Abstract: A system (e.g., a target activation system for a transportation network) includes one or more processors configured to be operably coupled onboard a vehicle system having one or more vehicles. The processor(s) are further configured to determine an estimated time of arrival of the vehicle system at a first target location associated with a forward route of the vehicle system, determine a gap time between when the vehicle system leaves the first target location and is estimated to arrive at a second target location, and, based at least in part on the estimated time of arrival, a dwell time of the vehicle system at the first target location, the gap time, an allowable speed or acceleration of the vehicle system, and a designated warning time, generate an activation message configured to control at least one device associated with the second target location.

Abstract: A wireless target activation system for a train, the system including at least one computer programmed or configured to: receive at least one first target location and at least one second target location associated with a forward route of the train, wherein the at least one first target location is located before the at least one second target location on the forward route of the train; determine a gap time between when the leading edge of the train leaves the at least one first target location and is estimated to arrive at the at least one second target location based at least partially on a distance between the at least one first target location and the at least one second target location and a design speed; and based at least partially on the gap time, an allowable acceleration of the train, and a required warning time, generate an activation message configured to activate or cause the activation of at least one function associated with the at least one second target location.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for cutting and pulling a casing string from a well. A downhole casing pulling tool includes a tubular housing having a bore therethrough, a packer assembly configured to isolate an annulus between a casing and the tool, a slip assembly configured to engage the casing, and a piston assembly disposed in the bore of the tubular housing. The piston assembly is configured to operate an actuator, wherein the actuator is configured to operate at least one of the packer assembly and the slip assembly and modify a fluid pressure in the bore of the tubular housing.

Abstract: A tool, such as a level, including one or more magnetic coupling device is provided. The magnetic coupling device may be a magnetic circuit including metal components surrounding a magnet, such as a permanent rare-earth magnet.

Abstract: A tool, such as a level, including one or more magnetic coupling device is provided. The magnetic coupling device may be a magnetic circuit including metal components surrounding a magnet, such as a permanent rare-earth magnet.

Abstract: A tool for cutting a tubular includes a housing, a first blade having a first cutting surface, and a second blade having a second cutting surface. The first blade and the second blade are configured to move between an extended position and a retracted position. The first blade and the second blade are disposed in the housing in the retracted position. The first cutting surface and the second cutting surface overlap in the retracted position. In another embodiment, a tool for cutting a tubular in a wellbore, includes a housing having a longitudinal axis; a pin connected to the housing and disposed on a first side of the longitudinal axis; and a blade including a cutting surface, the blade configured to move between an extended position and a retracted position about the pin, wherein the cutting surface is disposed at least in part on a second side of the longitudinal axis in the retracted position.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for cutting and pulling a casing string from a well. a downhole casing pulling tool includes a tubular housing having a bore therethrough, a packer assembly configured to isolate an annulus between a casing and the tool, a slip assembly configured to engage the casing, and a piston assembly disposed in the bore of the tubular housing. The piston assembly is configured to operate an actuator, wherein the actuator is configured to operate at least one of the packer assembly and the slip assembly and modify a fluid pressure in the bore of the tubular housing.

Abstract: A stabilizer for passing through a restriction includes a tubular body having a bore therethrough; a rigid blade disposed on the tubular body; and a deformable blade disposed on the tubular body, wherein the deformable blade includes a geometric profile configured to preferentially bend the deformable blade in one direction when the deformable blade encounters the restriction, and wherein the deformable blade has a height greater than a height of the rigid blade. In one example, the deformable blade is offset from a radial axis.

Abstract: Systems and methods associated with example power converter systems are disclosed. For instance, a power converter system can include a power converter couplable to an input power source and configured to generate an output power substantially at a grid frequency. The power converter can include one or more inverter bridge circuits, each associated with an output phase of the power converter. Each inverter bridge circuit can include one or more first switching modules having a pair of switching elements coupled in series with one another, and an output coupled between the pair of switching elements. At least one switching element of each first switching module includes a reverse blocking transistor. The power converter further includes one or more input bridge circuits having a plurality of second switching modules coupled in parallel, each second switching module comprising a pair of silicon carbide transistors.

Abstract: A wireless target activation system for a train, the system including at least one computer programmed or configured to: receive at least one first target location and at least one second target location associated with a forward route of the train, wherein the at least one first target location is located before the at least one second target location on the forward route of the train; determine a gap time between when the leading edge of the train leaves the at least one first target location and is estimated to arrive at the at least one second target location based at least partially on a distance between the at least one first target location and the at least one second target location and a design speed; and based at least partially on the gap time, an allowable acceleration of the train, and a required warning time, generate an activation message configured to activate or cause the activation of at least one function associated with the at least one second target location.

