Abstract: A method for reducing noise produced by well operations includes obtaining a list of equipment performing the well operations in an open-air environment. The method further includes obtaining a mapping between engine rotations-per-minute (“RPM”), load, and noise produced by a combination of the equipment. The method further includes selecting a set point comprising gear number and engine speed, respectively for each engine, that minimizes the noise produced for the combination of the equipment based on the mapping. The method further includes adjusting each engine driving the well operations to operate at the respective set point.

Abstract: A method of recovering phosphoric acid from process water includes directing a process water stream having a pH and a first concentration of phosphoric acid and at least one salt into a vessel, contacting the process water stream with a sorption agent in the vessel, the sorption agent adsorbing phosphoric acid from the process water, withdrawing a first effluent including a first concentration of the at least one salt and a second concentration of phosphoric acid from the vessel, and contacting the sorption agent including the phosphoric acid with water, at least a portion of the phosphoric acid desorbing from the ion exchange media into the water to form a second effluent having a third concentration of phosphoric acid.

Abstract: The invention provides a component formed of an aluminum alloy for use in a vehicle, for example an automotive vehicle component requiring high strength, light-weight, and a complex three-dimensional shape, and a method of manufacturing the component. The method begins by providing a blank formed of an aluminum alloy which is already solution heat treated and tempered, and thus has a temper designation of about T4. The method further includes heating the blank to a temperature of 150° C. to 350° C., preferably 190° C. to 225° C. The method next includes quickly transferring the blank to a hot or warm forming apparatus, and stamping the blank to form the complex three-dimensional shape. Immediately after the forming step, the component has a temper designation of about T6, but preferably not greater than T6, and thus is ready for use in the vehicle without any post heat treatment or machining.

Abstract: A protective surface treatment in the form of a coating for steel or another metal or metal alloy capable of providing oxidation resistance in an inert gas furnace or air-containing furnace is provided. The coating is formed by a solution including at least one flux agent, such as boric acid, and at least one binder, such as polyvinylpyrrolidone (PVP), polyvinylpyrrolidone/vinyl acetate (PVP/VA), hydrooxypropylcellulose (HPC), ethylcellulose, and/or acrylics. The solution also includes at least one solvent, such as methanol or ethanol and can include various additives. The finished coating includes iron borate and provides a glassy surface.

Abstract: A method of recovering phosphoric acid from process water includes directing a process water stream having a pH and a first concentration of phosphoric acid and at least one salt into a vessel, contacting the process water stream with a sorption agent in the vessel, the sorption agent adsorbing phosphoric acid from the process water, withdrawing a first effluent including a first concentration of the at least one salt and a second concentration of phosphoric acid from the vessel, and contacting the sorption agent including the phosphoric acid with water, at least a portion of the phosphoric acid desorbing from the ion exchange media into the water to form a second effluent having a third concentration of phosphoric acid.

Abstract: An enhanced mobility wheelchair with semi-autonomous control logic includes criteria for selecting level, stair, and slope modes. Each mode progresses through criteria-invoked phases as the wheelchair travels. Each axis performs an assigned duty for each mode and phase combination to seek a defined target. Control logic invokes stair mode from the level mode when steps are sensed. Criteria restricts negotiating obstacle angles and heights encountered beyond capability and permits reversed travel to exit obstacle. Front and rear support systems include the ability to sense both forward and backward facing steps by adding distance sensors, sensing linkage and rotary sensors. Legrest adjustment raises the feet for forward step climbing and shortens the wheelchair length for tight turns. Steep down slope and steep up slope modes are invoked from a small angle slope mode. Absolute measurement of spider rotation and spider cam engagement does not require adjustment.

Abstract: A die casting apparatus for manufacturing metal parts for automotive vehicle applications is provided. The die casting apparatus includes upper and lower dies presenting forming surfaces and a mold cavity therebetween. A replaceable insert and sub-inserts provide portions of the forming surfaces of the dies in areas most prone to wear and erosion. The replaceable inserts and sub-inserts can be removed and replaced during high volume production, without having to replace the entire die. A wear and/or heat resistant coating can be applied to the inserts and sub-inserts to further increase service life. A plurality of cooling channels can also be formed in the inserts and sub-inserts to improve cycle time and quality of the parts.

Abstract: The invention provides a method of manufacturing a component formed of an aluminum alloy for use in an automotive vehicle application, for example those requiring high strength, light-weight, and a complex three-dimensional shape. The method begins by providing a blank formed of an aluminum alloy which is already solution heat treated and tempered, and thus has a temper designation of about T4. The method further includes heating the blank to a temperature of 150° C. to 350° C., preferably 190° C. to 225° C. The method next includes quickly transferring the blank to a hot or warm forming apparatus, and stamping the blank to form the complex three-dimensional shape. Immediately after the forming step, the component has a temper designation of about T6, but preferably not greater than T6, and thus is ready for use in the automotive vehicle application without any post heat treatment or machining.

Abstract: A refrigerant leak detection and mitigation system/method for use in heating, ventilation, and air conditioning (HVAC) systems that incorporates a refrigerant gas sensor (RGS), sensor signal conditioner (SSC), alarm status indicator (ASI), and digital control processor (DCP) is disclosed. The RGS detects ambient refrigerant gas (ARG) and indicates this as a refrigerant sensor voltage (RSV) to the SSC. The DCP and SSC form a closed control loop (CCL) in which the SSC electrical characteristics are adjusted by the DCP such that the RSV is continuously and dynamically recalibrated to account for background refrigerant gas levels, changes in ambient air conditions, RGS manufacturing tolerances, and other field-specific operational conditions that impact the RGS detection capabilities. The DCP is configured to log alarms to the ASI if a RGS refrigerant leak is detected and optionally shutdown one or more HVAC system components such as a specific air handler leaking refrigerant.

