Abstract: A process for metallizing a three-dimensional-printed polymeric structure includes soaking the three-dimensional-printed polymeric structure in a metal salt solution; transferring the three-dimensional polymeric structure to a solution comprising a first reducing agent; soaking the three-dimensional polymeric structure in a metal plating bath, the metal plating bath comprising a coordinating agent, a palladium or platinum salt, a pH buffer component, and a second reducing agent, to form a metal plated polymeric structure. A metal plated porous structure and an apparatus for improving metallization are also disclosed.

Abstract: A wheel balancer incorporates tire bead manipulating tools under control of a processing system to apply a clamping pressure to tire sidewall surfaces of a wheel assembly secured to a spindle shaft, facilitating the proper seating of tire beads to the wheel rim. The spindle shaft is operatively coupled to a drive motor and transmission system under control of the processing system, capable of operating in both a high speed, low torque regime and a low speed, high torque regime to rotate the wheel assembly during either an imbalance measurement procedure or a tire bead adjustment procedure. A load roller assembly, under control of the processing system, is disposed to selectively apply a radial force at a tire circumferential tread surface as the wheel assembly is rotated about the spindle axis, further facilitating the proper seating of the tire beads.

Abstract: The invention enables methods, systems and computer program products for control system optimization. The invention comprises retrieving from an engineering information repository, control system engineering information corresponding to an implemented control system. Based on the retrieved control system engineering information, a plurality of function blocks and function block interconnections corresponding to the implemented control system are identified. At least one group of function blocks is identified from among the plurality of function blocks corresponding to the implemented control system. Identification of the group of function blocks is based on identification of one or more attributes shared by each function block within the identified group of function blocks. The invention thereafter generates a control system topology based on the identified function blocks, identified function block interconnections, and identified group of function blocks.

Abstract: Provided is a device and method for applying a control state based on vehicle occupancy of an autonomous vehicle. The method includes sensing an identification parameter for each of a set of initial vehicle occupants. The method prioritizes the vehicle authority level for the each vehicle occupant of the set of initial vehicle occupants, and producing an initial vehicle control priority among the set of initial vehicle occupants. Based on the initial vehicle control priority, applying the vehicle control state parameter to an autonomous vehicle operational mode. The method, when a vehicle occupancy change event occurs, senses an identification parameter for each vehicle occupant of a set of subsequent vehicle occupants. The method continues by prioritizing the vehicle authority level for the each vehicle occupant of the set of subsequent vehicle occupants and producing a subsequent vehicle control priority among the set of subsequent vehicle occupants.

Abstract: A refrigerant and oil treatment composition for introduction into a vapor-compression system such as a refrigerator, heat pump, freezer, air conditioner, thermal control device, and refrigerant recovery apparatus has a composition alcohol and a drying agent. The drying agent is 2,2 -dimethoxypropane which can react with moisture in the system to form an alcohol as a reaction product. The alcohol reaction product along with the composition alcohol separates any acid in the system from oil, refrigerant and hard surfaces of the system to form an acid-containing solvent composition. The quantity of the composition introduced into the system is based on the adsorption capacity of the filter-drier.

Abstract: A beam plan that defines beams generated by a satellite that satisfy a set of communication service requirements is obtained. Fade condition information that indicates an amount of fade at particular geographic areas for one or more of the beams is obtained. A modification to the beam plan that mitigates the amount of fade at the particular geographic areas for the one or more of the beams is determined. The beam plan is modified based on the determined modification.

Abstract: A sodium ion battery comprises a cathode having a porous redox active metal-organic framework material. The battery can be an organic electrolyte sodium ion battery wherein the electrolyte comprises a sodium salt dissolved in an organic solvent or mixture of organic solvents. Alternatively, the battery can comprise an aqueous sodium ion battery wherein the electrolyte comprises a sodium salt dissolved in an aqueous solvent. Battery performance is especially related to electrolyte and binder selection.

Abstract: A delivering device (1) is described, in particular for pasty or creamy products preferably for domestic use, comprising at least one delivery duct (3) which puts in fluid communication at least one internal volume (5) of at least one container (7), the internal volume (5) containing therein at least one product, and at least one delivery nozzle (9) for exiting the product by interposing pumping means (11) actuated by at least one actuating motor (13) to transfer amounts of the product from the internal volume (5) to the delivery nozzle (5) through the delivery duct (3), and control means (14) actuated by a user and operatively cooperating with the actuating motor (13) to allow or inhibit at will an operation of the actuating motor (13) and perform or stop a delivery of the product through the delivery nozzle (9).

Abstract: An air filter including two opposing open ends, and a filter area circumferentially enclosing a cavity in between. The first open end frictionally and sealingly engages the filter housing including an air port, while the second end engages the housing to close the second end from passage of air. The filter area may be reinforced to provide a durable, reusable filter. The filter material may be selected to provide depth loading and increase the particulate capacity of the filter.

Abstract: Naphthene-containing distillate compositions are provided herein. Methods of improving fuel compositions and blends using the naphthene-containing distillate compositions are also provided herein.

