Abstract: A method for determining naphthenic acids derived from different sources, in particular oil sands process water by identifying particular tricyclic and pentacyclic diamondoid acids in a sample and measuring the concentration of the acids to provide a distinctive profile for a given source.

Abstract: A jewelry tool is disclosed for engaging a body jewelry. The jewelry tool comprises a tubular body having an interior chamber. A tubular core extends between a major end and a minor end. The tubular core is made of a deformable polymeric material. The tubular core is positioned within the tubular body. A bead bore defines a bore dimension and traverses into the tubular core from the major end. The bore dimension of the bead bore is less than a bead dimension of a bead for deforming the bead bore relative to the bead upon insertion of said bead into said bead bore for creating a friction couple. The friction couple secures the bead relative to the tubular body and transfers a rotational force from the tubular body to the bead for threadably engaging and disengaging the bead with a shaft.

Abstract: A wire sheath for preventing entanglement of a wire and having a cross section dimension wherein the wire relays an electric current between a first end and a second end. The first end includes an electrical coupler and the second end including an electrical receiver, wherein a wire sheath comprises a cylindrical interwoven sheath defining an interior surface and an exterior surface extending between the first end and the second end. The interior surface defines an interior bore extending between the first end and the second end, wherein the interior bore defines a cylindrical diameter that is greater than the cross section dimension of the wire for positioning the wire through the interior bore of the cylindrical interwoven sheath. First and second terminal rings engage a first end of the cylindrical interwoven sheath and a second of the cylindrical interwoven sheath for permitting displacement of the cylindrical interwoven sheath relative to the wire, respectively.

Abstract: A mining conveyor system that advances into a mine behind a continuous mining device. The mining conveyor system has a plurality of conveyance units connected to each other in a train-like fashion. Each conveyance unit conveys mined material to the next conveyance unit in the train until the mined material exits the mine. Each conveyance unit has a conveyance system powered by a first power source and the locomotion system is powered by a second power source. If either power source fails a switching system is utilized to power the portion(s) of the conveyance systems that lack power.

Abstract: A printed circuit board (PCB) sparkgap utilizing one or more surface mount devices (SMDs) wherein the conductive ends and solder fillets of the SMDs form one or more conductive electrodes of the spark gap and the SMDs help absorb electrical and thermal energy during an arc-over.

Abstract: A heat sink for a transistor is provided which comprises a long and a short vertical portion joining a sloped upper surface. The transistor is bolted to the sloped surface with its leads extending below the bottom of the vertical portions. The transistor leads are inserted into a large slot in a printed circuit board, and the assembly is rotated to engage tabs on the short vertical portion and then the long vertical portion in mating holes in the printed circuit board. The assembly will then snap into place, with the transistor oriented at an oblique angle with respect to the plane of the board. There is no need to bend or preform the leads, and the oblique orientation of the transistor reduces the horizontal and vertical forces of vibration and thermal expansion and contraction by a factor of two.