Abstract: Equipment and a process for separating bitumen from oil sand in a process stream are described. The equipment includes several processing vessels and one or more local area radio frequency applicators to selectively heat the process stream in local areas of the equipment. The local area can be adjacent to an input or output of a component of the equipment. Also described is equipment for processing an oil sand—water slurry, including a slurrying vessel, a slurry pipe, and a local area radio frequency applicator. The local area radio frequency applicator is located outside of the slurry pipe, and heats the local area without significantly heating the contents of the slurrying vessel or of the downstream portion of the slurry pipe.

Abstract: An apparatus is for heating hydrocarbon resources in a subterranean formation having a wellbore therein. The apparatus includes an RF source, and a magnetic field radiator including a ferromagnetic body having an aboveground portion and a belowground portion coupled thereto. The magnetic field radiator includes a conductive wire coil surrounding the aboveground portion and coupled to the RF source so that an RF current through the conductive wire coil magnetizes the ferromagnetic body and generates a magnetic field from the belowground portion to heat the hydrocarbon resources.

Abstract: A hydrocarbon resource recovery system is provided for a subterranean formation having an injector wellbore and a producer wellbore therein. The hydrocarbon resource recovery system includes a tubular producer positioned in the producer wellbore and a tubular injector positioned in the injector wellbore. A steam source is coupled to a proximal end of the tubular injector, and a radio frequency (RF) energy source is coupled to the proximal end of tubular injector. The tubular injector has spaced apart steam injector slots sized to allow steam to pass into the subterranean formation, while containing RF energy within the tubular injector to heat the steam.

Abstract: An apparatus is provided for heating a hydrocarbon resource in a subterranean formation having a wellbore extending therein. The apparatus includes a radio frequency (RF) source, an RE antenna configured to be positioned within the wellbore, and an RF transmission line configured to be positioned within the wellbore and couple the RE source to the RE antenna. The RE transmission line defines a liquid coolant circuit therethrough. The apparatus further includes a liquid coolant source configured to be coupled to the transmission line and to provide a liquid coolant through the liquid coolant circuit having an electrical parameter that is adjustable.

Abstract: Method for communicating in a computer network from a first node (101, 102, 103) in the network to a second node (136, 138), not in the network. A virtual identity is manually selected for the first node. The virtual identity is comprised of one or more session identity parameters used for representing the first node during a static communication session with the second node. The session identity parameters used during the static communication session are excluded from a coordinated variation of identity parameters for nodes within the network. In response to determining an occurrence of at least one communication security threat with respect to the static communication session, the method further involves adaptively modifying the virtual identity assigned to the first node by changing at least one of the session identity parameters.

Abstract: An ad hoc wireless communications network includes wireless nodes arranged in a backbone net and stub nets coupled to the backbone net via respective wireless nodes defining gateway nodes. A method for the network includes transmitting node role information from each gateway node to respective wireless nodes within each stub net. The node role information includes node reactive routing directions for establishing a route outside of a given stub net. A route request is unicast transmitted from a first wireless node in a respective first stub net to a respective first gateway node based upon the node role information. The route request is a request to communicate to a second wireless node in a respective second stub net. The route request is transmitted from the first gateway node across the backbone net to the second gateway node of the second stub net.

Abstract: A wireless engine monitoring system (WEMS) includes an engine monitoring module that is mounted directly on an aircraft engine and records, stores, encrypts and transmits full flight engine data. The system preferably interfaces to the Full Authority Digital Engine Controller/Engine Control Unit (FADEC/ECU) and can record hundreds of engine parameters with a preferred sampling frequency of about one second. The engine monitoring module is preferably formed as a miniaturized module directly mounted on the aircraft engine within its cowling and has a conformal antenna. The engine monitoring module can also upload data for onboard processing.

Abstract: Systems (100) and methods (1400) for detecting removal and attempted removals of an electronic component from an electronic device. The methods comprising: disposing the electronic component (112) on the electronic device such that a conductive surface of the electronic component contacts a ground conductor (802) disposed on a first surface (812) of an internal circuit board (500); using an electro-mechanical member (700) to mechanically couple the electronic component to the internal circuit board and to create an electrical path from the ground conductor to a sensing conductor (800) disposed on a second surface (814) opposed from the first surface of the internal circuit board; and sensing a break in the electrical path.

Abstract: Systems (100) and methods (300) for synchronizing operations of processors (102, 104). The methods involve: receiving by an electronic circuit (106) a first request (250) from a first processor for writing first data (262) to or reading first data from a first address (260) in a first data store (122), and subsequently a second request (252) from a second processor for writing second data (266) to or reading second data from a second address (264) in a second data store (124); comparing values of the first and second addresses to each other and values of the first and second data to each other; and concurrently communicating an asynchronous ready signal (254) from the electronic circuit to the processors when the values of the addresses and data respectively match each other. The asynchronous ready signal causes operations of the processors to be synchronized in time with each other.

Abstract: Method for mitigating interference is established by means of a local wireless communication (204, 206) between a first portable communication device (PCD) (102, 301) and a second PCD (104, 302). The first and second PCD (301, 302) respectively communicate with first wireless network (110, 306, 310) and second wireless network (112, 308, 312) having different wireless air interface protocols. The local wireless communication link (107) is used to share (208) information (109, 111) concerning one or both of the first and second PCD. The information is then used to determine a communication priority (210) as between the first and second PCD with respect to at least one communication mode. The information is also used to selectively establish (212) an interference mitigation policy (304) to provide assured communications for the PCD with priority. The interference mitigation policy is executed (214) in the first and second PCD to cooperatively provide assured communication for the PCD with priority.

