Abstract: A system and method for operation of an autonomous vehicle (AV) yard truck is provided. A processor facilitates autonomous movement of the AV yard truck, and connection to and disconnection from trailers. A plurality of sensors are interconnected with the processor that sense terrain/objects and assist in automatically connecting/disconnecting trailers. A server, interconnected, wirelessly with the processor, that tracks movement of the truck around and determines locations for trailer connection and disconnection. A door station unlatches/opens rear doors of the trailer when adjacent thereto, securing them in an opened position via clamps, etc. The system computes a height of the trailer, and/or if landing gear of the trailer is on the ground and interoperates with the fifth wheel to change height, and whether docking is safe, allowing a user to take manual control, and optimum charge time(s). Reversing sensors/safety, automated chocking, and intermodal container organization are also provided.

Abstract: A surgical instrument that comprises a surgical end effector, a handle that is connected to the surgical end effector and has a controller, and an interchangeable part removably connected to the surgical end effector and having an encryption device in electrical communication with the controller. The encryption device is programmed to authenticate the interchangeable part when the interchangeable part is at the surgical end effector.

Abstract: A system and method for operation of an autonomous vehicle (AV) yard truck is provided. A processor facilitates autonomous movement of the AV yard truck, and connection to and disconnection from trailers. A plurality of sensors are interconnected with the processor that sense terrain/objects and assist in automatically connecting/disconnecting trailers. A server, interconnected, wirelessly with the processor, that tracks movement of the truck around and determines locations for trailer connection and disconnection. A door station unlatches/opens rear doors of the trailer when adjacent thereto, securing them in an opened position via clamps, etc. The system computes a height of the trailer, and/or if landing gear of the trailer is on the ground and interoperates with the fifth wheel to change height, and whether docking is safe, allowing a user to take manual control, and optimum charge time(s). Reversing sensors/safety, automated chocking, and intermodal container organization are also provided.

Abstract: A transparent article is described herein that includes: a glass-ceramic substrate comprising first and second primary surfaces opposing one another and a crystallinity of at least 40% by weight; and an optical film structure disposed on the first primary surface. The optical film structure comprises a plurality of alternating high refractive index (RI) and low RI layers and a scratch-resistant layer. The article also exhibits an average photopic transmittance of greater than 80% and a maximum hardness of greater than 10 GPa, as measured by a Berkovich Hardness Test over an indentation depth range from about 100 nm to about 500 nm. The glass-ceramic substrate comprises an elastic modulus of greater than 85 GPa and a fracture toughness of greater than 0.8 MPa·?m. Further, the optical film structure exhibits a residual compressive stress of ?700 MPa and an elastic modulus of ?140 GPa.

Abstract: A furan-based polyamide is prepared by the following steps: (1) preparing a furan-based oligomer of formula (1) H2N—R—(NH—CO—F—CO—NH—R)n—NH2 (1) where R is a hydrocarbon moiety and F is a furan (cyclo-C4H2O) moiety and n represents the average degree of oligomerization, and where n is within the range of 1 to 10 by reacting 2,5-furandicarboxylic acid or its derivative with a diamine at a temperature of at most 100° C.; (2) contacting the oligomer of step (1) with a bifunctional linker selected from an acid or a derivative thereof where the acid is furandicarboxylic acid or a non-aromatic dicarboxylic acid; provided that if the hydrocarbon moiety R is aromatic, then the bifunctional linker is an aromatic dicarboxylic acid or a derivative thereof, at a mole ratio of the oligomer to the difunctional linker within the range of 0.8 to 1.5 at polycondensation conditions, and (3) isolating the resulting polyamide.

Abstract: A furan-based polyamide is prepared by the following steps: (1) preparing a furan-based oligomer of formula (1) H2N—R—(NH—CO—F—CO—NH—R)n—NH2 (1) where R is a hydrocarbon moiety and F is a furan (cyclo-C4H2O) moiety and n represents the average degree of oligomerization, and where n is within the range of 1 to 10 by reacting 2,5-furandicarboxylic acid or its derivative with a diamine at a temperature of at most 100° C.; (2) contacting the oligomer of step (1) with a bifunctional linker selected from an acid or a derivative thereof where the acid is furandicarboxylic acid or a non-aromatic dicarboxylic acid; provided that if the hydrocarbon moiety R is aromatic, then the bifunctional linker is an aromatic dicarboxylic acid or a derivative thereof, at a mole ratio of the oligomer to the difunctional linker within the range of 0.8 to 1.5 at polycondensation conditions, and (3) isolating the resulting polyamide.

