Abstract: Wax compositions are provided with improved properties for various applications, such as coating of corrugated cardboard or other cellulosic paper materials. As described herein, paraffin waxes having a very broad molecular weight distribution are provided, e.g., 95% carbon number spread of at least 18 carbon atoms, which result in wax compositions with a relatively hard needle penetration value, suitable blend kinematic viscosity, and provide equivalent or better wet strength and water proofing properties as compared to waxes currently commercially used in corrugated coating. The paraffin wax compositions described herein also provide a higher congealing point, thereby benefiting the high temperature properties such as oil bleed, appearance and friction coefficient of the corrugating wax coating.

Abstract: Systems and methods for determining turbine engine system stability encompass measuring or otherwise determining values of performance parameters, storing a data set of such values in memory, generating a stability indicator, and displaying the stability indicator on an operator interface. The stability indicator is generated by a processor operating in data communication with the computer memory, utilizing customized software algorithms to remove high frequency components, apply an adaptive filter to adjust selected parameters according to a target value of a selected target parameter, and apply a stochastic filters to estimate true values of the selected parameters, based on the remaining variation.

Abstract: An assembly for use in subsurface drilling includes a downhole probe supported in a drill string section by centralizing features that are integral with the drill string section. A bore wall of the drill string section is fluted to provide inward contact points that support the downhole probe. The downhole probe may be supported for substantially its entire length. A vibration damping and/or electrically insulating material may optionally be provided between the downhole probe and the drill string section.

Abstract: A beam forming optic for use with an LED having an optical axis. The beam forming optic includes a first light entry surface cooperating with a first light emission surface and a second light entry surface cooperating with an internal reflecting surface and a second light emission surface to redirect a portion of the light emitted by the LED divergent from the optical axis into a direction substantially parallel with the optical axis. A polygonal periphery extends from the internal reflecting surface to the second light emission surface. A void is defined by a lateral channel and a longitudinal gap extending from the second light emission surface towards the first light emission surface. A portion of the light emitted from the LED passes through the void.

Abstract: A large volume natural gas storage tank comprises rigid tubular walls having closed tubular cross-sections that are interconnected at opposing ends with two other rigid tubular walls such that interiors of the rigid tubular walls define an interior fluid storage chamber. The storage tank includes bulkhead ring webs positioned in the interior fluid storage chamber across intermediate segments of the rigid tubular walls and closure plates connected between exterior surfaces of successive interconnected rigid tubular walls to define sides of the storage tank. Interior surfaces of the closure plates and exterior surfaces of the rigid tubular walls define an auxiliary fluid storage chamber. The storage tank includes exterior support structures extending through the closure plates and between the exterior surfaces of the rigid tubular walls on some of the sides of the storage tank to reinforce the storage tank against dynamic loading from fluid in the interior fluid storage chamber.

Abstract: A process for cleaning process gas removes sulfur oxides (SOx), nitrogen oxides (NOx), and particulate matter (PM) to produce a tail gas substantially free of these pollutants. The process oxidizes and absorbs SOx and NOx for storage as liquid acids. In some embodiments a PM removal stage and/or a SOx removal stage are provided in a close-coupled higher-pressure environment upstream from a turbocharger turbine. The process has example application in cleaning exhaust gases from industrial processes and large diesel engines such as ship engines.

Abstract: A drill string section receives an electronics package. A flow channel extends through an aperture in the electronics package. The flow channel carries a flow of drilling fluid through the drill string section. The flow channel is sealed to a body of the drill string section. The electronics package need not be pressure-rated.

Abstract: Tools and methods are provided for supplementing an optimization solution for an objective function based on a model of one or more hydrocarbon refining and/or conversion and/or chemical production processes with supporting analysis. The supporting analysis can illustrate for a user how the nature of the feed(s) and/or the selected processing conditions and/or the quality of the product(s) contributes to the optimized solution. A user interface is also provided to facilitate viewing of the information by a user. The supporting analysis can allow a user to understand the factors in the optimized solution that contribute in a significant way.

Abstract: A lane departure detection computing device for a roadside device is disclosed. The computing device is configured to execute instructions stored in a memory to: calculate a first path geometry relating to a first vehicle traveling in a first lane; calculate a second path geometry relating to a second vehicle traveling in a second lane different from the first lane; evaluate coextensive portions of the first path geometry and the second path geometry for parallelism; if the coextensive portions of the first path geometry and the second path geometry evaluated for parallelism are not parallel, determine that one of the first vehicle and the second vehicle is executing a lane departure; and operate a vehicle configured for autonomous operation responsive to the determination that one of the first vehicle and the second vehicle is executing a lane departure.

Abstract: An assembly for converting motion comprises a first arm and a second arm rotatable about first and second spaced apart fixed pivots; a third arm pivotably connected the second arm at a position spaced apart from the second fixed pivot; a first connecting arm extending between and pivotably connected to the first arm and the third arm; a second connecting arm extending between and pivotably connected to the first arm and the second arm; and a third connecting arm extending between and pivotably connected to the first arm and the third arm. The assembly may be used to move and support components of a building.

