Abstract: A method for applying thermoplastic strips to thermoplastic membranes, the method comprising applying a first strip to a membrane, providing apparatus comprising a housing having drive wheels thereon, a guide assembly fixed to the housing and comprising a first pair of guide wheels for disposition around the first strip and a second pair of guide wheels for disposition around a second strip to guide the second strip to a welding station mounted on the apparatus to heat weld the second strip to the membrane, mounting the first pair of guide wheels on the first strip, mounting the second pair of guide wheels on the second strip, moving the housing on the drive wheels, the first pair of guide wheels riding along the first strip and the second pair of guide wheels channeling the second strip therebetween and into the welding station for attachment to the membrane by the heat weld, the second strip thereby extending equidistantly from the first strip.

Abstract: Various embodiments of the present invention provide a blast-resistant reinforcement assembly and/or system for engaging a surface of an existing structure to protect the structure from an applied force, such as an explosive detonation. The assembly includes one or more energy absorbing panels that may be attached to the structure. The energy absorbing panels include a core material configured to absorb some portion of the applied force by pulverizing in response to the applied force. In some embodiments, the energy absorbing panels also include one or more ballistic-resistant composite panels configured to protect the core material and the underlying existing structure from debris. Some embodiments further provide one or more energy deflecting panels engaged with the plurality of energy absorbing panels so as to be disposed between the energy absorbing panels and the location of the applied force for at least partially deflecting the applied force.

Abstract: Apparatus for applying thermoplastic strips to thermoplastic membranes, each strip having an upstanding central portion and opposed flange portions extending widthwise therefrom. The apparatus includes a housing having drive wheels for movably supporting the housing. A guide assembly fixed to the housing includes a first pair of guide wheels for disposition around an applied first strip and movable along the first strip with one guide wheel on either side thereof, and a second pair of guide wheels for disposition around a second strip to be applied and movable along the second strip, so as to guide the second strip to a welding station on the apparatus. The welding station is adapted to heat weld the second strip to the membranes along the length of the second strip equidistantly from the first strip.

Abstract: A method for applying thermoplastic strips to thermoplastic membranes, the method comprising applying a first strip to a membrane, providing apparatus comprising a housing having drive wheels thereon, a guide assembly fixed to the housing and comprising a first pair of guide wheels for disposition around the first strip and a second pair of guide wheels for disposition around a second strip to guide the second strip to a welding station mounted on the apparatus to heat weld the second strip to the membrane, mounting the first pair of guide wheels on the first strip, mounting the second pair of guide wheels on the second strip, moving the housing on the drive wheels, the first pair of guide wheels riding along the first strip and the second pair of guide wheels channeling the second strip therebetween and into the welding station for attachment to the membrane by the heat weld, the second strip thereby extending equidistantly from the first strip.

Abstract: Methods of forming thin film transistors and related systems are described. In one embodiment, a method forms source/drain material over a substrate using a low temperature formation process. A channel layer is formed over the substrate using a low temperature formation process. A gate insulating layer is formed over the substrate using a low temperature formation process. A gate is formed over the substrate using a low temperature formation process. The low temperature formation processes that are utilized are conducted at temperatures that are no greater than about 200-degrees C.

Abstract: A method for differentiating polymers contained in plastic articles by passing the articles between a light source and an array of detectors which are positioned in a manner such as to allow simultaneous measurements of a directly transmitted light signal and a diffused light signal. The transmitted light signal and diffused light signal are compared and used as a basis for differentiating the polymers.

Abstract: An apparatus is provided for determining the acoustic anisotropy of a sample being subjected to simulated in-situ pressures and/or temperatures. A sample of the formation of interest is received by a compliant sleeve disposed in a pressure chamber. The compliant sleeve houses a plurality of transducers which are placed in intimate contact with the sample upon pressurization of the pressure chamber. When the pressure chamber reaches the desired pressure and/or temperature, the transducers are energized. The travel times of the generated acoustic signals through the sample are recorded to determine the anisotropic behavior of the sample. The velocity variations of the sample can indicate the historical principal stress axes of the formation at depth.

Abstract: A U-tube manometer for calibrating a differential pressure transducer or the like, wherein the height of working fluid in each column may be determined by the two-way travel time of an acoustic pulse launched from the top of each column against the top of the working fluid. The propagation velocity of each acoustic pulse is determined by a calibration target integral with each tube and located above the working fluid at a predetermined distance from each acoustic source. The generation and detection of each acoustic pulse is monitored by a remote processor and recorder which calculates the pressure differential between the two tubes of the manometer.

Abstract: Mass, or changes in mass, of a rock specimen are measured to determine the changes in saturation of a rock specimen. Measurements can be obtained in test environments of high temperature or high pressure or both. The mass is rigidly attached beneath a stiff spring and made to vibrate or oscillate at a characteristic frequency. The frequency of oscillation is detected and the data then used to determine mass of the specimen.

Abstract: A dryer for the drying of clothing and other articles by use of a vacuum. A vacuum is applied to the internal chamber of the rotating drum by means of a swash plate which rotates simultaneously at an inclined angle with respect to the rotational axis of the drum. Suction assemblies, which include the use of one-way valve assemblies are provided between the internal chamber of the drum and the swash plate. A motor is to cause rotation of the drum which also simultaneously rotates the swash plate. The air and moisture particles from within the internal chamber of the drum are discharged into the ambient by the suction means.

Abstract: A nuclear magnetic resonance technique that allows simultaneous temperature determination and spectral acquisition. The technique employs a modification of the lock circuit of a Varian XL-100 Spectrometer which permits accurate measurement of the difference in resonance frequency between a primary lock nucleus and another, secondary, nucleus. The field stabilization function of the main lock circuit is not compromised. A feedback signal having a frequency equal to the frequency difference is substituted for the normal power supply in the spectrometer's existing radio frequency transmitter to modulate that transmitter. Thus, the transmitter's radio frequency signal is enhanced in a frequency corresponding to the resonance peak of the secondary nucleus. Determination of the frequency difference allows the determination of temperature without interference with the observed spectrum. The feedback character of the circuit and the presence of noise make the circuit self-activating.

Abstract: A plurality of rectangular blocks are juxtaposed in a rectangular coordinate ordered array to define a generally planar exposed surface with the opposite surface of the blocks attached to a flexible backing which functions as a hinge to allow a linear array of blocks to be pivoted parallel to a rectangular coordinate and expose indicia on the juxtaposed surfaces of the linear array, the indicia being related to other indicia on the exposed surface of the array such as the product of multiplying the two numbers along coordinate edges of the array.