigment grind dispersion with excellent pigment wetting and dispersing properties.

Abstract: Techniques for managing data relationships are presented. A database element from a first database table is linked with a database element of a second database table via a Graphical User Interface as directed by a user. The link establishes a data relationship having attributes and properties. The relationship along with the attributes and properties are graphically presented to the user for inspection and analysis.

Abstract: Techniques for cross referencing data are presented. A first database object and a second database object are linked together. The linkage is automatically cross referenced to a third database object. Access to any of the database objects can be achieved via any of the remaining database objects and vice versa. Additionally, the link and cross reference can be visualized and visually manipulated and modified.

Abstract: An improved vehicle carrier assembly for use with carrier vehicles to secure four wheels of a vehicle to be transported includes at least two beams, at least four wheel carriers, and a drive assembly. The two beams are comprised of a first beam and a second beam. The first beam is substantially parallel with the second beam, both the first beam and the second beam comprise an inboard side and an outboard side. The inboard side comprises an elevated shim for the purpose of enabling one wheel carrier to cross-over the other wheel carrier for the purpose of engaging all four wheels of a vehicle to be transported. The wheel carriers are in communication with the drive assembly. The drive assembly is comprised of a motor.