Abstract: A burner assembly having a blower housing, a blower to supply air to the burner assembly, a blast tube having a longitudinal axis, a fuel source to supply fuel to the burner assembly, a center tube that is substantially parallel to the longitudinal axis and conveys air and fuel to a center tube burner end opening, a plurality of premix tubes, each of which is substantially parallel to the longitudinal axis and conveys air and fuel to a premix tube burner end opening, a diffuser that is disposed in the center tube near the center tube burner end opening, a nozzle that is disposed in the center tube substantially perpendicular to the diffuser. The center tube air and fuel mixture is fuel rich and the premix tubes air and fuel mixture is fuel lean. A method for burning the center tube air and fuel mixture and the premix tubes mixtures.

Abstract: A waterproof menstrual pad having an outer portion to contact a woman's underwear and an inner portion to contact a groin area of the woman, the waterproof menstrual pad including an absorbent portion disposed at a center portion of an inner surface of the inner portion to absorb blood, and an outer-edge waterproof lining disposed along an outer edge of the inner surface of the inner portion to prevent water from entering the inner surface.

Abstract: A return bend ringing apparatus includes a ring station configured to receive a pair of rings and a pair of pins configured to move between a retracted position and an extended position. Each pin includes a tapered end and a shoulder. The pins in the retracted position are configured not to engage the rings, and the pins in the extended position are configured to engage the rings with each pin extending through one of the rings. A gripper is configured to grip and move a return bend into an engagement position in which the return bend engages the shoulder of each pin.

Abstract: A system for reducing far-field noise produced by well operations includes a passive sound barrier shielding an area, in which the well operations are performed, in an open-air environment. The system further includes a sound sensor to receive near-field noise from the well operations. The system further includes an analysis module, coupled to the sound sensor, to generate an anti-noise signal. The system further includes active anti-noise generators, coupled to the analysis module, to generate anti-noise, based on the anti-noise signal, that destructively interferes with noise from the well operations outside of the passive sound barrier at a predetermined distance from the passive sound barrier. The analysis module generates the anti-noise signal based on the near-field noise, the predetermined distance, and adjustable positions and orientations of the active anti-noise generators.

Abstract: A method for reducing noise produced by well operations includes obtaining a list of equipment performing the well operations in an open-air environment. The method further includes obtaining a mapping between engine rotations-per-minute (“RPM”), load, and noise produced by a combination of the equipment. The method further includes selecting a set point comprising gear number and engine speed, respectively for each engine, that minimizes the noise produced for the combination of the equipment based on the mapping. The method further includes adjusting each engine driving the well operations to operate at the respective set point.

Abstract: A support member is for a door assembly of a mailbox. The mailbox includes an enclosure member and a panel member coupled to the enclosure member. The door assembly has a door member coupled to the panel member. The support member includes a body portion structured to be coupled to the door member; and a flange portion extending outwardly from the body portion.

Abstract: A die casting apparatus for manufacturing metal parts for automotive vehicle applications is provided. The die casting apparatus includes upper and lower dies presenting forming surfaces and a mold cavity therebetween. A replaceable insert and sub-inserts provide portions of the forming surfaces of the dies in areas most prone to wear and erosion. The replaceable inserts and sub-inserts can be removed and replaced during high volume production, without having to replace the entire die. A wear and/or heat resistant coating can be applied to the inserts and sub-inserts to further increase service life. A plurality of cooling channels can also be formed in the inserts and sub-inserts to improve cycle time and quality of the parts.

Abstract: A special fish tank system to commercially raise and to sell salt-water fish which uses tidal changes to replenish the seawater and remove stale water from the fish raising environment. This system also known as fish-farming or mariculture is for the raising of fish as a food product. It includes a water tight tank, a protective berm to keep out unwanted high waters and storms, a cover, a truck approach, an influent pipe that runs from the bottom of the ocean to the tank an elevation drop wherein the high tide permits and replenishes new seawater to the tank through tidal shifts and an effluent pipe with a cage to contain the fish. Optional water filtering devices including a bacteria remover, an electro coagulation machine, and a Seawater Reverse Osmosis Systems (SWRO) are anticipated.

Abstract: A low pressure aluminum casting apparatus includes a pair of steel dies each presenting a molding surface and a heat transfer surface. Copper heat sink blocks are disposed on the heat transfer surfaces to remove heat from the steel dies. Steel contact plates and steel spacer plates can be disposed between the heat sink blocks and the steel dies to optimize cooling. In addition, a portion of each contact plate can be spaced from the steel die to reduce cooling. The steel dies include conventional cooling passages for conveying cooling fluid, and the heat sink blocks, contact plates, and spacer plates also include cooling channels for conveying cooling fluid.

Abstract: A low pressure aluminum casting apparatus includes a pair of steel dies each presenting a molding surface and a heat transfer surface. Copper heat sink blocks are disposed on the heat transfer surfaces to remove heat from the steel dies. Steel contact plates and steel spacer plates can be disposed between the heat sink blocks and the steel dies to optimize cooling. In addition, a portion of each contact plate can be spaced from the steel die to reduce cooling. The steel dies include conventional cooling passages for conveying cooling fluid, and the heat sink blocks, contact plates, and spacer plates also include cooling channels for conveying cooling fluid.

Abstract: A return bend ringing apparatus includes a ring station configured to receive a pair of rings and a pair of pins configured to move between a retracted position and an extended position. Each pin includes a tapered end and a shoulder. The pins in the retracted position are configured not to engage the rings, and the pins in the extended position are configured to engage the rings with each pin extending through one of the rings. A gripper is configured to grip and move a return bend into an engagement position in which the return bend engages the shoulder of each pin.