Abstract: Systems (100) and methods (700) for dynamically managing Secondary User Node (“SUN”) access to a segment of a wireless spectrum licensed for use by Primary User Nodes (“PUNs”). The methods comprise: detecting physical data transfers by PUNs (110-122) at first licensed frequencies (f1, f2, f3, f4) during slot sample times of a first epoch (t1-t15); generating a report comprising sensed spectral data indicating (a) during which of the slot sample times each physical data transfer was detected by a respective SUN (102-108) and (b) at which of the first licensed frequencies each physical data transfer occurred; receiving a report broadcasted from a remote SUN at a non-licensed frequency during a respective slot report times (t16-t19) of the first epoch; and analyzing the sensed spectral data of the reports to determine a time for using a first licensed frequency without interfering with or only minimally interfering with use thereof by PUNs.

Abstract: Method for operating a portable communication device (PCD) (100) such as a land mobile radio (LMR) involves, when operating the PCD in a half-duplex mode, a first speaker (330) adjacent a first end of the PCD being selectively used to reproduce received audio. In this mode, a first microphone (324a) is used to acquire a transmitted audio input for the PCD, and a second microphone (325) is used to acquire audio information for a first noise cancellation process. Conversely, when operating the PCD in a full-duplex mode of communicating, the function of the first and second microphones are reversed so that the second microphone is used to acquire a transmitted audio input for the PCD, and the first microphone is used for a second noise cancellation process.

Abstract: A method of heating stacked pay zones in a hydrocarbon formation by radio frequency electromagnetic waves is provided. In particular, radio frequency antenna array having multiple antenna elements are provided inside a hydrocarbon formation that has steam-impermeable structure. The antenna elements are so positioned and configured that the hydrocarbons in the place where conventional thermal methods cannot be used to heat due to the steam-impermeable structure can now be heated by radio frequency electromagnetic waves.

Abstract: A mount system (10) for a portable radio. The mount system (10) includes a base member (20) which defines a support surface (22) with a given perimeter and a skirt depending from the support surface (22) over at least a portion of the given perimeter. At least one connecting mechanism is defined by the base member. A cover member (50) including a plate member (52) is interconnected to the base member such that a radio receiving space is defined between the plate member (52) and the support surface (22).

Abstract: A system for transmitting aircraft data from an aircraft includes a Data Acquisition Unit (DAU) that records aircraft data. A PC card is interfaced to the DAU and stores the aircraft data from the DAU. A processor retrieves aircraft data from the memory. A first wireless transceiver is controlled by the processor and receives and transmits the aircraft data along a wireless communications signal. A wireless local area network (LAN) communications unit is configured as an access point and positioned within the aircraft and transmits and receives wireless communications signals to and from the PC card. A second wireless transceiver is mounted within the aircraft and receives the wireless communications signal from the wireless LAN communications unit for transmitting the aircraft data from the aircraft.

Abstract: A desired movement command (203) for a robotic device (100) having n joints (112) operating in an m degrees of freedom task space is analyzed to determine if it would cause any of the joint angular limits to be violated. In the case where a non-zero number L (241) of the joints (112) have angular limits that are violated, a revised movement command (254) is then constructed using Jmod (251), which includes all columns in a Jacobian matrix J (211) except for those columns corresponding to L actively limited joints.

Abstract: A robot system (50) includes a control system (101) having a control interface grip (102). The robot system includes a macro robotic arm (54) and a micro robotic arm (60). The robot system is arranged such that the macro robotic arm will respond, in a first control system state, to movement of the control interface grip. In particular, the macro robotic arm will move in a plurality of directions responsive to corresponding movement of the interface grip. The micro robotic arm will respond, in a second control system state, to movement of the control interface grip. In particular, the micro robotic arm will move in a plurality of directions responsive to corresponding movement of the interface grip.

Abstract: A device for transporting and upgrading a hydrocarbon resource may include a pair of pipeline segments configured to transport the hydrocarbon resource therethrough and a radio frequency (RF) upgrading device. The RF upgrading device may include an RF applicator comprising an inner tubular dielectric coupler between the pair of pipeline segments, and an electrically conductive outer housing surrounding the inner tubular dielectric coupler. The RF upgrading device may also include an RF source coupled to the electrically conductive outer housing and having an operating frequency and power to upgrade the hydrocarbon resource.

Abstract: Embodiments of coupler systems (10) include a directional coupler (12), a tuning element (14a, 14b), and an actuator (16a, 16b). The coupler (12) is configured to split an input signal into two output signals or, alternatively, to combine two input signals into a single output. The tuning element (14a, 14b) is a capacitive device that allows the frequency response of the coupler (12) to be varied, so that the coupler (12) can be tuned to a particular frequency or range of frequencies at a given operating condition. The actuator (16a, 16b) generates a mechanical force that actuates tuning element (14a, 14b).

Abstract: A system and method for heating a hydrocarbon resource in a subterranean formation having a wellbore extending therein, include the use of a radio frequency (RF) source, an RF antenna to be positioned within the wellbore and a transmission line coupling the RF source and the RF antenna. A tunable choke is positioned on the transmission line between the RF source and RF antenna, and a controller is coupled to the tunable choke. The controller may be configured to tune the tunable choke to reduce a common mode current from propagating on an outside of the transmission line toward the RF source.