Abstract: Drilling fluids are provided that comprise an organophilic clay treated with a quaternary ammonium surfactant having an amide linkage. The quaternary ammonium surfactant may comprise a compound generally represented by the following formula: where M? is an anion such as a chloride, methyl sulfate, bromide, acetate, or iodide ion; R1 is an alkyl group such as a saturated hydrocarbon with 10 or more carbons; R2, R3, and R4 are the same or different alkyl groups such as a methyl, ethyl, or benzyl group, and x is greater than or equal to 1. The organophilic clay treated in this manner is substantially biodegradable. In embodiments, the drilling fluids comprise the foregoing organophilic clay, an oil-based fluid and a weighting agent. In still embodiments, the drilling fluids comprise the foregoing organophilic clay, an invert emulsion, an emulsifier, and a weighting agent.

Abstract: Packaging materials are disclosed which are reconfigurable into two different shipping configurations: one for bulk shipment of electronic products, and one for individual shipment of the same electronic products.

Abstract: A superior powder form of a metallic soap for enhancing the properties of an invert emulsion drilling fluid may be prepared by a dry process saponification reaction. The process includes mixing a source of metal cations with the product of a Diels-Alder reaction of dienophiles with fatty acids and/or resin acids and allowing the mixture to react. Heating the mixture increases the rate of reaction. The solid product is ground to form a powder. The properties of the drilling fluid that may be improved by adding the soap include filtration control, fluid loss control, emulsification and emulsion stability, and electrical stability.

Abstract: Methods are provided including methods of treating a well bore with drilling fluids comprising organophilic clays treated with quaternary ammonium surfactants having at least two amide linkages. In some embodiments, the methods comprise: providing a drilling fluid comprising a nonaqueous phase and an organophilic clay treated with a quaternary ammonium surfactant having at least two amide linkages; and placing at least a portion of the drilling fluid into the well bore. In other embodiments, the methods comprise combining an organophilic clay with a quaternary ammonium surfactant having at least one amide linkage to form a mixture, and combining the mixture with a fluid comprising a nonaqueous phase to form a drilling fluid. Additional methods are also provided.

Abstract: An imager head assembly for a remote inspection device includes an imager housing. A circuit board is positioned within the imager housing. The circuit board has a light emitting diode connected thereto. A thermally conductive material in contact with the circuit board and the imager housing creates a conductive heat transfer path to dissipate heat generated by the light emitting diode through the imager housing. A light transmissive light pipe unit can be positioned proximate the circuit board to permit light emitted by the light emitting diode to pass through the light pipe unit.

Abstract: An electronic control system may be used to control the steering angle of a vehicle wheel. The electronic control system may be used to determine that a measured speed that a steering angle of a wheel is changing exceeds a threshold speed. The electronic control system may be used to determine that a measured range of motion of the steering angle exceeds a threshold amount. The electronic control system may use an encoder to measure the position of a steering angle of a vehicle wheel.

Abstract: An electronic control system may be used to control the steering angle of a vehicle wheel. The electronic control system may be used to determine that a measured speed that a steering angle of a wheel is changing exceeds a threshold speed. The electronic control system may be used to determine that a measured range of motion of the steering angle exceeds a threshold amount. The electronic control system may use an encoder to measure the position of a steering angle of a vehicle wheel.

Abstract: Subterranean fluids are provided that have improved environmental characteristics, and more particularly, subterranean fluids are provided that include a hydraulic cement in an invert emulsion. Methods of using such fluids in subterranean operations also are provided. An example of a method is a method of using a fluid in a subterranean formation. An example of a composition is a fluid comprising a hydraulic cement and an invert emulsion of an oleaginous fluid, a nonoleaginous fluid, and an emulsifying surfactant, wherein the emulsifying surfactant: has an LC50 or EC50 that is greater than about 10 milligrams/liter with respect to Skeletonema costatum, Acartia tonsa, Scopthalmus maximus (juvenile), or Corophium volutator; and demonstrates a biodegradability of: greater than about 70% biodegradation in 28 days when tested according to method OECD 301A or 301E; or greater than about 60% biodegradation in 28 days when tested according to method OECD 301B, 301C, 301F, or 306.

