Abstract: Embodiments include a disposable shooting target. The disposable shooting target can include a substrate, a first ink layer, a second ink layer, and a third ink layer. The first ink layer can contact the substrate. The second ink layer can be disposed over the substrate. The second ink layer can include a first color that defines a first portion of a target image. The second ink layer can also include a second color that defines a second portion of the target image. The third ink layer can be disposed over the second ink layer. The third ink layer can be partially translucent. The third ink layer can partially obscure portions of the target image. Other embodiments are also included herein.

Abstract: A gearbox and a method for additively manufacturing the gearbox are provided. The gearbox includes a housing having an integral heat exchanger additively manufactured within the housing. The heat exchanger includes a plurality of heat exchange passageways for transferring heat between two or more fluids. The heat exchanger is defined at any suitable location or locations within the housing, for example, within voids defined between the walls of the housing and components housed within housing, such as driveshafts, gears, bearings, etc.

Abstract: A gun cleaning system and method is disclosed. The system includes a housing with a retractor. A tether is coupled with the retractor. A connector hoop is disposed at one end of the tether. A cleaning attachment separate from the housing and the tether is configured to detachably couple with the tether. The cleaning attachment has a coupling recess with an opening providing access to the recess. Inserting the tether's connector hoop into the recess couples the tether and the cleaning attachment. A catch adjacent to the opening prevents the connector hoop from exiting the recess. A method of cleaning a gun bore includes passing the tether through the bore, attaching a cleaning patch to the cleaning attachment, coupling the cleaning attachment and the connector hoop, and pulling the tether and the cleaning hoop member back through the bore in the opposite direction. Other embodiments are also included herein.

Abstract: A turbine engine has a core with a compressor, combustor, and turbine sections in axial flow arrangement and with corresponding rotating elements mounted to a shaft defining engine rotor elements. The turbine engine has a rotary driver operably coupled to the engine rotor elements. The turbine engine has at least one thermoelectric generator in thermal communication with the core and in electrical communication with the rotary driver to provide power to the rotary driver to turn the engine rotor elements.

Abstract: A gearbox and a method for additively manufacturing the gearbox are provided. The gearbox includes a housing having an integral heat exchanger additively manufactured within the housing. The heat exchanger includes a plurality of heat exchange passageways for transferring heat between two or more fluids. The heat exchanger is defined at any suitable location or locations within the housing, for example, within voids defined between the walls of the housing and components housed within housing, such as driveshafts, gears, bearings, etc.

Abstract: A gas turbine engine includes a combustion section, the combustion section including a plurality of fuel nozzles. A fuel delivery system for the gas turbine engine includes a feed tube and a fuel manifold fluidly connected to the feed tube for receiving fuel from the feed tube. The fuel delivery system also includes a pigtail fuel line fluidly connected to the fuel manifold and configured to fluidly connect to a fuel nozzle of the plurality of fuel nozzles when the fuel delivery system is installed in the gas turbine engine. In order to reduce an amount of hydraulic instability of a fuel flow through the fuel delivery system, at least one of the fuel manifold or the pigtail fuel line includes a means for damping a hydraulic instability within the fuel delivery system.

Abstract: An improved guard is provided for hand-held cutting edge devices such as lawn trimmers. The guard extends beyond the cutting plane formed by the circular travel of the flexible cutting element. The extended guard protects against foreign objects being propelled by the cutting element, possibly causing damage or physical harm. A cutter may be provided inside the perimeter of the guard, extending into the plane formed by the cutting element to function as a cutter for setting the length of the cutting element being used. The guard may be formed as a single piece or as a composite which when assembled encircles the center assembly of the cutting element.

Abstract: A gas turbine engine is provided. The gas turbine engine includes a compressor assembly and a combustion assembly in flow communication with the compressor assembly. The combustion assembly includes a plurality of fuel nozzles and a fluid conduit for delivering fuel to the fuel nozzles. The fluid conduit has a plurality of first outlet ports that are spaced apart from one another along the fluid conduit, and the fluid conduit also has a plurality of second outlet ports that are spaced apart from one another along the fluid conduit. The fluid conduit further has a first flow path extending along the fluid conduit in flow communication with the first outlet ports, and the fluid conduit also has a second flow path extending along the fluid conduit in flow communication with the second outlet ports. At least a portion of the first flow path is circumscribed by the second flow path.

Abstract: An electric toaster/heater assembly wherein the housing defines at least one toasting chamber for slices of bread or other goods. In current technology, toasting chambers are lined with heat elements, typically resistance wires, spaced some distance apart. Said toasting elements provide radiation to toast the item inserted into the chambers. In the proposed application, the toasting chamber will consist of ceramic panels heated via internally contained resistive wire elements which will provide even radiation to toast the items inserted into the chamber.

