Abstract: Apparatuses, capacitor arrays, and methods for generating therapeutic compressed acoustic waves (e.g., shock waves). In the apparatuses and at least some of the methods, a plurality of electrodes can disposed in a chamber that is defined by a housing and configured to be filled with liquid, and a plurality of capacitors can be electrically connected to the electrodes and can be carried by (e.g., physically coupled to) the housing. Voltage pulses can be applied simultaneously to the plurality of electrodes (e.g., to begin to vaporize and ionize portions of the liquid to provide at least one inter-electrode conductive path between the plurality of electrodes) and to the capacitors to charge the plurality of capacitors). The plurality of capacitors can be configured to, upon reaching a threshold charge, discharge to the plurality of electrodes (e.g.

Abstract: A low axial runout driven pulley through the application of a spindle shaft utilizing multiple sets of bearings with radial clearance to the shaft. Utilizing a belt-driven pulley supporting overhanging loads with low axial runout provided by a spindle shaft with radial clearance to supporting bearings. Further axial clamp loading may be provided through multiple sets of bearings by the application of a fastener, such as a shaft bolt and a sleeve that press against the inner races of the bearings in the axial direction with this clamp load. The belt-driven pulley with low axial runout through the application of a spindle shaft utilizing at least two sets of bearings with radial clearance to the shaft may be utilized with heavy-duty trucking, marine, industrial, and other systems that utilize an overhung driven component.

Abstract: For pulsed injection of liquids into the ground, the tool has a rotating cylinder, having through-slots. The tool has an insert, which is pressed against the rotating cylinder. As the cylinder rotates, the slots in the rotor cover/uncover the slots in the insert, creating the required pulses. By suitably shaping the slots, the pulses can have a fast rise-time from closed to open. The insert is shaped to minimize flow interference.

Abstract: A method is taught for applying vacuum pulses to enhance multiphase vacuum extraction of vapours and liquids from contaminated subsurface wells. The method involves first initiating continuous multiphase vacuum extraction from the subsurface well. Then one or more short vacuum pulses are imparted to the subsurface environment, to momentarily interrupt flow of vapours and liquids in the subsurface well. Time is allowed for a vacuum to build up in the extraction apparatus; and then the vacuum build up is rapidly released to momentarily increase velocity of vapours and liquids being extracted from the subsurface well. A device is further taught for imparting vacuum pulses to enhance multiphase extraction from contaminated subsurface wells, comprising a vacuum pulse tool having an inlet in fluid communication with the subsurface well and an outlet and one or more multiphase extraction vacuum pumps, connected to the outlet of the vacuum pulse tool.

Abstract: For pulsed injection of liquids into the ground, the tool has a rotating cylinder, having through-slots. The tool has an insert, which is pressed against the rotating cylinder. As the cylinder rotates, the slots in the rotor cover/uncover the slots in the insert, creating the required pulses. By suitably shaping the slots, the pulses can have a fast rise-time from closed to open. The insert is shaped to minimize flow interference.

Abstract: The present invention provides melt processable, bleach resistant durable fibers having an elastic recovery above 50% after extension to 160% elongation and a stress relaxation below 50% after extension to 150% for 30 minuets which are formed from a soft polyurethane elastomer. This elastomer is comprised of (a) from 75 to 90% weight of a polydiene diol having up to about two terminal hydroxyl groups per molecule and a number average molecular weight between 500 and 20,000, (b) from 9 to 25% weight of a diisocyanate, and (c) from 0.8% to 5% weight of a chain extender which is a low molecular weight aliphatic diol, or a mixture of the low molecular weight aliphatic diol and from 0.1 to 4.0 mol % of a diamine wherein the hard segment content of the polyurethane elastomer is from about 10 to about 30% weight. The present invention further provides a polyurethane elastomer.

Abstract: The present invention provides melt processable, bleach resistant durable fibers having an elastic recovery above 50% after extension to 160% elongation and a stress relaxation below 50% after extension to 150% for 30 minuets which are formed from a soft polyurethane elastomer. This elastomer is comprised of (a) from 75 to 90% weight of a polydiene diol having up to about two terminal hydroxyl groups per molecule and a number average molecular weight between 500 and 20,000, (b) from 9 to 25% weight of a diisocyanate, and (c) from 0.8% to 5% weight of a chain extender which is a low molecular weight aliphatic diol, or a mixture of the low molecular weight aliphatic diol and from 0.1 to 4.0 mol % of a diamine wherein the hard segment content of the polyurethane elastomer is from about 10 to about 30% weight. The present invention further provides a polyurethane elastomer.

