Abstract: A method is taught of creating one or more targeted fractures in a subterranean formation. The method comprises the steps of drilling and completing two wells in the formation, conditioning said wells to create a stress condition favorable for forming a fracture zone connecting said two wells and initiating and propagating the fracture zone in said formation.

Abstract: An apparatus and methods for changing the shape of a wing using a plurality of morphing structures. One example method includes coupling a plurality of morphing structures to each other. Each morphing structure includes an anchor, a plurality of hinges, a plurality of shape-memory alloy members wherein each shape-memory alloy member extends from the anchor to a different hinge, a plurality of springs wherein each spring extends from the anchor to a different hinge, and a plurality of rigid members wherein each rigid member extends between two hinges. The method further includes actuating the plurality of shape-memory alloy members in at least some of the morphing structures wherein the shape-memory alloy members contract when actuated to pull against the hinges and anchors within the actuated morphing structures to rotate the rigid members and change the shape of the actuated morphing structure.

Abstract: In an embodiment, a method of accommodating a hazard mitigation system in a system including one or more fluid guides is described. The method includes forming a one-way valve in at least one of the one or more fluid guides. The one-way valve may be configured to substantially prevent the egress of fluid from the at least one of the one or more fluid guides through the one-way valve. The one-way valve may be further configured to allow ingress of a neutralizing agent supplied by a source outside the at least one of the one or more fluid guides through the one-way valve.

Abstract: Molybdenum disulfide powders include substantially spherically-shaped particles of molybdenum disulfide that are formed from agglomerations of generally flake-shaped sub-particles. The molybdenum disulfide powders are flowable and exhibit uniform densities. Methods for producing a molybdenum disulfide powder may include the steps of: Providing a supply of molybdenum disulfide precursor material; providing a supply of a liquid; providing a supply of a binder; combining the molybdenum disulfide precursor material with the liquid and the binder to form a slurry; feeding the slurry into a stream of hot gas; and recovering the molybdenum disulfide powder, the molybdenum disulfide powder including substantially spherically-shaped particles of molybdenum disulfide formed from agglomerations of generally flake-shaped sub-particles.

Abstract: Methods and systems for conversion of a carbon containing fuel to CO2 and H2O. An air stream is fed to a first ion transport membrane unit obtaining a pure oxygen stream from a permeate side and an air stream with a reduced oxygen content from a retentate side. The air stream with a reduced oxygen content is fed to a second ion transport membrane unit and a gaseous first carbon containing fuel is fed to a permeate side of the second ion transport membrane. The first carbon containing fuel is reacted with oxygen transported through the second ion transport membrane forming an at least partially combusted first fuel. The at least partially combusted first fuel, at least a part of the pure oxygen stream and optionally a second carbon containing fuel is fed to a combustion chamber for combustion. An exhaust stream comprising essentially CO2 and H2O is obtained.

Abstract: A quad flat non-leaded package including a leadframe, a chip, a plurality of first bonding wires and a molding compound is provided. The leadframe includes a plurality of first leads, and each first lead has a first portion and a second portion that extend along an axis. The length of the first portion is greater than the length of the second portion. The thickness of the first portion is greater than the thickness of the second portion. The chip is disposed on the leadframe and covers a portion of the first portions. The first bonding wires are connected between the chip and another portion of the first portions or the chip and the second portions, such that the chip is electrically connected to the first leads through the first bonding wires. The molding compound encapsulates a portion of the first leads, the chip and the first bonding wires.

Abstract: A method for efficiently operating a vehicle wheel balancing system having a wheel mounting structure upon which a vehicle wheel assembly is mounted for rotation during a measurement or service procedure, and a load roller assembly disposed in operative proximity to the wheel mounting structure for engaging a surface of the vehicle wheel assembly and applying a controlled load there to during rotation. After mounting a vehicle wheel assembly to the mounting structure, the wheel assembly is rotationally driven and a measurement of imbalance is initially acquired and the results displayed to an operator. Subsequently, the load roller assembly is engaged with the still rotating wheel, while measurements of radial forces and/or runout of the wheel are acquired, before the wheel rotation is stopped.

Abstract: Provided is a damping apparatus for a moonpool, which has a simple driving mechanism. The damping apparatus includes one or more damping plates which cover a moonpool of a hull entirely or partially. The damping plates are pivotally hinged to a sidewall of the moonpool, and one or more conveying units are disposed above the moonpool to convey drilling equipment. Driving wires are coupled between the conveying units and the damping plates, and the conveying force of the conveying units is transferred through the driving wires to the damping plates. Thus, the damping plates are pivoted to open and close the moonpool entirely or partially.

Abstract: A capacitive occupant detection system comprises at least one antenna electrode to be arranged in a seat and an evaluation unit operatively coupled to said at least one antenna electrode, said evaluation unit being configured for applying, during operation, an alternating voltage signal to said antenna electrode and for detecting an amplitude and/or phase of a displacement current flowing from said antenna electrode towards ground. According to the invention said antenna electrode comprises an antenna electrode conductor and at least one dedicated ground electrode, said ground electrode being arranged at a predetermined distance of said antenna electrode conductor and extending along said antenna electrode conductor.

