Abstract: A method and system enables a transporter of cargo to receive real-time status data from an active “tag” device with a sensor affixed to the cargo by connecting the tag device with a mobile application, or “app,” downloaded on a delivery driver's smart phone. The sensor data from the device combines with the geo-location data available on the delivery driver phone to provide the originator with real time status of his cargo and exact geo-location during transit from warehouse to delivery destination.

Abstract: A swath tracking system for an off-road vehicle includes a control system with a processor and a memory. The control system is configured to receive a plurality of vehicle location points and a current vehicle state, wherein the current vehicle state comprises a current vehicle location, generate a planned vehicle path through one or more of the plurality of vehicle location points, generate a correction path from the current vehicle location to a point along the planned vehicle path ahead of the current vehicle location along a direction of travel, generate a blended path by blending the planned vehicle path and the correction path based at least in part on an assigned weight, wherein the assigned weight is based at least in part on a heading error, a distance between the current vehicle location and the planned path, or a combination thereof, and guide the off-road vehicle along the blended path.

Abstract: The agricultural control system includes a base control system configured to communicate with a vehicle control system of an agricultural vehicle. The base control system is configured to plan an implement path through an agricultural field for an agricultural implement coupled to the agricultural vehicle based at least in part on at least one characteristic of the agricultural field. The base control system is configured to plan a vehicle path of the agricultural vehicle based at least in part on the planned implement path. The base control system is configured to send a first signal to the vehicle control system indicative of the vehicle path.

Abstract: A vehicle system includes a spatial location system configured to derive a geographic position of an autonomous vehicle. The vehicle system further includes a computing device communicatively coupled to the spatial location system, the computing device comprising a processor. The processor is configured select a calibration mode via a user input. The processor is also configured to execute an automatic steering calibration based on the calibration mode to update one or more steering parameters, wherein executing the automatic steering calibration comprises driving the vehicle via autoguidance to spatially follow a desired path segment.

Abstract: A method for controlling an agricultural vehicle includes receiving, via a processor, a first signal from a user interface indicative of a value of at least one parameter. The method also includes determining, via the processor, a path of the agricultural vehicle toward a guidance swath based at least in part on the at least one parameter. In addition, the method includes outputting, via the processor, a second signal to a display of the user interface indicative of instructions to present a graphical representation of the path of the agricultural vehicle. Furthermore, the method includes controlling the agricultural vehicle, via the processor, based at least in part on the at least one parameter upon receiving at least a third signal from the user interface indicative of acceptance of the value of the at least one parameter.

Abstract: A method for controlling an agricultural vehicle includes receiving, via a processor, a first signal from a user interface indicative of a value of at least one parameter. The method also includes determining, via the processor, a path of the agricultural vehicle toward a guidance swath based at least in part on the at least one parameter. In addition, the method includes outputting, via the processor, a second signal to a display of the user interface indicative of instructions to present a graphical representation of the path of the agricultural vehicle. Furthermore, the method includes controlling the agricultural vehicle, via the processor, based at least in part on the at least one parameter upon receiving at least a third signal from the user interface indicative of acceptance of the value of the at least one parameter.

Abstract: A method includes generating a non-continuous curvature end-of-row turn path for an agricultural vehicle, wherein the non-continuous curvature end-of-row turn path includes a plurality of initial segments that are curved or straight, adding at least one continuity segment between each of the plurality of initial segments, wherein the at least one continuity segment includes a clothoid segment, and the initial segments and the at least one continuity segment combine to form a continuous curvature end-of-row turn path, determining, via an iterative process, a maximum drivable speed based on a minimum speed and a target speed, and implementing the continuous end-of-row turn path at the maximum drivable speed.

Abstract: A control system is configured to receive a first signal indicative of a current position of a vehicle and a second signal indicative of a desired path for the vehicle. The control system is configured to calculate a virtual path between the current position and a target position on the desired path and to output a third signal indicative of curvature command corresponding to an initial curvature of the virtual path to cause a steering control system of the vehicle to adjust a steering angle of the vehicle. The control is also configured to iteratively receive an updated current position, receive any updates to the desired path, calculate an updated target position, calculate an updated virtual path based on the updated current position and updated desired path, and output an updated curvature command corresponding to a respective initial curvature of the updated virtual path as the vehicle travels across a surface.

Abstract: The invention relates to a propped, fractured, subterranean field with (a) a first proppant and (b) a second proppant that exhibits a relatively higher average crush strength and/or an ability to form a particle to particle bonded structure than the first proppant. Preferably, the first proppant is uncoated sand and the second proppant is resin-coated sand. The proppants can be deposited as a substantially homogeneous mixture or in layered structures (vertical or horizontal) within the fractured field. Deformation of the second proppant under closure stress acts to spread out the compression pressures in a mixture so as to reduce failure of the first proppant. Similar protective effects are found when the proppants are deposited in layers. When formed as vertical pillar structures, the second proppant structures can also act as in-situ screens that inhibit formation fines from migrating through the proppant pack to the detriment of field conductivity.

Abstract: Proppants for use in fractured or gravel packed/frac packed oil and gas wells are provided with a contaminant removal component to remove one or more of the contaminants found in subterranean water/hydrocarbon from a production well. The water/hydrocarbon cleaning proppant solids may be used as discrete particles in a proppant formulation, as a coating on proppant solids in pores of a porous proppant solid or as part of the proppant's internal structure. The contaminant removal component removes contaminants, especially dissolved contaminants, in the subterranean water or hydrocarbon before the water/hydrocarbon leaves the well. For those contaminant removal components that can be regenerated, such as ion exchange resins, a measured quantity of an acidic regeneration solution can be injected into the fractured stratum for regeneration and recovered when the well resumes production.

