Abstract: A method of tracing flow of hydrocarbon from a subterranean reservoir including forming a dispersion, injecting a hydraulic fracturing fluid containing the dispersion down a well penetrating a hydrocarbon reservoir, thereafter collecting a sample of hydrocarbon fluid flowing from the reservoir, and analysing the sample to determine whether the tracer compound is present in the sample. The dispersion includes a discontinuous condensed phase having a hydrocarbon-soluble tracer compound and a continuous phase which includes an aqueous liquid.

Abstract: An approach is provided for pairing a fuser assembly with a media size and for electronically labeling the fuser assembly for use with the media size. The approach involves causing, at least in part, a fuser assembly having a memory to be tagged with an identifier related to a corresponding media size, the identifier being stored in the memory. The approach also involves determining a media size associated with a print job to be run by a printing system. The approach further involves determining the identifier of an installed fuser assembly. The approach additionally involves causing, at least in part, a comparison between the determined media size associated with the print job and the identifier of the installed fuser assembly to determine if a conflict exists.

Abstract: A method of tracing flow of hydrocarbon from a subterranean reservoir including forming a dispersion, injecting a hydraulic fracturing fluid containing the dispersion down a well penetrating a hydrocarbon reservoir, thereafter collecting a sample of hydrocarbon fluid flowing from the reservoir, and analyzing the sample to determine whether the tracer compound is present in the sample. The dispersion includes a discontinuous condensed phase having a hydrocarbon-soluble tracer compound and a continuous phase which includes an aqueous liquid.

Abstract: An approach is provided for pairing a fuser assembly with a media size and for electronically labeling the fuser assembly for use with the media size. The approach involves causing, at least in part, a fuser assembly having a memory to be tagged with an identifier related to a corresponding media size, the identifier being stored in the memory. The approach also involves determining a media size associated with a print job to be run by a printing system. The approach further involves determining the identifier of an installed fuser assembly. The approach additionally involves causing, at least in part, a comparison between the determined media size associated with the print job and the identifier of the installed fuser assembly to determine if a conflict exists.

Abstract: A method of tracing flow of hydrocarbon from a subterranean reservoir including forming a dispersion, injecting a hydraulic fracturing fluid containing the dispersion down a well penetrating a hydrocarbon reservoir, thereafter collecting a sample of hydrocarbon fluid flowing from the reservoir, and analysing the sample to determine whether the tracer compound is present in the sample. The dispersion includes a discontinuous condensed phase having a hydrocarbon-soluble tracer compound and a continuous phase which includes an aqueous liquid.

Abstract: A method of tracing flow of hydrocarbon from a subterranean reservoir including forming a dispersion, injecting a hydraulic fracturing fluid containing the dispersion down a well penetrating a hydrocarbon reservoir, thereafter collecting a sample of hydrocarbon fluid flowing from the reservoir, and analysing the sample to determine whether the tracer compound is present in the sample. The dispersion includes a discontinuous condensed phase having a hydrocarbon-soluble tracer compound and a continuous phase which includes an aqueous liquid.

Abstract: A spring orthotic device comprising a cradle for contacting the foot of a user, a spring plate underneath the cradle, a ventral pivot beneath the spring plate, and a dorsal pivot above the spring plate and below the cradle located proximally of the ventral pivot.

Abstract: A backpack and frame are disclosed, as are methods of making the frame using composite materials and compression molding. The backpack frame is designed to be at least partially internal and is of unitary construction using a resin-impregnated material, such as resin-impregnated carbon fiber sheets with selective reinforcement by interstitial layers. The frame has a mid-back portion that includes openings for independently positionable shoulder straps and a lower back portion that provides for a rotatable connection to a belt assembly. A pair of curved stay portions is contiguous with the mid-back portion of the frame and curves outwardly as the stay portions extend downwardly. The frame is preferably curved to match the curvature of the human back.

Abstract: A virtual agent is disclosed. The virtual agent may receive a question from a user, and compare the question against a list of queries contained in a database. The virtual agent may then assign a point value to the question, determine which of a set of ranges the point value matches, and perform an action responsive to which of the ranges the point value matches. The virtual agent is self-learning in that when a question is unanswerable, the virtual agent may seek out answers and store answers for future reference. Multiple virtual agents may be networked, creating a self-scaling pool of knowledge.

Abstract: This invention relates to bogies for railway rolling stock. In particular it relates to suspension arrangements for such bogies wherein the frame is mounted on a spring suspension arrangement. In one embodiment the spring suspension arrangement comprises two groups of springs on either side of a wheel axle (11), each group comprising an inner spring (14) and two outer fore and aft springs (15, 16). In another arrangement there are two lower springs (14) on either side of a wheel axle (11) and at least one upper spring (21) above the axle. The arrangements described provide better lateral and longitudinal stiffness and shear characteristics which, reduce hunting and wheel wear. They also enable the axles to accommodate increased loads.

Abstract: A spring orthotic device comprising a cradle for contacting the foot of a user, a spring plate underneath the cradle, a ventral pivot beneath the spring plate, and a dorsal pivot above the spring plate and below the cradle located proximally of the ventral pivot.

Abstract: An information gathering and decoding apparatus includes two information gathering devices that communicate with one another, preferably wirelessly. The two information gathering devices may be used substantially simultaneously to process one, or multiple, customer orders. Customer order information is sent from one information gathering device to the other, and only one of the information gathering devices communicates with a computer system to send information from both of the information gathering devices to the computer system as if the information originated from the one information gathering device. Communication between the two information gathering devices combined with a microprocessor in at least one of the information gathering devices may allow the information gathering and decoding apparatus to be used with existing computer systems, such as point of sale systems, preferably without modifying the computer system.

