Abstract: A protective barrier system designed to protect against high-energy events, such as impacts from ballistic threats or blasts. In one embodiment, the protective barrier system comprises a blast mitigation panel in the front (on the threat side of the barrier), a ballistic resistant panel in the back (on the asset side of the barrier), and a frame that is configured to incorporate the blast mitigation panel and ballistic resistant panel, and stand the panels upright so as to form a barrier. The blast mitigation panel and ballistic resistant panel are modular and are easily attached to and detached from the frame to create a protective barrier that can be easily customized to protect structures or assets of nearly any shape or size from both blasts and ballistics. For example, another embodiment is a protective barrier system that may be used as body armor or personal protection for an individual.

Abstract: Devices and methods for blast/fire containment are disclosed herein. Devices include containers designed to contain and/or mitigate high energy events such as blasts from explosions or thermal runaways. The containers include a body that is built to define an interior chamber shaped to receive an explosive device or a device susceptible to thermal runaway. The container comprises a plurality of substructures that are arranged in a layered sequence to provide the desired effect. The substructures act in concert to decouple the shock load to the main containment structure using shock decoupling with energy dissipation and attenuation technology, having a highly deformable polymer structure, and managed venting. In thermally dominated events, such as a runaway LI battery fire, a crushable medium present in one or more layers of the container presents a significant thermal barrier and contains the fire.

Abstract: A composite material system having an aggregate bound by an elastomer encapsulant. The composite material (CM) is designed to defeat impinging projectiles by converting the kinetic energy (KE) in the projectile to damage in the aggregate and the elastomer and increasing the thermal energy in the CM and the projectile via frictional heating. In one embodiment, the CM comprises certain kinds of rocks encapsulated (or bound) in a hyper-elastic polymer, such as polyurethane (“PU”). The CM may be shaped into convenient shapes from modular assembly to create a ballistic resistant surface.

Abstract: A downhole retrieval tool includes a mandrel; an inner sleeve disposed around the mandrel; a plurality of magnets coupled to the inner sleeve; and an outer sleeve disposed around the plurality of magnets, wherein the inner sleeve and the plurality of magnets are rotatable relative to the mandrel. In another aspect, an assembly tool for handling a magnet includes an anchor; a conveyance movable relative to the anchor; and a magnet holder coupled to the conveyance, wherein the magnet holder includes an arm for retaining the magnet.

Abstract: A wellbore cleaning tool for removing irregularities along the inner surface of a wellbore tubular may include a top sub, a cutting assembly, and a bottom sub. The tool is operable to remove irregularities, such as debris, burrs, and jagged edges, along the inside of the wellbore tubular, and thereby provide a clean, inner surface finish. The tool may be actuated into a retracted position, an extended position, and/or a deactivated position.

Abstract: A downhole tool for use in a wellbore having a tool body with a blade assembly slidably mounted thereon and movable between a retracted and an outwardly extended position. The blade assembly is biased towards the retracted position and movable with an actuating force to the extended position. The tool includes an indexer constructed and arranged to facilitate movement of the blade assembly.

Abstract: A downhole retrieval tool includes a mandrel; an inner sleeve disposed around the mandrel; a plurality of magnets coupled to the inner sleeve; and an outer sleeve disposed around the plurality of magnets, wherein the inner sleeve and the plurality of magnets are rotatable relative to the mandrel. In another aspect, an assembly tool for handling a magnet includes an anchor; a conveyance movable relative to the anchor; and a magnet holder coupled to the conveyance, wherein the magnet holder includes an arm for retaining the magnet.

Abstract: A downhole tool for use in a wellbore having a tool body with a blade assembly slidably mounted thereon and movable between a retracted and an outwardly extended position. The blade assembly is biased towards the retracted position and movable with an actuating force to the extended position. The tool includes an indexer constructed and arranged to facilitate movement of the blade assembly.

Abstract: A wellbore cleaning tool for removing irregularities along the inner surface of a wellbore tubular may include a top sub, a cutting assembly, and a bottom sub. The tool is operable to remove irregularities, such as debris, burrs, and jagged edges, along the inside of the wellbore tubular, and thereby provide a clean, inner surface finish. The tool may be actuated into a retracted position, an extended position, and/or a deactivated position.