Abstract: In some four wheel drive vehicles, the front wheels may have to be manually engaged through the rotation of a selector knob on the front axle to the LOCKED position. Rotation of the selector knob may be difficult due to the tightness of the knob, the engaging mechanism, or the depth of the knob in reference to the outer rim of the wheel hubcap. This tool provides application of additional torque to assist in the selector knob rotation as well as length to access the recessed selector knobs.

Abstract: This invention is a wireless link for towed vehicle light and brake control, matching conditions of the towing vehicle. Said conditions include turn signals, brake signals, and running lights. Additionally the signals include an analog signal to provide the towed vehicle electric brake, if installed, a signal proportional to the braking being applied manually or by foot of the towing vehicle operator. The towing vehicle contains signal sensors and conditioners, embedded in an application specific integrated circuit (ASIC) which converts the signals into a modulated signal, and transmits it using a suitable carrier. The towed vehicle contains a receiver and demodulator, which extracts the data which is then passed to the towed vehicle ASIC. The towed vehicle ASIC develops the signals to actuate the appropriate towed vehicle lights. The ASIC also converts the electric brake digital data into an analog signal to apply the proportional signal to the towed vehicle electric brake.

Abstract: A gas turbine engine is provided. The gas turbine engine includes a compressor assembly and a combustion assembly in flow communication with the compressor assembly. The combustion assembly includes a plurality of fuel nozzles and a fluid conduit for delivering fuel to the fuel nozzles. The fluid conduit has a plurality of first outlet ports that are spaced apart from one another along the fluid conduit, and the fluid conduit also has a plurality of second outlet ports that are spaced apart from one another along the fluid conduit. The fluid conduit further has a first flow path extending along the fluid conduit in flow communication with the first outlet ports, and the fluid conduit also has a second flow path extending along the fluid conduit in flow communication with the second outlet ports. At least a portion of the first flow path is circumscribed by the second flow path.

Abstract: A dynamic variable compression ring for use in submersible pumps. where the variable compression ring compensates for metal compression ring measurement errors during assembly. The dynamic variable compression ring also allows for thermal heating of the internal pump components, thus maintaining the desired diffuser compression values.

Abstract: Systems and methods for processing one or more hydrocarbons are provided. One or more hydrocarbons can be selectively separated to provide one or more heavy deasphalted oils. At least a portion of the heavy deasphalted oil can be cracked using a fluidized catalytic cracker to provide one or more lighter hydrocarbon products.

Abstract: Systems and methods for processing one or more hydrocarbons are provided. One or more hydrocarbon feedstocks can be selectively separated to provide one or more light deasphalted oils. At least a portion of the light deasphalted oil can be hydrocracked to provide one or more hydrocarbon products.

Abstract: Systems and methods for processing one or more hydrocarbons are provided. One or more hydrocarbons can be selectively separated to provide one or more heavy deasphalted oils. At least a portion of the heavy deasphalted oil can be thermally cracked to provide one or more lighter hydrocarbon products.

Abstract: A method for dewatering and deasphalting a hydrocarbon feed is provided. A hydrocarbon feed containing one or more hydrocarbons, asphaltenes and water can be mixed or otherwise combined with one or more solvents. The addition of the solvent sufficiently decreases the density of the hydrocarbon feed to enable gravity settling of the water phase, providing an oil phase containing one or more hydrocarbons, asphaltenes and solvents. The asphaltenes can be separated from the oil phase to provide an asphaltene mixture containing asphaltenes and a portion of the solvents and a deasphalted oil containing one or more hydrocarbons and the balance of the solvents. The solvents can be separated from the asphaltenes and deasphalted oil, and recycled to the initial mixing step wherein the solvent is mixed or otherwise combined with one or more solvents.

Abstract: Systems and methods for processing one or more hydrocarbons are provided. A hydrocarbon can be selectively separated to provide one or more finished products and an asphaltenic hydrocarbon using a pretreatment process. The asphaltenic hydrocarbon can be selectively separated to provide a deasphalted oil and one or more asphaltenes. At least a portion of the deasphalted oil can be converted to one or more first products using a first post-treatment process. At least a portion of the one or more asphaltenes can be converted to one or more second products using a second post-treatment process.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for heat sinking for multiple high power circuit board modules, is provided. One implementation involves providing a compact nested fin integral heat sink assembly for each high power circuit board module, and positioning fin sections on the heat sink assembly such that a plurality of nested fin sections emanate from each board side heat spreader plate of the assembly, thereby providing efficient airflow gap, pressure drop, and heat sink base spreading performance. The fin section can be placed essentially directly over high power components on each board module to minimize spreading resistance in a heat sink base of the assembly. The fin sections on each board module side provide channel depth without extending from an opposite side heat sink base, thereby increasing fin surface area for each local region of fins from either heat sink base.

Abstract: Systems and methods for processing one or more hydrocarbons are provided. One or more hydrocarbons can be selectively separated to provide one or more heavy deasphalted oils. At least a portion of the heavy deasphalted oil can be thermally cracked to provide one or more lighter hydrocarbon products.