Abstract: A seismic data acquisition system includes a recording unit to record acquired seismic data and ground equipment containing surface units and wireless field digitizer units. Each surface unit is in communication with the recording unit and contains a first wireless communication module and a power supply mechanism transmitter coil. Each wireless field digitizing unit includes a seismic sensor unit, a second wireless communication module in communication with the seismic sensor unit and one of the first wireless communication modules to exchange digital data between the first and second wireless communication modules and a power supply mechanism receiver coil. The power supply mechanism receiver coil is magnetically coupled to the power supply mechanism transmitter coil in one of the surface units to transmit electrical energy wirelessly from the surface unit to the wireless field digitizer.

Abstract: A device includes a housing in which a seismic sensor module is at least partially housed, a cable connected to the seismic sensor module, and, a takeout through which the cable extends from the housing. The takeout is operable between a first configuration in which the cable extends vertically from the housing and a second configuration in which the cable extends horizontally from the housing.

Abstract: Method and seismic source for generating seismic waves in a borehole. The seismic source includes a housing; an actuator mechanism located inside the housing and configured to generate a fluctuating pressure; a flexible membrane attached to the housing and configured to hold a fluid; and a coupling device covered by the flexible membrane and configured to generate a static pressure on the flexible membrane.

Abstract: A method, system and a marine node for recording seismic waves underwater. The node includes a first module configured to house a seismic sensor; bottom and top plates attached to the first module; a second module removably attached to the first module and configured to slide between the bottom and top plates, the second module including a first battery and a data storage device; and a third module removably attached to the first module and configured to slide between the bottom and top plates, the third module including a second battery.

Abstract: The gravimetric and volumetric efficiency of lithium ion batteries may be increased if high capacity materials like tin and silicon may be employed as the lithium-accepting host in the negative electrode of the battery. But both tin and silicon, when fully charged with lithium, undergo expansions of up to 300% and generate appreciable internal stresses which have potential to spall off material from the electrode on each discharge-charge cycle, resulting in a progressive reduction in battery capacity, also known as battery fade. A method of reinforcing such electrode materials by incorporating within them fiber reinforcements or shaped, elongated reinforcements fabricated of shape memory alloy is described. Electrode materials incorporating such reinforcements are less prone to damage under applied stress and so less prone to battery fade.

Abstract: The present disclosure includes a data acquisition method for seismic exploration and monitoring including generating a time reference for an acquisition unit. The time reference defines a time window in the future. The method further includes transmitting the time reference to the acquisition unit. After the time window has elapsed, receiving a record of a seismic event measured during the time window.

Abstract: A urinary directional device for improving the directional urination and health of a male user is provided, in which the device comprises a conduit for the passage of urine and having a proximal end adapted for engagement with the penis of the user and a distal end having a distal aperture to enable the passage of urine from the conduit, the device having an interior surface providing one or more of a cleansing, an anti-bacterial or antiseptic or an anti-fungal function whereby the penis of the user can be cleansed by wiping on the interior surface of the device after urination and the device optionally further comprising a health detection indicator capable of indicating abnormalities in urine indicative of disease or health-related conditions.

Abstract: System, apparatus and method for collecting data from, and providing power to, a geophysical data acquisition device are described herein. The method may include charging a data transfer device comprising a data transfer port, a power transfer port and a battery module, coupling the data transfer device to a geophysical data acquisition device, deploying the geophysical data acquisition device and collecting data therewith, collecting data from the geophysical data acquisition device via the data transfer port and providing power to the geophysical data acquisition device via the power transfer port, replacing the data transfer device with a charged device, coupling the data transfer device to a charging station, transferring data from the data transfer device, and transferring power to the data transfer device via the charging station.

Abstract: A method of detecting a brain tumor includes administering indocyanine green to a living body; exposing brain tissue in the living body; irradiating the exposed brain tissue with excitation light of indocyanine green; obtaining an image based on fluorescence of the excited indocyanine green in the brain tissue, wherein the image is obtained using an endomicroscope; and identifying portions of the brain tissue corresponding to the brain tumor based on the image.

Abstract: A method for controlling impulsive sources during a geophysical survey includes receiving a set of predetermined shooting times for an impulsive source, receiving a detonation authorization for the impulsive source, and delaying a triggering of the impulsive source until a next available shooting time of the plurality of predetermined shooting times. A corresponding apparatus and system are also disclosed herein.

Abstract: An assembly for and method of reinforcing interconnection between an active material wire actuator, such as a shape memory alloy wire, and structure, includes the generation and engagement of an enlarged formation affixed to or integrally formed with the actuator.