Abstract: A chair, including a flat seat bottom, having a surface area for accommodating a user; a base member having at least one protrusion, the protrusion being designed for traversing a perforation on the seat bottom, thereby joining the base member to the bottom of the seat bottom, and the base member being designed for supporting the weight of the seat bottom and the user; and a back support member, designed for being joined to the section of the protrusion located above the seat bottom, and for being leaned upon by the user. The base member is made of a single sheet, and is designed for being set into a predefined weight bearing configuration suitable for supporting the weight of the user. The base member is designed for being unfolded into a single layer sheet or folded into a multi layer sheet, following a disassembling of the chair. The chair is repeatedly assemblable and disassemblable.

Abstract: A hiking stick including a first section, which includes: a first shaft and a male joining piece attached to the shaft, and extending away from the shaft. The male joining piece has an uncut portion and a beveled portion. The bevel is formed by a plane cut at the end of the joining piece at an angle with a long the axis of the hiking stick. A second section includes a second shaft having a hollow end configured for receiving the male joining piece, such that an inner wall of the end of the second shaft has a radial cross section which is narrower than a radial cross section of the widest portion of the male joining piece. The male joining piece is configured for being inserted into the end of the second section, and for being radially compressed by the end of the second section.

Abstract: A convertible support apparatus for supporting an object over a ground surface is convertible between an operating configuration and a storage configuration. The support apparatus may comprise side members, a support area configured to connect to the side members, and a bow truss configured to bow. When the device is assembled in the operating configuration, both the support area and the bow truss are connected between the side members and the bow truss is configured to bow and place the support area under tension. The bow truss may comprise a bow tube connected between two foot fixtures. In one embodiment, when the apparatus is supporting a sufficiently heavy object, the bow tube will bow and contact the ground surface and provide additional support to the apparatus.

Abstract: A hiking stick including a first section, which includes: a first shaft and a male joining piece attached to the shaft, and extending away from the shaft. The male joining piece has an uncut portion and a beveled portion. The bevel is formed by a plane cut at the end of the joining piece at an angle with a long the axis of the hiking stick. A second section includes a second shaft having a hollow end configured for receiving the male joining piece, such that an inner wall of the end of the second shaft has a radial cross section which is narrower than a radial cross section of the widest portion of the male joining piece. The male joining piece is configured for being inserted into the end of the second section, and for being radially compressed by the end of the second section.

Abstract: A disruptor (10) has a plastics barrel (12) cast from unreinforced polyurethane so that only plastic deformation of the barrel occurs during initiation of a cartridge (18) a discharge of a water charge (24).

Abstract: Methods for continuously producing HIPR silicone in water emulsions are disclosed. The methods use low shear devices, and thus the temperature of the emulsions is kept low, while enhanced particle size and viscosity are obtained.

Abstract: A one cycle internal combustion engine design employing a single piston that is fired at both ends of its cylinder—called a “dual piston”, in combination with a vortex head at each end of the cylinder that has a single, two-step valve and a turbo tip injector or fuel injector tip, and the use of a connecting link, rolling fulcrum and journal rod assembly for multiplying torque.

Abstract: A process for catalytic cracking of a hydrocarbon feedstock comprises contacting the feedstock with a catalyst composition comprising a primary cracking component, such as zeolite Y, and a mesoporous aluminophosphate material which includes a solid aluminophosphate composition modified with at least one element selected from zirconium, cerium, lanthanum, manganese, cobalt, zinc, and vanadium. The mesoporous aluminophosphate material has a specific surface area of at least 100 m2/g, an average pore size less than or equal to 100 Å, and a pore size distribution such that at least 50% of the pores have a pore diameter less than 100 Å.

Abstract: The present invention relates to the use of petroleum coke for the manufacture of carbonaceous anodes for the aluminum smelting industry. The inclusion of Group 4 and/or Group 13 metal compounds as additives to the petroleum coker feedstock diminish the oxidizing tendencies of the metal impurities inherent in the petroleum coke.

Abstract: The present invention relates to the use of petroleum coke for the manufacture of carbonaceous anodes for the aluminum smelting industry. The inclusion of Group 4 and/or Group 13 metal compounds as additives to the petroleum coker feedstock diminish the oxidizing tendencies of the metal impurities inherent in the petroleum coke.

Abstract: In a fluid catalytic cracking process for cracking hydrocarbons with a zeolitic cracking catalyst and in the absence of added hydrogen, the desired value of CO.sub.2 /CO in the flue gases from the regenerator is achieved by including in the catalyst a combustion-promoter metal such as platinum, palladium, rhodium, ruthenium, iridium, osmium or rhenium, and, additionally, contacting the catalyst with a metal-free chlorine or bromine compound.