Abstract: A downhole system including a gun string configured to be deployed into a wellbore, the gun string including plural gun assemblies. A detonator block attached to a given gun assembly of the plural gun assemblies. The detonator block includes a switch assembly. The switch assembly includes a communication unit (CU) configured to receive, from an external controller, a fire command to activate a detonator associated with the detonator block, a measuring unit configured to measure a parameter (V) at the switch assembly, and a computing core (CC) configured to locally make a decision whether to activate or not the detonator, after the fire command is received from the external controller, based on whether a voltage measured by the measuring unit at the switch assembly is larger or not than a threshold voltage.

Abstract: A switch assembly, which is part of a chain of switch assemblies, includes a communication unit (CU) configured to receive, from an external controller, a fire command to activate a detonator and a computing core (CC) configured to locally make a decision whether or not to activate the detonator, after receiving the fire command to activate the detonator.

Abstract: A switch assembly, which is part of a chain of switch assemblies, includes a communication unit (CU) configured to receive, from an external controller, a fire command to activate a detonator, a voltage measuring unit configured to locally measure a voltage (V) at the switch assembly after receiving the fire command to activate the detonator, a computing core (CC) configured to locally make a decision whether or not to activate the detonator, after receiving the fire command to activate the detonator and after measuring the voltage (V), based on whether or not the measured voltage (V) at the switch assembly is larger than a threshold value.

Abstract: A method for controlling a target switch assembly in a chain of switch assemblies includes distributing the chain of switch assemblies in a wellbore; placing a controller at a head of the wellbore; making a first decision, at the controller, to actuate a corresponding detonator of the target switch assembly; transmitting, from the controller to the target switch assembly, a fire command to activate the corresponding detonator; and making a second decision, locally, at the target switch assembly, to activate the detonator, after the fire command from the controller is received.

Abstract: A method for controlling a target switch assembly in a chain of switch assemblies includes distributing the chain of switch assemblies in a wellbore; placing a controller at a head of the wellbore; making a first decision, at the controller, to actuate a corresponding detonator of the target switch assembly; transmitting, from the controller to the target switch assembly, a fire command to activate the corresponding detonator; and making a second decision, locally, at the target switch assembly, to activate the detonator, after the fire command from the controller is received.

Abstract: A sheave wheel includes a housing; a wheel attached to the housing and configured to rotate relative to the housing; a depth and tension measurement system attached to the housing and configured to measure a parameter associated with the wheel; and a local control system attached to the housing and configured to exchange information associated with the measured parameter in a wireless manner with a ground control system.

Abstract: A sheave wheel assembly includes a housing; a wheel attached to the housing and configured to rotate relative to the housing; an imaging system attached to the housing and configured to obtain images of a surrounding of the sheave wheel assembly; and a transceiver attached to the housing and configured to send the images in a wireless manner to a ground control system.

Abstract: A downhole system includes a controller located at the surface, a gun string located in a wellbore, the gun string including plural gun assemblies, a thru-line connecting the controller to the gun string, and a detonator block attached to a given gun assembly. The detonator block includes an addressable switch assembly. The gun assembly includes an end plate mechanism that electrically connects to the detonator block. The detonator block has at least one spring-loaded contact connected to the thru-line and the end plate mechanism includes a round electrical contact made as a printed circuit board, and the spring-loaded contact touches the printed circuit board.

Abstract: An automated nutrient injection system is provided. The automated nutrient injection system comprises a nutrient mixing and delivery system coupled to a controller. The nutrient mixing and delivery system is configured to mix a predefined formula comprised of at least one nutrient and water. The controller is configured to receive, store, and execute user-defined settings of the nutrient mixing and delivery system. The controller comprises a remote display, wherein the remote display is viewable on a device physically remote from the nutrient mixing and delivery system.

Abstract: An apparel system including a base layer component and a vest component that safely may be worn by a child in a child safety seat with a five-point harness (including convertible, combination, and forward facing with a harness). This may provide warmth for the child while transitioning from indoors to the vehicle and while traveling in the car. This apparel system also may provide protection from the elements should the child be involved in a vehicle accident. The apparel system may include a vest component, such as with a hood, that may be worn over the base layer, such as a jacket, to provide added warmth for outdoor activities. In embodiments, the vest component may not be intended to be worn, and in embodiments should not be worn, while the child is in the child safety seat. This system may be safe, versatile, and convenient.

Abstract: An automated nutrient injection system is provided. The automated nutrient injection system comprises a nutrient mixing and delivery system coupled to a controller. The nutrient mixing and delivery system is configured to mix a predefined formula comprised of at least one nutrient and water. The controller is configured to receive, store, and execute user-defined settings of the nutrient mixing and delivery system. The controller comprises a remote display, wherein the remote display is viewable on a device physically remote from the nutrient mixing and delivery system.

