Abstract: Carbon nanotubes (CNT) fibers having a resistivity lower than 120 ??*cm are prepared by a wet spinning process including the steps of supplying a spin-dope of carbon nanotubes to a spinneret, extruding the spin-dope through at least one spinning hole in the spinneret to form spun carbon nanotubes fibers, and coagulating the spun carbon nanotubes fibers in a coagulation medium to form coagulated carbon nanotubes fibers. The carbon nanotubes fibers are drawn at a draw ratio higher than 1.0. The carbon nanotubes have a length of at least 0.5 ?m. The carbon nanotubes fibers can further have a resistivity lower than 50 ??*cm. At the same time, the CNT fibers can have high modulus.

Abstract: An RF antenna assembly is to be positioned within a wellbore in a subterranean formation for hydrocarbon resource recovery. The RF antenna assembly includes a series of tubular dipole antennas to be positioned within the wellbore, each tubular dipole antenna having a pair of dipole elements, and an RF transmission line extending within the series of tubular dipole antennas. The RF antenna assembly includes a respective coupling structure between each pair of dipole elements and between the series of tubular dipole antennas, each coupling structure including a dielectric tube mechanically coupling adjacent dipole elements, and a tap connector carried by the dielectric tube and electrically coupling the RF transmission line to a corresponding dipole element.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a process for the preparation of a composite material from a particulate material comprising at least two thermoplastic polymers and a fibrous material having a density of from 150 to 550 kg/m3, comprising the steps of: a) blending the particulate binder material and the fibrous material, and b) heating the blended material obtained in a) to a temperature at or above the glass transition temperature (Tg) of at least one of the thermoplastic polymers, and c) shaping the heated material under pressure, to obtain a composite material. The invention further relates to the composite material thus obtained, and to its use as building material, structural or decorative sheet material, furniture material, and/or concrete sheeting material, and/or sound deadening material.

Abstract: A cleaning device is provided for removing debris from rotating conveyor rollers, and includes a housing constructed and arranged for insertion between two adjacent rotating rollers, the housing having a first set of cleaning wheels at a first housing end associated with a first of the conveyor rollers, and a second set of cleaning wheels located on an opposite end of the housing and associated with a second of the conveyor rollers. At least one of the cleaning wheels is reciprocable relative to the housing between a retracted position permitting insertion of the housing between the rollers, and a extended position extending the reciprocating wheel towards the adjacent roller for limiting lateral movement of the housing between the rollers. Upon movement of the housing between the rollers in a direction parallel to a longitudinal axis of the rollers, the cleaning wheels operationally engage and remove residue collected on the rollers.

Abstract: Systems, apparatuses and methods for monitoring wireless communication performance. A fleet of moving vehicles equipped with communication devices communicate data call records, including a geographic location of the vehicle when the communication was attempted, to a central office. Indications of successful and unsuccessful call record communications attempts are aggregated by geographic area using the geographic location data from the vehicles. Call success rate levels for the geographic areas are determined based on the aggregated indications of successful and unsuccessful call record communication attempts. These levels may be presented on geographical maps or otherwise, and/or used for network analysis purposes.

Abstract: An electronic Input/Output Interface and device abstraction system used in gaming machines includes: a game central processing unit (game “CPU”); an intelligent input/output controller board (“IOCB”); an Industry Standard Architecture PC bus (“ISA” bus); and a framed message transport protocol. The IOCB facilitates communications between the game CPU and virtual device services, which are peripheral devices associated with the gaming system. The game CPU communicates to gaming peripherals by sending virtual device messages across the ISA bus to the IOCB. The IOCB routes virtual device messages to appropriate virtual device services. Virtual device services are responsible for handling specific hardware, and include virtual device drivers on the game CPU that communicate with virtual devices on the IOCB. Use of the IOCB and the high speed interface enables the game CPU to use more of its available functions for controlling gaming functions rather than one operation of its associated peripheral devices.

Abstract: A processor has multiple cores with each core having an associated function to support processor operations. The functions performed by the cores are selectively altered to improve processor operations by balancing the resources applied for each function. For example, each core comprises a field programmable array that is selectively and dynamically programmed to perform a function, such as a floating point function or a fixed point function, based on the number of operations that use each function. As another example, a processor is built with a greater number of cores than can be simultaneously powered, each core associated with a function, so that cores having functions with lower utilization are selectively powered down.

Abstract: A method for recovering a hydrocarbon resource from a subterranean formation may include applying radio frequency (RF) power to the hydrocarbon resource in the subterranean formation to upgrade the hydrocarbon resource and producing the upgraded hydrocarbon resource from the subterranean formation to a wellhead. The method may also include, at the wellhead, performing an additional upgrading operation on the upgraded hydrocarbon resource using RF power. The method may further include supplying the upgraded hydrocarbon resource to a pipeline for transportation therethrough.

Abstract: A device for transporting and upgrading a hydrocarbon resource may include a pair of pipeline segments configured to transport the hydrocarbon resource therethrough and a radio frequency (RF) upgrading device. The RF upgrading device may include an RF applicator comprising an inner tubular dielectric coupler between the pair of pipeline segments, and an electrically conductive outer housing surrounding the inner tubular dielectric coupler. The RF upgrading device may also include an RF source coupled to the electrically conductive outer housing and having an operating frequency and power to upgrade the hydrocarbon resource.

