Abstract: Recovering hydrocarbons from oil shale can include injecting a heated working fluid into a first vessel containing particulate oil shale in a pyrolysis mode. The heated working fluid can have a temperature above a production temperature to pyrolyze kerogen in a stationary bed of the oil shale at or above the production temperature. An effluent can concurrently flow out of the first vessel to be injected into a second vessel in preheating mode. The second vessel containing particulate oil shale has an average temperature below the production temperature so as to capture heat from the effluent sufficient to increase the average temperature of the particulate oil shale and to condense condensable hydrocarbon product while also removing entrained mineral fines mists of condensed hydrocarbons from the effluent. Liquid hydrocarbons can concurrently be collected from the first vessel and/or the second vessel.

Abstract: The rotary tablet press comprises a machine base assembly and detachable module. Granulation is fed into the module from the hopper and travels into the feeder chamber. The base assembly comprises motorized pressure roll assemblies and a turret drive assembly. The detachable module comprises a module base, turret base, turret, cam body, cams, feeder, tablet discharge chute, hopper, upper enclosure, and guard doors. The rotary turret comprises upper punches, dies, and lower punches. As the turret rotates, the dies move underneath the feeder chamber. The rotary feeder paddles move the granulation and assist with feeding powder to the dies. Punches travel along cam tracks as the turret rotates and compresses the powder into a tablet when the punches contact the pressure rolls. An ejection cam pushes the lower punch in the upward direction and a take-off bar mounted just above the die table directs the tablet into a discharge chute. The detachable module is sealed by incorporating an upper enclosure.

Abstract: A method for determining conditions in a wellbore extending through a subterranean formation includes deploying a plurality of sensor pods in the wellbore, wherein each sensor pod includes a housing and a plurality of sensors disposed in the housing. The method also includes measuring and recording a plurality of pressures and a plurality of temperatures with plurality of sensors of each sensor pod, dissolving the housings of the pods to release the plurality of sensors from the pods after measuring and recording the plurality of pressures and the plurality of temperatures, and lifting the sensors to the surface.

Abstract: A pumping system for performing a hydraulic fracturing operation includes an inlet conduit extending from a manifold, wherein a pair of inlet valves disposed along the inlet conduit, a fluid pump including an outlet configured to be inserted into the inlet conduit, and a connector assembly including an engagement member having a first position configured to lock the outlet within the inlet conduit and a second position configured to unlock the outlet from the inlet conduit. The pumping system additionally includes a pair of branch conduits extending from the inlet conduit, a pair of branch valves, wherein one of the pair of branch valves is disposed along each of the pair of branch conduits, and a dump conduit extending from the pair of branch conduits, wherein a dump valve is disposed along the dump conduit.

Abstract: Methods and systems for depositing a deposition material on a substrate in a space environment may include a substrate support structure on a surface of a planetary body in the space environment, a depositor for the deposition material, an energy source associated with the depositor to excite the deposition material to form a vapor of the deposition, and a moveable elongate member associated with the depositor, to move the depositor over the substrate, whereby the vapor of deposition material from the depositor may pass over the substrate and flow to the substrate to coat the substrate with the deposition material.

Abstract: A low power consumption multi-contact micro electro-mechanical strain/displacement sensor and miniature autonomous self-contained systems for recording of stress and usage history with direct output suitable for fatigue and load spectrum analysis are provided. In aerospace applications the system can assist in prediction of fatigue of a component subject to mechanical stresses as well as in harmonizing maintenance and overhauls intervals. In alternative applications, i.e. civil structures, general machinery, marine and submarine vessels, etc., the system can autonomously record strain history, strain spectrum or maximum values of the strain over a prolonged period of time using an internal power supply or a power supply combined with an energy harvesting device. The sensor is based on MEMS technology and incorporates a micro array of flexible micro or nano-size cantilevers. The system can have extremely low power consumption while maintaining precision and temperature/humidify independence.

Abstract: An apparatus for monitoring a cooling system. In some embodiments, the cooling system includes a chiller and a heat exchange process connected to the chiller by a coolant supply line and a coolant return line, and the apparatus includes a first temperature sensor, for measuring a coolant temperature in the coolant supply line, and a second temperature sensor, for measuring a coolant temperature in the coolant return line.

