Abstract: A rodless pump is disclosed which is connected to a pressure source via a first conduit. In a common oilfield application the pump would be connected to the bottom of a tubing string within the reservoir fluid to be produced. A pressure source such as a hydraulic pump would be connected at the surface to the tubing string so as to selectively apply pressure via fluid in the first conduit to the pump, raising the plunger assembly in the pump drawing reservoir fluid into the pump. When pressure via the surface pressure source is released, a balancing fluid, connected to the pump from the surface through a second conduit positioned within the first conduit, urging the plunger assembly downward in the pump urging the reservoir fluid in the pump into the tubing and to the surface. Preferably, the pump includes dampening mechanisms at both the top and bottom of the plunger stroke so as to reduce metal to metal impact within the pump.

Abstract: A method for manufacturing an embossed surface including a polymer composition having reactive moieties and a first glass transition temperature of Tg1. The method includes embossing the surface at temperature Temb; and raising the first glass transition temperature Tg1 of the embossed polymeric surface to a second glass transition temperature Tg2 such that Tg2>Temb. In another embodiment, a method for improving the release of a polymeric surface from an embossing tool includes incorporating of one or more of fluorine atoms, silicon atoms, or siloxane segments into the backbone of the polymer. The methods are particularly suited for direct patterning of photoresists, fabrication of interdigitated electrodes, and fabrication of data storage media.

Abstract: Connectors for joining adjacent modular floor covering units. The connectors include a film and an adhesive layer coated on one side of the film. To install tiles using the connectors, a first tile is placed on the floor and a connector is positioned so that the adhesive layer faces upward and does not contact the floor. The connector is typically positioned so that only a portion of the adhesive layer adheres to the underside of the tile, leaving the remainder of the connector extending from the underside of the tile. Tiles are then positioned adjacent the first tile so that a portion of the connector adheres to the adjacent tiles. In this way, the connectors span adjacent tile edges. The tiles are assembled on a underlying flooring surface without the need to attach them to the floor surface. Rather, the tiles are linked to each other with the connectors, so that the tiles create a floor covering that “floats” on the under lying floor surface.

Abstract: In one aspect the present invention provides a storage medium for data, the storage medium comprising: a) a substrate, a physical portion of which comprises at least one polyimide, and b) at least one data layer on the substrate. The substrate comprising a polyimide exhibits low axial displacement and beneficial damping characteristics.

Abstract: A re-configurable floor covering and method of assembly that includes modular units that may be easily assembled in a variety of designs and that may be easily disassembled. This modular design provides flexibility in use and maintenance, as well as in removal and re-use. The modular units may be assembled so that adjacent units are linked.

Abstract: A rodless pump is disclosed which is connected to a pressure source via a first conduit. In a common oilfield application the pump would be connected to the bottom of a tubing string within the reservoir fluid to be produced. A pressure source such as a hydraulic pump would be connected at the surface to the tubing string so as to selectively apply pressure via fluid in the first conduit to the pump, raising the plunger assembly in the pump drawing reservoir fluid into the pump. When pressure via the surface pressure source is released, a balancing fluid, connected to the pump from the surface through a second conduit positioned within the first conduit, urging the plunger assembly downward in the pump urging the reservoir fluid in the pump into the tubing and to the surface. Preferably, the pump includes dampening mechanisms at both the top and bottom of the plunger stroke so as to reduce metal to metal impact within the pump.

Abstract: Flooring that utilizes sophisticated, self-stabilizing, woven face fabric using relatively heavy “carpet weight” nylon, polyester, PTT or other yarns on modern Jacquard computer controlled looms to produce flat-weave fabrics that are bonded to engineered backing structures. Urethane modified bitumen may be used as a backing layer, and an optional latex precoat may be used on the fabric layer, together with an optional antimicrobial in the precoat.

Abstract: A method of making a vehicle windshield or other window. An opaque layer (e.g., enamel or water-based) is applied to a glass sheet and then “fired” or cured. The opaque layer is preferably black or dark in color. Thereafter, the sheet with the opaque layer thereon is cut into a desired windshield shape, along a cutting line which extends through both the glass sheet and the opaque layer formed thereon. As a result, on the cut glass sheet the opaque layer extends all the way up to the peripheral edge thereof. In vehicle windshield embodiments, the cut sheet is laminated to another glass sheet via at least a polymer based interlayer in order to form the vehicle windshield.