Abstract: Embodiments include an antenna assembly comprising a non-conductive housing having an open end; an antenna element positioned inside the non-conductive housing; an electrical cable having a first end electrically coupled to the antenna element and a second end extending out from the open end; one or more dielectric materials positioned inside the non-conductive housing; and a conductive gasket coupled to a portion of the electrical cable positioned adjacent to the open end and outside the non-conductive housing. One embodiment includes a portable wireless bodypack device comprising a frame having a first external sidewall opposite a second external sidewall; a first antenna housing forming a portion of the first sidewall and including a first diversity antenna; and a second antenna housing forming a portion of the second sidewall and including a second diversity antenna. Embodiments also include a method of manufacturing an antenna assembly for a portable wireless bodypack device.

Abstract: A hydrocarbon-based or ester-based drilling fluid or mud is described wherein the drilling fluid contains cesium phosphate. The hydrocarbon-based or ester-based drilling fluid or mud can have, for example, an external phase that contains hydrocarbon fluid and an internal phase that contains cesium phosphate. The hydrocarbon-based drilling fluid or mud can further contain at least one emulsifier or surfactant, and optionally other ingredients. The present invention can permit hydrocarbon-based drilling fluids to be essentially solids-free and may be used without corrosion and/or formation damage problems, for example, due to the use of the cesium phosphate in an internal phase of the hydrocarbon-based or ester-based drilling fluid. The present invention also relates to hydrocarbon-based or ester-based fluids for completion, workover, suspension and packer operations which contain cesium phosphate.

Abstract: Example embodiments presented herein are directed toward a steering wheel assembly, and corresponding method, for retracting a steering wheel in a vehicle. In the steering wheel retraction, a steering column is configured to first pivot upwards about a horizontal axis directed along the vehicle's width via a pivoting member. Thereafter, the steering wheel column is configured to slide, via an actuating member, in a forward direction towards the instrument panel of the vehicle. Thus, before moving the steering column in a forward direction, the steering wheel is moved away from the driver's legs by the pivoting action. This helps reduce the likelihood of the steering wheel hitting the driver's legs during the retraction.

Abstract: Example embodiments presented herein are directed toward a steering wheel assembly, and corresponding method, for retracting a steering wheel in a vehicle. In the steering wheel retraction, a steering column is configured to first pivot upwards about a horizontal axis directed along the vehicle's width via a pivoting member. Thereafter, the steering wheel column is configured to slide, via an actuating member, in a forward direction towards the instrument panel of the vehicle. Thus, before moving the steering column in a forward direction, the steering wheel is moved away from the driver's legs by the pivoting action. This helps reduce the likelihood of the steering wheel hitting the driver's legs during the retraction.

Abstract: Example embodiments presented herein are directed toward a seat assembly, and corresponding method, for seat retraction in a vehicle during an autonomous driving mode. Seat refraction is provided by detecting a user initiated input for the retraction. Thereafter, a front seat is refracted such that an occupant of the front seat is out of reach of at least one driving control input device, for example, a steering wheel, pedals or a gear shift, during an autonomous driving mode. Such seat retraction prevents the occupant from providing inadvertent driving inputs to the driving control input devices during the autonomous driving mode.

Abstract: A lifting block and a method of using it for supporting a load from a first lifting device or sharing the load between the first lifting device and a second lifting device, particularly for use on a vessel and deep water applications, are disclosed. The lifting block, with at least one sheave, has first and second connection elements associated with it. In one arrangement (single fall) a lifting wire or rope is fed around the sheave and terminated in an end stop which also provides the first connection element. When the first lifting device is operated alone, the end stop rests on the block. When the second connection element, secured to the lifting wire or rope of a second lifting device, is joined to the first connection element the load is snared between the two lifting devices which can then be operated in unison to position the load at a required, deeper position.

Abstract: A hydrocarbon-based or ester-based drilling fluid or mud is described wherein the drilling fluid contains cesium phosphate. The hydrocarbon-based or ester-based drilling fluid or mud can have, for example, an external phase that contains hydrocarbon fluid and an internal phase that contains cesium phosphate. The hydrocarbon-based drilling fluid or mud can further contain at least one emulsifier or surfactant, and optionally other ingredients. The present invention can permit hydrocarbon-based drilling fluids to be essentially solids-free and may be used without corrosion and/or formation damage problems, for example, due to the use of the cesium phosphate in an internal phase of the hydrocarbon-based or ester-based drilling fluid. The present invention also relates to hydrocarbon-based or ester-based fluids for completion, workover, suspension and packer operations which contain cesium phosphate.

Abstract: CXP is a telecommunications connector standard based on cage assemblies originally designed for copper cables. Optical transceivers dissipate more heat than copper cables, however, so cage assemblies designed for copper cables cannot remove heat adequately for proper transceiver operation. One embodiment of the inventive cage assemblies removes heat from an optical transceiver with a heat spreader, which protrudes through an aperture in a cage, and a compressible gap pad in thermal contact with the heat spreader. Inserting the optical transceiver into the cage places the transceiver in thermal contact with a heat spreader and pushes the heat spreader out of the cage, which, in turn, causes the gap pad to come into thermal contact with a heat pipe and/or a heat sink. The embodiment provide a low mechanical profile to support high-density circuit board configurations for high-density optical connectivity systems, such as used in Dense Wavelength Division optical networking.

