Abstract: An entrainment-based filtering system for use in connection with a facemask or respirator that includes: a filter housing defining an interior volume comprising at least one airflow pathway having an airflow pathway length that is longer than the length of the interior volume and spaced within the interior volume; and a plurality of entrainment substrates. The plurality of entrainment substrates is positioned within the at least one airflow pathway and the plurality of substrates and the dimensions of the at least one airflow pathway together function to entrain particles on the surface of the chemically coated entrainment substrates and prevent at least 95% of particles traveling through the at least one airflow pathway from exiting the entrainment-based filter.

Abstract: A digital avatar may be used to represent, track, and/or monitor behavior of a tool (e.g., a downhole tool) to track particular tools based on specific characteristics of the tool. For instance, a thermal digital avatar may be used to track or predict thermal generation for particular job durations or power levels based on physical characteristics of the tool. For example, the thermal digital avatar may be used to predict thermal generation based at least in part on a thermal efficiency that is based at least in part on the age of the tool, changes or imperfections in heatsinks, results of after-manufacture thermal testing, or a combination thereof.

Abstract: An entrainment-based filtering system for use in connection with a facemask or respirator that includes: a filter housing defining an interior volume comprising at least one airflow pathway having an airflow pathway length that is longer than the length of the interior volume and spaced within the interior volume; and a plurality of entrainment substrates. The plurality of entrainment substrates is positioned within the at least one airflow pathway and the plurality of substrates and the dimensions of the at least one airflow pathway together function to entrain particles on the surface of the chemically coated entrainment substrates and prevent at least 95% of particles traveling through the at least one airflow pathway from exiting the entrainment-based filter.

Abstract: A digital avatar may be used to represent, track, and/or monitor behavior of a tool (e.g., a downhole tool) to track particular tools based on specific characteristics of the tool. For instance, a thermal digital avatar may be used to track or predict thermal generation for particular job durations or power levels based on physical characteristics of the tool. For example, the thermal digital avatar may be used to predict thermal generation based at least in part on a thermal efficiency that is based at least in part on the age of the tool, changes or imperfections in heatsinks, results of after-manufacture thermal testing, or a combination thereof.

Abstract: A descent device according to embodiments of the present invention includes a housing; an inlet capstan; a drive wheel coupled to a centrifugal brake, the drive wheel rotatable with respect to the housing about an axis, the drive wheel including a groove formed along its outer perimeter, the groove having a first inner side wall, a second inner side wall, and a bottom, a distance between the first and second inner side walls decreases from the outer perimeter to the bottom in a direction toward the axis, wherein at least a portion of a radial extent of the inner side walls includes a pattern of protrusions positioned between inner side walls to form an irregular rope path along the groove; an outlet capstan; and a rope extending through the rope inlet, around the inlet capstan, around the drive wheel, around the outlet capstan, and through the rope outlet.

Abstract: A process for producing lignin from one or more plants of genus Nicotiana is provided. The lignin can be derived inter alia from Nicotiana species biomass. A process such as is described in various embodiments herein also provides articles and compositions that include lignin produced from one or more plants of genus Nicotiana.

Abstract: A descent device according to embodiments of the present invention includes a housing; an inlet capstan; a drive wheel coupled to a centrifugal brake, the drive wheel rotatable with respect to the housing about an axis, the drive wheel including a groove formed along its outer perimeter, the groove having a first inner side wall, a second inner side wall, and a bottom, a distance between the first and second inner side walls decreases from the outer perimeter to the bottom in a direction toward the axis, wherein at least a portion of a radial extent of the inner side walls includes a pattern of protrusions positioned between inner side walls to form an irregular rope path along the groove; an outlet capstan; and a rope extending through the rope inlet, around the inlet capstan, around the drive wheel, around the outlet capstan, and through the rope outlet.

Abstract: A system for overhead anchor evacuation according to embodiments of the present invention includes a support bar configured to extend overhead of a user, a device mount in sliding engagement with the support bar, the device mount slideable along the support bar between a first position in which the device mount is on an inside of an edge of a building, and a second position in which the device mount is on an outside of the edge of the building, wherein the device mount slides freely between the first and second positions during the user's normal use of the system, and a controlled descent device coupled to the device mount.

Abstract: A rope thimble with a closed curve substantially reduces rope wear. Various closed curve rope thimbles may include side walls of different heights.

Abstract: A carry and deploy bag system according to embodiments of the present invention includes a holster for housing a controlled descent device and an anchor; a rope pouch for receiving a rope that is securable to the controlled descent device and the anchor; and a connecting gooseneck extending between the holster and the lumbar pouch that protects the rope as it runs through the connecting gooseneck from the lumbar pouch to the holster; wherein the holster comprises a tear-away cover flap that can be opened and disconnected from the holster in one motion.

