Abstract: A drone deployable power line fault detection sensor. The sensor can include a clamp mechanism having a clamp ring with first and second ring portions movably connected to each other and a resilient member positioned to urge the first and second ring portions toward a closed configuration. A latch can be positioned to retain the first and second ring portions in an open configuration whereby the sensor can be positioned on a power transmission line with a drone. A trigger can be coupled to the latch and operative, under the weight of the sensor, to disengage the latch thereby releasing the first and second ring portions to close around the transmission line under the force of the resilient member. One or more sensors are carried by the clamp mechanism and positioned to detect a line fault on the power transmission line, which is reported to a power station control system to de-energize the power transmission line.

Abstract: An adaptive fifth generation (5G) communications system includes an adaptive 5G tower; a first adaptive 5G site coupled by a dedicated link with the adaptive 5G tower; and a second adaptive 5G site coupled by a direct link with the first adaptive 5G site. The direct link may be established by the first adaptive 5G site and couples the second adaptive 5G site with the adaptive 5G tower. Data signals may be communicated between the adaptive 5G tower and the second adaptive 5G site via the direct link and the dedicated link. Usage of the direct link is accounted for in a blockchain master ledger. The blockchain master ledger corresponds to an adaptive 5G model and may be separately maintained by each of the adaptive 5G tower, the first adaptive 5G site, and the second adaptive 5G site. The master ledger may include relay, processing, path, power, and transaction layers.

Abstract: An unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) that provides increased operational flight endurance and efficiency. The UAV includes a power generation system, which includes an internal combustion engine and one or more batteries (batteries). The power generation system is configured to generate power for propulsion of the UAV. The internal combustion engine is configured to power a lift propeller, generating vertical lift of the UAV, and the batteries are configured to power a micro-propeller assembly, propelling the UAV in a forward direction or multiple additional directions.

Abstract: A drone deployable power line fault detection sensor. The sensor can include a clamp mechanism having a clamp ring with first and second ring portions movably connected to each other and a resilient member positioned to urge the first and second ring portions toward a closed configuration. A latch can be positioned to retain the first and second ring portions in an open configuration whereby the sensor can be positioned on a power transmission line with a drone. A trigger can be coupled to the latch and operative, under the weight of the sensor, to disengage the latch thereby releasing the first and second ring portions to close around the transmission line under the force of the resilient member. One or more sensors are carried by the clamp mechanism and positioned to detect a line fault on the power transmission line, which is reported to a power station control system to de-energize the power transmission line.

Abstract: A drone deployable power line fault detection sensor. The sensor can include a clamp mechanism having a clamp ring with first and second ring portions movably connected to each other and a resilient member positioned to urge the first and second ring portions toward a closed configuration. A latch can be positioned to retain the first and second ring portions in an open configuration whereby the sensor can be positioned on a power transmission line with a drone. A trigger can be coupled to the latch and operative, under the weight of the sensor, to disengage the latch thereby releasing the first and second ring portions to close around the transmission line under the force of the resilient member. One or more sensors are carried by the clamp mechanism and positioned to detect a line fault on the power transmission line, which is reported to a power station control system to de-energize the power transmission line.

Abstract: An adaptive fifth generation (5G) communications system includes an adaptive 5G tower; a first adaptive 5G site coupled by a dedicated link with the adaptive 5G tower; and a second adaptive 5G site coupled by a direct link with the first adaptive 5G site. The direct link may be established by the first adaptive 5G site and couples the second adaptive 5G site with the adaptive 5G tower. Data signals may be communicated between the adaptive 5G tower and the second adaptive 5G site via the direct link and the dedicated link. Usage of the direct link is accounted for in a blockchain master ledger. The blockchain master ledger corresponds to an adaptive 5G model and may be separately maintained by each of the adaptive 5G tower, the first adaptive 5G site, and the second adaptive 5G site. The master ledger may include relay, processing, path, power, and transaction layers.

Abstract: An unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) that provides increased operational flight endurance and efficiency. The UAV includes a power generation system, which includes an internal combustion engine and one or more batteries (batteries). The power generation system is configured to generate power for propulsion of the UAV. The internal combustion engine is configured to power a lift propeller, generating vertical lift of the UAV, and the batteries are configured to power a micro-propeller assembly, propelling the UAV in a forward direction or multiple additional directions.

Abstract: A drone deployable power line fault detection sensor. The sensor can include a clamp mechanism having a clamp ring with first and second ring portions movably connected to each other and a resilient member positioned to urge the first and second ring portions toward a closed configuration. A latch can be positioned to retain the first and second ring portions in an open configuration whereby the sensor can be positioned on a power transmission line with a drone. A trigger can be coupled to the latch and operative, under the weight of the sensor, to disengage the latch thereby releasing the first and second ring portions to close around the transmission line under the force of the resilient member. One or more sensors are carried by the clamp mechanism and positioned to detect a line fault on the power transmission line, which is reported to a power station control system to de-energize the power transmission line.

