Abstract: The invention provides carpet fibers prepared from a blend of polymeric components, said fiber exhibiting improved properties, such as improved spinnability and improved fire resistance. The carpet fibers particularly comprise a majority of polytrimethylene terephthalate (PTT) and a minority of polyethylene terephthalate (PET). The invention further provides yarns and carpets prepared from the inventive fibers, said yarns and carpets likewise exhibiting improved properties. The invention also provides methods of improving various physical properties (such as fire resistance, spinnability, and elongation) of a polymeric composition.

Abstract: An uninterruptible power supply adapted to be connected between an AC line and a load a battery system for storing battery power, an inverter, a transformer, and a controller. The inverter is operatively connected to the battery system. The transformer comprises a primary winding adapted to be operatively connected to the AC line, a load winding adapted to be operatively connected to the load, and an inverter winding operatively connected to the inverter. The controller controls the inverter to operate in a first mode in which the inverter supplies power to the battery system, a second mode in which the inverter supplies power to the load winding using battery power stored in the battery system, and, based on a cost value indicative of reduction of life of the battery system, a third mode in which the inverter supplies power to the primary winding using battery power stored in the battery system.

Abstract: Embodiments include a vacuum airlift system for treating an aqueous effluent including an upflow liquid column, where the upflow liquid column is configured to retain a fluid, a fluid inlet, the fluid inlet being fluidly coupled with the upflow liquid column, where the fluid inlet is positioned at about the bottom of the upflow liquid column, a downflow liquid column, a fluid outlet, the fluid outlet being fluidly coupled with the downflow liquid column, wherein the fluid outlet is positioned at about the bottom of the downflow liquid column, and a plurality of moving bed biofilm reactors, the plurality of moving bed biofilm reactors being positioned in the upflow liquid column or the downflow liquid column.

Abstract: The invention provides carpet fibers prepared from a blend of polymeric components, said fiber exhibiting improved properties, such as improved spinnability and improved fire resistance. The carpet fibers particularly comprise a majority of polytrimethylene terephthalate (PTT) and a minority of polyethylene terephthalate (PET). The invention further provides yarns and carpets prepared from the inventive fibers, said yarns and carpets likewise exhibiting improved properties. The invention also provides methods of improving various physical properties (such as fire resistance, spinnability, and elongation) of a polymeric composition.

Abstract: An uninterruptible power supply to be connected between an AC line and a load has a battery system, an inverter, a transformer, and a controller. The battery system stores battery power. The inverter is operatively connected to the battery system. The transformer comprises a primary winding adapted to be connected to the AC line, a load winding adapted to be connected to the load, and an inverter winding operatively connected to the inverter. The controller controls the inverter to operate in a first mode in which the inverter supplies power to the battery system, a second mode in which the inverter supplies power to the load winding using battery power stored in the battery system, and a third mode in which the inverter supplies power to the primary winding using battery power stored in the battery system.

Abstract: At least one crack designator for a perforating gun, wherein the gun includes a longitudinal direction, a lateral direction, and at least one scallop, wherein each crack designator is capable of redirecting crack growth from the lateral direction to the longitudinal direction of the gun. The designator may be located in one of the scallops, extend from an expected exit hole in the gun to an edge of one of the scallops, and be capable of redirecting crack growth from a lateral direction to a longitudinal direction of the gun. In preferred embodiments, the designator in each scallop is arranged in a spider pattern or concentric circles. The designator is preferably formed by machining, etching, or laser ablation. The designator may have a lower fracture toughness or lesser stiffness than surrounding material of the gun.

Abstract: A microelectronic system including hydrogen barriers and copper pillars for wafer level packaging and method of fabricating the same are provided. Generally, the method includes: forming an insulating hydrogen barrier over a surface of a first chip; exposing at least a portion of an electrical contact electrically coupled to a component in the first chip by removing a portion of the insulating hydrogen barrier, the component including a material susceptible to degradation by hydrogen; forming a conducting hydrogen barrier over at least the exposed portion of the electrical contact; and forming a copper pillar over the conducting hydrogen barrier. In one embodiment, the material susceptible to degradation is lead zirconate titanate (PZT) and the microelectronic systems device is a ferroelectric random access memory including a ferroelectric capacitor with a PZT ferroelectric layer. Other embodiments are also disclosed.

Abstract: An uninterruptible power supply to be connected between an AC line and a load has a battery system, an inverter, a transformer, and a controller. The battery system stores battery power. The inverter is operatively connected to the battery system. The transformer comprises a primary winding adapted to be connected to the AC line, a load winding adapted to be connected to the load, and an inverter winding operatively connected to the inverter. The controller controls the inverter to operate in a first mode in which the inverter supplies power to the battery system, a second mode in which the inverter supplies power to the load winding using battery power stored in the battery system, and a third mode in which the inverter supplies power to the primary winding using battery power stored in the battery system.

Abstract: An uninterruptible power supply for supply electrical power to a load, comprises a connection to a primary source for supplying primary power, a battery system for storing battery power, an inverter, and a controller. The controller controls the inverter to operate in a first mode, a second mode, and in a third mode. In the first mode, power is supplied to the primary load and the battery system based on primary power. In the second mode, power is supplied to the primary load based on battery power. In the third mode, power is supplied to the primary source based on battery power.