Abstract: A hydrocarbon lift system and method for increasing petroleum production from an enclosed subterranean reservoir to the earth's surface comprises a column of buoyant balls in an outer pipe configured to entrain the buoyant balls into a first fluid in an annulus formed with an inner pipe drill string. A pressure differential in the inner pipe with respect to the reservoir via the entrained buoyant balls in a second fluid therein lifts the second fluid and the entrained balls via the inner pipe to increase petroleum production to the to earth's surface. A controlled rise velocity of the buoyant balls and the second fluid is predetermined by a ratio of a mass density of the buoyant balls to a mass density of the second fluid being greater than a mass density of the buoyant balls to a mass density of the first fluid for an increase over time in oil production.

Abstract: The disclosed hydrocarbon lift system and method prohibits water-coning in production of oil from a subterranean reservoir to the earth's surface. The system comprises a well bore with a first and a second section. The first section has perforations which draw a first fluid into and up the well bore based on a negative pump pressure applied thereto. The second section has perforations which draw a second fluid into the well bore based on a differential pressure between the pump pressure and a lower induced pressure therein. The system also comprises a venturi structure fixtured into the well bore. The venturi structure has flaring ends connected by a constricting throat defining perforations therein. The constricting throat perforations draw the second fluid through the second section perforations into the venturi throat in response to the lower induced pressure in the second section created by an increased first fluid velocity there through.

Abstract: As disclosed, a buoyant ball assisted hydrostatic lift system and method for lifting fluid(s) from an enclosed subterranean reservoir to the earth's surface, comprises a pipe string configured at a steady state gas pressure with any quiescent gas escape offset by an equal gas input. The system also includes a plurality of buoyant balls in the pipe string; the balls configured to at least one of displace a fluid mass and have a surface friction moving in fluid(s) therein. The system additionally includes a column of the buoyant balls in the pipe string, an aggregate weight of the balls configured to entrain the balls into a fluid in an annulus formed with an outer bore pipe. The system further includes a hydrostatic pressure differential in the annulus with respect to the reservoir via the buoyant balls, the pressure configured to lift fluid(s) in the annulus to the surface.

Abstract: As disclosed, a buoyant ball assisted hydrostatic lift system and method for lifting fluid(s) from an enclosed subterranean reservoir to the earth's surface, comprises a pipe string configured at a steady state gas pressure with any quiescent gas escape offset by an equal gas input. The system also includes a plurality of buoyant balls in the pipe string; the balls configured to at least one of displace a fluid mass and have a surface friction moving in fluid(s) therein. The system additionally includes a column of the buoyant balls in the pipe string, an aggregate weight of the balls configured to entrain the balls into a fluid in an annulus formed with an outer bore pipe. The system further includes a hydrostatic pressure differential in the annulus with respect to the reservoir via the buoyant balls, the pressure configured to lift fluid(s) in the annulus to the surface.

Abstract: A loose-fill cellulose insulation having improved density can be achieved by intermingling the cellulose fibers with natural textile fibers. The textile fibers tend to maintain the spacing between the cellulose fibers, which decreases the density and minimizes settling, of the resulting insulation.

Abstract: A test device and method for determining the presence of a component in a sample are disclosed, as well as a method for making the device. The device utilizes a reactant system which produces a detectable response upon contact with the sample component, the reactant system being incorporated with a carrier matrix. The carrier matrix comprises separate filaments formed into a cloth. At least one ingredient of the reactant system is incorporated with some of the filaments prior to their being formed into the cloth. The method for making the device comprises interweaving the filaments bearing at least one reactant ingredient into a warp of other filaments, knitting the filaments into a cloth, forming a mat cloth of randomly oriented filaments or affixing the filaments to a matrix support member in a substantially parallel orientation.