Abstract: A process for producing a titanium load-bearing structure, which comprises cold-gas dynamic spraying of titanium particles on to a suitably shaped support member, and a titanium load bearing structure so-produced.

Abstract: A method for forming a digestible pet chew includes combining ingredients including a leavening agent and an acid to form a mixture having about 16 to 32% moisture, adding the mixture to a barrel of an injection molding machine, and plasticizing the mixture with heat and pressure to form a plasticized material. The plasticized material is then injected into a chilled mold and cooled in the mold for a time sufficient to form a skin surrounding a center portion. The mold is then released to allow the center portion to expand to form a pet chew having an outer skin and an expanded center.

Abstract: A cold-set, injection-molded digestible pet chew includes an outer skin layer having a tough, chewy texture and an expanded center being surrounded by the outer skin layer. The outer skin layer and the expanded center being are formed by injecting a plasticized mixture into a chilled mold and cooling in the mold for about 10-60 seconds followed by releasing the mold to allow the center to expand to form a digestible pet chew. The plasticized mixture includes protein, starch, 0.1-2.5% encapsulated leavening agent, acid, and 5-15% of a humectant. The encapsulated leavening agent reacts with the acid to form the expanded center within the outer skin layer. Further, the pet chew has a water activity of 0.60 or below such that the expanded center remains expanded.

Abstract: Various arrangements for avoiding obstacles for a visually-impaired pedestrian are presented. An m by n matrix of distance measurements may be created using a scanning time of flight (ToF) sensor component for various different directions. The m by n matrix of distance measurements and the m by n direction matrix may be analyzed to identify a first obstacle having a vertical height that differs by at least a predefined threshold measurement from a neighboring second region. Based on identifying the first obstacle, an indication of the first obstacle and an indication of the distance to the first obstacle determined using the m by n matrix of distance indications may be output.

Abstract: A process for producing a titanium load-bearing structure, which comprises cold-gas dynamic spraying of titanium particles on to a suitably shaped support member, and a titanium load bearing structure so-produced.

Abstract: A process for producing a titanium load-bearing structure, which comprises cold-gas dynamic spraying of titanium particles on to a suitably shaped support member, and a titanium load bearing structure so-produced.

Abstract: Harvesting energy from non-stationary, multi-frequency mechanical vibrations using a tunable electrical circuit. In an embodiment, an apparatus for converting vibrational energy to electrical energy includes a vibrational energy harvester having a transducer for generating time-varying electrical signals in response to environmental vibration; at least one power storage device; a switching network operably coupled between the transducer of the vibrational energy harvester and the at least one power storage device, wherein the switching network includes a plurality of switching elements each defining a switchable current path that is controlled by a control signal supplied to the respective switching element; and electronics configured to generate the control signals for supply to the switching elements of the switching network, the electronics including first circuitry, second circuitry, third circuitry, and fourth circuitry.

Abstract: A method for forming a digestible pet chew includes combining ingredients including a leavening agent and an acid to form a mixture having about 16 to 32% moisture, adding the mixture to a barrel of an injection molding machine, and plasticizing the mixture with heat and pressure to form a plasticized material. The plasticized material is then injected into a chilled mold and cooled in the mold for a time sufficient to form a skin surrounding a center portion. The mold is then released to allow the center portion to expand to form a pet chew having an outer skin and an expanded center.

Abstract: A procedure and device for electric energy generation from electrochemical use of substances for powering downhole devices and a procedure and device for electric energy generation from nuclear decay for powering downhole devices. The types of devices being powered are untethered or otherwise cannot benefit from direct power transmission from the surface.

Abstract: A process for producing a titanium load-bearing structure, which comprises cold-gas dynamic spraying of titanium particles on to a suitably shaped support member, and a titanium load bearing structure so-produced.

Abstract: The present application relates to energy harvesting. More particularly, the present application relates to harvesting energy from non-stationary, multi-frequency mechanical vibrations using a tunable electrical circuit.

Abstract: Procedures and devices are described for electric energy generation from electrochemical use of substances for powering downhole devices. According to some other embodiments procedures and devices are described for electric energy generation from nuclear decay for powering downhole devices. According to some embodiments, the types of devices being powered are untethered or otherwise cannot benefit from direct power transmission from the surface. Examples of devices include small devices in downhole environments. Other examples of devices are sensors and other hardware such as flow control valves installed during completion. According to one example permanent and/or semi-permanent monitoring sensors make use of the energy generation techniques described herein.