Abstract: The present invention relates to a firefighting helicopter quick-fill system with a filling device primarily comprised of a first end with at least one receiver and a second end comprised of at least one female connector, wherein the first end and the second end are connected by at least one tubing. To use the device, the receiver can be attached to a male nozzle of a firefighting helicopter and the female connector can then be attached to a fire hydrant such that water can be pumped from the fire hydrant, through the tubing, through the connector, and into the helicopter via the male nozzle.

Abstract: The present invention relates generally to the field of steering wheel attachments. More specifically, the present invention relates to a steering wheel table device that is primarily comprised of a body further comprised of a curved member, a horizontal cross member, at least one hinge and a tray member. The body of the device preferably resembles a tray table, and is flexible or semi-flexible such that it can be positioned over a steering wheel to create a compression force that retains the device onto the steering wheel. The device is also comprised of a tray member on which food, electronics or other equipment can be placed to create a workstation in a vehicle. In this manner, the device can be applied to the steering wheel of any vehicle, such that a user can perform work tasks in a vehicle more comfortably and efficiently.

Abstract: A calibration phantom and diagnostic guide, which is composed of layers A, B, C, and D, which simulate body tissue and allow generating diagnostic guide images and/or calibration of medical equipment.

Abstract: A device positions and/or orients in the body of a patient, a surgical tool carried by a tool-holder, including a platform capable of being placed on the body of the patient, an orientable carrier, at least one part of which is rigidly connected to the tool-holder, means for guiding the orientable carrier rotationally relative to the platform in two directions of a plane parallel to the platform, at least 2 pneumatic actuators which engage with the orientable carrier such that a variation in pressure of at least one of the pneumatic actuators causes the orientable carrier to rotate in the first direction and/or the second direction, in which the pneumatic actuators are volumes that can deform in a predetermined direction as a function of the internal pressure.

Abstract: A system for mitigating slugging in the conveyance of a subterranean resource can include at least one first pipe disposed proximate to a subterranean formation, where the at least one first pipe has a first cavity through which the subterranean resource traverses from the subterranean formation. The system can also include at least one second pipe disposed proximate to field equipment at an operating platform, where the at least one second pipe has a second cavity through which the subterranean resource traverses, where the field equipment is used to extract the subterranean resource. The system can also include a first slug mitigation assembly disposed between the at least one first pipe and the at least one second pipe, where the first slug mitigation assembly includes a first plurality of non-linear segments for reducing accumulation of gas or liquid pockets in the subterranean resource as the subterranean resource flows therethrough.

Abstract: An optoacoustic probe for optoacoustic imaging of a tissue is provided. The probe has a distal end operable to contact the tissue and a proximal end. A transducer assembly is configured to receive optoacoustic return signals. An optical window is configured to carry light along a light path to the tissue. The housing comprises a distal portion that has a probe face that includes an acoustic opening into which the transducer assembly is disposed and an optical opening into which the optical window is disposed. The transducer assembly and the optical window extend proximally from the probe face. A gasket is disposed within the optical opening at the probe face and extends at least partially around the optical window. The gasket is configured to form an optoacoustic barrier to at least partially optically and acoustically isolate at least a portion of the optical window from the housing of the probe.

Abstract: The present disclosure relates to a minimally invasive surgical procedure device including a set for forming a modular surgical tool, the set including a carrier shaft and a plurality of functional modules, in which the each functional module has means for rigid connection to the carrier shaft and/or to another functional module and has dimensions suitable for insertion into the body of a patient through a trocar, wherein the device is characterized in that: —each functional module has at least one degree of rotational or translational freedom and/or a functional end-piece such as a forceps, hook or a scalpel, —the carrier shaft and/or the functional modules include means for actuating the functional modules according to the respective degree of freedom thereof and/or the respective function thereof, and in that the device includes an electromechanical interface capable of controlling the actuating of the assembled functional modules forming the tool.

Abstract: A laser resonator and method for forming the laser resonator are provided. The method comprises placing a housing for the laser resonator in an alignment fixture, attaching a bond plate to an optical component of the laser resonator, attaching a first end of an alignment arm to the bond plate attached to the optical component, attaching a second end of the alignment arm to the alignment fixture such that the optical component is disposed over the housing, aligning, via the alignment fixture and the alignment arm, the optical component relative to the housing, and bonding the aligned optical component to the housing. The first end of the alignment arm may removed once the aligned optical component is bonded to the housing.

Abstract: A water separation system and method for treating multiphase hydrocarbon production streams is disclosed. The system may be employed to separate gas from the production stream, and then separate the liquid stream into its oil component and water component. A gas/liquid separator may be employed to separate a multiphase hydrocarbon production stream into a gas stream and a liquid stream. A liquid cyclone separator, positioned downstream from the gas/liquid separator, may be employed to divide the liquid stream into an oil dominated portion and a water dominated portion. The system may be used on land or on offshore platforms in locations where it is desirable to separate oil and water from hydrocarbon streams.

Abstract: A water separation system and method for treating multiphase hydrocarbon production streams is disclosed. The system may be employed to separate gas from the production stream, and then separate the liquid stream into its oil component and water component. A gas/liquid separator may be employed to separate a multiphase hydrocarbon production stream into a gas stream and a liquid stream. A liquid cyclone separator, positioned downstream from the gas/liquid separator, may be employed to divide the liquid stream into an oil dominated portion and a water dominated portion. The system may be used on land or on offshore platforms in locations where it is desirable to separate oil and water from hydrocarbon streams.

