Abstract: An acoustic transducer includes a first layer including an elastomer, An acoustic impedance of the first layer substantially matches an acoustic impedance of a medium that the transducer is configured to monitor. The transducer also includes a second layer including an electrode. The transducer also includes a third layer including a polymer. The second layer is positioned at least partially between the first layer and the third layer.

Abstract: An embodiment in accordance with the present invention provides a system and method for binaural rendering of complex acoustic scenes. The system includes a computing device configured to process a sound recording of the acoustic scene to produce a binaurally rendered scene for the listener. The system also includes a position sensor configured to collect motion and position data for a head of the user and also configured to transmit said motion and position data to the computing device. A sound delivery device is configured to receive the binaurally rendered acoustic scene from the computing device and to transmit the acoustic scene to the ears of the listener. In the system, the computing device is further configured to utilize the motion and position data from the inertial motion sensor to process the sound recording of the acoustic scene with respect to the motion and position of the user's head.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a sensor that uses a sensing mechanism having a combined static charge and a field effect transistor, the sensor including: a substrate; source and drain units formed on the substrate and separated from each other; a channel unit interposed between the source and drain units; a membrane separated from the channel unit, disposed on a top portion and displaced in response to an external signal; and a static charge member formed on a bottom surface of the membrane separately from the channel unit and generating an electric field.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a sensor that uses a sensing mechanism having a combined static charge and a field effect transistor, the sensor including: a substrate; source and drain units formed on the substrate and separated from each other; a channel unit interposed between the source and drain units; a membrane separated from the channel unit, disposed on a top portion and displaced in response to an external signal; and a static charge member formed on a bottom surface of the membrane separately from the channel unit and generating an electric field.

Abstract: A clamp for clamping to two tubulars, each of the two tubulars including a component of a top drive system, the two tubulars threadedly connected together, the clamp for inhibiting relative rotation of the two tubulars, each of the two tubulars having at least one tubular projection projecting therefrom, the clamp including a clamp body having an interior surface, a plurality of clamp projections projecting inwardly from the interior surface of the clamp body for holding the at least one tubular projection projecting from each of the two tubulars.

Abstract: An embodiment in accordance with the present invention provides a system and method for binaural rendering of complex acoustic scenes. The system includes a computing device configured to process a sound recording of the acoustic scene to produce a binaurally rendered scene for the listener. The system also includes a position sensor configured to collect motion and position data for a head of the user and also configured to transmit said motion and position data to the computing device. A sound delivery device is configured to receive the binaurally rendered acoustic scene from the computing device and to transmit the acoustic scene to the ears of the listener. In the system, the computing device is further configured to utilize the motion and position data from the inertial motion sensor to process the sound recording of the acoustic scene with respect to the motion and position of the user's head.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for assembling a wind turbine blade includes a jig and fixture for positioning one of a leading edge section of the blade and a trailing edge section of the blade over at the other of the leading edge section and the trailing edge section, and for securing the leading edge section to the trailing edge section.

Abstract: A clamp for clamping to two tubulars, each of the two tubulars including a component of a top drive system, the two tubulars threadedly connected together, the clamp for inhibiting relative rotation of the two tubulars, each of the two tubulars having at least one tubular projection projecting therefrom, the clamp including a clamp body having an interior surface, a plurality of clamp projections projecting inwardly from the interior surface of the clamp body for holding the at least one tubular projection projecting from each of the two tubulars.

Abstract: A clamp for clamping to two threadedly-connected items, and, in one aspect, two threadedly-connected components of a top drive system.

Abstract: An apparatus for use in wellbore operations and a method for using it is provided. The apparatus includes a main body, two support ears spaced-apart and projecting from the main body, each having an inner ear part and an outer ear part. The inner ear part is able to support more weight than the outer ear part. In certain aspects, structure for preventing a large support link from being positioned on an outer ear part is provided. The apparatus, may be any of a link adapter, a block adapter, a becket, an elevator, and a drilling hook.

Abstract: A tubular gripping system and a top drive drilling system with such a tubular gripping system, in at least some aspects, the gripping system beneath the top drive unit and, in at least some aspects, the gripping system having a body with four spaced-apart grippers movably connected thereto and piston/cylinder devices movably interconnected with each gripper for moving the grippers to clamp the tubular.

Abstract: An apparatus for use in wellbore operations and a method for using it is provided. The apparatus includes a main body, two support ears spaced-apart and projecting from the main body, each having an inner ear part and an outer ear part. The inner ear part is able to support more weight than the outer ear part. In certain aspects, structure for preventing a large support link from being positioned on an outer ear part is provided. The apparatus, may be any of a link adapter, a block adapter, a becket, an elevator, and a drilling hook.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for assembling a wind turbine blade includes a jig and fixture for positioning one of a leading edge section of the blade and a trailing edge section of the blade over at the other of the leading edge section and the trailing edge section, and for securing the leading edge section to the trailing edge section.

Abstract: A top drive system including, in certain aspects, a motor, a gear system below, and driven by the motor, a space between the top drive motor and the gear system, a seal assembly for inhibiting oil for lubricating parts of the gear system from flowing into the space, the seal assembly having a movable rod piston, a sealing arm projecting from the rod piston, at least one removable seal secured to the sealing arm, a seal member releasably secured to the gear system, and the movable rod piston movable to move the sealing arm to bring the at least one removable seal into sealingly contact with the seal member to inhibit oil from flowing into the space.

Abstract: A clamp for clamping to two threadedly-connected items, and, in one aspect, two threadedly-connected components of a top drive system.

Abstract: An apparatus for use in wellbore operations, the apparatus including a main body, two support ears spaced-apart and projecting from the main body, each inner ear part having an inner part, and an outer ear part, the inner part able to support more weight than the outer part; and, in certain aspects, structure for preventing a large support link from being positioned on an outer ear part; the apparatus, in certain aspects, being any of a link adapter, a block adapter, a becket, an elevator, and a drilling hook.

Abstract: A tubular gripping system and a top drive drilling system with such a tubular gripping system, in at least some aspects, the gripping system beneath the top drive unit and, in at least some aspects, the gripping system having a body with four spaced-apart grippers movably connected thereto and piston/cylinder devices movably interconnected with each gripper for moving the grippers to clamp the tubular.

Abstract: A top drive system including, in certain aspects, a motor, a gear system below, and driven by the motor, a space between the top drive motor and the gear system, a seal assembly for inhibiting oil for lubricating parts of the gear system from flowing into the space, the seal assembly having a movable rod piston, a sealing arm projecting from the rod piston, at least one removable seal secured to the sealing arm, a seal member releasably secured to the gear system, and the movable rod piston movable to move the sealing arm to bring the at least one removable seal into sealingly contact with the seal member to inhibit oil from flowing into the space.

Abstract: An apparatus for rotating a tubular with respect to a drill bit, e.g., for making or breaking a connection between a tubular and a drill bit, the apparatus, in at least certain aspects including a frame, gripper apparatus connected to the frame for gripping and rotating a primary tubular, and a torquing frame with plate apparatus for holding the drill bit.

Abstract: An apparatus for rotating a tubular, the apparatus, in at least certain aspects including a frame, a rocker assembly connected to the frame, the rocker assembly including a top rocker arm pivotably mounted to the frame, and a bottom rocker arm pivotably mounted to the frame, top torque apparatus connected to the frame, upper gripper apparatus connected to the frame for gripping a primary tubular (e.g., but not limited to a first pipe), lower gripper apparatus connected to the frame for gripping a secondary member (e.g.