Abstract: The present invention includes a load frame test device using a plurality of levers about a common pivot point for applying combinations of tensile loading and bending on test articles at magnitudes seen in offshore applications.

Abstract: A crack arrestor apparatus and method for making same by applying layers of a composite material of non-metallic fibers and resin around a length of pipe; the fibers generally aligned with the pipe circumference. The applied layers have a thicker portion in the middle and a thinner portion on the ends. Part of the pipe covered by the thicker portion is then yielded by application of radial force past the elastic limit of the pipe, thereby creating circumferential tension on the composite. At least a portion of the composite remains in circumferential tension upon release of the radial force. The residual stresses in the yielded metal pipe assist to arrest crack propagation. Thereby, the process to arrest a crack in a metal pipe includes maintaining circumferential tension in a composite residing around the pipe while maintaining compressive circumferential residual stress on the metal pipe covered by the composite.

Abstract: A shooting simulation system and method for training personnel in targeting visual and non-line-of-sight targets. The firearm simulation system has a plurality of participants each having a firearm and each being equipped to transmit their location to a remote computer server for storage and use with other transmitted data to determine which participant was a Shooter and which participant was the Shooter's target and for determining a simulated hit or miss of the target and assessing the simulated damage to the target.

Abstract: A mobile robot system includes a plurality of mobile robots. Each robot has a predetermined size of large, medium, small or back-packable. The mobile robot includes a chassis, drive system components, power components, a main processor, a communication system and a power and data distribution system. The chassis has a predetermined size of large, medium, small or back-packable. Drive system components are operably attached to the chassis and power components are operably connected to the drive system components and the power and data distribution system. The main processor, the communication system and the power and data distribution system are all operably connected together and operably connected to the traction components and the power components. The main processor, the communication system, and the power and data distribution system are all configured for use with the predetermined size of the chassis and at least one other size.

Abstract: A mobile vehicle includes a platform, a pair of track assemblies and a pair of wheel assemblies. The pair of track assemblies is attached to opposing sides of the platform. The pair of wheel assemblies is attached to opposing sides of the platform. Each wheel assembly has at least a first and second wheel and a track-wheel interchange mechanism operably connected to the first and second wheel. The track-wheel interchange mechanism rotatably moves the first and second wheel from wheel mode wherein the wheels drive the mobile vehicle to a track mode wherein the track assemblies drive the mobile vehicle.

Abstract: Systems are described for capturing network traffic data and efficiently storing the data on solid state storage devices. The systems can include a capture process module, a storage management module, and a query module. The storage management module can include circuitry configured to hold an arbitrarily large number of solid state storage devices configured to appear to a host system as a single large solid state drive.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a positioning system for service lines. Generally, the invention relates to a mechanism for the deployment, retraction, and transportation of fixed-length service lines such as electrical, pneumatic, hydraulic, and communication resources necessary to the operation of a drilling rig used for subterranean exploration. More particularly, the invention provides an extendable cable positioning system for use with drilling rigs where pad drilling will require relatively short distance movements of the drilling rig, and it is desirable to leave the energy resource systems stationary.

Abstract: A crack arrestor apparatus and method for making same by applying layers of a composite material of non-metallic fibers and resin around a length of pipe; the fibers generally aligned with the pipe circumference. The applied layers have a thicker portion in the middle and a thinner portion on the ends. Part of the pipe covered by the thicker portion is then yielded by application of radial force past the elastic limit of the pipe, thereby creating circumferential tension on the composite. At least a portion of the composite remains in circumferential tension upon release of the radial force. The residual stresses in the yielded metal pipe assist to arrest crack propagation. Thereby, the process to arrest a crack in a metal pipe includes maintaining circumferential tension in a composite residing around the pipe while maintaining compressive circumferential residual stress on the metal pipe covered by the composite.

Abstract: A robotic arm includes a first link and a first joint. The first link has internal link cables extending from one end to an opposed end thereof. The first joint is operably connected to the first link at one end thereof. The first joint has a hollow drive shaft, an off axis drive 121 and a first joint motor and first joint internal cables extending through the hollow drive shaft. The link cables and the first joint cables are operably connected. The robotic arm may further include a second joint operably connected to the first link. The second joint module has an active side, a passive side with electronic connectors, second joint internal cables, and a second joint motor and the active side is mechanically connected to the link and the electronic connectors of the passive side are operably connected to the link cables.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a new apparatus and method for use in subterranean exploration. The present invention provides a rapid rig-up and rig-down of a drill floor mounted device such as a pipe racking system. In particular, the present invention discloses a system and method for rapid deployment of a drill floor mounted pipe racking system that is capable of being retrofit to an existing drilling rig.

