Abstract: An apparatus and system for launching and/or capturing an unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV). The apparatus includes a moving substrate having an electromagnetic end effector and a UAV with a metallic strike plate to be attracted to the end effector when the electromagnet is activated. The system includes a movable robotic arm having a free end and a secured end; an electromagnetic end effector connected proximate to the free end of the robotic arm; a UAV with a metallic strike to be attracted and held to the electromagnetic end effector when the electromagnetic end effector is active; trajectory software configured to control a location of the free end of the robotic arm; and a control module for receiving input data, analyzing the data and using the trajectory software to control the location of and activate or deactivate the electromagnetic end effector. Also described are methods for launching and capturing the UAV.

Abstract: A method of separating impurities from a natural gas stream. CO2 and H2S are separated from the natural gas stream in a membrane separation system, thereby creating a partially-treated gas stream and a permeate gas stream, both of which are at a lower temperature than the natural gas stream. The partially-treated gas stream is contacted with a first lean solvent stream in a first contactor to separate H2S from the partially-treated gas stream, thereby producing a first rich solvent stream and a fully-treated gas stream. The permeate gas stream is contacted with a second lean solvent stream in a second contactor to separate H2S therefrom to produce a second rich solvent stream and a CO2 gas stream. H2S and CO2 are removed from the first and second rich solvent streams, thereby producing the first and second lean solvent streams.

Abstract: The present invention relates to processes for the preparation of N-protected 4-((2S,5R)-5-((benzyloxy)amino)piperidine-2-carboxamido)piperidine-1-carboxylates. Such compounds have application in the preparation of beta-lactamase inhibitors such as 7-oxo-1,6-diazabicyclo[3.2.1]octane-2-carboxamides and esters, in particular, the beta lactamase inhibitor, (2S,5R)-7-oxo-N-piperidin-4-yl-6-(sulfoxy)-1,6-diazabicyclo[3.2.1]octane-2-carboxamide. The present invention also encompasses intermediates useful in the disclosed processes and methods for their preparation.

Abstract: A method of separating impurities from a natural gas stream. The natural gas stream is cooled through heat exchange with one or more process streams to produce a chilled gas stream, which is contacted with a lean solvent stream in a contactor to separate hydrogen sulfide (H2S) from the chilled gas stream, thereby producing a rich solvent stream and a partially-treated gas stream. Carbon dioxide (CO2) and H2S are separated from the partially-treated gas stream in a membrane separation system, thereby creating a fully-treated gas stream and a permeate gas stream, the permeate gas stream being comprised primarily of H2S and CO2, and the fully-treated gas stream being comprised primarily of natural gas. The fully-treated gas stream and the permeate gas stream are at a lower temperature than the partially-treated gas stream. The fully-treated gas stream and the permeate gas stream comprise the one or more process streams.

Abstract: A method for managing a wireless communications system may include the steps of: (1) requesting wireless communication links between a plurality of user terminals and an airborne communications relay terminal, (2) designating one of the plurality of user terminals as a primary user terminal to make a direct communication with the relay terminal, (3) designating other ones of the plurality of user terminals as secondary user terminals to make direct communication with the primary user terminal, (4) connecting the primary user terminal directly to the relay terminal, and (5) connecting the secondary user terminals indirectly to the relay terminal through the primary user terminal.

Abstract: The oligomerization of ethylene using a chromium catalyst having a heteroatomic ligand may be used to provide oligomerization products that are selective towards hexene and/or octene. However, such processes also typically produce some polymer as an undesirable by product. The present invention is directed towards improvements in the selective oligomerization of ethylene.

Abstract: A hydrogen sulfide (H2S) scavenging system for removing H2S, mercaptans, and/or other sulfur-containing compounds from a natural gas stream. A co-current contacting system is located in-line within a pipe and receives the natural gas stream and a liquid scavenger stream. The co-current contacting system includes a co-current contactor including a droplet generator and a mass transfer section. The droplet generator generates droplets from the liquid scavenger stream and disperses the droplets into the natural gas stream. The mass transfer section provides a mixed, two-phase flow having a vapor phase and a liquid phase. The liquid phase includes the liquid scavenger stream with H2S, mercaptans, and/or other sulfur-containing compounds absorbed from the natural gas stream, and the vapor phase includes the natural gas stream. A separation system separates the vapor phase from the liquid phase.

Abstract: An apparatus includes an analog front end to receive an analog input including user data, and an analog-to-digital converter to convert the analog input to digital signals including the user data. A digital channelizer may process the digital signals to generate frequency slices of user data, and a digital combiner may assemble the frequency slices to form output sub-bands of user data. A digital switch may route the frequency slices from the digital channelizer to the digital combiner according to a selected map of a plurality of available maps. The apparatus also includes a map selector to communicate map select data that indicates the selected map. The digital channelizer may receive and insert the map select data into the frequency slices in-band with the user data thereof. And the digital switch may interpret the map select data inserted into and route the frequency slices according to the selected map.

Abstract: A railcar coupler includes a coupler head portion extending from a shank portion. The coupler head portion is configured to couple to a first coupler knuckle for coupling the railcar coupler to a second railcar coupler of an adjacent railcar. The coupler head portion comprises a nose portion and a gathering face extending from the nose portion for engaging a second coupler knuckle coupled to the second railcar coupler. The coupler head portion comprises a guard arm portion extending from the nose portion towards the shank portion. The coupler head portion comprises a horn portion having a back surface. A distance between the back surface of the horn portion and a nose end of the guard arm portion is less than 11 inches. The coupler head portion comprises a locklifter shelf less than 2 inches above a bottom edge of the coupler.

