Abstract: Devices and systems for producing rotational actuation are described. More specifically, hydraulic and pneumatic actuators that can produce and control rotational or joint-like motion are described. An actuator may include a torus shaped cylinder configured to enable rotation of the actuator. An actuator may further include both a piston configured to rotate from a first end of the torus shaped cylinder to a second end of the torus shaped cylinder and a piston rod coupled to the piston.

Abstract: The invention relates to a laminate liner for sealingly engaging a container in an associated container and closure assembly. The liner can include at least first, second, third, and fourth layers, respectively, and have a thickness between 0.0060-0.0120 inches. The first and bottom layer, can comprise a plastic polymeric material, and have a thickness between 0.0005-0.0015 inches. The second layer can comprise a metallic material and have a thickness between 0.0005-0.0010 inches. The third layer can comprise a chip board material, and have a thickness between 0.0045-0.0055 inches. The third layer can prevent the liner from curling or defoiming from its preferably flat shape. The fourth and top layer can comprise a plastic polymeric material and have a thickness between 0.0005-0.0015 inches. An adhesive bonding layer, having a thickness between 0.0003-0.0005 inches, can be located between first, second, third, and fourth layers, to bond adjacent layers together.

Abstract: The present invention relates generally to methods for producing renewable detergent compounds. More specifically, the invention relates to methods for producing detergent intermediates, including bio-linear alkylbenzene (LAB), bio-alcohols, and long chain bio-paraffins, from natural oils.

Abstract: Electric fluid flow monitoring apparatus, and agricultural fluid application systems and methods including the same are described. The fluid flow monitoring apparatus generally includes a housing, a sensor assembly, and a traveler. The housing defines an interior cavity, and includes an inlet for fluid to enter the interior cavity and an outlet for fluid to exit the interior cavity. The sensor assembly is disposed in the interior cavity, and extends longitudinally in the direction of fluid flow. The traveler is movably supported by the sensor assembly such that fluid flow through the interior cavity causes the traveler to move longitudinally along the sensor assembly. The sensor assembly detects a longitudinal position of the traveler relative to the sensor assembly.

Abstract: Systems and methods are disclosed for command status polling at a flash queue of a non-volatile memory device. The flash queue may be configured to perform polling on the status of flash operations without direct oversight from the data storage controller or firmware. In certain embodiments, a flash queue circuit may be configured to receive, from a data storage controller of a nonvolatile solid state memory (NVSSM) data storage device, one or more commands to access a flash memory of the NVSSM data storage device, each command of the one or more commands including one or more instructions. The flash queue circuit may execute the one or more commands to access the flash memory, evaluate a status response from the flash memory at the flash queue circuit, and re-execute a sequence of instructions of the one or more commands based on the status response.

Abstract: Methods and apparatus for operating a rod pumping unit for a wellbore are provided. One example method includes measuring vibration data in the time domain using at least one sensor coupled to a housing for a moving component of the rod pumping unit; converting the vibration data in the time domain to vibration data in the frequency domain; determining that: (1) at least one frequency component of the frequency-domain vibration data in a first frequency band has a power above a first threshold; or (2) a number of frequency components of the frequency-domain vibration data in a second frequency band having power above a second threshold is above a third threshold; and outputting an indication based on the determination.

Abstract: A method, apparatus and computer program product are provided. The method includes detecting a malfunction of a production node in a computer system, identifying a firmware update that addresses the malfunction of the production node, and determining whether the firmware update is identified in a firmware compliance policy that has been validated for use by the production node. The method further includes automatically installing the firmware update on the production node in response to determining that the firmware update is identified in a firmware compliance policy that has been validated for use by production nodes in the computer system and that the firmware update has not already been installed on the production node. In one option, the firmware compliance policy may be validated by a system management application testing the firmware compliance policy in a test system managed by the system management application.

Abstract: System and method configured to determine a direction of movement of a vehicle in response to a brake being released or in response to initiating movement of the vehicle from a stopped position along a route. The direction of movement is determined based on a selected travel direction of the vehicle, a grade of the route, and at least one of applied tractive efforts or applied braking efforts.

