Abstract: A fluid control device includes an inlet configured to be placed directly or indirectly in fluid communication with a bodily fluid source and an outlet configured to be placed in fluid communication with a fluid collection device. The fluid control device has a first state in which a negative pressure differential produced from an external source such as the fluid collection device is applied to the fluid control device to draw an initial volume of bodily fluid from the bodily fluid source, through the inlet, and into a sequestration portion of the fluid control device. The fluid control device has a second state in which (1) the sequestration portion sequesters the initial volume, and (2) the negative pressure differential draws a subsequent volume of bodily fluid, being substantially free of contaminants, from the bodily fluid source, through the fluid control device, and into the fluid collection device.

Abstract: Creation data can be received from a computer-readable developer profile, with the creation data including instructions to create a messaging bot. A messaging bot definition can be generated using the instructions, and a messaging bot may be executed using the definition. The instructions may include natural language instructions defining one or more messaging bot characteristics. The natural language instructions can be matched with one or more commands to include one or more characteristics in the messaging bot, and instructions for those characteristic(s) can be included in the messaging bot definition. The instructions can be instructions that are not in a computer programming language, and they can be instructions to create one or more general messaging bot characteristics configured to be implemented with a specific dialog structure that defines one or more specific natural language dialog scripts.

Abstract: An imaging directional backlight apparatus including a waveguide, a light source array, for providing large area directed illumination from localized light sources. The waveguide may include a stepped structure, in which the steps may further include extraction features optically hidden to guided light, propagating in a first forward direction. Returning light propagating in a second deflected direction may be refracted, diffracted, or reflected by the features to provide discrete illumination beams exiting from the top surface of the waveguide. Viewing windows are formed through imaging individual light sources from the side of the waveguide and hence defines the relative positions of system elements and ray paths. A directional backlight with small footprint and low thickness may be provided.

Abstract: A wedge plate for a wedge plate clutch, including: a radially inner surface with a plurality of ramps, each ramp sloping radially inwardly in a first circumferential direction; a radially outer surface; a first circumferential end; a second circumferential end; a gap separating the first circumferential end from the second circumferential end in the first circumferential direction; a first slot open to the radially inner surface and extending radially outwardly; a second slot open to the radially outer surface and extending radially inwardly; and a portion circumferentially located between the first slot and the second slot. a first line passes through the axis of rotation and the portion. A second line passes through the radially inner surface, the portion and the radially outer surface without passing through the first slot or the second slot. An acute angle is formed between the first line and the second line.

Abstract: An artificial lift system can include an actuator operable to reciprocate a rod string in the well, the actuator including a piston reciprocably disposed in a cylinder, and a piston rod connected to the piston, and a rod rotator that continuously rotates the piston rod relative to the cylinder as the piston displaces in a longitudinal direction relative to the cylinder. A method of rotating a rod string can include connecting the rod string to a piston rod of an actuator, longitudinally reciprocating the piston rod relative to a cylinder of the actuator and a mandrel of a rod rotator, and rotating the piston rod relative to the mandrel in response to the reciprocating, the mandrel being disposed at least partially within the piston rod during the rotating. A rod rotator can include a mandrel having a helical external profile configured to attached to a cylinder of a hydraulic actuator, an internal profile complementarily shaped relative to the external profile, and a one-way clutch.

Abstract: A multi-pipe suspension system comprises a multi-pipe trapeze hanger having a first member, a second member arranged perpendicular to the first member, the second member having a first pair of openings and a second pair of openings, a first cradle and a second cradle arranged along the first member, a first ledge projecting perpendicularly from the first cradle configured to support a first pipe, a second ledge projecting perpendicularly from the second cradle configured to support a second pipe, a third ledge located between the first and second ledges and including a third opening, the second member including a mounting rod guide, a mounting rod arranged to pass through the third opening and mounting rod guide, a system clamp attached to an upper end of the mounting rod and a pipe strap constructed to support a third pipe attached to a lower end of the mounting rod.

