Abstract: A method to enhance oil recovery from a subterranean reservoir, the reservoir being accessible via a production well. The method includes injecting a surfactant solution that includes surfactants into the production well. The surfactant solution selected to increase an oil-to-water ratio of oil recovery from a porous matrix portion of the reservoir. The method also includes injecting a well-servicing volumetric solution into the production well to perform a second well treatment process. The second well treatment process is selected from the group consisting of a scale inhibition squeeze process, a well acidizing process, a chemical process to reduce water production rate, an acid fracturing process, and a hydraulic fracturing process. In the method, the surfactant solution and the second well treatment solution are injected into the production well within less than about six months of one another.

Abstract: Apparatus for providing optical radiation (10) comprising a pump array (8) for providing pump radiation (7), a first pump combiner (1), and a waveguide (3), wherein the pump radiation (7) from the pump array (8) is coupled into the waveguide (3) via the first pump combiner (1), and wherein the waveguide (3) comprises a pump guide (4) for guiding the pump radiation (7), and a gain medium (5) which emits the optical radiation (10) when it is pumped by the pump radiation (7).

Abstract: An emergency backup power generation system includes a housing comprising a main body portion, a top cap, and a bottom cap. Inner and outer surfaces and the main body portion, the top cap, and the bottom cap define a generally hollow interior volume within the inner surface. A shaft within the housing is substantially perpendicular to the top cap and the bottom cap about a rotational axis. A plurality of air guides affixed to the outer surface of the housing are adjacent openings in the main body portion to admit and direct moving air. One or more vanes are coupled to the shaft and rotatable within the housing. An electrical generator is coupled to the shaft such that the electrical generator is operable to generate electrical power when moving air impinges on the vanes to thereby cause the shaft to rotate within the interior volume of the housing.

Abstract: One embodiment of the present invention provides for a method of placing a concrete structure in a generally horizontal position. The method includes building the concrete structure in an essentially vertical position, the concrete structure being defined by a first end. The concrete structure is pivotably supported at a support location proximate the first end while the concrete structure is in the essentially vertical position. The concrete structure is then pivoted about the support location to move the concrete structure from the essentially vertical position to the generally horizontal position.

Abstract: An optical fiber arrangement has at least two optical fiber sections, each optical fiber section defining an outside longitudinally extending surface. The outside longitudinally extending surfaces are in optical contact with each other. The invention further provides for an amplifying optical device have an optical fiber arrangement as just described, and a pump source. The amplifying optical device is configured such that the pump source illuminates the amplifying optical fiber. A amplifying arrangement is also disclosed. The amplifying arrangement includes a plurality of amplifying optical devices as just described, and each amplifier also has at least one input fiber and a first multiplexer connected to the input fiber. Each amplifier is configured such that at least one of the amplifying optical fibers is connected to the first multiplexer. The amplifying arrangement also has a second multiplexer connected to each of the first multiplexers.

Abstract: A dental flossing tool and dispenser includes a case with an enclosed chamber divided by a partition wall into floss spool and take up reel compartments. A hub mounts a floss spool for rotation within the floss spool compartment. A take up reel is rotatable within the take up reel compartment. A rotator on the take up reel, is at least partially disposed outward of the take up reel compartment. Floss in-feed and out-feed openings in the case communicate with the respective compartments. A length of floss extends through the floss out-feed opening and back into the take up reel compartment through the floss in-feed opening, thereby forming a bight in the floss outward of the case. A unidirectional rotation limiter allows rotation of the take up reel to take up the length of floss but inhibits pay out of floss.

Abstract: One embodiment provides for a liquids/solids reaction vessel configured to contain a mixture of at least one liquid and at least one solid. The vessel includes a closed perimeter wall defined by an effective height, and a bottom connected to the closed perimeter wall to thereby define a vessel volume configured to contain the mixture. The reaction vessel further includes a solids extraction system located in at least one of the bottom or in the perimeter wall proximate the bottom. The effective height is selected to produce a pressure proximate the bottom of the reaction vessel selected to eject the at least one solid through the solids extraction system under the influence of gravity alone. The effective height can be further selected to cause an increase in a reaction rate between the at least one liquid and the at least one solid.

Abstract: An optical fibre including a waveguide and at least one stress applying region is described. The waveguide is defined by a numerical aperture, and the stress applying region is defined by a depressed refractive index. The optical fibre is configured such that the waveguide supports at least two polarised fundamental modes, two polarized first second-order modes, and two polarised second second-order modes. The waveguide includes comprises a gain medium. The stress applying region, the waveguide and the disposition of the gain medium are such as to provide preferential guidance to at least one of the modes at an operating wavelength.

Abstract: Apparatus for dispersion compensating a signal (18) that propagates along a signal path (19), which apparatus comprises a grating (1) and a tuning means (2). The grating (1) is characterized by a wavelength operating range (3) and a group delay (4) that varies with wavelength (5), wherein the group delay (4) is equal at a plurality of pairs of wavelengths (6), (7) that are separated within the wavelength operating range (3), and wherein the grating (1) reflects each wavelength pair (6) from the same region (8) of the grating (1), and different wavelength pairs (7) from different regions (9) of the grating (1).

