Abstract: A snow making spray head that can be adapted to a snow tower is disclosed. The spray head is designed to be rotatable about a vertical axis without having to rotate the tower itself so that the direction of the spray can be adjusted to effectively lay down quality snow onto the trail in an effective pattern under different wind directions.

Abstract: A mechanism is disclosed for providing horizontally split vias in printed wiring boards (PWBs) and other substrates. In one embodiment, the substrate includes a plurality of insulator layers and internal conductive traces. First and second through-holes extend completely through the substrate and respectively pass through first/second ones and third/fourth ones of the internal conductive traces, which are at different depths within the substrate. Photolithographic techniques are used to generate plated-through-hole (PTH) plugs of controlled, variable depth in the through-holes before first/second conductive vias are plated onto the first through-hole and before third/fourth conductive vias are plated onto the second through-hole. The depth of these PTH plugs is controlled (e.g.

Abstract: An impact sensor includes a piezoelectric transducer operatively connected to a chromic device. The chromic device includes a chromic material that changes from a first color state to a second color state in response to electric power generated by the piezoelectric transducer when exposed to a given level of impact force. The chromic material is bistable so that the chromic material remains in the second color state for a significant amount of time. An impact force to which the sensor has been subjected may be quantified by observing the chromic device. In one embodiment, the chromic material is an electrochromic material, such as a viologen, that changes through a color gradient of light transmission states from the first color state to the second color state. A printed color gradient may be used to aid in quantifying the impact force. In another embodiment, the chromic device includes a thermochromic material.

Abstract: A oil shale formation may be treated using an in situ thermal process. A mixture of hydrocarbons, H2, and/or other formation fluids may be produced from the formation. Heat may be applied to the formation to raise a temperature of a portion of the formation to a pyrolysis temperature. Heat sources may be used to heat the formation. The heat sources may be positioned within the formation in a selected pattern.

Abstract: An oil shale formation may be treated using an in situ thermal process. Heat may be applied to the formation to raise a temperature of a portion of the formation to a pyrolysis temperature. Heat input into the formation may be controlled to raise the temperature of portion at a selected rate during pyrolysis of hydrocarbons within the formation. A mixture of hydrocarbons, H2, and/or other formation fluids may be produced from the formation. The mixture may be separated into condensable hydrocarbons and non-condensable hydrocarbons. The condensable hydrocarbons removed from the formation may be a high quality oil that has a relatively low olefin content and a relatively high API gravity.

Abstract: A method of treating an oil shale formation in situ includes providing heat directly from one or more heaters to at least a portion of the formation. The heat is controlled to maintain an average temperature of the portion below a dissociation temperature of carbonate minerals in the portion. A first fluid is injected into the portion of the formation. A second fluid is produced from the formation. An in situ conversion process is conducted in the portion of the formation.

Abstract: An in situ process for treating a hydrocarbon containing formation is provided. The process may include providing heat from one or more heaters to at least a portion of the formation. The heat may be allowed to transfer from the one or more heaters to a part of the formation such that heat from the one or more heat sources pyrolyzes at least some hydrocarbons within the part. Hydrocarbons may be produced from the formation.

Abstract: The planing surface of amphibious vehicle hull (2), with reference to (FIG. 2), comprises at least one discontinuity, e.g. wheel arch recesses (12) to (15). The wheels may be retractable. Access is required to the full arch aperture during vehicle manufacture, but not in use. To maximize the planing area, planing plates (9, 11) are provided. These are fixed in position in both land and marine modes; but may be removable for maintenance. At least one plate may comprise at least part of a strake (22, 25) attached to, or incorporated in, its underside. Such strake section(s) may be sacrificial, and may be made from rubber. A trim tab (30, FIG. 9), may be provided aft of a rear planing plate, and may be hinged thereto. The plates may include water drains and jacking apertures. A ride plate (38, FIG. 1) may be provided between two planing plates, and may be integral therewith.

Abstract: An enhanced mechanism is disclosed for via stub elimination in printed wiring boards (PWBs) and other substrates. In one embodiment, the substrate includes a plurality of insulator layers and internal conductive traces. First and second through-holes extend completely through the substrate and respectively pass through first and second ones of the internal conductive traces, which are at different depths within the substrate. Photolithographic techniques are used to generate plated-through-hole (PTH) plugs of controlled, variable depth in the through-holes before first and second conductive vias are respectively plated onto the first and second through-holes. The depth of these PTH plugs is controlled (e.g., using a photomask and/or variable laser power) to prevent the first and second conductive vias from extending substantially beyond the first and second internal conductive traces, respectively, and thereby prevent via stubs from being formed in the first place.

Abstract: A mechanism is disclosed for providing horizontally split vias are provided in printed wiring boards (PWBs) and other substrates. In one embodiment, the substrate includes a plurality of insulator layers and internal conductive traces. First and second through-holes extend completely through the substrate and respectively pass through first/second ones and third/fourth ones of the internal conductive traces, which are at different depths within the substrate. Photolithographic techniques are used to generate plated-through-hole (PTH) plugs of controlled, variable depth in the through-holes before first/second conductive vias are plated onto the first through-hole and before third/fourth conductive vias are plated onto the second through-hole. The depth of these PTH plugs is controlled (e.g.