Abstract: A superior powder form of a metallic soap for enhancing the properties of an invert emulsion drilling fluid may be prepared by a dry process saponification reaction. The process includes mixing a source of metal cations with the product of a Diels-Alder reaction of dienophiles with fatty acids and/or resin acids and allowing the mixture to react. Heating the mixture increases the rate of reaction. The solid product is ground to form a powder. The properties of the drilling fluid that may be improved by adding the soap include filtration control, fluid loss control, emulsification and emulsion stability, and electrical stability.

Abstract: A computerized method for controlling an interconnected system of cross-connect distribution units having a plurality of user ports, wherein each user port of each of the CDUs corresponds to a unique logical port number, includes receiving a command including one of the unique logical port numbers and a service to be provided thereto. A physical user port corresponding to the logical port number included in the command is identified. A set of one or more commands to deliver to one or more particular CDUs within the interconnected system is determined, in order to arrive at a circumstance in which the service is provided to the identified physical user port. The determined one or more commands are communicated to the one or more particular CDUs. The method may be embodied as instructions stored on a storage medium and as a computer programmed to carry out the method.

Abstract: Subterranean fluids are provided that have improved environmental characteristics, and more particularly, subterranean fluids are provided that include a hydraulic cement in an invert emulsion. Methods of using such fluids in subterranean operations also are provided. An example of a method is a method of using a fluid in a subterranean formation. An example of a composition is a fluid comprising a hydraulic cement and an invert emulsion of an oleaginous fluid, a nonoleaginous fluid, and an emulsifying surfactant, wherein the emulsifying surfactant: has an LC50 or EC50 that is greater than about 10 milligrams/liter with respect to Skeletonema costatum, Acartia tonsa, Scopthalmus maximus (juvenile), or Corophium volutator; and demonstrates a biodegradability of: greater than about 70% biodegradation in 28 days when tested according to method OECD 301A or 301E; or greater than about 60% biodegradation in 28 days when tested according to method OECD 301B, 301C, 301F, or 306.

Abstract: An electronic control system for a vehicle includes a plurality of input devices, a plurality of output devices, a communication network, and a plurality of interface modules. The plurality of input devices may include a first input device that provides information pertaining to an angular position of a first vehicle wheel. The plurality of output devices may include an actuator capable of adjusting one or both of the angular position of the first vehicle wheel or an angular position of a second vehicle wheel. The plurality of interface modules can be microprocessor based and can be interconnected to each other by way of the communication network. The plurality of interface modules may also be coupled to the plurality of input devices and to the plurality of output devices. The plurality of interface modules may include one or more interface modules that is coupled to the first input device and to the actuator.

Abstract: A superior powder form of a metallic soap for enhancing the properties of an invert emulsion drilling fluid may be prepared by a dry process saponification reaction. The process includes mixing a source of metal cations with the product of a Diels-Alder reaction of dienophiles with fatty acids and/or resin acids and allowing the mixture to react. Heating the mixture increases the rate of reaction. The solid product is ground to form a powder. The properties of the drilling fluid that may be improved by adding the soap include filtration control, fluid loss control, emulsification and emulsion stability, and electrical stability.

Abstract: A construction toy device that can be used to create multiple construction elements and methods of using the same are disclosed.

Abstract: An electronic control system for a vehicle includes a plurality of input devices, a plurality of output devices, a communication network, and a plurality of interface modules. The plurality of input devices may include a first input device that provides information pertaining to an angular position of a first vehicle wheel. The plurality of output devices may include an actuator capable of adjusting one or both of the angular position of the first vehicle wheel or an angular position of a second vehicle wheel. The plurality of interface modules can be microprocessor based and can be interconnected to each other by way of the communication network. The plurality of interface modules may also be coupled to the plurality of input devices and to the plurality of output devices. The plurality of interface modules may include one or more interface modules that is coupled to the first input device and to the actuator.

Abstract: A musical drawing assembly having a drawing board on which a person can draw. A sensor is adapted to sense drawing movement on the drawing board. A storage device stores accompaniment melodies each having a different succession of musical tones. The storage device stores instrumental melodies corresponding to different musical instruments and each having a different succession of musical tones. The musical drawing assembly also includes a device for selecting one of the accompaniment melodies, and a device for selecting a musical instrument that corresponds to one of the different musical instruments. A controller is configured to output the selected one of the accompaniment melodies to an output device during the drawing movement and to output one of the instrumental melodies that corresponds to the selected instrument to the output device in response to the drawing movement.