Abstract: Representative embodiments provide for a flow laminarizing device including a plurality of walls defining a plurality of passageways, each passageway defining a hexagonal cross-sectional area and configured to permit fluid flow there through, a casing configured to mechanically support the plurality of walls, and at least one support extension mechanically coupled to the casing, the at least one support extension and the casing cooperatively configured to support the flow laminarizing device in a substantially fixed slidingly received position relative to a fluid flow port of a fluid impelling device. A method includes the steps of decoupling an air line from a turbocharger, installing a flow laminarizing device in fluid communication with the turbocharger, and recoupling the air line to the turbocharger.

Abstract: A multi-section ramp hinged longitudinally end-to-end uncurls from a portable mode into an arc of hinged sections in open, or operational mode, each adjacent section pair limited in opening rotation at less than 180 degrees as adjacent section ends come into abutment. In its folded position, more upper ramp sections nest in respective adjacent next lower ramp sections, in a stacked nesting configuration resulting in a tightly compact, mobile unit easily storable in a small volume and transported by hand. Each section comprises a runway in the form of a plate with vertical panels on each runway lateral side extending downward from the runway and with vertical end members on each runway longitudinal end, forming an inverted open box. Longitudinal strengthening ribs run between end members and pass into aligned slots in more inner runway sections upon ramp folding so inner sections can nest more within the larger sections without impacting the ribs.

Abstract: Methods and apparatus for training a trainee to achieve or maintain proper throwing technique by attaining proper form, position, and movement of the legs, hips, torso, and shoulders of the trainee and without the use of the throwing arm of the trainee. An apparatus in accordance with the present invention includes a harness to be worn about the torso of the trainee, wherein the harness is configured to releasably support thereon a training projectile which is configured to be launched from is supported position on the harness as a result of a training maneuver which does not involve the throwing arm of trainee. A method in accordance with the present invention includes providing a training projectile, releasably supporting the projectile proximate a throwing shoulder of the trainee, executing a training maneuver and launching the projectile as a result of the execution of the training maneuver.

Abstract: In one aspect, the present invention includes a power adjustment apparatus. The apparatus includes a local controller and one or more sensors distributed within a power grid. The sensors are configured to assess conditions including power consumption and delivered voltage level and are configured to transmit data representative of the assessed conditions to the local controller. The apparatus also includes a device associated with the one or more sensors, configured to adjust an output power level in response to commands from the local controller. The device is deployed at an associated location within the power grid. The device is configured to increase an associated output electrical parameter when the local controller determines that such will reduce power consumption.

Abstract: An animal feed dispenser is disclosed with a cabinet mounted feed support shelf pivots between a feed support and discharge positions. A release member can engage and disengage the feed support shelf to hold the feed support shelf in the feed support position and release the shelf to move to the feed discharge position. A frame mounts the shelf for movement between a substantially horizontal feed loading position and a substantially upright operative position. The shelves can be pivoted up from the feed discharge positions during loading with the frame in the feed loading position. In another aspect, plural shelves are mounted within the cabinet in an elevational array and are supported one against another until release members move to allow movement of each to the feed discharge position. A further aspect includes a manger that can be selectively mounted to the cabinet to face different directions.

Abstract: A liquid delivery apparatus includes a vessel having an inlet and an outlet, and a valve between the vessel and the outlet. The valve has an opening, a closure member for closing the opening, and a biasing means to hold the valve in a normally-closed position. A valve control mechanism controls operation of the valve in response to pressure of liquid and air in the vessel. A transmitting means transmits the pressure to the valve control mechanism. The valve control mechanism includes a moveable element that can be acted on by the pressure in the vessel and transmit a resultant force to the closure member to thereby open the valve. The respective effective surface areas of the moveable element and the closure member and the force of the biasing means are chosen such that the closure member is openable when the pressure in the vessel reaches a predetermined level.

Abstract: One embodiment of the present invention provides for a subterranean structure, having a continuous ribbon slab having a plurality of flights fabricated from concrete. The ribbon slab defines periodic openings therein which generally align between adjacent flights. Another embodiment provides for a method of fabricating a subterranean structure. The method includes excavating soil to form a downward sloping ramp, and forming a concrete slab on the downward sloping ramp. The method further includes continuing to excavate soil to extend the downward sloping ramp to a location under the concrete slab, and continuing to form the concrete slab on the downward sloping ramp so that a subterranean structure is formed having an essentially continuous concrete slab with a first portion which is above and spaced-apart from a second portion.

Abstract: A flash freezer and process is described in which a freezer cabinet is configured to be positioned within the refrigerated air compartment of a primary freezer. An internal flash freeze compartment is located within the cabinet next to a plenum which is separated from the flash freeze compartment by a bulkhead. A plurality of first air passage apertures is formed through the bulkhead to permit passage of air between the flash freeze compartment and the plenum. A plurality of second air passage apertures is formed through a cabinet wall opposite to the bulkhead. The air passage apertures are arranged to control passage of refrigerated air under pressure from the refrigerated air compartment to direct a uniform pressurized airflow through the flash freeze compartment and over the articles placed therein.

Abstract: Apparatus for filtering optical radiation at an operating wavelength (19), which apparatus comprises a grating (1) written into a waveguide (2), and which grating (1) has a first end (3), a second end (91), a first bandwidth (24), a maximum re-flectivity (29), a first group delay variation (17) defined with respect to the first end (3), and a second group delay variation (18) defined with respect to the second end (91), wherein the first and second group delay variations (17), (18) are with respect to the first bandwidth (24), the maximum reflectivity (29) is greater than 50%, the first group delay variation (17) is between 0.1 ps and 100 ps, and the second group delay variation (18) is between 0.1 ps and 100 ps.