Abstract: Systems, devices, and methods are directed to automated preparation of food or consumable items, such as for preparation of fried foods. An example cooking apparatus may include processing devices for the consumable items. In some examples, a robot arm is provided that extends from a moveable base. Locators may define a relative position of the moveable base relative to processing device(s) of the cooking apparatus, such that the robot arm is configured to determine robot arm movements to move the consumable items to and from the processing device(s). In some examples, one or more zones may be used to detect movement near a robot arm, with one or more restrictions being placed upon robot arm and/or base movement in response. In some examples, a cooking apparatus provides automated transport of food ingredients for preparation of food or other consumable items.

Abstract: Propping compositions comprising: a hardenable, liquid external phase comprising an element selected from the group consisting of: a cement, a cement foam, a polymer, a resin, an aluminum, a flowable carrier fluid, and any combination thereof; and an internal phase that is either gas or liquid and that is immiscible with the external phase; wherein the internal phase exits the propping composition as the hardenable external phase hardens, leaving behind an hardened, interconnected porous network. Some propping compositions may require contact with a treatment for removal from the hardenable external phase and the treatment for removal may comprise at least one material selected from the group consisting of: an acid, a base, a chelant, an oxidizer, a solvent, and any combination thereof.

Abstract: Propping compositions comprising: a hardenable, liquid external phase comprising an element selected from the group consisting of: a cement, a cement foam, a polymer, a resin, an aluminum, a flowable carrier fluid, and any combination thereof; and an internal phase that is either gas or liquid and that is immiscible with the external phase; wherein the internal phase exits the propping composition as the hardenable external phase hardens, leaving behind an hardened, interconnected porous network. Some propping compositions may require contact with a treatment for removal from the hardenable external phase and the treatment for removal may comprise at least one material selected from the group consisting of: an acid, a base, a chelant, an oxidizer, a solvent, and any combination thereof.

Abstract: A monitoring system includes a physiologic monitoring device (102) with an accelerometer (202) that senses fetal movements of a fetus in the womb of a human or animal patient and generates signals indicative thereof, a signal identifier (108) that identifies signals from the generated signals that correspond to a predetermined fetal movement, and a counter (112) that counts the identified signal.

Abstract: A tissue oximeter sensor includes a substrate with a non-zero finite depth and first and second major sides. At least a first material free region extends along the depth from one of the sides to the other of the two sides forming a first well in the substrate. One of the sides of the substrate is configured to be removeably affixed to a human or animal subject. The sensor also includes a first channel with first and second end portions. One of the end portions of the first channel is selectively positioned in the first well along the depth alternatively at one of a plurality of different depth positions. The first channel routes radiation at least one of from the first end portion to the second end portion or from the second end portion to the first end portion.

Abstract: An ICG/ECG electrode includes a first electrode and a second electrode, wherein at least one of the first or second electrode senses both an ICG signal and an ECG voltage signal. A physiologic parameter monitoring apparatus includes a set of electrodes, including an electrode for sensing both an ICG voltage signal and an ECG voltage signal corresponding to a patient. The apparatus further includes an ICG monitor for processing the ICG voltage signal sensed by the electrode and an ECG monitor for processing the ECG voltage signal sensed by the same electrode.

Abstract: A physiologic parameter monitor includes a parameter value determiner that determines a parameter value indicative of a response of a human or animal subject to fluid intake during fluid therapy. The parameter value determiner determines the parameter value based on a signal indicative of a non-invasively obtained state of the subject. The physiologic parameter monitor also includes a display that displays the parameter value in a human readable format.

Abstract: An ICG/ECG electrode includes a first electrode and a second electrode, wherein at least one of the first or second electrode senses both an ICG signal and an ECG voltage signal. A physiologic parameter monitoring apparatus includes a set of electrodes, including an electrode for sensing both an ICG voltage signal and an ECG voltage signal corresponding to a patient. The apparatus further includes an ICG monitor for processing the ICG voltage signal sensed by the electrode and an ECG monitor for processing the ECG voltage signal sensed by the same electrode.

Abstract: A monitoring system includes a physiologic monitoring device (102) with an accelerometer (202) that senses fetal movements of a fetus in the womb of a human or animal patient and generates signals indicative thereof, a signal identifier (108) that identifies signals from the generated signals that correspond to a predetermined fetal movement, and a counter (112) that counts the identified signal.

Abstract: A physiological parameter determining device (100, 1000) includes a flexible band (102) configured to be releasably affixed around an extremity of a subject, a plenum (104) disposed in the flexible band (102), wherein the plenum (104) includes two or more flexible inflatable hollow channels (116) separated from each other by at least one non-inflatable region (120); and circuitry (106, 1020) physically integrated with the flexible band (102), wherein the circuitry (106, 1020) includes at least a transducer (216) that senses information indicative of a physiological parameter and generates a signal indicative of the physiological parameter.

