Abstract: An antenna system includes an array of notch radiators, arranged in aligned rows on longitudinal axes to define a series of troughs between adjacent notch radiator rows within an aperture area, each notch radiator including a tip region. A plurality of surface/traveling wave suppressors fabricated of microwave energy absorbing material is disposed in the troughs, so that a longest suppressor dimension is transverse or nearly transverse to the array face and so that a suppressor surface is transverse or nearly transverse to the longitudinal axes.

Abstract: An antenna system includes an array of notch radiators, arranged in aligned rows on longitudinal axes to define a series of troughs between adjacent notch radiator rows within an aperture area, each notch radiator including a tip region. A plurality of surface/traveling wave suppressors fabricated of microwave energy absorbing material is disposed in the troughs, so that a longest suppressor dimension is transverse or nearly transverse to the array face and so that a suppressor surface is transverse or nearly transverse to the longitudinal axes.

Abstract: An array of thick flared notch radiators, wherein the separation distance between adjacent pairs of flared notch sticks is set to be less than one-half wavelength at the highest frequency of concern. The separation distance suppresses the propagation of higher order modes along the length of the sticks, which would degrade the array performance. The separation distance is achieved by fabricating the sticks with an increased thickness, thereby reducing the stick-to-stick channel width.

Abstract: A three port microwave circulator in a slot line transmission medium. Two slot lines are formed which extend from two ports of the circulator in a collinear alignment through a coupler region, and are joined at a power combining junction to provide a single transmission line to the third port of the circulator. A ferrite slab overlays the coupler region. The ferrite is saturated with a static magnetic field, applied by a magnet, along a direction of signal propagation. The circulator can be integrated into a flared notch radiator element to provide separate transmit and receive ports.

Abstract: A blender system includes a blender tub for blending a solid particulate material in a liquid. The tub has a tub outlet defined therein. The system also includes a pump having a pump suction inlet and a pump discharge. A suction conduit is provided for conducting a tub outlet stream from the tub outlet and a liquid supply stream from a liquid supply to the pump suction inlet. A solids concentrator device is provided for separating a pump discharge stream from the pump discharge into a lower density recirculating stream and a higher density concentrator discharge stream. The concentrator device has a concentrator inlet for receiving the pump discharge stream, a low density outlet for directing the recirculating stream back to the tub, and a high density outlet for discharging the concentrator discharge stream.

Abstract: A blender system includes a blender tub for blending a solid particulate material in a liquid. The tub has a tub outlet defined therein. The system also includes a pump having a pump suction inlet and a pump discharge. A suction conduit is provided for conducting a tub outlet stream from the tub outlet and a liquid supply stream from a liquid supply to the pump suction inlet. A solids concentrator device is provided for separating a pump discharge stream from the pump discharge into a lower density recirculating stream and a higher density concentrator discharge stream. The concentrator device has a concentrator inlet for receiving the pump discharge stream, a low density outlet for directing the recirculating stream back to the tub, and a high density outlet for discharging the concentrator discharge stream.

Abstract: A self-leveling mixing apparatus includes a transportable skid frame. A mixing tub is supported from the frame in a manner such that the tube is movable between first and second positions relative to the frame. The tube has a tub fluid outlet defined in a lower portion thereof. A suction conduit is supported from the skid frame for transport therewith and includes a manifold inlet, a manifold outlet, and a tub outlet conduit portion located upstream of the manifold outlet and connected to the tub fluid outlet. A leveling valve is also included and is disposed in the suction conduit upstream of the manifold outlet for controlling a level of fluid in the tub. A connector linkage operably connects the tube and the leveling valve for adjusting the leveling valve in response to movement of the tub relative to the skid frame.

Abstract: An integrated control system, specifically transportable on water between offshore wells, includes mixing and blending subsystems, a pumping subsystem, a proppant subsystem and a control subsystem for controlling the other subsystems in a unified manner from a common control location.

Abstract: A close tolerance pin connection includes a cylindrical connecting pin. A first sturcture has a first pin receiving hole disposed therethrough for closely receiving the connecting pin. A second structure has a second pin receiving hole disposed therethrough for loosely receiving the connecting pin. A weld washer has a third pin receiving hole disposed therethrough for closely receiving the connecting pin, and the weld washer is adapted to be located adjacent and engage the second structure. The connecing pin is received in the first, second and third pin receiving holes and the weld washer is then welded to the second structure so that the first and second structures are connected by the connecting pin.

Abstract: An integrated blending system comprises a mixing subsystem and a particulate material conveying subsystem which introduce materials into a blender subsystem for producing a blend which is pumped into a well through a pumping subsystem. The subsystems are mounted on a single transportation vehicle at fixed relative positions to each other.

Abstract: A grid system for supporting a plurality of items of equipment from a deck of a floating vessel includes a plurality of brackets welded to the deck. A support grid for supporting the plurality of items of equipment above the deck includes a plurality of interconnected substantially horizontally oriented beams. The support grid spreads the weight of each of the items of equipment over a larger area of the deck than it would be if each item was directly supported from the deck. A plurality of detachable connecting pin assemblies are provided for detachably connecting the support grid to the plurality of brackets, so that the support grid can be attached to the plurality of brackets without the need for welding to the deck after the plurality of brackets have been previously been welded to the deck. Equipment mounting brackets are operably associated with the support grid for mounting the plurality of items of equipment above the support grid with similar connecting pin assemblies.

Abstract: A mixing system comprising a movable mixing tub, a pumping source and a leveling valve interconnected to the mixing tub and the inlet or outlet of 10 the pumping source. The mixing system may include jet-type mixer to mix dry materials with fluid to be further mixed in the movable mixing tub.