Abstract: An artificial turf system that includes a plurality of pellets in an infill disposed on a backing material and between individual synthetic fibers extending away from the backing material, wherein the pellets are a fire retardant material, for example, a salt, and more particularly an inorganic salt, encapsulated in a water insoluble material.

Abstract: A shock sensing tool for use with well perforating can include a generally tubular structure which is fluid pressure balanced, at least one strain sensor which senses strain in the structure, and a pressure sensor which senses pressure external to the structure. A well system can include a perforating string including multiple perforating guns and at least one shock sensing tool, with the shock sensing tool being interconnected in the perforating string between one of the perforating guns and at least one of: a) another of the perforating guns, and b) a firing head.

Abstract: An enclosure for protecting an air conditioning condenser unit is provided. The enclosure includes a cover for enclosing an outdoor condenser unit, the cover including (1) a metal frame for folding around and over the outdoor condenser unit, the metal frame including a plurality of panels, interconnected to at least one other panel and each panel having a plurality of metal edges, each panel sized for a corresponding section of the outdoor condenser unit, and each panel also includes a metal mesh extending between the metal edges, and (2) a metal security bar for interconnecting opposite panels via extension of the security bar underneath the outdoor condenser unit, whereby when folded around the outdoor condenser unit, the cover substantially approximates the shape of the outdoor condenser unit and prevents access to the outdoor condenser unit.

Abstract: An artificial turf system that includes a plurality of pellets in an infill disposed on a backing material and between individual synthetic fibers extending away from the backing material, wherein the pellets are a fire retardant material, for example, a salt, and more particularly an inorganic salt, encapsulated in a water insoluble material.

Abstract: A method of utilizing a shock model for prediction of perforating effects can include recording measurements of the perforating effects on an actual perforating string in a wellbore, adjusting the shock model so that predictions of the perforating effects output by the shock model substantially match the measurements of the perforating effects, and causing the adjusted shock model to predict the perforating effects for a proposed perforating string. A method of predicting perforating effects on a perforating string in a wellbore can include inputting a three dimensional well model and a three dimensional model of the perforating string into a shock model, and causing the shock model to predict the perforating effects on the perforating string.

Abstract: A shock sensing tool for use with well perforating can include a generally tubular structure which is fluid pressure balanced, at least one strain sensor which senses strain in the structure, and a pressure sensor which senses pressure external to the structure. A well system can include a perforating string including multiple perforating guns and at least one shock sensing tool, with the shock sensing tool being interconnected in the perforating string between one of the perforating guns and at least one of: a) another of the perforating guns, and b) a firing head.

Abstract: An uninterruptible power supply for supply electrical power to a load, comprises a connection to a primary source for supplying primary power, a battery system for storing battery power, an inverter, and a controller. The controller controls the inverter to operate in a first mode, a second mode, and in a third mode. In the first mode, power is supplied to the primary load and the battery system based on primary power. In the second mode, power is supplied to the primary load based on battery power. In the third mode, power is supplied to the primary source based on battery power.

Abstract: A portable lock box for enclosing and organizing a plurality of fishing rods with securement means to a base structure. A rectangular box is disclosed with a lockable, hinged roof and cut-outs that accommodate fishing rod penetrations on both lengthwise sides of the box. The box provides a secure container for transporting, protecting and housing a series of fishing rods. Securement means along the bottom of the box are accessible from the box interior and provide mounting points for the assembly to a base structure, preventing theft or movement during transportation. Fishing reels are housed within the internal cavity of the box to prevent theft and to protect them from external damage.

Abstract: An exhaust nozzle (10) for a gas turbine engine is described for vectoring a flow of exhaust gases issuing therefrom at an angle to a centre line (8) of the engine. The exhaust nozzle (10) comprises a plurality of radially outer flaps (25) and radially inner flaps (26) which are circumferentially disposed around the engine. The radially outer flaps (25) and radially inner flaps (26) alternately overlap each other to define a path through which the exhaust gases flow. The radially outer flaps (25) can be moved asymmetrically about the engine centre line (8). The radially inner flaps (26) are maintained in sealing contact with the outer flaps (25) by the flow of exhaust gases passing therethrough. The radially inner flaps (26) are divided into a number of triangular sections (29) which renders the flaps (26) torsionally flexible so that they can twist along their lengths to maintain sealing contact with adjacent radially outer flaps (25) when the outer flaps (25) are moved asymmetrically.

Abstract: A rotary engine configured to use compressed air or high pressure steam to produce power. It has a casing with two peripheral exhaust ports each adjacent to a flattened area, a rotor having three slotted pistons, and a center valve with two opposed inlet ports that provide high pressure steam or compressed air to the pistons. Each rotor revolution produces three power strokes. Furthermore, the volume of air used for a single cycle is reduced, as a result of the air traveling through its pistons. Also, the engine stops when the vehicle it powers is at rest, and a spring inside each piston causes its angled tip to contact the rotary chamber upon start up. In addition, it is inexpensive to manufacture, as there is not much tooling needed to make the rotary engine, and it has only four moving parts, its rotor and the three pistons attached to it.