Abstract: A system includes a base station including a first MODEM of a first MODEM pool configured to generate a first data packet (including first data and a first VRF instance identifier) based on a first RF signal and a second MODEM of a second MODEM pool configured to generate a second data packet (including second data and a second VRF instance identifier) based on a second RF signal. The system includes a network device coupled to the base station and configured to receive the first data packet, transmit a first packet (including the first data and a first header including a first indicator associated with the first VRF instance) to a first device via a network, receive the second data packet, and transmit a second packet (including the second data and a second header including a second indicator associated with the second VRF instance) to a second device.

Abstract: The capping industry has many variations in each cap that is placed on containers. It is very critical that a capping chuck have the ability to adapt quickly and easily to each and every cap that is available. The present invention uses the flexibility in its construction to grasp all variations to the caps without the need for expensive and time consuming shut downs. The present capping chuck meets these ever expanding changes within the industry.

Abstract: A housing having an extrusion forming a first channel and a second channel; a lighting system in the first channel adapted to direct light away from the first channel; a mounting system in the second channel adapted to couple the extrusion to a vehicle; a first end cap including a first connector, the first end cap being coupled to a first end of the extrusion; a second end cap including a second connector, the second end cap being coupled to a second end of the extrusion; wherein the first connector and the second connector are electrically coupled to one another, and wherein the first connector and the second connector are electrically coupled to the lighting system.

Abstract: Barrier films are prepared from a blend of two high density polyethylene blend components and a high performance organic nucleating agent. The two high density polyethylene blend components have substantially different melt indices. Large reductions in the moisture vapor transmission rate of the film are observed in the presence of the nucleating agent when the melt indices of the two blend components have a ratio of greater than 10/1. The resulting barrier films are suitable for the preparation of packaging for dry foods such as crackers and breakfast cereals.

Abstract: In some embodiments, a disclosed method involves receiving, by a source gateway, a call request from a source user terminal for establishing a call with a destination user terminal. The method further involves determining, by a source client proxy of the source gateway, a capability related to a parameter(s) of the source user terminal and a capability related to a parameter(s) of the destination user terminal. Also, the method involves sending, by the source client proxy, a call capability offer to a destination gateway based on the determined capabilities. Additionally, the method involves determining, by a destination client proxy of the destination gateway, whether the destination user terminal can support the call capability offer. Also, the method involves sending, by the destination client proxy, a call initiation message to the destination user terminal, when the destination client proxy determines that the destination user terminal can support the call capability offer.

Abstract: A surgical patient support includes a foundation frame, a support top, and a brake system. The foundation frame includes a first column and a second column. The support top is coupled to the first column and the second column for rotation about a top axis extending along the length of the support top. A single-handle unlock for the support top is also provided.

Abstract: An apparatus includes an analog front end to receive an analog input including user data, and an analog-to-digital converter to convert the analog input to digital signals including the user data. A digital channelizer may process the digital signals to generate frequency slices of user data, and a digital combiner may assemble the frequency slices to form output sub-bands of user data. A digital switch may route the frequency slices from the digital channelizer to the digital combiner according to a selected map of a plurality of available maps. The apparatus also includes a map selector to communicate map select data that indicates the selected map. The digital channelizer may receive and insert the map select data into the frequency slices in-band with the user data thereof. And the digital switch may interpret the map select data inserted into and route the frequency slices according to the selected map.

Abstract: The present application is directed to a method and system for preparing gaseous utility streams from gaseous process streams, particularly, removing oil contamination from such streams prior to use in a dry gas seal. The methods and systems may include at least one kinetic swing adsorption process including pressure swing adsorption, temperature swing adsorption, calcination, and inert purge processes to treat gaseous streams for use in dry gas seals of rotating equipment such as compressors, turbines and pumps and other utilities. The adsorbent materials used include a high surface area solid structured microporous and mesoporous materials.

Abstract: A method and systems for adsorbing contaminants from a gas stream are provided herein. The method includes flowing the gas stream into a treating vessel and through a moving bed of adsorbents. The method includes flowing the adsorbents out of the treating vessel and into a fluidized bed of a regenerator. The method includes desorbing the contaminants from the adsorbents in the fluidized bed of the regenerator to form regenerated adsorbents. The method further includes cooling the adsorbents and returning the cooled, regenerated adsorbents to the treating vessel.

Abstract: This disclosure relates to a continuous solution polymerization process where ethylene interpolymer products having an improved color index; for example, products having higher whiteness (Whiteness Index (WI)) and lower yellowness (Yellowness Index (YI)). Product color was improved by adjusting selected solution polymerization reaction conditions. The disclosed ethylene interpolymer products have improved color relative to comparative polyethylene compositions.

Abstract: In some embodiments, this disclosure provides a process for the stabilization of thermoplastic polyolefins during melt processing operations. In some embodiments, the stabilizer package disclosed herein is “phenol free” and contains at least one solid aryl monophosphite and a specific liquid phosphite. The processes disclosed herein are suitable for the manufacture of polyethylene film.