Abstract: Method, computer program product, and system to provide assistance to at least a first person during a transaction within an environment having a plurality of items. The method includes identifying the first person within the environment, and analyzing acquired image information to determine at least one item interaction of the transaction and thereby associate the identified first person with the transaction. The method further includes determining whether the first person is associated with a personal profile that includes information related to the environment, the information including at least one of personal preferences and personal historical data reflecting one or more previous transactions of the first person. When the first person is determined to be associated with a personal profile, the method further includes determining, based on the information in the personal profile, an amount of assistance to provide to the first person during the transaction.

Abstract: A container includes an outer layer defining an exterior surface and including poly (ethylene terephthalate) and an inner barrier layer including semi-crystalline poly(ethylene furanoate) including semi-crystalline poly(ethylene furanoate) where the poly(ethylene furanoate) has a crystallinity Xc of 3 to 40%.

Abstract: A surface unit reciprocates a rod string for a downhole pump in a slanted well. The unit has a beam with a bend and pivots at a pivot between the bend and the horsehead of the beam. A post of the unit supports the pivot and is oriented to support the beam's load along the post and reduce bending stress. A crank arm is rotated by a prime mover about a crank point and translates pitman arms to oscillate the beam on the pivot, which reciprocates the rod string at surface along the slanted axis. The unit can be set at various offset distances relative to the intersection of the well so the unit can be used at various inclinations of slanted axis. The horsehead defines a segment with a face to accommodate at least 70% engagement or greater with the rod load for both largest and smallest inclinations.

Abstract: A system for handling a fluid includes a container for separating the fluid into a liquid and a vapor such that at least a portion of the vapor is disposed above the liquid. The system also includes at least one valve for releasing the vapor from the container, at least one sensor to detect a level of the liquid in the container, and a controller in communicatively coupled to the at least one valve and the at least one sensor. The controller is configured to control the at least one valve to release the vapor such that the liquid level is maintained at or above a desired liquid level. The controller is configured to determine diagnostic data based at least in part on signals received from the least one valve and the at least one sensor.

Abstract: The present invention relates generally to methods for producing renewable detergent compounds. More specifically, the invention relates to methods for producing detergent intermediates, including bio-linear alkylbenzene (LAB), bio-alcohols, and long chain bio-paraffins, from natural oils.

Abstract: A resistor includes an elongated cylindrical body having nodes and elongated members. The elongated members interconnect the nodes to form openings between the nodes and the elongated members for the flow therethrough of a cooling fluid. The body is configured to receive electric current from a powered system and to conduct and provide electric resistance to the electric current to dissipate at least part of the electric current as heat from the body. The body also is configured to be coupled with at least one other resistor of the powered system in one or more of a parallel or series arrangement in an electric circuit.

Abstract: The present invention relates generally to methods of making surfactant compositions and detergent compositions.

Abstract: Devices and systems for producing rotational actuation are described. More specifically, hydraulic and pneumatic actuators that can produce and control rotational or joint-like motion are described. An actuator may be configured to allow parallel coupling of multiple actuators, and thus increase the range of rotation of the actuators when considered collectively.

Abstract: Methods for replication and lift-off of micro/nano structures in single or multilayer thin films from a master substrate at wafer scale. The methods utilize polymeric materials with low-elastomeric properties to enhance the mechanical strength of the thin films during the replication and liftoff process from a master substrate, wherein the flexible polymer can have stand alone integrity. The master substrate can contain a surface relief which has a desired pattern to be replicated.

Abstract: A vehicle control system determines an upper non-zero limit on deceleration of a vehicle to prevent rollback of the vehicle down a grade being traveled up on by the vehicle. The upper non-zero limit on deceleration is determined by the controller based on a payload carried by the vehicle, a speed of the vehicle, and a grade of a route being traveled upon by the vehicle. The controller is configured to monitor the deceleration of the vehicle, and to automatically prevent the deceleration of the vehicle from exceeding the upper non-zero limit by controlling one or more of a brake or a motor of the vehicle. The controller also is configured to one or more of actuate the brake or supply current to the motor of the vehicle to prevent rollback of the vehicle while the vehicle is moving up the grade at a non-zero speed.