Abstract: There is disclosed a flexible sheet structure having improved conformability yet remaining strong and robust. The structure is made up of a plurality of modules that allow relative rotation in both an axis parallel to the plane and perpendicular to the plane of the sheet when laid flat. This allows the density of the sheet to be locally or globally changed so that improved conformability around complex shapes is provided. There is also disclosed a means for locking and unlocking the modules of the sheet using a locking material in each connection that is activated by the external addition of energy (e.g. heat energy).

Abstract: A melt stream flow path is formed in the fixed part (20) of an injection moulding tool (12). A sonotrode (38) is arranged for direct contact with moulding material passing through the flow path in use, for directly vibrating the material and thus improving the melt flow characteristics of the moulding material as material is being injected into the tool (12). The sonotrode 38 extends directly into the flow path, or forms part of the wall of the flow path. An extrusion apparatus (50, 80) is also provided with a sonotrode (38) extending directly into a flow path, or forming part of the wall of a flow path formed in a modified die block.

Abstract: A method of producing multiple beverage products from a solution is presented. The method comprises providing the solution in a first container, with the solution having a concentration of a dissolved component. A portion of the solution is provided to a second container, and the portion of the solution in the second container is separated into a permeate and a retentate. The permeate has a lower concentration of the dissolved component and the retentate has a higher concentration of the dissolved component. The permeate is fed back into the first container to form a mixture of solution and permeate in the first container. A portion of the mixture is circulated with a portion of the retentate in the second container, forming a combination. The combination is then separated. The process may be repeated with the permeate from the combination separation being fed back to the first container, while the retentate from the separation of the combination is fed back into the second container.

Abstract: A system and method for desalinating a feed solution containing a high level of sparingly soluble solutes, such as calcium sulfate, in which a high percentage of the water content of the feed solution is recovered as purified water. The method and system comprise introducing a sufficient quantity of nucleation crystals on the low pressure side of a first-pass membrane separation unit so that the sparingly soluble solutes precipitate on the suspended nucleation crystals, instead of on the surface of the first-pass semi-permeable membrane barrier. The permeate from the first-pass membrane separation unit is then sent to the high pressure side of a second-pass membrane separation unit. The second-pass semi-permeable membrane barrier rejects additional dissolved solutes, some of which can be recycled back to the first-pass membrane, so that permeate with a low level of dissolved solutes is produced on the low pressure side of the second-pass membrane barrier.

Abstract: The present invention is directed toward correcting a corrupted image of an object to remove the effects of smearing or misdirected flux in the image, wherein the image comprises one or more dimensions and has a plurality of image elements. The method of the present invention comprises the steps of: a) sampling portions of the image of the object at unequal intervals, the intervals being selected to effect an implicit weighting of the samples corresponding to a predetermined weighting function; b) summing the implicitly weighted samples to create an approximation to a weighted integral; c) repeating steps a)-b) to compute weighted integrals associated with each of the plurality of image elements thereby to obtain a correction to the image. The present invention is also implemented as a computer readable medium for controlling a computer to implement the steps of the method and in apparatus form.

Abstract: A technique for stimulating production of fluids from a subterranean formation. The technique utilizes a tubular member disposed within a wellbore. The tubular member comprises transverse openings that facilitate a formation fracturing process. Subsequent to fracturing, a completion element may be deployed within the tubular element. In some applications, the completion element is an expandable element.

Abstract: A technique for stimulating production of fluids from a subterranean formation. The technique utilizes a tubular member disposed within a wellbore. The tubular member comprises transverse openings that facilitate a formation fracturing process. Subsequent to fracturing, a completion element may be deployed within the tubular element. In some applications, the completion element is an expandable element.

Abstract: A pipeline pig includes a central body member, a plurality of circumferentially spaced return path elements surrounding said body member and each extending axially relative to the body member, each return path element including a pair of axially spaced magnets from each of which projects a metallic bristle set, and means for connecting the return path elements to the body member whereby the free ends of the bristles, in use, resiliently engage the inner wall of the pipeline, the connecting means comprising a first carrier member mounted on, to be axially slidable relative to, the front extent of the body member and resiliently urged towards the rear of the body member, a second carrier member mounted on, to be axially slidable relative to, the rear extent of the body member and resiliently urged towards the front of the body member, and, for each return path element, a front link pivotally interconnecting the front of the return path element and the first carrier member, and a rear link pivotally interconnect

Abstract: The present invention is directed toward correcting a corrupted image of an object to remove the effects of smearing or misdirected flux in the image, wherein the image comprises one or more dimensions and has a plurality of image elements.