Abstract: A carry and deploy bag includes a holster for accommodating a controlled descent device and anchor, a lumbar pouch for accommodating a rope securable to the controlled descent device and the anchor, and a connecting gooseneck that extends between the holster and the lumbar pouch. The connecting gooseneck protects the rope as it runs through the connecting gooseneck from the lumbar pouch to the holster.

Abstract: A firefighter harness can be worn as a belt. If a situation arises that leg loops are desired, the firefighter harness includes a front pouch that can be ripped open to release the leg loops. The leg loops may each be fastened around the appropriate leg and clipped together via standard quick- connect buckles.

Abstract: An edge protector for placement between an edge and a rope according to embodiments of the present invention includes an inner surface having a rope guide, the rope guide including a first guide rail, a second guide rail, and a rope travel path between the first and second guide rails along which the rope slides in a rope travel direction, and an outer surface comprising one or more edge engagement bands, the one or more edge engagement bands oriented substantially perpendicularly to the rope travel direction and configured to engage the edge to deter slippage of the edge protector with respect to the edge.

Abstract: A logging-while-drilling (LWD) tool includes a bottomhole assembly (BHA); an electronic device carried on the BHA; and a bunched wire contact providing an electrical connection between the electronic device and a electrical power source at the BHA. The bunched wire contact includes a plurality of wires each of which has sufficient capacity to provide the requisite electrical current for operation of the electronic device.

Abstract: A baby changing, cleansing and bathing station with a basin hinged at the rear to pivot away from the wall overtop an existing toilet, a shower wand with adapter for connection to an existing faucet or shower, a front leg assembly for automatically deploying upon pivoting down of the basin, and a fold-down drain for automatically deploying upon pivoting down of the basin to drain water from the basin into said toilet. The automatic legs and drain allow for easy one-hand deployment while carrying a baby. The baby changing, cleansing and bathing station is adaptable to a freestanding configuration with either a cabinet enclosure or rear leg assembly for freestanding support, or a wall-mounted configuration with or without a cabinet enclosure.

Abstract: Cookers, methods of cooking and igniting fuel, and packaged fuel. Novel features of the cookers include receptacles and covers having reflective inner surfaces in the shapes of paraboloids. Another novel feature is a novel cooking surface and support which may extend above the top of the receptacle and into the cover. A supporting and stabilizing pan is attached to the receptacle and biased from the receptacle by a biasing means. The biasing means, combustion grate, and cooking surface support are, in combination, resiliently deformable such that the biasing means and combustion grate can be assembled to the cooking surface for storage or transport. The cookers can be readily disassembled from the cooking mode and reassembled for storage with a reduction in volume of up to at least about 50%, all without use of tools.

Abstract: Novel, and improved fuel articles having a plurality of novel characteristics and having a typical mass density of 0.6 to 1.2 g/cc and a bulk density of 0.2 to 0.4 times the mass density. The greatest distance dg from a point in the fuel article to the nearest point on the nearest one of the upstanding walls is between 0.15 and 0.60 times the height of the fuel article. Charcoal fuel articles of the invention ignite faster than conventional pillow-shaped charcoal fuel articles and deliver substantially more usable cooking heat flux to the cooking surface of a standard charcoal cooker than do conventional pillow-shaped briquettes. The coal article may have a central body portion having a minor circumference, a plurality of fingers projecting from the central body portion, and a hole in the central body portion. The fingers may have finger ends wherein the ratio of the major circumference defined by the finger ends to the minor circumference is at least about 1.25:1.

Abstract: Fuel articles having a covering layer thereover, wherein the covering layer serves as an ignition material for the underlying fuel element, and may be spaced from the underlying fuel element. Preferred fuel articles have charcoal compositions in the underlying fuel element and the covering layer is fibrous. The covering layer may be spaced from the fuel element by means of bridging concavities in the fuel element itself, by providing intermediate spacing elements within a concavity of the fuel element, or by providing a spacing material between the fuel element and the covering layer, not necessarily at a location of concavity in the fuel element. The covering layer may have a variety of compositions, and may be overlain by one or more additional layers. The invention further provides methods of manufacturing the fuel articles disclosed as well as methods of using them.

Abstract: Manufactured fuel articles having, as a first component, an inner core of a primary fuel element, and as a second component, a combustible covering layer on the primary fuel element. In some embodiments, the covering layer is preferably at least about a nominal 1.5 millimeters thick, with a preferred thickness being at least about 3 millimeters. In other embodiments, the fuel article may be described as a primary fuel element with a combustible covering layer, wherein the primary fuel element comprises a substantial portion of at least one of the ends, and the covering layer and the primary fuel element are in interfacial contact about a majority of the area of their facing surfaces.