Abstract: An apparel system including a base layer component and a vest component that safely may be worn by a child in a child safety seat with a five-point harness (including convertible, combination, and forward facing with a harness). This may provide warmth for the child while transitioning from indoors to the vehicle and while traveling in the car. This apparel system also may provide protection from the elements should the child be involved in a vehicle accident. The apparel system may include a vest component, such as with a hood, that may be worn over the base layer, such as a jacket, to provide added warmth for outdoor activities. In embodiments, the vest component may not be intended to be worn, and in embodiments should not be worn, while the child is in the child safety seat. This system may be safe, versatile, and convenient.

Abstract: A tire loading apparatus and method of packing tires that includes placing the tires in a rack, compressing the tires, and assembling the rack are disclosed. The apparatus includes one or more conveyors, scanners, and robots that load tires from a conveyor to a rack. A tire unloading apparatus is also disclosed. The unloading apparatus includes a scissor mechanism to raise and/or lower tire racks to an unloading platform. The unloading apparatus additionally includes one or more unloaders and conveyors. The sorting and unloading of tires is accomplished with one or more automated conveyors, scanners, and storage structures for reading information from incoming tires and using the tire information to sort and store the tires. A rack to improve compression and support of tires during storage and shipment is also disclosed.

Abstract: A tire loading apparatus and method of packing tires that includes placing the tires in a rack, compressing the tires, and assembling the rack are disclosed. The apparatus includes one or more conveyors, scanners, and robots that load tires from a conveyor to a rack. A tire unloading apparatus is also disclosed. The unloading apparatus includes a scissor mechanism to raise and/or lower tire racks to an unloading platform. The unloading apparatus additionally includes one or more unloaders and conveyors. The sorting and unloading of tires is accomplished with one or more automated conveyors, scanners, and storage structures for reading information from incoming tires and using the tire information to sort and store the tires. A rack to improve compression and support of tires during storage and shipment is also disclosed.

Abstract: A tire loading apparatus and method of packing tires that includes placing the tires in a rack, compressing the tires, and assembling the rack are disclosed. The apparatus includes one or more conveyors, scanners, and robots that load tires from a conveyor to a rack. A tire unloading apparatus is also disclosed. The unloading apparatus includes a scissor mechanism to raise and/or lower tire racks to an unloading platform. The unloading apparatus additionally includes one or more unloaders and conveyors. The sorting and unloading of tires is accomplished with one or more automated conveyors, scanners, and storage structures for reading information from incoming tires and using the tire information to sort and store the tires. A rack to improve compression and support of tires during storage and shipment is also disclosed.

Abstract: A tire loading apparatus and method of packing tires that includes placing the tires in a rack, compressing the tires, and assembling the rack are disclosed. The apparatus includes one or more conveyors, scanners, and robots that load tires from a conveyor to a rack. A tire unloading apparatus is also disclosed. The unloading apparatus includes a scissor mechanism to raise and/or lower tire racks to an unloading platform. The unloading apparatus additionally includes one or more unloaders and conveyors. The sorting and unloading of tires is accomplished with one or more automated conveyors, scanners, and storage structures for reading information from incoming tires and using the tire information to sort and store the tires. A rack to improve compression and support of tires during storage and shipment is also disclosed.

Abstract: A thermal transfer assembly that comprises a thermal transfer ribbon and a covercoated transfer sheet. The thermal transfer ribbon includes a support and a ceramic ink layer. The ceramic ink layer is present at a coating weight of from about 2 to about 15 grams per square meter, and it includes from about 15 to about 94.5 percent of a solid carbonaceous binder, and at least one of a film-forming glass frit, an opacifying agent and a colorant (at a combined level for the film forming glass frit, the opacifying agent and the colorant of at least 0.5 weight percent).

Abstract: A thermal transfer assembly that comprises a thermal transfer ribbon and a covercoated transfer sheet. The thermal transfer ribbon includes a support and a ceramic ink layer. The ceramic ink layer is present at a coating weight of from about 2 to about 15 grams per square meter, and it includes from about 15 to about 94.5 percent of a solid carbonaceous binder, and at least one of a film-forming glass frit, an opacifying agent and a colorant (at a combined level for the film forming glass frit, the opacifying agent and the colorant of at least 0.5 weight percent).

Abstract: A thermal transfer assembly that comprises a thermal transfer ribbon and a covercoated transfer sheet. The thermal transfer ribbon includes a support and a ceramic ink layer. The ceramic ink layer is present at a coating weight of from about 2 to about 15 grams per square meter, and it includes from about 15 to about 94.5 percent of a solid carbonaceous binder, and at least one of a film-forming glass frit, an opacifying agent and a colorant (at a combined level for the film forming glass frit, the opacifying agent and the colorant of at least 0.5 weight percent).

Abstract: An apparatus for carrying out a process of converting hydrocarbon fuel to a hydrogen rich gas utilizes heat pipes to control the temperatures of the reactor beds, manage heat and integrate the heat management in a simple and efficient manner.