Abstract: An oil shale formation may be treated using an in situ thermal process. Heat may be applied to the formation to raise a temperature of a portion of the formation to a pyrolysis temperature. Heat input into the formation may be controlled to raise the temperature of portion at a selected rate during pyrolysis of hydrocarbons within the formation. A mixture of hydrocarbons, H2, and/or other formation fluids may be produced from the formation. The mixture may be separated into condensable hydrocarbons and non-condensable hydrocarbons. The condensable hydrocarbons removed from the formation may be a high quality oil that has a relatively low olefin content and a relatively high API gravity.

Abstract: A oil shale formation may be treated using an in situ thermal process. A mixture of hydrocarbons, H2, and/or other formation fluids may be produced from the formation. Heat may be applied to the formation to raise a temperature of a portion of the formation to a pyrolysis temperature. Heat sources may be used to heat the formation. The heat sources may be positioned within the formation in a selected pattern.

Abstract: A method and apparatus enables easy removal of a first substrate (e.g., a label, EMC gasket, etc.) from a second substrate (e.g., a cover of a computer enclosure) for enhanced reworkability or recyclability. An adhesive layer affixes the substrates to each other. A coating that includes a dewetting agent (DA) is interposed between the second substrate and the adhesive layer. Removal is facilitated by applying heat and/or pressure to activate the DA. Preferably, the DA thermally decomposes to form gaseous products at a predefined temperature. Heat may be applied through one or more of the substrates to drive the DA to decomposition, which forms bubbles that lift the first substrate relative to the second substrate. Optionally, the DA may be encapsulated in microspheres. For example, the DA may be silicone oil and/or an adhesive solvent encapsulated in microspheres and may be activated by applying pressure sufficient to crush the microspheres.

Abstract: Disclosed are heat management method, and system, and computer program product that include at least one optical strain gauge that is mounted on a printed board in proximity to an object being monitored for temperature changes. Power for controlling heat to the object is modified in response to changes in the optical reference signal of the gauge, whereby such changes are correlated to the rate of strain change in the object as measured relative to predefined temperature changes of the object being monitored.

Abstract: A method for treating a hydrocarbon containing formation is provided. In one embodiment, heat from one or more heaters may be provided to at least a portion of the formation. Heat may be allowed to transfer from the one or more heaters to at least a part of the formation. In certain embodiments, the heat from the one or more heaters may pyrolyze at least some hydrocarbons in the formation. In an embodiment, a first fluid may be introduced into at least a portion of the formation. The portion may have previously undergone an in situ conversion process. A mixture of the first fluid and a second fluid may be produced from the formation. Such mixture may, in some embodiments, be treated or burned.

Abstract: An in situ process for treating a diatomite formation is provided. The process may include providing heat from one or more heaters to at least a portion of the formation. The heat may be allowed to transfer from the one or more heaters to a part of the formation such that heat from the one or more heat sources pyrolyzes at least some hydrocarbons within the part. Hydrocarbons may be produced from the formation.

Abstract: A method for treating a hydrocarbon containing formation is provided. In one embodiment, heat from one or more heaters may be provided to at least a portion of the formation. Heat may be allowed to transfer from the one or more heaters to at least a part of the formation. In certain embodiments, the heat from the one or more heaters may pyrolyze at least some hydrocarbons within the formation. In an embodiment, a first fluid may be introduced into at least a portion of the formation. The portion may have previously undergone an in situ conversion process. A mixture of the first fluid and a second fluid (or a second compound) may be produced from the formation. In some embodiments, a first fluid may be provided to the formation prior to pyrolyzing hydrocarbons in the formation, and a second fluid (or a second compound) may be produced prior to pyrolyzing hydrocarbons in the formation.

Abstract: A coal containing formation may be treated using an in situ thermal process. A mixture of hydrocarbons, H2, and/or other formation fluids may be produced from the formation. Heat may be applied to the formation to raise a temperature of a portion of the formation to a pyrolysis temperature. Heat sources within a relatively thin layer of coal may be positioned in a staggered pattern near to edges of the layer so that superposition of heat from the heat sources allows a large percentage of the layer to reach a desired temperature.

Abstract: An in situ process for treating a hydrocarbon containing formation is provided. The process may include providing heat from one or more heaters to at least a portion of the formation. The heat may be allowed to transfer from the reaction zone to a part of the formation such that heat from one or more heaters pyrolyzes at least some hydrocarbons within the part of the formation. A blending agent may be produced from the part of the formation, wherein a mixture produced with the blending agent has at least one selected property.

Abstract: A method is described for inhibiting migration of fluids into and/or out of a treatment area undergoing an in situ conversion process. Barriers in the formation proximate a treatment area may be used to inhibit migration of fluids. Inhibition of migration of fluids may occur before, during, and/or after an in situ treatment process. For example, migration of fluids may be inhibited while heat is provided from heaters to at least a portion of the treatment area. Barriers may include naturally occurring portions (e.g., overburden, and/or underburden) and/or installed portions.