Abstract: Proppants for hydraulic fracturing of oil and gas wells are coated with a polyurea-type coating. In a preferred embodiment, the polyurea-type coating is formed by contacting a polymeric isocyanate with an amount of water a blowing catalyst at a rate and quantity sufficient to generate a reactive amine in situ on the outer surface of the proppant which thereby reacts with unconverted polymeric isocyanate to form a thin polyurea-type surface coating that is substantially solid and lacks foam or substantial porosity. Alternatively, the polyurea-type can he produed by selecting reactive amine compounds and isocyanates to develop the coated proppant. The coated proppants retain the discrete, free-flowing character of the original core solids but with the beneficial effects of the polyurea-type coating of the present invention.

Abstract: A method includes generating a database query in a database; receiving a first request to execute the database query on behalf of a first user; in response to the first request, executing the database query to generate a first set of results such that the first set of results is limited to data with which there is a semantic relationship in the database to a first datum representing the first user; receiving a second request to execute the database query on behalf of a second user; in response to the second request, executing the database query to generate a second set of results such that the second set of results is limited to data with which there is a semantic relationship in the database to a second datum representing the second user, where the first set of results and the second set of results are at least partially non-overlapping.

Abstract: Proppants for hydraulic fracturing of oil and gas wells have a polymeric coating that is strengthened with reinforcing particulates that are reactive with, or chemically bonded to, the polymeric proppant coating. Preferably, these particulates are added into the coating during the coating process. In one embodiment, functionalized particulates are used that become grafted into the polymer of the proppant coating through the chemical functionality imparted to the particulates. If non-functionalized particulates are used, a coupling agent is preferably added to enhance the bond strength between the added particulates and the polymeric matrix of the proppant coating.

Abstract: A method includes generating a non-continuous curvature end-of-row turn path for an agricultural vehicle, wherein the non-continuous curvature end-of-row turn path includes a plurality of initial segments that are curved or straight, adding at least one continuity segment between each of the initial segments, wherein the at least one continuity segment is a clothoid segment, and the initial segments and the at least one continuity segment combine to form a continuous curvature end-of-row turn path, and implementing the continuous end-of-row turn path, displaying the continuous end-of-row turn path, or both.

Abstract: A control system for a haul vehicle, includes a first transceiver configured to receive a first signal from a second transceiver, wherein the first signal is indicative of a first determined position and a first determined velocity of the target vehicle. The control system includes a controller communicatively coupled to the first transceiver, wherein the controller automatically controls the speed of the haul vehicle by determining a desired position and a desired speed of the haul vehicle based at least in part on the first determined position and the first determined velocity of the target vehicle, instructing an automated speed control system to establish the ground speed of the haul vehicle to reach the target position, and instructing the automated speed control system to control the ground speed of the haul vehicle to maintain the target position, including during turning of the target and haul vehicles.

Abstract: A method includes generating a database query in a database; receiving a first request to execute the database query on behalf of a first user; in response to the first request, executing the database query to generate a first set of results such that the first set of results is limited to data with which there is a semantic relationship in the database to a first datum representing the first user; receiving a second request to execute the database query on behalf of a second user; in response to the second request, executing the database query to generate a second set of results such that the second set of results is limited to data with which there is a semantic relationship in the database to a second datum representing the second user, where the first set of results and the second set of results are at least partially non-overlapping.

Abstract: Proppants for use in fractured or gravel packed/frac packed oil and gas wells are provided with a contaminant removal component to remove one or more of the contaminants found in subterranean water/hydrocarbon from a production well. The water/hydrocarbon cleaning proppant solids may be used as discrete particles in a proppant formulation, as a coating on proppant solids in pores of a porous proppant solid or as part of the proppant's internal structure. The contaminant removal component removes contaminants, especially dissolved contaminants, in the subterranean water or hydrocarbon before the water/hydrocarbon leaves the well. For those contaminant removal components that can be regenerated, such as ion exchange resins, a measured quantity of an acidic regeneration solution can be injected into the fractured stratum for regeneration and recovered when the well resumes production.

Abstract: Solid proppants are coated in a process that includes the steps of: (a) coating free-flowing proppant solids with a first component of either a polyol or an isocyanate in mixer; (b) adding a second component of either an isocyanate or a polyol that is different from the first component at a controlled rate or volume sufficient to form a polyurethane coating on the proppant solids; and (c) adding water at a rate and volume sufficient to retain the free-flowing characteristics of the proppant solids.

Abstract: The present invention generally relates to topical skin care compositions having at least one cyclic diester. More specifically, the present invention relates to novel topical skin care compositions having at least one cyclic diester of an alpha hydroxy acid, and at least one polar non-aqueous solvent.

Abstract: Proppants for hydraulic fracturing of oil and gas wells are coated with a polyurea-type coating. In a preferred embodiment, the polyurea-type coating is formed by contacting a polymeric isocyanate with an amount of water and a blowing catalyst at a rate and quantity sufficient to generate a reactive amine in situ on the outer surface of the proppant which thereby reacts with unconverted polymeric isocyanate to form a thin polyurea-type surface coating that is substantially solid and lacks foam or substantial porosity. Alternatively, the polyurea-type can be produced by selecting reactive amine compounds and isocyanates to develop the coated proppant. The coated proppants retain the discrete, free-flowing character of the original core solids but with the beneficial effects of the polyurea-type coating of the present invention.