Abstract: A proppant delivery assembly receives and supports a plurality of containers having proppant stored therein. A cradle has a top surface which receives and supports the plurality of containers when positioned thereon. The cradle enables the plurality of containers to dispense the proppant stored therein. A proppant mover is positioned to underlie and extend along the top surface of the cradle aligned with the plurality of containers to receive proppant from the plurality of containers. The proppant mover carries proppant away from the plurality of containers. A chute is coupled to the cradle for receiving proppant from the proppant mover and directing the proppant to a blender hopper. A hood assembly is disposed at an end of the chute opposite the proppant mover for directing a vacuum air flow that removes a volume of air containing proppant dust particles directed from the chute.

Abstract: The various conveying embodiments disclosed are directed to systems, methods and components enabling extendible conveying mechanisms to reach into trailers and storage containers so that operators may safely and ergonomically load and unload objects such as packages, etc. The disclosed embodiments include a modular driving apparatus suitable for driving an extendible conveyor as well as supporting and moving an associated interface conveyor and configurable (e.g., width and height) operator platform. Also disclosed is a telescoping, bi-directional conveyor embodiment and a movable conveyor interface.

Abstract: One or more spacers for installing an optical cable are disposed in a trench that extends along an axis. The optical cable includes one or more optical sensors. Each spacer includes a base configured to rest in a bottom of the trench. A first arm extends from the base. The first arm is adjacent to a first wall of the trench. An opposing second arm extends from the base. The second arm is adjacent to an opposing second wall of the trench. The optical cable is configured to extend along the axis.

Abstract: A method of recording measurement data for characterizing a response of a given type of device to an applied force, the given type defining devices of that type as comprising a defined arrangement of a surface and N force sensors of the device concerned, where N?1, each force sensor configured to output a sensor signal, wherein in the defined arrangement the N force sensors are operatively coupled to a defined input region of the surface so as to sense a force applied to that input region, the method comprising: for a specimen device of the given type, performing at least one measurement procedure, each measurement procedure comprising at least one measurement operation, each measurement operation comprising applying a defined force at a corresponding location on the input region of the device concerned and recording measurement data for that device and location based on the sensor signals of the N force sensors of that device.

Abstract: A method for determining and mitigating over-excursion of an internal mass of an under-damped electromechanical transducer may include transforming an electrical playback signal to an estimated displacement signal, based on the estimated displacement signal, determining an estimated over-excursion of the internal mass responsive to the electrical playback signal, and limiting, based on the estimated over-excursion, an electrical driving signal derived from the electrical playback signal and for driving the electromechanical transducer in order to mitigate over-excursion of the internal mass.

Abstract: A semiconductor device includes: a housing; a substrate inside the housing; first and second semiconductor circuits on the substrate; and first and second planar terminals electrically connected to the first and second semiconductor circuits, respectively, the first and second planar terminals stacked on top of each other, wherein each of the first and second planar terminals extends away from the housing.

Abstract: A conveyor apparatus removably connectable to an extendable conveyor, where mechanical interfaces, such as a pin-and-slot hitch, along with an electrical control interface, allow the conveyor apparatus to safely move, operate as well as control operation of the associated extendable conveyor for loading and unloading shipping containers such as truck trailers and the like.

Abstract: A proppant delivery assembly receives and supports a plurality of containers having proppant stored therein. A cradle has a top surface which receives and supports the plurality of containers when positioned thereon. The cradle enables the plurality of containers to dispense the proppant stored therein. A proppant mover is positioned to underlie and extend along the top surface of the cradle aligned with the plurality of containers to receive proppant from the plurality of containers. The proppant mover carries proppant away from the plurality of containers. A chute is coupled to the cradle for receiving proppant from the proppant mover and directing the proppant to a blender hopper. A hood assembly is disposed at an end of the chute opposite the proppant mover for directing a vacuum air flow that removes a volume of air containing proppant dust particles directed from the chute.

Abstract: One or more spacers for installing an optical cable are disposed in a trench that extends along an axis. The optical cable includes one or more optical sensors. Each spacer includes a base configured to rest in a bottom of the trench. A first arm extends from the base. The first arm is adjacent to a first wall of the trench. An opposing second arm extends from the base. The second arm is adjacent to an opposing second wall of the trench. The optical cable is configured to extend along the axis.

Abstract: A volume ratio control system for a compressor includes a chamber formed within a housing of the compressor, where the chamber is in fluid communication with a high pressure side of the compressor, a piston disposed within the chamber, where the piston includes a cavity in fluid communication with a low pressure side of the compressor, and a biasing device disposed within the chamber and configured to enable movement of the piston in response to a pressure differential between the low pressure side of the compressor and the high pressure side of the compressor falling below a threshold value.

Abstract: A semiconductor device includes: a housing; a substrate inside the housing; first and second semiconductor circuits on the substrate; and first and second planar terminals electrically connected to the first and second semiconductor circuits, respectively, the first and second planar terminals stacked on top of each other, wherein each of the first and second planar terminals extends away from the housing.

Abstract: A method of recording measurement data for characterizing a response of a given type of device to an applied force, the given type defining devices of that type as comprising a defined arrangement of a surface and N force sensors of the device concerned, where N?1, each force sensor configured to output a sensor signal, wherein in the defined arrangement the N force sensors are operatively coupled to a defined input region of the surface so as to sense a force applied to that input region, the method comprising: for a specimen device of the given type, performing at least one measurement procedure, each measurement procedure comprising at least one measurement operation, each measurement operation comprising applying a defined force at a corresponding location on the input region of the device concerned and recording measurement data for that device and location based on the sensor signals of the N force sensors of that device.