Abstract: A method for controlling a boom (11) for in-flight refueling for increasing the damping of its displacement by means of a movement of control surfaces (16) related to its angular velocity, that comprises the following steps: a) At least two sensors (32, 33) are arranged in two sections of the boom (11) positioned on opposite sides of the valley (41) of the dominant flexible mode (40) for any length of its telescopic extension (12) and the moduli (D1, D2) of the angular deformations of the dominant flexible mode (40) are determined in them; b) The angular velocities (Q1, Q2) are obtained from the data supplied by said sensors (32, 33); c) The angular velocity Q unaffected by the resonance of the dominant flexible mode (40) is obtained as a function of said angular velocities (Q1, Q2) and said moduli (D1, D2), which eliminates the component of the elastic movement of the dominant flexible mode (40). The invention also relates to a control system and a computer program for executing said method.

Abstract: A laser resonator and method for forming the laser resonator are provided. The method comprises placing a housing for the laser resonator in an alignment fixture, attaching a bond plate to an optical component of the laser resonator, attaching a first end of an alignment arm to the bond plate attached to the optical component, attaching a second end of the alignment arm to the alignment fixture such that the optical component is disposed over the housing, aligning, via the alignment fixture and the alignment arm, the optical component relative to the housing, and bonding the aligned optical component to the housing. The first end of the alignment arm may removed once the aligned optical component is bonded to the housing.

Abstract: A water separation system and method for treating multiphase hydrocarbon production streams is disclosed. The system may be employed to separate gas from the production stream, and then separate the liquid stream into its oil component and water component. A gas/liquid separator may be employed to separate a multiphase hydrocarbon production stream into a gas stream and a liquid stream. A liquid cyclone separator, positioned downstream from the gas/liquid separator, may be employed to divide the liquid stream into an oil dominated portion and a water dominated portion. The system may be used on land or on offshore platforms in locations where it is desirable to separate oil and water from hydrocarbon streams.

Abstract: The present disclosure relates to a minimally invasive surgical procedure device including a set for forming a modular surgical tool, the set including a carrier shaft and a plurality of functional modules, in which the each functional module has means for rigid connection to the carrier shaft and/or to another functional module and has dimensions suitable for insertion into the body of a patient through a trocar, wherein the device is characterized in that: —each functional module has at least one degree of rotational or translational freedom and/or a functional end-piece such as a forceps, hook or a scalpel, —the carrier shaft and/or the functional modules include means for actuating the functional modules according to the respective degree of freedom thereof and/or the respective function thereof, and in that the device includes an electromechanical interface capable of controlling the actuating of the assembled functional modules forming the tool.

Abstract: The present disclosure relates to a device for positioning and/or orienting, in the body of a patient, a surgical tool carried by a tool-holder, including a platform capable of being placed on the body of the patient, an orientable carrier, at least one part of which is rigidly connected to the tool-holder, means for guiding the orientable carrier rotationally relative to the platform in two directions of a plane parallel to the platform, at least 2 pneumatic actuators which engage with the orientable carrier such that a variation in pressure of at least one of the pneumatic actuators causes the orientable carrier to rotate in the first direction and/or the second direction, in which the pneumatic actuators are volumes that can deform in a predetermined direction as a function of the internal pressure.

Abstract: A method for controlling a boom (11) for in-flight refueling for increasing the damping of its displacement by means of a movement of control surfaces (16) related to its angular velocity, that comprises the following steps: a) At least two sensors (32, 33) are arranged in two sections of the boom (11) positioned on opposite sides of the valley (41) of the dominant flexible mode (40) for any length of its telescopic extension (12) and the moduli (D1, D2) of the angular deformations of the dominant flexible mode (40) are determined in them; b) The angular velocities (Q1, Q2) are obtained from the data supplied by said sensors (32, 33); c) The angular velocity Q unaffected by the resonance of the dominant flexible mode (40) is obtained as a function of said angular velocities (Q1, Q2) and said moduli (D1, D2), which eliminates the component of the elastic movement of the dominant flexible mode (40). The invention also relates to a control system and a computer program for executing said method.

Abstract: A laser resonator and method for forming the laser resonator are provided. The method comprises placing a housing for the laser resonator in an alignment fixture, attaching a bond plate to an optical component of the laser resonator, attaching a first end of an alignment arm to the bond plate attached to the optical component, attaching a second end of the alignment arm to the alignment fixture such that the optical component is disposed over the housing, aligning, via the alignment fixture and the alignment arm, the optical component relative to the housing, and bonding the aligned optical component to the housing. The first end of the alignment arm may removed once the aligned optical component is bonded to the housing.

Abstract: A thermoelectric battery is disclosed which uses pipes connected in series made from two different metallic materials. The pipes are connected in an alternating manner and exposed to sunlight to increase the temperature therein. Other parts of the pipes are connected to a cooler temperature such as water or the ground to produce a temperature differential suitable to produce a voltage potential. The thermoelectric battery is also used to supply power to a swinging pendulum in which two different ionic chemicals are mixed at a selected time to generate electrical power. The thermoelectric battery, connected through a pacemaker circuit, produces a magnetic field at predetermined periods equal to a multiple of the period of oscillation of the pendulum, the field acting to give the pendulum a push in order to keep the pendulum from stopping.