Abstract: An induced polarization (IP) data acquisition system includes a plurality of linearly spaced apart measurement nodes or obtaining synchronized measurement signals indicative of the electric field strength at a corresponding plurality of spaced apart locations at or adjacent to a surface of a first geological body. A reference node obtains reference signals indicative of the magnetic field strength at a location at or adjacent to a surface of a second geological body that is spaced apart from body. The reference signals are synchronized with the measurement signals. A processing center is responsive to the measurement signals and the reference signals for deriving a transfer function for body. System is configured for deriving survey data that is indicative of one or more geophysical properties of a body and use is made of the transfer function referred to above to more accurately derive the survey data.

Abstract: A pipeline pig comprises a central body member and a first drive member (26) mounted on the body member, the first drive member including a central annular support element (60) mounted on, to surround, the body member, and a plurality of circumferentially spaced primary drive elements (62) one end of each of which is secured to the support element (60) whereby the primary drive elements (62) extend substantially radially from the support element (60) and such that, in use, the other, free ends of the primary drive elements (62) engage the inner wall of the associated pipeline, each primary drive element (62) being capable of bending rearwardly of the direction of movement of the pig about the one end extent thereof to maintain engagement with the inner wall of pipelines within a range of diameters without increasing the drag thereon, the first drive member (26) further including a flexible backing disc (68) rearward of the primary drive elements (62) and adapted to seal against the inner wall of the pipeline

Abstract: A pipeline pig includes a central body member, a plurality of circumferentially spaced return path elements surrounding said body member and each extending axially relative to the body member, each return path element including a pair of axially spaced magnets from each of which projects a metallic bristle set, and means for connecting the return path elements to the body member whereby the free ends of the bristles, in use, resiliently engage the inner wall of the pipeline, the connecting means comprising a first carrier member mounted on, to be axially slidable relative to, the front extent of the body member and resiliently urged towards the rear of the body member, a second carrier member mounted on, to be axially slidable relative to, the rear extent of the body member and resiliently urged towards the front of the body member, and, for each return path element, a front link pivotally interconnecting the front of the return path element and the first carrier member, and a rear link pivotally interconnect

Abstract: A pipeline pig comprises a body and at least one flexible annular outwardly extending seal on and around the body for sealingly contacting a pipeline interior wall under differential fluid pressure whereby to propel the pig along the pipeline. The pig also comprises a fluid bypass duct arrangement extending through the body and resilient frictional bristles on and extending from the body adapted to contact the pipeline interior wall and exert a drag on the pig. An adjustable bypass flow control unit is provided which is adapted to regulate fluid flow through the duct arrangement and thus the speed of the pig.

Abstract: A computer-aided method and an apparatus generates and displays, on a display device, an accurate predictive simulation of the appearance of a color pattern of a hypothetical heather yarn fabric, such as a tufted carpet, comprised of multiple candidate heather yarn components. Starting from a set of user-selected initial conditions a model is generated representing the appearance of a hypothetical heather yarn and the appearance that would be imparted to a hypothetical fabric made from that yarn. Parameters are incorporated into the model that relate appearance properties to actual yarn manufacturing process conditions. The resulting simulated-color coordinates are transformed into the typically radiometrically nonlinear color space of the particular display device to permit the colors to be accurately displayed so as to be properly perceptible to a viewer.

Abstract: A process 10 for removing acid gas components such as CO.sub.2, H.sub.2 S and/or COS from a gas stream includes feeding the gas stream into an absorption zone 54, and passing a suitable physical solvent at elevated pressure and reduced temperature counter-currently through the zone. Acid gas components are thus absorbed from the gas stream into the solvent. The absorption zone is maintained at substantially isothermal condition.