Abstract: A radio frequency (RF) hydrocarbon resource upgrading device may include a first hydrocarbon resource upgrading path that may include a plurality of first RF power applicator stages coupled in series. Each first RF power stage is configured to apply RF power to upgrade a hydrocarbon resource passing therethrough. The RF hydrocarbon resource upgrading device may also include a second hydrocarbon resource upgrading path that may include at least one second RF power applicator stage coupled in parallel with at least one of the first RF power applicator stages. The second RF power applicator stage is configured to apply RF power to upgrade the hydrocarbon resource passing therethrough.

Abstract: Power is generated using a thermoelectric power generation unit. The thermoelectric power generation unit has at least one thermoelectric module disposed between a first heat sink arranged inside the thermoelectric power generation unit and a second heat sink arranged outside the thermoelectric power generation unit. The thermoelectric power generation unit is inserted into a ducting network carrying relatively hot air during some periods of time and relatively cold air during other periods of time so that the relatively hot and cold air flows through the thermoelectric power generation unit during the different periods of time. The thermoelectric power generation unit generates power when the ducting network carries either the relatively hot or cold air. Energy is stored at least partially based on the power generated by the thermoelectric power generation unit.

Abstract: A process for the preparation of a composite material from a particulate binder material having an average particle size (D9 0) of from 15 to 850 pm and a fibrous material having a density of from 150 to 550 kg/m3, comprising the steps of: a) blending the particulate binder material and the fibrous material, preferably in a weight ratio of 60:40 to 10:90, and b) subjecting the blended material obtained in a) to a curing step under increased temperature and pressure to obtain a composite material. The invention further relates to the composite material thus obtained, and to its use as building materials or as panelling.

Abstract: Systems, apparatuses and methods for monitoring wireless communication performance. A fleet of moving vehicles equipped with communication devices communicate data call records, including a geographic location of the vehicle when the communication was attempted, to a central office. Indications of successful and unsuccessful call record communications attempts are aggregated by geographic area using the geographic location data from the vehicles. Call success rate levels for the geographic areas are determined based on the aggregated indications of successful and unsuccessful call record communication attempts. These levels may be presented on geographical maps or otherwise, and/or used for network analysis purposes.

Abstract: Disclosed is a package for a personal care composition, the package comprising a container containing a personal care composition, the container having a base comprising a base face for standing the package on a planar surface, and a cap removably connected to and covering a dispensing end of the container opposite to the base. The cap has an end face which is inclined to the base face, and the container and cap are shaped to permit the package, independent of the amount of the personal care composition contained within the container, selectively to be stood on the base face in an upright orientation on the planar surface or on the end face in an inverted orientation on the planar surface.

Abstract: A hydrocarbon fluid pipeline may include pipeline segments connected together in end-to-end relation between first and second spaced apart geographic locations and configured to carry hydrocarbon fluid therethrough. The hydrocarbon fluid pipeline may also include a radio frequency (RF) heating station that may include an RF source and an RF heater between adjacent pipeline segments of the plurality thereof. The RF heater may include an inner tubular dielectric coupler between the adjacent pipeline segments, and an electrically conductive outer housing surrounding the inner tubular dielectric coupler and connected to the RF source to heat the hydrocarbon fluid.

Abstract: Disclosed is a package for a personal care composition, the package comprising a container containing a personal care composition, the container having a base comprising a base face for standing the package on a planar surface, and a cap removably connected to and covering a dispensing end of the container opposite to the base. The cap has an end face which is inclined to the base face, and the container and cap are shaped to permit the package, independent of the amount of the personal care composition contained within the container, selectively to be stood on the base face in an upright orientation on the planar surface or on the end face in an inverted orientation on the planar surface.

Abstract: An engine/heat pump is shown. The preferred model has at least one expander, being a centrifugal pump and at least one compressor, being a centrifugal pump, the rotor for the expander and the rotor for the compressor being on the same axle. The axle and rotors and all rapidly moving parts are surrounded by the working fluid, which is a monatomic gas within a substantially stationary container not pierced by any moving part. An electric dynamo also completely surrounded by the gas rotates magnets in an aerodynamic configuration simulating a group of horseshoe magnets. The dynamo coils between the ends of the magnets are also in an aerodynamic structure but stationary. The output wires extend through the gas container wall. Heat exchangers are on the paths between compressor and expander.

Abstract: Systems, apparatuses and methods for monitoring wireless communication performance. A fleet of moving vehicles equipped with communication devices communicate data call records, including a geographic location of the vehicle when the communication was attempted, to a central office. Indications of successful and unsuccessful call record communications attempts are aggregated by geographic area using the geographic location data from the vehicles. Call success rate levels for the geographic areas are determined based on the aggregated indications of successful and unsuccessful call record communication attempts. These levels may be presented on geographical maps or otherwise, and/or used for network analysis purposes.

Abstract: Techniques for authorizing fuel purchases based on vehicle available fuel tank capacity. The authorization may be performed on a transaction basis, such that each fueling event may be independently authorized. A current fuel tank capacity for the vehicle is obtained, and transmitted to an authorization entity. An authorization is obtained for dispensing a quantity of fuel that does not exceed the current fuel tank capacity.

Abstract: A processor has multiple cores with each core having an associated function to support processor operations. The functions performed by the cores are selectively altered to improve processor operations by balancing the resources applied for each function. For example, each core comprises a field programmable array that is selectively and dynamically programmed to perform a function, such as a floating point function or a fixed point function, based on the number of operations that use each function. As another example, a processor is built with a greater number of cores than can be simultaneously powered, each core associated with a function, so that cores having functions with lower utilization are selectively powered down.