Abstract: In a circular cutting insert of the present invention, the upper side surface and the lower side surface each include: a plurality of planar restraining faces which are disposed sequentially in a circumferential direction of the upper side surface and the lower side surface so as to interpose a joint portion between each of the planar restraining faces and each have a side disposed on the side surface-intermediate line (N); and a plurality of antivibration restraining faces which are each disposed between two planar restraining faces adjacent through the joint portion and each include an inclined face, and the restraining faces of the lower side surface are disposed so as to be shifted with respect to the restraining faces of the upper side surface by a predetermined angle (?) around a central axis of a screw insertion hole.

Abstract: A toilet assembly is provided and includes an inlet conduit, a waste conduit, a flush-assist subsystem, and a plug. The waste conduit is configured to fluidly communicate with the inlet conduit. The flush-assist subsystem includes a flush-assist inlet and a flush-assist outlet. The flush-assist inlet is configured to fluidly communicate with the inlet conduit. The flush-assist outlet is configured to fluidly communicate with the waste conduit. The plug is disposed within the flush-assist subsystem and configured to prevent fluid communication between the inlet conduit and the waste conduit through the flush-assist subsystem.

Abstract: Failsafe robustness of critical load carrying structures is an important design philosophy for aerospace industry. The basic idea is that a structure should be designed to survive normal loading conditions when partial damage occurred. Such damage is quantified as complete failure of a structural member, or a partial damage of a larger structural part. This paper establishes for the first time the concept and formulation of failsafe requirement within the context of topology optimization. Efficient computational scheme and computer implementation are carried out. Several examples are shown to demonstrate the impact of failsafe requirement to design concept generated by topology optimization.

Abstract: The invention claims a response surface method for identifying the parameters of Burgers model for slope soil, comprising the following steps: determine the model parameters and the level thereof; determine the parameter combination and the test sequence of the numerical test; calculate the response equation; optimally identify the model parameters. Based on the combination of the laboratory test, the numerical simulation and the field monitoring, the response surface analysis method is adopted in the invention to determine the regression equation for the parameters of Burgers model and the slope surface displacement, and meanwhile the regression analysis is adopted to establish the optimal parameter combination.

Abstract: Methods and apparatuses for installing a piston ring onto a piston include a piston ring feeder having at least one projection feature and a receiving aperture. Methods include receiving a piston end having a piston groove into the receiving aperture until the piston groove is above piston rings on the piston ring feeder and below projection feature top ends; raising a ring to partially snap into the piston groove with ring ends separated by a first projection feature and the ring wrapped around a second projection feature; raising the piston such that the ring is pulled off the second projection feature while the first projection feature separates the ring ends; and raising the piston such that the first projection feature releases the ring ends and the ring fully snaps into the piston groove to form a gap between the ring ends of the ring seated in the piston groove.

Abstract: A flood barrier (100) is disclosed, which comprises at least two supporting posts (104a, 104b) for positioning at an entrance (102) of a building; and at least one panel (108) removably arranged intermediate a pair of the supporting posts to form the flood barrier, wherein the panel includes a plurality of seals having corrugated surfaces to interface with the supporting posts to provide a water-tight arrangement against entry of flood waters into the building. A method of operating said flood barrier is also disclosed.

Abstract: A real time method and dynamic logic-based system for enhancing the operation of a pipeline network is disclosed. The system and method perform monitoring of the operation of a pipeline network, generate alarms in response to differing levels of destabilized pipeline operations, manage the generation of alarms based upon known operating events and operating conditions, diagnose potential source of the detected destabilized events and manage the operation of the pipeline.

Abstract: Neutron multiplicity detector control logic and firmware may control a neutron multiplicity detector such that higher count rates can be achieved by an order of magnitude of more over conventional control logic and firmware. Count rates of over 1,000,000 cps, and even over 1,500,000 cps, have been realized in some implementations.

Abstract: Sensing technology methods related thereto for determining cut through of bone and a depth of penetration of a working portion of a surgical instrument (e.g., an oscillating saw blade in a cut). A first sensor outputs a first signal representative of a displacement of the cutting edge of the saw blade in the cut. A second sensor outputs a second signal representative of a force applied to the cutting edge of the saw blade. As such, monitoring the first and/or second sensor may allow for the saw to be stopped upon completion of a cut (e.g., when the saw passes completely through a medium to be cut or upon reaching a predetermined depth for the cut).

Abstract: An anchor assembly for anchoring refractory materials within a vessel is disclosed that provides for a more reliable refractory anchor and resultant refractory lining system that is easier to install both in terms of the refractory lining and the anchor assembly itself when compared to prior art anchor assemblies. The anchor assembly includes a base pin assembly, and at least one anchor leg connected to and extending from the base pin assembly. The base pin assembly includes a mounting end formed on one end of the pin assembly adapted for securing the base pin assembly to the vessel. The mounting end has an electrical resistance contact point formed thereon. The electrical resistant contact point preferably has a flux material located thereon.