Abstract: Additively manufactured monolithic structures for containing and directing flows of fluids are described herein, which can achieve high contact area between fluids and solids while maintaining uniform flow conditions and requiring low applied pressures to yield desired flow rates, for use in heat exchangers, chromatography columns, catalytic converters, etc. An exemplary monolithic structure comprises a plurality of tiled unit cells having a same shape, where the tiled unit cells are integrally formed as a single component. The tiled unit cells are arranged to define one or more interior regions of fluid flow, one or more inlets to each interior region of fluid flow, and one or more outlets to each interior region of fluid flow. The structures and methods of tiling herein are suited to additive manufacturing technologies such as projection stereolithography, multiphoton lithography, etc.

Abstract: A ball-dropping sliding sleeve with a removable ball seat, comprising an outer barrel (1), an inner sliding sleeve (6) and a removable ball seat assembly; an inner ring downward facing shoulder (2) is disposed at an upper end of the outer barrel (1), a lower joint (3) is fixedly mounted in a lower end of the outer barrel (1), a sliding groove (4) is formed in the outer barrel (1) between the downward facing shoulder (2) and the lower joint (3), and at least one fracturing lateral hole (5) is distributed on a circumference of the outer barrel (1) at an upper side of the sliding groove (4). The structure of the present invention is reasonable and compact, and its usage is convenient.

Abstract: A downhole probe is adapted to be supported in drill string sections having different internal diameters with the use of a set of interchangeable centralizers. Each centralizer is dimensioned to snugly receive the downhole probe and to bear against the bore wall of a drill-string section. Interchangeable axial supports such as spiders may also be provided in a set. The downhole probe may comprise a slick body. As drilling progresses the downhole probe may be adapted to be received in drill string sections of varying diameters.

Abstract: A cryocooler mounting arrangement and magnets and cryostats including such an arrangement. The arrangement is for mounting the coldhead 21 of a cryocooler 2 in a cryostat 1 for allowing the extraction of heat from the interior of the cryostat by the cryocooler. The mounting arrangement comprises a coldhead interface portion 22a, 22b for mounting on the coldhead 21 and a sock portion 3 for mounting in the cryostat 1 and arranged for receiving the coldhead 21. The sock portion 3 comprises a receiving interface portion 32a, 32b for receiving the coldhead interface portion so as to provide thermal contact therebetween and hence to provide thermal contact between the coldhead and the interior of the cryostat. The coldhead interface portion comprises plurality of flexible finger portions 23a, 23b and the receiving interface portion comprises a bearing surface 322a, 322b against which the finger portions are arranged to rest.

Abstract: An automatic applicator of a sticky back material to a printing sleeve is disclosed. The applicator includes a controller that is programmable with data relating to the size and desired positioning of the sticky back material to the sleeve. The sticky back material is secured to a transport system and cut to the desired size by a cutter, creating a sheet. The sheet is then transported between a pressure roller and the sleeve. The pressure roller applies pressure to the sticky back sheet, applying the sheet to the sleeve. A mandrel grips and rotates the sleeve to apply the sticky back sheet around an exterior surface of the sleeve.

Abstract: Various technologies for mitigating interference artifacts in multi-pass synthetic aperture radar (SAR) imagery are described herein. First and second phase histories corresponding to first and second SAR passes over a scene are processed in image and phase-history domains to correct for spatially-variant and constant phase offsets between the phase histories that can be caused by known and unknown variations in motion of a SAR platform between passes. Data samples from one phase history can then be replaced with data samples from the other phase history to remove artifacts and distortions caused by sources of interference in the scene.

Abstract: Improved steel welds, article for making the same, and methods of making the same are provided. The present disclosure provides advantageous erosion, corrosion and/or cracking resistant weld metal. More particularly, the present disclosure provides high manganese (Mn) weld metal compositions having enhanced erosion, corrosion and/or cracking resistance, articles for the production of the high manganese weld metal compositions having enhanced erosion, corrosion, and/or cracking resistance, and methods for fabricating high manganese weld metal compositions having enhanced erosion, corrosion and/or cracking resistance.

Abstract: A water-cooled column (4) used in a circulating fluidized bed boiler furnace is disclosed, wherein the water-cooled column is formed by connecting membrane water-cooled walls (41). The water-cooled column (4) includes a lower section (A), an upper section and a transition section. The lower section (A) is a single column and is provided with inner secondary air ports (400) on a side wall thereof. The upper section includes a plurality of sub-columns (B, C). The membrane water-cooled walls at the lower section (A) extend to the upper section through the transition section. Each of the sub-columns (B, C) is formed by connecting extension portions extending upward from respective membrane water-cooled walls (41) in the membrane water-cooled walls (41), which are connected to form the lower section (A), and the plurality of sub-columns (B, C) are separated from each other.

Abstract: Methods and systems to prevent relay misoperation and enhance relay dependability during ultrasaturation is disclosed. An ultrasaturation detection system may identify an ultrasaturation condition by comparing a differential current to a first and second derivative of the differential current. When an ultrasaturation condition is determined to be present, the ultrasaturation detection system may provide parameters to a relay to prevent misoperation and enhance relay dependability.

Abstract: A small seed counting system includes a hopper mounted to a frame and having an open top and a discharge opening. Also connected to the frame is a vertical rail. Mounted to the vertical rail are a first and a second gate assemblies. Each gate assembly has a horizontal support member with an aperture. The gate assemblies also each have a measuring tube that are slidably and telescopically connected to form a measuring chamber.