Abstract: According to one embodiment of the present disclosure, a computer-implemented method for controlling a coiled tubing unit at a well site is provided. The method includes receiving, by a processing device, wellbore data. The method further includes generating, by the processing device, an automated coiled tubing control plan for the coiled tubing unit based at least in part on the wellbore data. The method further includes controlling, by the processing device, the coiled tubing unit using the automated coiled tubing control plan to cause coiled tubing to run into a wellbore at the well site to a target depth, wait a waiting period of time, and cause the coiled tubing to run out of the wellbore.

Abstract: Provided are a mobile processing frame, a mobile processing system, and a method of processing. The mobile processing frame includes a base portion having an electrical receptacle and a pneumatic receptacle positioned thereon, a turntable rotatably coupled to the base portion, a motor secured to the base portion and operably connected to the turntable, a mobile support secured to the base portion, opposite the turntable, and a locking member configured to selectively restrict movement of the mobile support. The turntable is configured to receive a processing material thereon, and feed the processing material therefrom. The processing system includes the mobile processing frame, a control device, and a transport device configured to move the frame. The method includes positioning a processing material on a frame, moving the frame to a processing area, coupling a control device to the frame, and feeding the processing material from the frame to a processing device.

Abstract: Methods, systems and devices that generate differential axial transport in a fluidic device having at least one fluidic sample separation flow channel and at least one ESI emitter in communication with the at least one sample separation flow channel. In response to the generated differential axial transport, the at least one target analyte contained in a sample reservoir in communication with the sample separation channel is selectively transported to the at least one ESI emitter while inhibiting transport of contaminant materials contained in the sample reservoir toward the at least one ESI emitter thereby preferentially directing analyte molecules out of the at least one ESI emitter. The methods, systems and devices are particularly suitable for use with a mass spectrometer.

Abstract: An aftertreatment system for treating a high-volume exhaust flow is provided. The aftertreatment system includes a first module having a first mixing element, and a second module having a second mixing element. The aftertreatment system also includes a main inlet conduit, a first inlet conduit, a second inlet conduit, a first outlet conduit, and a second outlet conduit. Each of the first inlet conduit and the second inlet conduit is adapted to split the exhaust flow downstream of the main inlet conduit into a first stream and a second stream flowing therethrough respectively. The splitting of the exhaust flow is adapted to limit a backpressure within the aftertreatment system. Each of the first mixing element and the second mixing element is adapted to improve a mixing of the first stream and the second stream within the first module and the second module respectively.

Abstract: A miniature electrode apparatus is disclosed for trapping charged particles, the apparatus includes, along a longitudinal direction, a first end cap electrode, a central electrode having an aperture, and a second end cap electrode. The aperture is elongated in the lateral plane and extends through the central electrode along the longitudinal direction and the central electrode surrounds the aperture in a lateral plane perpendicular to the longitudinal direction to define a transverse cavity for trapping charged particles. Electric fields can be applied in a y-direction of the lateral plane across one or more planes perpendicular to the longitudinal axis to translocate and/or manipulate ion trajectories.

Abstract: An axle/suspension assembly for a heavy-duty vehicle supported by a frame and a hanger includes a beam, an axle, and a bumper. The axle is supported by a first portion of the beam for pivotal movement of the beam relative to the hanger at a pivot joint. The first portion of the beam is located on a first side of the pivot joint. The bumper is fixed to at least one of the frame, the hanger, and a second portion of the beam. The second portion of the beam is located on an opposite second side of the pivot joint. The bumper includes a portion for contacting structure of at least another of the frame, the hanger, and the beam to limit pivotal movement of the axle in one direction.

Abstract: A fluidic device includes a plurality of reaction wells, typically in a dense array, with at least one bead retention segment in fluid communication with and spatially separated from at least one signal detection segment. A respective bead retention segment can be configured to hold a single bead, which can have a reagent attached thereto.