Abstract: A lifting block and a method of using it for supporting a load (8) from a first lifting device (2) or sharing the load between the first lifting device (2) and a second lifting device (3), particularly for use on a vessel (1) and deep water applications. The lifting block (7), with at least one sheave (10), has first and second connection elements (14, 15) associated with it. In one arrangement (single fall) a lifting wire or rope (4) is fed around the sheave (10) and terminated in an end stop (14) which also provides the first connection element. When the first lifting device (2) is operated alone, the end stop (14) rests on the block (7). When the second connection element (15), secured to the lifting wire or rope (5) of a second lifting device (3), is joined to the first connection element (14) the load is snared between the two lifting devices (2, 3) which can then be operated in unison to position the load at a required, deeper position.

Abstract: CXP is a telecommunications connector standard based on cage assemblies originally designed for copper cables. Optical transceivers dissipate more heat than copper cables, however, so cage assemblies designed for copper cables cannot remove heat adequately for proper transceiver operation. One embodiment of the inventive cage assemblies removes heat from an optical transceiver with a heat spreader, which protrudes through an aperture in a cage, and a compressible gap pad in thermal contact with the heat spreader. Inserting the optical transceiver into the cage places the transceiver in thermal contact with a heat spreader and pushes the heat spreader out of the cage, which, in turn, causes the gap pad to come into thermal contact with a heat pipe and/or a heat sink. The embodiment provide a low mechanical profile to support high-density circuit board configurations for high-density optical connectivity systems, such as used in Dense Wavelength Division optical networking.

Abstract: A vehicle seat arrangement includes a child seat which is mounted in a rearward facing configuration to a backrest of an adult seat such that the backrest of another adult seat at least partially supports the backrest of the child seat.

Abstract: A vehicle seat arrangement includes a child seat which is mounted in a rearward facing configuration to a backrest of an adult seat such that the backrest of another adult seat at least partially supports the backrest of the child seat.

Abstract: A method for system-specific analysis of an engine includes applying control inputs to the engine and an engine model and estimating outputs from the engine model based upon the control inputs. The method includes sensing outputs from the engine and analyzing residuals between estimated and sensed outputs. The method also includes customizing the engine model to reduce residuals for a particular engine and detecting the faults in the engine based upon the residuals for the particular engine.

Abstract: A measuring system for an apparatus having a bed, a first stage movable in a first direction relative to the bed, and a second stage movable in a second direction at right angles to the first direction, relative to the first stage. A first interferometer measures displacement in the first direction between a first reference reflector and a first target reflector fixed to the first stage. A second interferometer (a) measures displacement in the second direction between a second reference reflector and a second target reflector fixed to the second stage, (b) includes an intermediate reflector fixed to the first stage, (c) produces a beam that extends in the first direction from a position fixed to the bed to the intermediate reflector and in the second direction from the intermediate reflector to the second target reflector and (d) can therefore have a head that is mounted on the bed.

Abstract: An automated system and method for applying thermoplastic adhesives to work pieces from a roll of adhesive segments applied to an adhesive segment-laden carrier release tape. The adhesive segment is applied from the adhesive segment-laden carrier release tape onto a work piece by the use of an automatically actuated applicator head that contacts the surface of the adhesive segment-laden carrier release tape opposite the adhesive segment thereon to push the adhesive segment against the work piece to apply the adhesive segment to the work piece. The applicator head may include one or more sharp projections thereon that pierce through the carrier release tape, but not through the adhesive segment thereon, as the head presses the carrier release tape and adhesive segment against the work piece to facilitate assured release of the adhesive segment from the carrier release tape and application of the adhesive segment to a work piece by the applicator head.

Abstract: An automated system and method for applying thermoplastic adhesives to work pieces from a roll of adhesive segments applied to an adhesive segment-laden carrier release tape. The present invention may be implemented in a system that automatically advances the adhesive segment-laden carrier release tape to position an adhesive segment thereon in the apparatus for application thereof to a work piece. Accurate indexing and advancement of the adhesive segment-laden carrier release tape preferably is provided by optical indexing of the carrier release tape, e.g., by the optical detection of a transverse line or other index marking printed or otherwise provided on the adhesive segment carrier release along with the adhesive segments deposited thereon.

Abstract: An adhesive dispensing tape including a transparent carrier material and pressure sensitive adhesive segments attached thereto is disclosed. The transparent carrier material permits the adhesive segments to be precisely positioned onto a craft project, thereby eliminating the guess work associated with placement of adhesives. Thus, the pressure sensitive adhesives may thereby be dispensed onto any item in exactly the proper location.

Abstract: This invention relates to novel ?-conotoxin-like peptides comprising the following sequence of amino acids: Xaa1CCSXaa2Xaa3Xaa4CXaa5Xaa6Xaa7Xaa8Xaa9Xaa10Xaa11C—NH2 in which Xaa1 is G or D; Xaa3 is proline, hydroxyproline or glutamine; each of Xaa2 to Xaa8 and Xaa11 is independently any amino acid; Xaa9 is proline, hydroxyproline or glutamine; Xaa10 is aspartate, glutamate or ?-carboxyglutamate; Xaa11 is optionally absent; and the C-terminus is optionally amidated, with the proviso that the peptide is not ?-conotoxin Ep1 or ?-conotoxin Im1. The peptides are useful in the treatment or prevention of pain, in recovery from nerve injury, and in the treatment of painful neurological conditions such as stroke.