Abstract: A radio frequency (RF) applicator may be rotated during positioning within a wellbore in a subterranean formation. The wellbore may have at least one bend therein. The RF applicator may include a series of tubular conductors, and a respective bendable tubular dielectric coupler rotationally interlocking opposing ends of adjacent ones of the series of tubular conductors to define a tubular antenna. The RF applicator may include at least one RF feed conductor extending within the tubular antenna and connected to the series of tubular conductors.

Abstract: A rigid radio frequency (RF) coaxial transmission line to be positioned within a wellbore in a subterranean formation may include a series of rigid coaxial sections coupled together in end-to-end relation. Each rigid coaxial section may include an inner conductor, a rigid outer conductor surrounding the inner conductor, and a dielectric therebetween. Each of the rigid outer conductors may include a rigid outer layer having opposing threaded ends defining overlapping mechanical threaded joints with adjacent rigid outer layers. Each of the rigid outer conductors may also include an electrically conductive inner layer coupled to the rigid outer layer and having opposing ends defining electrical joints with adjacent electrically conductive inner layers.

Abstract: An RF antenna assembly may be positioned within a wellbore in a subterranean formation for hydrocarbon resource recovery. The RF antenna assembly includes first and second tubular conductors and a feed structure therebetween defining a dipole antenna to be positioned within the wellbore, and an RF transmission line extending within one of the tubular conductors. The feed structure includes a dielectric tube, a first connector coupling the RF transmission line to the first tubular conductor, and a second connector coupling the RF transmission line to the second tubular conductor.

Abstract: An RF antenna assembly is positioned within a wellbore in a subterranean formation for hydrocarbon resource recovery. The RF antenna assembly includes first and second tubular conductors and a dielectric isolator therebetween. The dielectric isolator includes a dielectric tube having opposing first and second open ends, a first tubular connector having a first slotted recess receiving therein the first open end of the dielectric tube, and a second tubular connector having a second slotted recess receiving therein the second open end of the dielectric tube.

Abstract: An RF antenna assembly is to be positioned within a wellbore in a subterranean formation for hydrocarbon resource recovery. The RF antenna assembly includes a series of tubular dipole antennas to be positioned within the wellbore, each tubular dipole antenna having a pair of dipole elements, and an RF transmission line extending within the series of tubular dipole antennas. The RF antenna assembly includes a respective coupling structure between each pair of dipole elements and between the series of tubular dipole antennas, each coupling structure including a dielectric tube mechanically coupling adjacent dipole elements, and a tap connector carried by the dielectric tube and electrically coupling the RF transmission line to a corresponding dipole element.

Abstract: A radio frequency (RF) antenna assembly configured to be positioned within a wellbore in a subterranean formation for hydrocarbon resource recovery may include an RF transmission line and an RF antenna coupled to the RF transmission line. The RF antenna assembly may also include an adjustable balun that may include a tubular balun housing surrounding the RF transmission line and defining a space therebetween. The adjustable balun may further include an adjustable shorting body slidably movable within the space and contacting the tubular balun housing and the RF transmission line at an adjustable shorting position.

Abstract: A transmission line segment coupler is for coupling together first and second coaxial transmission line segments each including an inner tubular conductor and an outer tubular conductor surrounding the inner tubular conductor and a dielectric therebetween. The coupler apparatus includes an outer tubular bearing body to be positioned within adjacent open ends of the inner tubular conductors of the first and second coaxial transmission line segments, and an inner tubular bearing body configured to slidably move within the outer tubular bearing body to define a linear bearing therewith. The inner tubular bearing body is configured to define a fluid passageway in communication with the adjacent open ends of the inner tubular conductors of the first and second coaxial transmission line segments.

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: Singly and multiply charged imidazolium cations (ICs) have been identified as a class of chemical compositions that possess potent antineoplastic, antibacterial and antimicrobial properties. The imidazolium cations disclosed demonstrate greater or equivalent potency towards cancerous cells as the current clinical standard, cisplatin. These imidazolium cations, however, achieve this efficacy without any of the known toxic side effects caused by heavy metal-based antineoplastic drugs such as cisplati.

Abstract: A motorized extension ladder comprising a stationary first section, a moveable second section which is reversibly moveable from a proximate location to a distal location, a first cable pulley system with a first cable and first pulley to reversably move said moveable section from said proximate location to said distal location, and back, by a motor. The motor can be permanently affixed to the ladder, or operatively connected as required. A series of pulleys is provided which are moveable by rotation of a threaded rod, in order to cause the moveable section of the ladder to extend or retract. A motorized method for extending or retracting an extension ladder is provided.