Abstract: Point of care drug of abuse test system configured to allow a small number of general test kits to be used to analyze many different combinations of analytes, while preserving privacy and the chain of custody. The system uses disposable multiple-analyte test kits and allows the operator to select which subset of kit analytes to run. The computerized device images the test kits and transmits test results to a remote server along with a test specific ID code. The test kit is often obfuscated so that the local operator cannot interpret the results. Other donor information, such as driver's licenses and signatures, are also obtained and transmitted as well. The remote server uses the test specific ID code to retrieve an obfuscation code (answer key) from the server's database, allowing the server to interpret the results. The annotated results are transmitted to a recipient along with suitable donor verification information.

Abstract: Implementations described and claimed herein provide systems and methods for harvesting water from precipitation while limiting loss due to evaporation and sublimation. In one implementation, precipitation is received on a collection surface through an opening during a precipitation event. The received precipitation is sealed on the collection surface from an outside atmosphere using at least one cover assembly in response to a triggering event concluding the receipt of the precipitation. The at least one cover assembly includes a take-up assembly adapted to extend a cover from a first cross bar to a second cross bar over at least a portion of the opening. Water harvested from the sealed precipitation is directed to a water storage device. Other implementations described and claimed herein provide systems and methods for remote monitoring and management of water collection devices.

Abstract: A one-way clutch including: a wedge plate including a first radially innermost circumference with a first plurality of ramps; an inner race including a first radially outermost circumference with a second plurality of ramps and arranged to receive torque and transmit the torque to the wedge plate in a lock-mode for the one-way clutch; and a weighting element engaged with the wedge plate. The weighting element is arranged to displace, in response to rotation of the inner race, to radially contract the wedge plate.

Abstract: A process of catalytically dehydrogenating an alkane to an alkene, using Cr2O3 as a catalyst, where the catalyst is oxidized to CrO3 during the dehydrogenation, and is regenerated by using CO as a reducing gas. In regenerating the catalyst with CO, CO2 is produced, which may be fed to a dehydrogenation reactor with the alkane and reacted with H2 produced by the dehydrogenation, to form CO and H2O by the reverse water-gas shift reaction.

Abstract: A fixed bed reactor for cyclic, catalytic dehydrogenation of hydrocarbons, such as alkanes and a reactor-internal device for improving distribution of hydrocarbon feed into the fixed catalyst bed of the reactor. The device comprises a vertical deflector plate with multiple horizontal slits and a frustum cone with multiple perforations on the lateral surface, connected to the bottom end of the plate. The reactor includes a main horizontal reaction vessel containing a fixed catalyst bed and a cactus-shaped inlet assembly sub-divided into three inlets at the upper half portion to supply fluid streams, including hydrocarbon feed, to the catalyst bed. The distributor device is positioned inside a main central vertical arm of the inlet assembly form by the convergence of the three inlets. Various embodiments of the distributor device where the slit thicknesses, distance between slits, perforation diameter, distance between perforations are varied, are also provided.

Abstract: A hybrid module includes a motor housing, an electric motor, a shaft, a torque converter housing, a backing plate, a piston, and a hub. The motor housing includes a first flow passage. The electric motor includes a rotor and stator. The shaft is drivingly engaged with the rotor and includes a second flow passage arranged for fluid communication with the first flow passage. The torque converter housing is drivingly engaged with the rotor. The backing plate is fixed to the torque converter housing. The piston is sealed to the torque converter housing and the backing plate and forms at least a portion of a first fluid chamber and a second fluid chamber. The hub includes a third flow passage arranged for fluid communication with the second flow passage and one of the first fluid chamber or the second fluid chamber.

Abstract: A carton, formed from a blank, has an integrated pouch cup for meal preparation and consumption. The blank comprises a main panel, a first side panel adjoining the main panel along a first fold line, and a second side panel adjoining the main panel along a second fold line. A bottom panel adjoins the main panel along a third fold line. The bottom panel has first and second bottom sections having a crease in between. The bottom panel further comprising an attachment tab section which extends from the second bottom section. The bottom panel has a width which is less than the width of the main panel so as to form open edge portions at a bottom edge of the main panel on both sides of the bottom panel, the open edge portions extending to the first and second fold lines.