Abstract: A packer includes a tubular mandrel. The packer includes a first end cap, the first end cap coupled to the mandrel. The packer includes a backup mechanism coupled to the first end cap. The packer includes a swellable elastomeric body positioned about the mandrel abutting the first end cap. The swellable elastomeric body is positioned at least partially between the mandrel and the backup mechanism. The swellable elastomeric body is positioned to not cover the entire outer surface of the backup mechanism.

Abstract: A packer includes a tubular mandrel. The packer includes a first end cap, the first end cap coupled to the mandrel. The packer includes a backup mechanism coupled to the first end cap. The packer includes a swellable elastomeric body positioned about the mandrel abutting the first end cap. The swellable elastomeric body is positioned at least partially between the mandrel and the backup mechanism. The swellable elastomeric body is positioned to not cover the entire outer surface of the backup mechanism.

Abstract: A polymer composition includes a base polymer comprising a hydrocarbon rubber, an acrylic copolymer, and a refined oil in which the acrylic polymer is dispersed. The polymer composition is swellable when treated with an aqueous medium, non-aqueous medium, or both. A sealing element for a flow channel includes an expandable section filled with a swellable composition that swells when treated with a swelling material. The swellable composition includes the polymer composition, and the swelling material may be aqueous, non-aqueous, or both.

Abstract: A polymer composition includes a base polymer comprising a hydrocarbon rubber, an acrylic copolymer, and a refined oil in which the acrylic polymer is dispersed. The polymer composition is swellable when treated with an aqueous medium, non-aqueous medium, or both. A sealing element for a flow channel includes an expandable section filled with a swellable composition that swells when treated with a swelling material. The swellable composition includes the polymer composition, and the swelling material may be aqueous, non-aqueous, or both.

Abstract: A polymer composition includes a base polymer comprising a hydrocarbon rubber, an acrylic copolymer, and a refined oil in which the acrylic polymer is dispersed. The polymer composition is swellable when treated with an aqueous medium, non-aqueous medium, or both. A sealing element for a flow channel includes an expandable section filled with a swellable composition that swells when treated with a swelling material. The swellable composition includes the polymer composition, and the swelling material may be aqueous, non-aqueous, or both.

Abstract: A wind turbine energy conversion device that can take advantage of the higher speed and more persistent winds at higher altitudes is hereinafter disclosed. The wind turbine energy conversion device includes an unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) connected to one end of a tether (which may include multiple shorter tethers), the other end being connected to a terrestrial anchorage point. The UAV flies at altitudes where wind speeds can reach 40 mph or higher. The UAV comprises a flying wing with one or more trailing wind power turbines and flies airborne maneuvers designed to increase relative wind speed up to about four times the true wind speed.

Abstract: A water power turbine energy conversion device and method of generating electric power that can take advantage of water current speeds is hereinafter disclosed. The water power turbine energy conversion device includes an unmanned tethered aquatic device (TAD) connected to one end of a tether (which may include multiple shorter tethers), the other end being connected to an anchorage point. The TAD comprises a hydrofoil wing-like structure with one or more water power turbines and performs waterborne maneuvers such as cross-current tracking to increase the relative water current speed of up to about four times the true water current speed.

Abstract: A polymer composition includes a base polymer comprising a hydrocarbon rubber, an acrylic copolymer, and a refined oil in which the acrylic polymer is dispersed. The polymer composition is swellable when treated with an aqueous medium, non-aqueous medium, or both. A sealing element for a flow channel includes an expandable section filled with a swellable composition that swells when treated with a swelling material. The swellable composition includes the polymer composition, and the swelling material may be aqueous, non-aqueous, or both.

Abstract: A wind turbine energy conversion device that can take advantage of the higher speed and more persistent winds at higher altitudes is hereinafter disclosed. The wind turbine energy conversion device includes an unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) connected to one end of a tether (which may include multiple shorter tethers), the other end being connected to a terrestrial anchorage point. The UAV flies at altitudes where wind speeds can reach 40 mph or higher. The UAV comprises a flying wing with one or more trailing wind power turbines and flies airborne maneuvers designed to increase relative wind speed up to about four times the true wind speed.

Abstract: A diverter, apparatus and method of bypassing an exhaust gas recirculation cooler in order to selectively cool recirculated exhaust gas is disclosed. The diverter relies on the Coanda effect to direct the exhaust gas flow to the cooler or to a bypass around the cooler and thus preferred embodiments do not require a valve to be provided in the exhaust gas flow for this purpose. This simplifies the assembly of the diverter and apparatus and provides for a more reliable diverter compared to certain known systems.

Abstract: A compressor system that is configured to compress the fluid from low pressure source to a higher pressure magnitude is powered from the same low pressure fluid source. The compressor system includes two piston assemblies that are coaxially coupled to one another, and that are of differing cross sectional areas. The low pressure fluid is used to move the larger piston assembly, which is in turn used to move the smaller piston assembly. Low pressure fluid is selectively admitted to the smaller piston assembly, and movement thereof is used to compress the low pressure fluid to a higher pressure magnitude. The compressor system uses a fluidic bistable amplifier, which also coupled to the low pressure fluid source, to control low pressure fluid flow to the larger piston assembly, to thereby control its movement.

Abstract: Apparatus for dividing medicinal tablets is disclosed. Apparatus according to the invention may include a plurality of tablet dividing members, a tablet retention mechanism adapted to hold one or more medicinal tablets, and a controller that causes the tablet retention mechanism to move relative to the tablet dividing members to divide the medicinal tablets into respective pluralities of tablet portions. Apparatus according to the invention may include a tablet retention mechanism adapted to hold a medicinal tablet and a controller that causes the tablet retention mechanism to move relative to the tablet dividing members to divide the medicinal tablet into at least three tablet portions.