Abstract: A pumping system for performing a hydraulic fracturing operation includes a first fluid conduit having a central axis, a fluid pump including an outlet configured to be inserted into the first fluid conduit, and a connector assembly including an engagement member having a first position configured to lock the outlet within the first fluid conduit and a second position configured to unlock the outlet from the first fluid conduit.

Abstract: A programmable robot includes a body, a pair of drive wheels rotatably coupled to the body, a pair of electric motors in the body for driving the drive wheels, a receiver unit configured to receive at least one wireless command from a programming device, a sensor configured to sense a surrounding environment of the programmable robot, and a controller operably connected to the receiver unit and the sensor, the controller configured to control operation of the electric motors in response to the at least one wireless command received from the receiver unit and a data signal received from the sensor.

Abstract: Improved systems, methods, and architectures to enhance decision making in Smart Cities and Smart Regions. A system includes an index structure including a first hierarchical data structure including a first hierarchical score based on a plurality of first-level elements, each of the plurality of first-level elements having a respective weighting, and a second hierarchical data structure including a plurality of second hierarchical scores based on a plurality of second-level elements, each of the plurality of second-level elements having a respective weighting, such that the first hierarchical score is based on the plurality of second hierarchical scores through an index factor; and a computer-implemented regional monitor engine to manage local access to a plurality of external data sources to coordinate writes to the index structure.

Abstract: An undermount drawer slide mounting clip releasably attaches a drawer to a drawer rail assembly mounted in a cabinet carcass. The apparatus is capable of effecting positional adjustments of the drawer in three directions without removing the drawer from the cabinet carcass. The apparatus is comprised of a body slidingly engaged with a bonnet. A trigger pivotally connected between the body and the bonnet. A spring loaded catch slidable within the bonnet and acted on by the trigger to releasably attach the apparatus to a drawer rail assembly. A threaded spindle rotates within the base and adjusts the horizontal position of the drawer. A ramp adjustably connected to the base adjusts the vertical position of the drawer by rotation of a threaded barrel. A plunger extends from a housing connected to the body to adjacent the drawer rail assembly and adjusts the depth of the drawer.

Abstract: Disclosed is a system and method to separate solid particle components from a fluid that includes a spherical vessel with a tangential inlet to introduce the fluid and a fluid exhaust and filter arranged on the center line of the interior of the vessel. A combination of pressurized fluid and solid particles enter at the tangential inlet and move primarily in a circular path around the interior of the vessel. The circular path results in the larger mass particles settling at the vessels lower region. Less massive particles may be entrained in the exiting fluid flow toward a filter element where they are removed from the exiting fluid. The vessel has an opening to remove the trapped separated particles.

Abstract: A method of treating or remediating contaminated material, such as water or soil, comprises contacting such material with asphaltenes. The asphaltenes are preferably produced as a by-product of petroleum refining and, in particular, a by-product of vacuum residua. An adsorbent material comprising such asphaltenes is also provided.

Abstract: A method for determining conditions in a wellbore extending through a subterranean formation includes: (a) deploying a plurality of sensor pods in the wellbore, wherein each sensor pod includes a housing and a plurality of sensors disposed in the housing; (b) measuring and recording a plurality of pressures and a plurality of temperatures with plurality of sensors of each sensor pod; (c) dissolving the housings of the pods to release the plurality of sensors from the pods after (b); and (d) lifting the sensors to the surface after (c).

Abstract: The present invention is an optical LED light display incorporating one or more louvers operable to limit the light emission in a specified direction from a LED diode within the LED light display, each louvers being positioned in relation to each LED light element in the LED light display. The specified direction of the light emission may be towards a target audience or a target direction. A method of the present invention that may be implemented by a software program processed by computer processors of a computer device, may be operable to enable the design of the LED display louver for installation in a specific area to enable simultaneous elimination of light trespass and preservation of image quality for the target audience. A LED light display can be manufactured, configured and installed in accordance with the method.