Abstract: A method includes pumping fluid into a drill string extending through a riser into a well. A managed pressure drilling system is operated to maintain a selected fluid pressure in the well between the well and the drill string. A fluid influx into the well or a fluid loss into a formation traversed by the well is detected using measurements of fluid pressure in the well and fluid flow into and out of the well. The method includes automatically abating the fluid influx by closing an annular blowout preventer disposed in the riser or abating the fluid loss by operating the annular blowout preventer and pumping a sacrificial fluid into the drill string.

Abstract: A dispensing system includes a mobile dispensing device, a fluid transport device, and a fluid supply module. The mobile dispensing device includes a dispensing mechanism carried by a first frame including a first track portion. The fluid transport device includes a second frame supported by at least one wheel for rolling movement of the second frame on the substrate, with the second frame including a second track portion. The fluid supply module includes a base member and at least one reservoir carried by the base member and connectable with the dispensing mechanism for dispensing a fluid stored in the at least one reservoir. The base member includes a third track portion selectively engageable with either one of the first and second track portions for releasable assembly of the fluid supply module with the corresponding one of the mobile dispensing device and the fluid transport device.

Abstract: A plurality of transducer bars may be concurrently translated from a first orientation to a second orientation by a translation system that has first and second plates. The first plate can have a plurality of first notches with each first notch shaped to hold a transducer bar in a horizontal orientation. The second plate can have a plurality of second notches with each second notch shaped to translate the transducer bar from the horizontal orientation to a vertical orientation.

Abstract: An aircraft galley is provided, including a first galley unit that includes meal carts, cabinets and a countertop-height work area and a second galley unit that includes a countertop-height work area and a plurality of deployable crew seats and with the first galley unit defines a crew work/interaction area. A passenger interaction screen is positioned for viewing by passengers boarding the aircraft and passing through the galley into a passenger cabin. A plurality of lavatories are positioned in a like plurality of corners of the galley and having respective major walls positioned at an oblique angle to a longitudinal axis of the aircraft and with respective doors angled away from the crew work/interaction area.

Abstract: A plurality of transducer bars may be concurrently translated from a first orientation to a second orientation by a translation system that has first and second plates. The first plate can have a plurality of first notches with each first notch shaped to hold a transducer bar in a horizontal orientation. The second plate can have a plurality of second notches with each second notch shaped to translate the transducer bar from the horizontal orientation to a vertical orientation.

Abstract: Airport runway optimization may be achieved by tracking aircraft related data such as statistics and status, generating an ideal spacing information between aircraft or flight instructions utilizing tracked aircraft data, communicating the ideal spacing information or flight instructions between area control and tower control, and directing the aircraft in its descent or to take-off. In one embodiment, feedback data is tracked related to an actual spacing of various aircraft and compared to the generated ideal spacing information or flight instructions to identify potential areas for improved optimization.

Abstract: An aircraft galley is provided, including a first galley unit that includes meal carts, cabinets and a countertop-height work area and a second galley unit that includes a countertop-height work area and a plurality of deployable crew seats and with the first galley unit defines a crew work/interaction area. A passenger interaction screen is positioned for viewing by passengers boarding the aircraft and passing through the galley into a passenger cabin. A plurality of lavatories are positioned in a like plurality of corners of the galley and having respective major walls positioned at an oblique angle to a longitudinal axis of the aircraft and with respective doors angled away from the crew work/interaction area.

Abstract: A ballistic shield assembly comprises a framework of interconnected linking members, the framework including at least one handle member, graspable by a user wielding the ballistic shield. At least one wearable item of personal armor is arranged about the framework, the wearable item of personal armor being supported by the framework to thereby present a ballistic shield face capable of protecting the user wielding the ballistic shield from projectiles.

Abstract: A locating system and method for locating objects, such as keys, is disclosed. The locating system may include a transmitter for transmitting an encrypted code in the 900 MHz band. The transmitter may be powered by a battery. By transmitting in the 900 MHz band, the battery power consumed by the transmission may be relatively low and the encrypted code may travel a relatively long distance, such as 100 feet or more. The locating system may include a battery-powered locator device that is configured to detect, receive, and/or decode the encrypted code and determine whether the encrypted code is associated with the locator device or an attached object. After which, the locator device may provide an indication of its position. For instance, an audible sound of 85 dB or greater may be generated. The transmitter may be a self-contained device, or affixed onto or incorporated into a communications device.