Abstract: A system for augmented pilot operations is provided to perform checks and balances between navigable systems and a plurality of controlling parties of a Fly-By-Wire vehicle. A ground based control system having at least one of manual controls and an autonomous piloting system, an electronic communication system including at least one of an onboard communication system, a ground based communication system, and a programmable interface for inter party communication. An on board flight control system including at least one of a primary power unit, manual flight controls, and a programmable flight management system may be provided. An onboard auxiliary navigation system including at least one of an auxiliary power control unit, a ground operated control/navigation unit, a physical barrier may prevent manual override from within the plane or cockpit, and an assignment device. A disagreement detection system may be configured to detect unauthorized use of the Fly-By-Wire vehicle.

Abstract: A tool, such as a level, including one or more magnetic coupling device is provided. The magnetic coupling device may be a magnetic circuit including metal components surrounding a magnet, such as a permanent rare-earth magnet.

Abstract: An arrival time and location targeting system for a train, the system including at least one computer programmed or configured to: (a) receive at least one target location associated with a forward route of the train; (b) determine required time of arrival at the at least one target location based at least partially on the current location of a leading edge of the train; (c) determine an estimated time of arrival of the leading edge of the train at the at least one target location based at least partially on the current location of the leading edge of the train and the current speed of the train; and (d) based at least partially on the difference between the determined required time of arrival and the determined estimated time of arrival, generate a target speed of the train. A computer-implemented arrival time and location targeting method is also provided.

Abstract: A stabilizer for passing through a restriction includes a tubular body having a bore therethrough; a rigid blade disposed on the tubular body; and a deformable blade disposed on the tubular body, wherein the deformable blade includes a geometric profile configured to preferentially bend the deformable blade in one direction when the deformable blade encounters the restriction, and wherein the deformable blade has a height greater than a height of the rigid blade. In one example, the deformable blade is offset from a radial axis.

Abstract: Methods and apparatus are provided to streamline event scheduling and facilitate commerce and interpersonal exchanges by providing and scheduling related events in user-customized zones in a geographic region. An automated event scheduling system obtains a geographic region, provides a zone request that specifies the geographic region to a remote user device, receives user-provided parameters from the remote user device, and divides the geographic region into zones based on the user-provided parameters. The automated event scheduling system can then provide a set of zone assignments that assigns the zones to the time slots, and transmits the set of zone assignments to the remote user device, which activates a scheduling client running on the remote user device to display, via a user interface, the set of zone assignments and enable a modification of the set of zone assignments.

Abstract: A system for augmented pilot operations is provided to perform checks and balances between navigable systems and a plurality of controlling parties of a Fly-By-Wire vehicle. A ground based control system having at least one of manual controls and an autonomous piloting system, an electronic communication system including at least one of an onboard communication system, a ground based communication system, and a programmable interface for inter party communication. An on board flight control system including at least one of a primary power unit, manual flight controls, and a programmable flight management system may be provided. An onboard auxiliary navigation system including at least one of an auxiliary power control unit, a ground operated control/navigation unit, a physical barrier may prevent manual override from within the plane or cockpit, and an assignment device. A disagreement detection system may be configured to detect unauthorized use of the Fly-By-Wire vehicle.

Abstract: The invention relates to the calculation of parameters to inform hydraulic stimulation of non-conventional hydrocarbon-bearing rock formations, such as shales. Unlike conventional formations, non-conventional formations tend to display elastic-plastic behavior and have stress-strain characteristics which with substantial non-linear regions. A parameter which has been termed Elastic Index (EI) is proposed, together with a demonstration of how this parameter, when coupled with principles of fracture mechanics, may be used to extract meaningful calculated or estimated values for e.g.; total required volume of fracturing fluid; treating pressure; fracturing fluid viscosity; proppant size; and proppant concentration.

Abstract: An outdoor stackable telecommunications equipment cabinet family and a method of deploying an outdoor telecommunications equipment cabinet. In one embodiment, the family includes: (1) a plurality of selectable cabinet modules and (2) a plurality of selectable plinth modules, at least one of the plurality of selectable cabinet modules and one of the plurality of selectable plinth modules configured to be selected and stacked to form an outdoor telecommunications equipment cabinet that includes an air filter and at least one fan.

Abstract: Methods and apparatus are provided to streamline event scheduling and facilitate commerce and interpersonal exchanges by scheduling events in predefined time slots based on geographic locations of the events' venues. An automated event scheduling system schedules related events based on geographic locations of the events' venues, by partitioning a geographic region into discrete zones, assigning one or more time slots to each of the zones, and scheduling events with venues located in each zone to transpire during the time slots assigned to that zone.

Abstract: An audio conference system is provided that allows at least one non-standard telephone to be connected to an audio conference environment. The audio conference system includes a telecommunication device and an interface between the telecommunication device and the audio conference room. The interface includes a side tone canceller. The side tone canceller cancels side tones allowing the plain audio signal from the non-standard telephone handset to be routed to the speakers of audio conference system. Moreover, the interface allows telephone conferencing a number of non-standard telephones.