Abstract: The present invention provides melt processable, bleach resistant durable fibers having an elastic recovery above 50% after extension to 160% elongation and a stress relaxation below 50% after extension to 150% for 30 minutes which are formed from a soft polyurethane elastomer. This elastomer is comprised of (a) from 75 to 90% weight of a polydiene diol having up to about two terminal hydroxyl groups per molecule and a number average molecular weight between 500 and 20,000, (b) from 9 to 25% weight of a diisocyanate, and (c) from 0.8 to 5% weight of a chain extender which is a low molecular weight aliphatic diol, or a mixture of the low molecular weight aliphatic diol and from 0.1 to 4.0 mol % of a diamine wherein the hard segment content of the polyurethane elastomer is from about 10 to about 30% weight. The present invention further provides a polyurethane elastomer.

Abstract: A laminating adhesive comprising an adhesive composition which comprises(a) An epoxidized block copolymer of the formula(A-B-A.sub.p).sub.n -Y.sub.r -(A.sub.q -B).sub.mwherein Y is a coupling agent or coupling monomers, andwherein A and B are polymer blocks which may be homopolymer blocks of conjugated diolefin monomers, copolymer blocks of conjugated diolefin monomers or copolymer blocks of conjugated diolefin monomers and monoalkenyl aromatic hydrocarbon monomers, andwherein the A blocks have a higher number of aliphatic double bonds between a tertiary carbon atom and either a primary, secondary, or tertiary carbon atom per unit of block mass than do the B blocks, andwherein the A blocks have a molecular weight from about 100 to about 3000 and the B blocks have a molecular weight from about 1000 to about 15,000, and wherein p and q are 0 or 1 and n>0, r is 0 or 1, m.gtoreq.

Abstract: The present invention provides a toughened epoxy resin composition comprising:(a) a curable aromatic epoxy resin,(b) an epoxidized low viscosity polydiene polymer wherein the polymer contains from 1.0 to 7.0 milliequivalents of epoxy per gram of polymer, and(c) a curing agent.

Abstract: The present invention provides a toughened epoxy resin composition comprising:(a) a curable aromatic epoxy resin,(b) a monohydroxylated epoxidized polydiene polymer which is comprised of at least two polymerizable ethenically unsaturated hydrocarbon monomers wherein at least one is a diene monomer which yields unsaturation suitable for epoxidation, and wherein the polymer contains from 0.5 to 7 milliequivalents of epoxy per gram of polymer, and(c) a curing agent.

Abstract: A process is disclosed for producing six-armed and eight-armed asymmetric radial block copolymers. The process comprises anionically polymerizing a diene and/or a vinyl aromatic hydrocarbon to create living polydiene and/or vinyl aromatic hydrocarbon arms, sequentially anionically polymerizing a vinyl aromatic hydrocarbon and a diene to create living block copolymer arms and coupling the two sets of arms together in one step with a coupling agent that will couple six or eight arms, wherein the molar ratio of the vinyl aromatic hydrocarbon-diene arms to the polydiene arms is sufficient to produce a statistical blend with less than 5 weight percent homopolydiene.

Abstract: A laminating adhesive comprising an adhesive composition which comprises(a) An epoxidized block copolymer of the formula(A--B--A.sub.p).sub.n --Y.sub.r --(A.sub.q --B).sub.mwherein Y is a coupling agent or coupling monomers, and wherein A and B are polymer blocks which may be homopolymer blocks of conjugated diolefin monomers, copolymer blocks of conjugated diolefin monomers or copolymer blocks of conjugated diolefin monomers and monoalkenyl aromatic hydrocarbon monomers, and wherein the A blocks have a higher number of aliphatic double bonds between a tertiary carbon atom and either a primary, secondary, or tertiary carbon atom per unit of block mass than do the B blocks, and wherein the A blocks have a molecular weight from about 100 to about 3000 and the B blocks have a molecular weight from about 1000 to about 15,000, and wherein p and q are 0 or 1 and n>0, r is 0 or 1, m.gtoreq.