Abstract: Shape memory alloy (SMA) actuating elements are commonly simpler and of lower mass than alternative actuator designs and may find particular application in the transportation industry. Such SMA-powered devices are usually reliable and long-lived but the phase transformations which occur in the SMA alloy and are responsible for its utility are not totally reversible. This irreversibility, a consequence of irrecoverable strain, may progressively degrade the long-term actuator performance as the irrecoverable strain accumulates over many operating cycles. Methods and devices for compensating for these effects and extending the useful cycle life of SMA actuators are described.

Abstract: An energy harvesting system comprises a first region having a first temperature and a second region. A conduit is located at least partially within the first region. A heat engine configured for converting thermal energy to mechanical energy includes a shape memory alloy forming at least one generally continuous loop. The shape memory alloy is disposed in heat exchange contact with the first region and the second region. The shape memory alloy is driven to rotate around at least a portion of the conduit by the response of the shape memory alloy to the temperature difference between the first region and the second region. At least one pulley is driven by the rotation of the shape memory alloy, and the at least one pulley is operatively connected to a component to thereby drive the component.

Abstract: A method for acquiring geophysical data includes connecting a power module comprising a data transfer port and a power transfer port to a geophysical data acquisition device to provide a geophysical sensing node and deploying the geophysical sensing node. While deployed, data is transferred from the geophysical data acquisition device to the power module via the data transfer port and power is transferred from the power module to the geophysical data acquisition device via the power transfer port. The method also includes retrieving the geophysical sensing node and replacing the power module with a newly charged power module to provide a newly charged geophysical sensing node, and deploying the newly charged geophysical sensing node. Corresponding systems are also disclosed herein.

Abstract: A method of delivery of fluid through a computer controlled fluid network, the network including: regulators to control the flow of fluid to deliver a predetermined amount thereof to at least one customer; a first control system for opening and closing the regulators, which collects data based on timed measurements of fluid levels upstream and downstream of respective regulators and the opening positions of respective regulators, using data analysis to provide models for prediction of fluid levels between regulators; a second control system that is a supervisory layer interacting with the first control system to provide adjustments to the controlling of the regulators based on constraint and future flow load; and a third control system interacting with the first and second control systems, which processes fluid delivery requests from the at least one customer to provide a flow load delivery schedule based on the hydraulic capacity of the network.

Abstract: A device includes a housing in which a seismic sensor module is at least partially housed, a cable connected to the seismic sensor module, and, a takeout through which the cable extends from the housing. The takeout is operable between a first configuration in which the cable extends vertically from the housing and a second configuration in which the cable extends horizontally from the housing.

Abstract: System, apparatus and method for collecting data from, and providing power to, a geophysical data acquisition device are described herein. The method may include charging a data transfer device comprising a data transfer port, a power transfer port and a battery module, coupling the data transfer device to a geophysical data acquisition device, deploying the geophysical data acquisition device and collecting data therewith, collecting data from the geophysical data acquisition device via the data transfer port and providing power to the geophysical data acquisition device via the power transfer port, replacing the data transfer device with a charged device, coupling the data transfer device to a charging station, transferring data from the data transfer device, and transferring power to the data transfer device via the charging station.

Abstract: A data structure stored on a non-transitory medium includes: a first image object and a second image object, each comprising image data and series data corresponding to a series to which the image data belongs; and at least one linking object which is an instance of a linking class which is configured to provide for instantiation of linking objects which each define a link from at least one source to a target, the source corresponding to at least one of a series and a set of image data and the target corresponding solely to a series. The linking object includes target data corresponding to a target series which is other than the series to which the first and second sets of image data belong and source data corresponding to the first image data.

Abstract: A seismic sensor system collects seismic data in a well. The system includes a pipe to be deployed inside the well, the pipe having a distal end; a first sensor located inside the pipe, next to the distal end; and a bladder jacket in which the pipe is placed, the bladder jacket being configured to hold a fluid. The pipe has holes next to the first sensor so that the fluid surrounds and contacts the first sensor.

Abstract: According to an embodiment, a seismic receiver device is described for use in a borehole surrounded by an ambient material, e.g., rock, mud, etc. The seismic receiver device includes a pressure wave measuring device which is configured to sense pressure changes associated with received seismic waves, a coating layer disposed on the pressure wave measuring device, and an outer layer disposed on the coating layer which is made of a material that is selected to have a bulk modulus number that is substantially similar to a bulk modulus number of the ambient medium. In this way, the acoustic impedance of the device is better matched to the ambient material so that more accurate seismic acquisition may be performed.