Abstract: This invention relates to bogies for railway rolling stock. In particular it relates to suspension arrangements for such bogies wherein the frame is mounted on a spring suspension arrangement. In one embodiment the spring suspension arrangement comprises two groups of springs on either side of a wheel axle (11), each group comprising an inner spring (14) and two outer fore and aft springs (15, 16). In another arrangement there are two lower springs (14) on either side of a wheel axle (11) and at least one upper spring (21) above the axle. The arrangements described provide better lateral and longitudinal stiffness and shear characteristics which, reduce hunting and wheel wear. They also enable the axles to accommodate increased loads.

Abstract: A wear plate assembly adapted to engage a friction wedge of a railroad car truck. The wear plate assembly includes a base member having an upper wear member adapted to engage the friction wedge. The upper wear member is formed from a first material such as steel. The wear plate assembly includes a lower wear member located adjacent to and below the upper wear member. The lower wear member is adapted to engage the friction wedge and is formed from a second material such as cast iron. The upper wear member has a coefficient friction with the friction wedge of approximately 0.30 and the lower wear member has a coefficient friction with the friction wedge of approximately 0.15. When a rail car is at tare weight the friction wedge will slidably engage the upper wear member and when the rail car is at fully laden weight the friction wedge will slidably engage the lower wear member.

Abstract: A side bearing for a railcar having a car body and a bolster. The side bearing includes a top member adapted to be located adjacent the car body of the railcar. The top member includes a downwardly extending projection. The side bearing also includes a base member adapted to be located adjacent the bolster of the railcar. The base member includes an upwardly extending support member, a wear plate holder coupled to the support member, and a wear plate coupled to the wear plate holder. First and second adjustment members are attached to the support member to selectively move the wear plate holder and the wear plate along a horizontal axis to adjust and maintain a zero or minimal clearance between the wear plate of the base member and the projection of the top member and thereby control movement of the railcar truck/car body interface.

Abstract: A side bearing for a railcar having a car body and a bolster. The side bearing includes a top member adapted to be located adjacent the car body of the railcar. The top member includes a downwardly extending projection. The side bearing also includes a base member adapted to be located adjacent the bolster of the railcar. The base member includes an upwardly extending support member, a wear plate holder coupled to the support member, and a wear plate coupled to the wear plate holder. First and second adjustment members are attached to the support member to selectively move the wear plate holder and the wear plate along a horizontal axis to adjust and maintain a zero or minimal clearance between the wear plate of the base member and the projection of the top member and thereby control movement of the railcar truck/car body interface.

Abstract: A wear plate assembly adapted to engage a friction wedge of a railroad car truck. The wear plate assembly includes a base member having an upper wear member adapted to engage the friction wedge. The upper wear member is formed from a first material such as steel. The wear plate assembly includes a lower wear member located adjacent to and below the upper wear member. The lower wear member is adapted to engage the friction wedge and is formed from a second material such as cast iron. The upper wear member has a coefficient friction with the friction wedge of approximately 0.30 and the lower wear member has a coefficient friction with the friction wedge of approximately 0.15. When a rail car is at tare weight the friction wedge will slidably engage the upper wear member and when the rail car is at fully laden weight the friction wedge will slidably engage the lower wear member.

Abstract: A saddle and pedestal for a railcar truck adapted to receive a bearing and a wheel axle. The saddle includes a roof having a roof cavity, a first side wall extending downwardly from the roof to a first end having a first pocket and a second side wall extending downwardly from the roof to a second end having a second pocket. A rocker member is adapted to be inserted into the roof cavity of the roof and to engage the bearing. One or more fasteners removably attach the rocker member to the roof such that the rocker member is selectively removable for maintenance. One or more shims may be placed between the rocker member and the roof to adjust the position of the rocker member. A removable link member extends between the first and second ends of the side walls. The link member includes a first end adapted to be inserted into the first pocket and a second end adapted to be inserted into the second pocket. The link member maintains a minimum spacing between the ends of the side walls.

Abstract: A drum shell and method of making same. A first layer of carbon fiber material is rolled into a cylindrical shape. Next, a layer of foam is wrapped over the cylinder of carbon fiber material. Finally, a second layer of carbon fiber material is rolled over the foam layer. In a more specific implementation, several sheets of carbon fiber soaked in an epoxy resin are rolled on a cylindrical mold to provide the first and second rolls thereof. After the application of the second set of sheets, the shell is vacuum dried and cut to desired lengths to complete the construction.

Abstract: A vapor recovery system is provided which includes a vapor recovery cycle and a regeneration cycle. The vapor recovery is condensation of the vapors in an air-vapor mixture utilizing a chiller cooled by a refrigerant gas to condense and remove vapor and to vent the air. The refrigerant cooling is provided by a compression-condensation-expansion refrigeration cycle. During the vapor recovery cycle ice tends to build up in the chiller due to the small amounts of water contained in the air-vapor mixture. In the regeneration cycle the hot refrigerant gas from the compressor by-passes the condenser and expansion valve to heat the "chiller", which heats the air-vapor mixture and melts any accumulated ice. During the regeneration cycle there is no venting and the entire air-vapor mixture is recycled to the chiller until the regeneration is completed. In addition to heating and meting ice in the system, the heated air-vapor mixture may be used to dry and regenerate desiccant material in the system.