Abstract: A mechanical seal includes an elastomeric member, a spring biasing device, a longitudinally floating first member, a longitudinally non-floating second member and a longitudinally floating seal face. The elastomeric member is in a sealing engagement with the seal face. The first and second members and the spring biasing device are longitudinally positioned between the seal face and the second member. The first member and the second member are longitudinally restrained and rotationally coupled by at least one substantially male radially protruding portion in one of the members engaging in at least one substantially female portion in the other member of the two members. The first and second members are arranged for a sealing engagement with the seal face in a single seal utilizing the elastomeric member, or with the seal face and an additional seal face in a double seal utilizing an additional elastomeric member.

Abstract: A vehicle temperature control system including a first and second heating, ventilation, and air conditioning (HVAC) unit comprising a first compressor, a first blower, and a first heating element and a first ducting in fluid communication with the first HVAC unit that selectively directs air to a first zone, a second zone, and a third zone of a vehicle through a plurality of outlet vents. The vehicle temperature control system also includes an electronic controller electrically coupled to the first HVAC unit and the second HVAC unit, the electronic controller comprising a synchronization device, a processor, and a memory, where the processor controls operation of the first HVAC unit and the second HVAC unit by controlling operating states of the first and second HVAC units and selectively modifies an operating state of the second HVAC unit to match the operating state of the first HVAC unit.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a composite data transmission interface and a judgment method thereof which is based on metal contacts shared by a smart card and a USB and comprise steps as follows: link a composite pin to a socket; electrical conductivity is completed with a socket linking a composite pin; a controller connected to the composite pin is activated by electricity; a smart card's or a USB's electrical conductivity mode is enabled by the controller by means of the smart card's or the USB's electrical connection mode.

Abstract: Provided are processes for making one or more unsaturated oligomeric acids and one or more saturated hydrocarbons. In one form, a process for making one or more saturated hydrocarbons includes oligomerizing one or more unsaturated carboxylic acids having from 4 to 38 carbon atoms in the presence of a molecular sieve catalyst to form one or more unsaturated oligomeric acids including less than 90% by weight of cyclic oligomers, and hydrogenating the one or more unsaturated oligomeric acids via contact with hydrogen in the presence of a hydrogenation catalyst to form one or more saturated hydrocarbons. The oligomerizing of unsaturated fatty acids is from renewable biological sources to form dimer acids. The one or more saturated hydrocarbons are useful as lubricant base oils.

Abstract: A friction material composition may include an abrasive, a filler, a binder, and a spherical molybdenum disulfide powder. The spherical molybdenum disulfide powder is made up of molybdenum disulfide sub-particles that are agglomerated together to form individual, substantially spherically-shaped agglomerated particles of at least about 90% by weight molybdenum disulfide.

Abstract: A preparation process for a cyclic conjugated polymer, includes the steps of deprotonating a monohalogenated cyclic conjugated compound of a 5- to 7-membered ring using a deprotonation catalyst comprising secondary amine represented by R1NHR2 (R1 and R2 are the same or different and are each a branched or cyclic alkyl group of 1 to 15 carbon atoms or a phenyl group) and a Grignard reagent represented by R3MgX (X is a halogen atom selected from chlorine, bromine and iodine, and R3 is a straight-chain or branched alkyl group of 1 to 6 carbon atoms) and polymerizing the deprotonated monohalogenated cyclic conjugated compound.

Abstract: A dolly and methods for transporting and discharging items. The dolly includes a frame and one or more power conveyer assemblies. The one or more power conveyer assemblies include a set of transfer rollers and a drive mechanism. The drive mechanism includes a drive motor, a continuous drive belt, a set of idler pulleys, a plurality of electrical actuation members, and a foot actuation pedal. Engagement of the foot actuation pedal can cause the drive motor to rotate the continuous drive belt around the set of idler pulleys and the plurality of electrical actuation members to move the continuous drive belt into an interference position with the set of transfer rollers. This can result in rotation of the set of transfer rollers and application of a discharge force to items set upon them.

Abstract: The present application discloses a time distribution device capable of providing a synchronized time signal to a plurality of end devices connected to the time distribution device with cables of various lengths. The time distribution device may receive a time signal, generate a time reference based on the received time signal, compensate the time reference for hardware delay, and overcompensate the time reference for a delay caused by a maximum cable length. Prior to being distributed to various end devices, each being connected with the time distribution device by cables of varying length, this overcompensated time reference may then be delayed by an amount based on the cable length connecting each respective end device such that the arrival of each of the synchronized time references at the various end devices is synchronized.

Abstract: The present invention relates to the processing of hydrocarbon-containing feedstreams in the presence of an interstitial metal hydride comprised of at least one chemical element selected from Groups 3-11 (including the lanthanides, atomic numbers 58 to 71), and at least one chemical element selected from Groups 13-15 from the IUPAC Periodic Table of Elements. These interstitial metal hydrides, their catalysts and processes using these interstitial metal hydrides and catalysts of the present invention improve overall hydrogenation, product conversion, as well as sulfur reduction in hydrocarbon feedstreams.