Abstract: A rigid radio frequency (RF) coaxial transmission line to be positioned within a wellbore in a subterranean formation may include a series of rigid coaxial sections coupled together in end-to-end relation. Each rigid coaxial section may include an inner conductor, a rigid outer conductor surrounding the inner conductor, and a dielectric therebetween. Each of the rigid outer conductors may include a rigid outer layer having opposing threaded ends defining overlapping mechanical threaded joints with adjacent rigid outer layers. Each of the rigid outer conductors may also include an electrically conductive inner layer coupled to the rigid outer layer and having opposing ends defining electrical joints with adjacent electrically conductive inner layers.

Abstract: A radio frequency (RF) coaxial transmission line to be positioned within a wellbore in a subterranean formation may include a series of coaxial sections coupled together in end-to-end relation. Each coaxial section may include an inner conductor, a dual-wall outer conductor surrounding the inner conductor, and a dielectric therebetween. Each of the dual-wall outer conductors may include an outer wall and an inner wall spaced apart therefrom defining a fluid passageway. Each coaxial section may further include a threaded endpiece coupled to each opposing end of the dual-wall outer conductor and having threads to define an overlapping mechanical threaded joint and an electrical joint with an adjacent threaded endpiece.

Abstract: A radio frequency (RF) antenna assembly to be positioned within a wellbore in a subterranean formation for hydrocarbon resource recovery may include a series of tubular conductors coupled together in end-to-end relation. Each tubular conductor may include a dual-wall conductor defining an RF antenna. The dual-wall conductor may include an outer wall and an inner wall spaced inwardly therefrom to define an outer fluid passageway. The RF antenna assembly may further include an RF transmission line extending within at least some of the tubular conductors.

Abstract: A method of recovering hydrocarbon resources in a subterranean formation may include injecting a solvent via a wellbore into the subterranean formation while supplying radio frequency (RF) power from the wellbore and into the subterranean formation. The method may also include recovering hydrocarbon resources via the wellbore and from the subterranean formation while supplying RF power from the wellbore and into the subterranean formation.

Abstract: An antenna assembly may be positioned within a wellbore in a subterranean formation. The antenna assembly includes a tubular antenna element to be positioned within the wellbore, and an RF coaxial transmission line to be positioned within the tubular antenna element. The RF coaxial transmission line includes a series of coaxial sections coupled together in end-to-end relation, each coaxial section including an inner conductor, an outer conductor surrounding the inner conductor, and a dielectric therebetween. Each of the outer conductors has opposing threaded ends defining overlapping mechanical threaded joints with adjacent outer conductors.

Abstract: A radio frequency (RF) applicator may be rotated during positioning within a wellbore in a subterranean formation. The wellbore may have at least one bend therein. The RF applicator may include a series of tubular conductors, and a respective bendable tubular dielectric coupler rotationally interlocking opposing ends of adjacent ones of the series of tubular conductors to define a tubular antenna. The RF applicator may include at least one RF feed conductor extending within the tubular antenna and connected to the series of tubular conductors.

Abstract: A method and systems for an engine igniter excitation system includes an energy storage device, a first adaptive comparator configured to control the storage of an amount of energy in the energy storage device wherein the amount of energy is determined using at least one of an environmental parameter of the engine and a process parameter of the engine. The system also includes a second adaptive comparator communicatively coupled to the energy storage device wherein the second adaptive comparator is configured to control a rate of energy delivery to the energy storage device using at least one of an environmental parameter of the engine and a process parameter of the engine. The system also includes an igniter configured to generate a spark based on the amount of stored energy and the rate of energy delivery.

Abstract: A method and systems for an engine igniter excitation system includes an energy storage device, a first adaptive comparator configured to control the storage of an amount of energy in the energy storage device wherein the amount of energy is determined using at least one of an environmental parameter of the engine and a process parameter of the engine. The system also includes a second adaptive comparator communicatively coupled to the energy storage device wherein the second adaptive comparator is configured to control a rate of energy delivery to the energy storage device using at least one of an environmental parameter of the engine and a process parameter of the engine. The system also includes an igniter configured to generate a spark based on the amount of stored energy and the rate of energy delivery.

Abstract: A method and systems for an engine igniter excitation system includes an energy storage device, a first adaptive comparator configured to control the storage of an amount of energy in the energy storage device wherein the amount of energy is determined using at least one of an environmental parameter of the engine and a process parameter of the engine. The system also includes a second adaptive comparator communicatively coupled to the energy storage device wherein the second adaptive comparator is configured to control a rate of energy delivery to the energy storage device using at least one of an environmental parameter of the engine and a process parameter of the engine. The system also includes an igniter configured to generate a spark based on the amount of stored energy and the rate of energy delivery.

Abstract: A method and system for measuring a characteristic of a machine is provided. The system includes a speed sensor including a housing, a variable reluctance sensor (VRS) mounted at least partially within the housing, and a digitization circuit electrically coupled to an output of the VRS. The digitization circuit is also mounted within the housing and is configured to convert a substantially sinusoidal output of the VRS into a digital output signal.