Abstract: A locating system and method for locating objects, such as keys, is disclosed. The locating system may include a transmitter for transmitting an encrypted code in the 900 MHz band. The transmitter may be powered by a battery. By transmitting in the 900 MHz band, the battery power consumed by the transmission may be relatively low and the encrypted code may travel a relatively long distance, such as 100 feet or more. The locating system may include a battery-powered locator device that is configured to detect, receive, and/or decode the encrypted code and determine whether the encrypted code is associated with the locator device or an attached object. After which, the locator device may provide an indication of its position. For instance, an audible sound of 85 dB or greater may be generated. The transmitter may be a self-contained device, or affixed onto or incorporated into a communications device.

Abstract: A luggage device having fully recessed legs that may be selectively engaged to translate and pivot about an axis to facilitate controlled movement from a fully recessed storage position to an operative position for conveniently transporting large heavy objects within the luggage. The fully recessed translation biased cantilever leg luggage device includes a dextral leg recess for receiving a dextral leg, and a sinistral leg recess for receiving a sinistral leg. Each leg recess has an engagement region, a storage region, and a pivot. Additionally, the engagement region includes a leg engagement region storage location, a leg engagement region operative location, and a leg engagement region transition region; through which a portion of the leg pivots about the axis and transitions from the fully recessed storage position to an operative position.

Abstract: A galley unit comprising a plurality of mid-level modules and a plurality of high-level modules that are assembled together to form a modular galley unit, wherein at least one of the mid-level modules is a beverage maker unit. A combination comprising an aircraft and a modular galley unit, wherein at least one of the modules is a beverage maker unit.

Abstract: A passenger seat includes a seat bottom and a seat back operably coupled to the seat bottom. The passenger seat is translatable fore-and-aft and side-to-side in a horizontal direction, and is rotatable about a vertical axis so as to be oriented in any desired horizontal direction. The passenger seat is movable between an upright seating position and a reclined sleeping position. A passenger seating arrangement consists of a plurality of passenger seats arranged in a column with adjacent passenger seats separated by a privacy divider. A tray table carried by the privacy divider is mounted so as to be selectively raised and lowered and to be rotatable about a horizontal axis. Each passenger seat may include a leg rest operably coupled to the seat bottom and movable between a lowered position and a raised position for use in the upright seating position and the reclined sleeping position, respectively.

Abstract: A control system is disclosed for monitoring and controlling an industrial water system comprising (a) obtaining a priori knowledge about the correlation between water and treatment chemistry and equipment health; (b) pre-defining a set of operating regions of more than one feed-water or system water variable and at least one chemical treatment variable, where, based on (a) above, corrosion, scaling and fouling are inhibited; (c) adjusting the at least one chemical treatment variable according to the more than one feed water or system water variable, such that based on (a), corrosion, scaling and fouling are inhibited.

Abstract: An apparatus for assisting with the handling of a door of a tailgate cart features two springs that are strung in seriatim. The first spring is connected at one end to the tailgate door, and connects to the second spring at its other end. The second spring is anchored at a distal end to the frame of the tailgate cart. The first spring has a shorter length than the second spring. As the tailgate door is pivotally lowered from its upright position, the shorter spring moves in tension providing a matching small force. As the tailgate door reaches the end of its travel, the second spring adds its compressive force to the first spring, and a greater force is provided to counterbalance the door.

Abstract: A luggage device having fully recessed legs that may be selectively engaged to translate and pivot about an axis to facilitate controlled movement from a fully recessed storage position to an operative position for conveniently transporting large heavy objects within the luggage. The fully recessed translation biased cantilever leg luggage device includes a dextral leg recess for receiving a dextral leg, and a sinistral leg recess for receiving a sinistral leg. Each leg recess has an engagement region, a storage region, and a pivot. Additionally, the engagement region includes a leg engagement region storage location, a leg engagement region operative location, and a leg engagement region transition region; through which a portion of the leg pivots about the axis and transitions from the fully recessed storage position to an operative position.

Abstract: A kit is described that modifies a standard screw jack for a trailer hitch, by introducing a safety lock mechanism. The modified screw jack will be inoperative until the safety lock mechanism is opened. In the inoperative position, the screw jack cannot be turned to lift or lower the trailer hitch. The crank for turning the screw jack will be freewheeling or frozen. Turning a key in a lock keyway will release the safety lock mechanism, thus putting the crank into rotational engagement with the screw jack.

Abstract: A method for producing a bio-fuel may include selecting a first and a second plant species such that the second plant species, when grown together in competition with the first plant species, causes a BTU value of the first plant species to increase above a range of BTU values that the first plant species has when grown alone. The method may further include planting a combination of the first and second plant species together in competition, harvesting the combination of the first and second plant species when sufficiently mature, and processing the harvested combination of the first and second plant species to produce the bio-fuel.