Abstract: Systems and methods are provided for providing reliable positioning data for a vehicle. Satellite positioning data is determined using a satellite positioning module. Based on the satellite positioning data, a first dead reckoning module is periodically reset at a first interval and a first dead reckoning module is periodically reset at a second interval offset from the first interval. The satellite positioning data is compared to first dead reckoning positioning data of the first dead reckoning unit and to second dead reckoning positioning data of the second dead reckoning unit, and the satellite positioning data, the first dead reckoning positioning data, or the second dead reckoning positioning data is selected as a vehicle position based on the comparison.

Abstract: A system (10) for wireless measurement of detonation of explosives (3) for detonation according to a timed sequence, the system comprising: an antenna (15, 16) for detecting electromagnetic emissions caused by detonation of the explosives and providing an electromagnetic signal representative of the electromagnetic emissions; a data logger (12) operatively connected to the antenna for logging the electromagnetic signal; a trigger for setting the data logger for logging the electromagnetic signal upon detonation of the explosives to produce a recorded blast record; and a comparison arrangement for comparing the timed sequence with the recorded blast record.

Abstract: A system (10) for wireless measurement of detonation of explosives (3) for detonation according to a timed sequence, the system comprising: an antenna (15, 16) for detecting electromagnetic emissions caused by detonation of the explosives and providing an electromagnetic signal representative of the electromagnetic emissions; a data logger (12) operatively connected to the antenna for logging the electromagnetic signal; a trigger for setting the data logger for logging the electromagnetic signal upon detonation of the explosives to produce a recorded blast record; and a comparison arrangement for comparing the timed sequence with the recorded blast record.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a process for compounding, and in particular to a process for compounding a polymer with a pellet masterbatch, which process comprises passing the polymer and the pellet masterbatch to a compounding extruder, the temperature of the polymer being T° C., characterised in that the pellet masterbatch is heated using a heating fluid to a temperature of T-10° C. or higher prior to being passed to the extruder.

Abstract: The present invention relates to an extruder for a polymer, and a process for extruding a polymer using said extruder. In particular, the present invention provides an extruder comprising: (i) two or more barrel sections (1a, 1b, 1c) arranged sequentially from: (a) an upstream feed barrel section (1a) to which polymer feedstock to be extruded is fed, the upstream feed barrel section containing two or more screws each having a diameter of X; to (b) a downstream barrel section (1c) from which melted polymer is passed to a die and extruded; and (ii) one or more feed ports for feeding polymer feedstock to be extruded into the extruder at its upstream end, characterised in that the total area of the one or more feed ports through which polymer feedstock is introduced is greater than 4*X, and a process for extrusion of polymer comprising feeding a polymer feedstock to the feed port of such an extruder.

Abstract: Process for extrusion of polymer by feeding a polymer feedstock to the feed port of an extruder having (i) two or more barrel sections arranged sequentially from (a) an upstream feed barrel section to which polymer feedstock to be extruded is fed, the upstream feed barrel section containing two screws each having a diameter of X, to (b) a downstream barrel section from which melted polymer is passed to a die and extruded, and (ii) a feed port for feeding polymer feedstock to be extruded into the extruder at its upstream end. The polymer feedstock is in the form of a powder, and the feed port area is a rectangular shape with width limited by the width of the upstream feed barrel section to 2*X and with a length greater than 2.5*X. The total area of the feed ports through which polymer feedstock is introduced is greater than 5*X2.

Abstract: A method for controlling a drilling apparatus comprising the steps of applying a rotation force to a drilling part of the drilling apparatus, applying a feed force to the drilling part with the feed force comprising a predetermined modulating frequency signal and predetermined feed force, wherein optimum predetermined feed force is determined periodically from sensed data relating to at least one of the rotation force and feed force to optimise the penetration rate of the drilling apparatus.

Abstract: The present invention relates to an extruder for a polymer, and a process for extruding a polymer using said extruder. In particular, the present invention provides an extruder comprising: (i) two or more barrel sections arranged sequentially from: (a) an upstream feed barrel section to which polymer feedstock to be extruded is fed, the upstream feed barrel section containing two or more screws each having a diameter of X; to (b) a downstream barrel section from which melted polymer is passed to a die and extruded; and (ii) one or more feed ports for feeding polymer feedstock to be extruded into the extruder at its upstream end, characterised in that the total area of the one or more feed ports through which polymer feedstock is introduced is greater than 4*X2, and a process for extrusion of polymer comprising feeding a polymer feedstock to the feed port of such an extruder.

Abstract: A method for controlling a drilling apparatus comprising the steps of applying a rotation force to a drilling part of the drilling apparatus, applying a feed force to the drilling part with the feed force comprising a predetermined modulating frequency signal and predetermined feed force, wherein optimum predetermined feed force is determined periodically from sensed data relating to at least one of the rotation force and feed force to optimise the penetration rate of the drilling apparatus.

Abstract: A process for the separation of volatile material from particulate polymer which has been substantially freed from unreacted monomer in an earlier separation step, comprising (a) feeding the particulate polymer to a purge vessel, optionally causing it to move through the vessel in substantially plug-flow mode, (b) heating the particulate polymer in the purge vessel to a temperature greater than 30° C. but insufficiently high to cause the particles to become agglomerated, and/or maintaining the polymer at a temperature in this range in the purge vessel, (c) feeding air to the purge vessel counter-current to the movement of the particulate polymer to remove volatile material therefrom, (d) removing the particulate polymer from the purge vessel. Preferably the particulate polymer fed to the purge vessel is caused to move through the vessel in substantially plug-flow mode. The process is particularly suitable for polyethylene.

Abstract: A process for the separation of volatile material from particulate polymer which has been substantially freed from unreacted monomer in an earlier separation step, comprising (a) feeding the particulate polymer to a purge vessel, optionally causing it to move through the vessel in substantially plug-flow mode, (b) heating the particulate polymer in the purge vessel to a temperature greater than 30° C. but insufficiently high to cause the particles to become agglomerated, and/or maintaining the polymer at a temperature in this range in the purge vessel, (c) feeding air to the purge vessel counter-current to the movement of the particulate polymer to remove volatile material therefrom, (d) removing the particulate polymer from the purge vessel. Preferably the particulate polymer fed to the purge vessel is caused to move through the vessel in substantially plug-flow mode. The process is particularly suitable for polyethylene.

Abstract: A filtering apparatus (10) includes a filter chamber (12), a hollow filter screen (18) within the filter chamber (12), inlet means (11) for admitting fluid to be filtered to the chamber (12) on the outside of the filter screen (18), and a backflush assembly (49) within the filter screen (18) adapted to spray backflush fluid to the inner surface of the filter screen (18).

Abstract: A satellite antenna deicing device for preventing accumulation of ice and snow upon the reception side of the satellite dish. The satellite antenna deicing device includes a mounting bracket member adapted to be securely fastened to an elongate satellite antenna support member; and also includes an arm member having a first end securely attached to the mounting bracket member and having a second end; and further includes a heating assembly for heating the satellite antenna for the deicing thereof.