Abstract: A proppant delivery assembly receives and supports a plurality of containers having proppant stored therein. A cradle has a top surface which receives and supports the plurality of containers when positioned thereon. The cradle enables the plurality of containers to dispense the proppant stored therein. A proppant mover is positioned to underlie and extend along the top surface of the cradle aligned with the plurality of containers to receive proppant from the plurality of containers. The proppant mover carries proppant away from the plurality of containers. A chute is coupled to the cradle for receiving proppant from the proppant mover and directing the proppant to a blender hopper. A hood assembly is disposed at an end of the chute opposite the proppant mover for directing a vacuum air flow that removes a volume of air containing proppant dust particles directed from the chute.

Abstract: An electronic device, comprising: a support plate having a rear face and a front face; an electronic integrated circuit chip having a rear face mounted on the front face of the support plate and including an optical component in a front face; and a sleeve forming a traversing passage and having a rear edge and a front edge at the opposite ends of the traversing passage, the rear edge being mounted on the front face of the chip, in such a position that the optical component of the chip is facing the traversing passage of the sleeve.

Abstract: A proppant delivery assembly receives and supports a plurality of containers having proppant stored therein. A cradle has a top surface which receives and supports the plurality of containers when positioned thereon. The cradle enables the plurality of containers to dispense the proppant stored therein. A proppant mover is positioned to underlie and extend along the top surface of the cradle aligned with the plurality of containers to receive proppant from the plurality of containers. The proppant mover carries proppant away from the plurality of containers. A chute is coupled to the cradle for receiving proppant from the proppant mover and directing the proppant to a blender hopper. A hood assembly is disposed at an end of the chute opposite the proppant mover for directing a vacuum air flow that removes a volume of air containing proppant dust particles directed from the chute.

Abstract: A bed cover clasp system (20) can include a bed (10) having a top surface (5) and corners (4), a bed cover (6) having a shape substantially matching the shape of the top surface of the bed and including a number of corners (7), a strap (24) attached to each of the recessed corners (22) of the bed, and a strap (8) attached to each of the corners of the bed cover. The system further includes a first clasp mechanism portion (26 and/or 28) attached to each strap (24) attached the recessed corners of the bed and a second clasp mechanism portion (9) attached to the corners of the bed cover where the first clasp mechanism and second clasp mechanism portions cause the bed cover to evenly cover the top surface of the bed when each of the first clasp mechanism portions correspondingly mate with the second clasp mechanism portions.

Abstract: A system is disclosed for conveying proppant from a container to fracking operation equipment. The system includes a proppant delivery assembly having a frame supporting the container adjacent a proppant mover having a conveyor, a shroud enclosing a portion of the conveyor, a proppant chamber coupled to the shroud and a chute coupled to the proppant chamber. The system also includes a dust collection assembly fluidly coupled to the proppant mover to collect the dust particles contained therein. The dust collection assembly includes an air mover, a hood with a dust receptacle, and ductwork coupling the air mover to the dust receptacle. An air flow is generated along a flow path through the dust receptacle and the ductwork to the air mover such that a suction pressure generated by the air mover is sufficient to only capture and remove the dust particles, thus reducing a risk of capturing the proppant.

Abstract: A system is disclosed for conveying proppant from a container to fracking operation equipment. The system includes a proppant delivery assembly having a frame supporting the container adjacent a proppant mover having a conveyor, a shroud enclosing a portion of the conveyor, a proppant chamber coupled to the shroud and a chute coupled to the proppant chamber. The system also includes a dust collection assembly fluidly coupled to the proppant mover to collect the dust particles contained therein. The dust collection assembly includes an air mover, a hood with a dust receptacle, and ductwork coupling the air mover to the dust receptacle. An air flow is generated along a flow path through the dust receptacle and the ductwork to the air mover such that a suction pressure generated by the air mover is sufficient to only capture and remove the dust particles, thus reducing a risk of capturing the proppant.

Abstract: A track changing apparatus for changing a track on an armored vehicle includes a plurality of moveable elements. The plurality of moveable elements of the track changing apparatus allows a track to be manipulated from loose or unmounted state, to a tensioned state wherein the track is located on the track changing apparatus, and finally, to a fully mounted state wherein the track has been transferred onto the armored vehicle. In at least one embodiment, the track changing apparatus may be used to remove a track from an armored vehicle. Methods of using a track changing apparatus are also described, including a method of mounting a track onto an armored vehicle.

Abstract: Embodiments of the present disclosure a system for capturing proppant dust particles when positioned at a fracking operation site including a proppant delivery assembly to receive one or more containers having proppant stored therein. The system dispenses the proppant from the one or more containers and delivers the proppant to other fracking operation equipment. Moreover, the system includes a dust collection assembly positioned proximate and associated with the proppant delivery assembly to capture dust particles released by movement and settling of the proppant when being dispensed and delivered by the proppant delivery assembly. The dust collection assembly is positioned to direct an air flow in a flow path overlying the dust particles to capture the dust particles and move the dust particles away from the proppant thereby reducing risk of dust exposure to fracking operation site personnel.