Abstract: A physiologic parameter monitor includes a parameter value determiner that determines a parameter value indicative of a response of a human or animal subject to fluid intake during fluid therapy. The parameter value determiner determines the parameter value based on a signal indicative of a non-invasively obtained state of the subject. The physiologic parameter monitor also includes a display that displays the parameter value in a human readable format.

Abstract: A tissue oximeter sensor includes a substrate with a non-zero finite depth and first and second major sides. At least a first material free region extends along the depth from one of the sides to the other of the two sides forming a first well in the substrate. One of the sides of the substrate is configured to be removeably affixed to a human or animal subject. The sensor also includes a first channel with first and second end portions. One of the end portions of the first channel is selectively positioned in the first well along the depth alternatively at one of a plurality of different depth positions. The first channel routes radiation at least one of from the first end portion to the second end portion or from the second end portion to the first end portion.

Abstract: An ICG/ECG electrode includes a first electrode and a second electrode, wherein at least one of the first or second electrode senses both an ICG signal and an ECG voltage signal. A physiologic parameter monitoring apparatus includes a set of electrodes, including an electrode for sensing both an ICG voltage signal and an ECG voltage signal corresponding to a patient. The apparatus further includes an ICG monitor for processing the ICG voltage signal sensed by the electrode and an ECG monitor for processing the ECG voltage signal sensed by the same electrode.

Abstract: A method of reducing CO2 emission from a wellsite diesel engine includes the steps of: providing the wellsite diesel engine operatively coupled to a wellsite apparatus for transmission of power from the wellsite diesel engine to the wellsite apparatus; and injecting at least one component of natural gas into the wellsite diesel engine, thereby combusting the natural gas component in the wellsite diesel engine. A system for supplying power to a wellsite apparatus includes a wellsite diesel engine operatively coupled to the wellsite apparatus for transmission of power to the wellsite apparatus; a diesel fuel supply; a natural gas component fuel supply which supplies at least one component of natural gas; and each of the diesel and natural gas component fuel supplies being connected to the wellsite diesel engine for combustion therein of a mixture of diesel fuel and the natural gas component.

Abstract: A phase change fluid spring (450) for actuating a downhole tool (50) in a wellbore. The phase change fluid spring (450) includes a housing (114) defining a fluid chamber (120) and a phase change fluid disposed within the fluid chamber (120). The phase change fluid is in a first phase and at a first pressure at the surface. The phase change fluid is in a second phase and at a second pressure in the wellbore, the second pressure being greater than the first pressure. The phase change fluid is operable to store and release energy downhole to actuate the downhole tool (50).

Abstract: An improved method and system for removing blockage from hydrocarbon transfer conduits. An apparatus and methods for cleaning a hydrocarbon transfer conduit is disclosed whereby a laser head is placed in a hydrocarbon transfer conduit to be cleaned and supplied with a laser beam. The laser head applies the laser beam to an area in the hydrocarbon transfer conduit to be cleaned.

Abstract: A method of reducing CO2 emission from a wellsite diesel engine includes the steps of: providing the wellsite diesel engine operatively coupled to a wellsite apparatus for transmission of power from the wellsite diesel engine to the wellsite apparatus; and injecting at least one component of natural gas into the wellsite diesel engine, thereby combusting the natural gas component in the wellsite diesel engine. A system for supplying power to a wellsite apparatus includes a wellsite diesel engine operatively coupled to the wellsite apparatus for transmission of power to the wellsite apparatus; a diesel fuel supply; a natural gas component fuel supply which supplies at least one component of natural gas; and each of the diesel and natural gas component fuel supplies being connected to the wellsite diesel engine for combustion therein of a mixture of diesel fuel and the natural gas component.

Abstract: The invention provides a method for producing guar gum, the method comprising the steps of: (a) sizing husk from guar seed into larger pieces and smaller pieces, (b) washing the larger pieces, (c) soaking the larger pieces, and (d) flaking the larger pieces to obtain guar gum. The invention also provides a method for processing undehusked guar splits, the method comprising the steps of: (a) dehusking undehusked guar splits to obtain dehusked guar splits and husk, and (b) sizing the husk into larger pieces and smaller pieces.

Abstract: The present invention relates to lightweight composite particulates and their use in subterranean applications such as production enhancement and completion. One embodiment of the present invention provides a method of forming a lightweight particulate suitable for use as proppant or gravel in a subterranean operation comprising the steps of forming a substantially homogeneous mixture of PET and a filler material; forming the homogeneous mixture into particulates suitable for use in a subterranean environment. Other embodiments of the present invention provide methods of treating, fracturing, and gravel packing a chosen zone in a subterranean formation.

Abstract: The present invention relates to lightweight composite particulates and their use in subterranean applications such as production enhancement and completion. One embodiment of the present invention provides a method of forming a lightweight particulate suitable for use as proppant or gravel in a subterranean operation comprising the steps of forming a substantially homogeneous mixture of PET and a filler material; forming the homogeneous mixture into particulates suitable for use in a subterranean environment. Other embodiments of the present invention provide methods of treating, fracturing, and gravel packing a chosen zone in a subterranean formation.