Abstract: The present invention discloses an automatic drill floor to substructure latching system that adds to the safety of drilling operations. In particular, the present invention is applicable for rapid and safe locked connection of a drilling rig side box to the drilling rig base box such that weight imbalances incurred when raising of the drilling rig mast will not result in unsecured and unsafe separation of the side box and base box.

Abstract: The present invention discloses a high-capacity drilling rig system that includes novel design features that alone and more particularly in combination facilitate a fast rig-up and rig-down with a single set of raising cylinders and maintains transportability features. In particular, a transport trailer is disclosed having a first support member and a drive member which align the lower mast portion with inclined rig floor ramps and translate the lower mast legs up the ramps and into alignment for connection. A pair of wing brackets is pivotally deployed from within the lower mast width for connection to the raising cylinder for raising the mast from a horizontal position into a vertical position. A cantilever is pivotally deployed from beneath the rig floor to a position above it for connection to the raising cylinder for raising the substructure from a collapsed position into the erect position.

Abstract: An extendable, service line positioning system is provided for the deployment, retraction, and transportation of service lines that provide necessary resources (e.g., electrical, pneumatic, hydraulic, and communication resources) to a drilling rig. The positioning system comprises a plurality of connected panels supportable of a service line coupled to a vertical post on a skid. The panels are movable between a retracted position above the skid or a deployed position beyond the skid. The positioning system thus advantageously enables a drilling rig to move short distances for pad drilling operations without having the need to move resource-providing equipment coupled to supply lines.

Abstract: The present invention discloses a high-capacity drilling rig system that includes novel design features that alone and more particularly in combination facilitate a fast rig-up and rig-down with a single set of raising cylinders and maintains transportability features. In particular, a transport trailer is disclosed having a first support member and a drive member which align the lower mast portion with inclined rig floor ramps and translate the lower mast legs up the ramps and into alignment for connection. A pair of wing brackets is pivotally deployed from within the lower mast width for connection to the raising cylinder for raising the mast from a horizontal position into a vertical position. A cantilever is pivotally deployed from beneath the rig floor to a position above it for connection to the raising cylinder for raising the substructure from a collapsed position into the erect position.

Abstract: The present invention discloses a high-capacity drilling rig system that includes novel design features that alone and more particularly in combination facilitate a fast rig-up and rig-down with a single set of raising cylinders and maintains transportability features. In particular, a transport trailer is disclosed having a first support member and a drive member which align the lower mast portion with inclined rig floor ramps and translate the lower mast legs up the ramps and into alignment for connection. A pair of wing brackets is pivotally deployed from within the lower mast width for connection to the raising cylinder for raising the mast from a horizontal position into a vertical position. A cantilever is pivotally deployed from beneath the rig floor to a position above it for connection to the raising cylinder for raising the substructure from a collapsed position into the erect position.

Abstract: The present invention discloses a high-capacity drilling rig system that includes novel design features that alone and more particularly in combination facilitate a fast rig-up and rig-down with a single set of raising cylinders and maintains transportability features. In particular, a transport trailer is disclosed having a first support member and a drive member which align the lower mast portion with inclined rig floor ramps and translate the lower mast legs up the ramps and into alignment for connection. A pair of wing brackets is pivotally deployed from within the lower mast width for connection to the raising cylinder for raising the mast from a horizontal position into a vertical position. A cantilever is pivotally deployed from beneath the rig floor to a position above it for connection to the raising cylinder for raising the substructure from a collapsed position into the erect position.

Abstract: A cocrystal of CL-20 (2,4,6,8,10,12-hexanitro-2,4,6,8,10,12-hexaazaisowurtzitane) and DNMT (1-methyl-3,5-dinitro-1,2,4-triazole) was formed through a resonant acoustic mixing process. The resulting cocrystal comprised an essentially 1:1 stoichiometric ratio between these coformers. The cocrystal advantageously has decreased sensitivity when compared with a pure CL-20 sample, and maintains thermal stability and comparable energetic performance.

Abstract: A pipe handling apparatus has a boom pivotally movable between a first position and a second position, a riser assembly pivotally connected to the boom, an arm pivotally connected at one end to the first portion of the riser assembly and extending outwardly therefrom, a gripper affixed to an opposite end of the arm suitable for gripping a diameter of the pipe, a link pivotally connected to the riser assembly and pivotable so as to move relative to the movement of the boom between the first and second positions, and a brace having a one end pivotally connected to the boom and an opposite end pivotally connected to the arm between the ends of the arm. The riser assembly has a first portion extending outwardly at an obtuse angle with respect to the second portion.