Abstract: A process for preparing a coupled asymmetric block copolymer of a vinyl aromatic hydrocarbon and a conjugated diene which comprises:(a) adding sufficient anionic polymerization initiator to the vinyl aromatic hydrocarbon monomer to start polymerization of the vinyl aromatic hydrocarbon,(b) polymerizing the vinyl aromatic hydrocarbon for a time sufficient to form a first set of vinyl aromatic hydrocarbon blocks having a desired molecular weight,(c) adding sufficient anionic polymerization initiator to start polymerization of a second set of vinyl aromatic hydrocarbon blocks,(d) completing the polymerization of the vinyl aromatic hydrocarbon for a time such that the first set of vinyl aromatic hydrocarbon blocks continues to grow to the desired molecular weight and the second set of vinyl aromatic hydrocarbon blocks grows to a desired smaller molecular weight,(e) adding a conjugated diene and polymerizing it on the ends of the vinyl aromatic hydrocarbon blocks for a time sufficient to form vinyl aromatic hydroc

Abstract: This invention provides a reactive conjugated diene polymer composition that forms a phase-separated adhesive, sealant, or coating. The composition comprises an epoxidized polymer of conjugated dienes, a second reactive component which is phase separated from the polymerized conjugated diene upon cure, and optionally a tackifying resin. The invention also encompasses adhesive, coating and sealant compositions made with the above composition.

Abstract: A compatible polymer blend comprising: a curable aromatic epoxy resin, an epoxidized polydiene polymer, and an anhydride or polycarboxylic acid curing agent. The invention also relates to structural adhesive compositions comprising cured compatible polymer blends as described.

Abstract: The present invention is a cured adhesive composition with enhanced properties prepared by the high energy ionizing radiation initiated curing of a polymer composition. The polymer composition comprises from 1/3 to 2/3% by weight of the polymer composition of a block copolymer having the structure(D--A--B).sub.x --Y--C.sub.zwhere A is a polymer block of a vinyl aromatic hydrocarbon, B, C and D are polymer blocks of a conjugated diene, Y is a coupling agent or coupling monomers or initiator, x ranges from 3 to 30, z ranges from 0 to 10, the molecular weight of the A blocks ranges from 5,000 to 25,000, the molecular weights of the B and C blocks range from 15,000 to 100,000 and the molecular weight of the D blocks ranges from 500 to 5,000 in one embodiment and above 5000 to 50,000 in the other; and a tackifying resin.

Abstract: A symmetric star block copolymer having and exhibiting one phase melt behavior comprising from about 3 to 30 arms, wherein each of said arm has a molecular weight of from about 20,000 to 35,000; said arms coupled with a suitable coupling agent; and wherein said arms comprises monomers of monoalkenyl aromatic hydrocarbon and conjugated diolefins; and wherein said monoalkenyl aromatic hydrocarbon is present in an amount of from about 20 to 40 wt % of the star block copolymer. Also disclosed is a process for preparing these one phase melt block copolymers.

Abstract: A bitumen composition is provided which contains a block copolymer of one or more halogenated vinyl aromatic blocks and one or more conjugated diolefin blocks. The composition does not phase separate upon storage for five days at 160.degree. C. and has excellent ductility and elasticity. The utilization of halogenated block copolymers also results in improved high service temperature viscosity and moduli with excellent resistance to thermal cracking at low service temperatures. The block copolymer is preferably a hydrogenated block copolymer. The bitumen is preferably halogenated.

Abstract: The invention is a radiation curable printing ink composition comprising a liquid viscous epoxidized diene polymer and a pigment. Preferred diene polymers are block copolymers comprising at least interior and exterior diene blocks wherein the exterior diene blocks contain a greater concentration of di-, tri-, and tetrasubstituted olefinic epoxides than the interior blocks and wherein the copolymer contains from 0.1 to 3.0 Meq of olefinic epoxides per gram of copolymer and the peak molecular weights as determined by gel permeation chromatography of the exterior blocks of from 300 to 2000 and the peak molecular weights as determined by gel permeation chromatography of the interior blocks are from 2,000 to 10,000. In another preferred embodiment, the polymer is a star polymer having a random distribution of from 0.