Abstract: The present invention relates to, in a first aspect, an electrical insulation socket comprising a base portion having an injection aperture extending therethrough to an underside thereof, at least one body portion comprising a tubular body, and an upper portion comprising a socket opening and a peripheral flange, wherein the base, at least one body and upper portions are able to interconnect to form the electrical insulation socket, the at least one body portion forming a socket body, with the flange at an upper end thereof and the base comprising the injection aperture at a lower end thereof. Also included are a guide tool for installation, a method of installation and an electrical insulation socket installation kit.

Abstract: A transmitter is disclosed that includes an electromagnetically permeable ductile core formed from a flexible core material. An antenna coil is wound around the flexible electromagnetically permeable ductile core to surround at least one portion of the electronics region and another portion of the battery region. An elongated outer tube serves as an outer structural member of the transmitter that is sealable at first and second opposing ends. The core can be formed from a wrapped electromagnetically permeable sheet material such as silicon steel. An associated wrapping table and method are described.

Abstract: A transmitter is carried proximate to an inground tool for sensing a plurality of operational parameters relating to the inground tool. The transmitter customizes a data signal to characterize one or more of the operational parameters for transmission from the inground tool based on the operational status of the inground tool. A receiver receives the data signal and recovers the operational parameters. Advanced data protocols are described. Pitch averaging and enhancement of dynamic pitch range for accelerometer readings are described based on monitoring mechanical shock and vibration of the inground tool.

Abstract: The present disclosure relates to a nontoxic poly(ethyl cyanoacrylate) (PECA) plastic. The PECA-based plastic is sourced from non-petroleum feedstocks and can be thermally and/or mechanically converted back to the ethyl cyanoacrylate monomer in a closed-loop recycling system with high monomer recovery. The disclosure also provides for methods of making the PECA plastics and methods of recycling the PECA plastics.

Abstract: Toy building panels include a forward layer having a smooth, front face and ridges extending rearwardly from said forward layer. The ridges are peripherally positioned near at least two edges of the forward layer. The toy building panels also include a rear layer attached to the forward layer by way of shared pillars. The shared pillars extend through at least a portion of both the forward layer and the rear layer. Holes spanning a thickness of the rear layer correspond with and receive the ridges. Each of the holes is peripherally positioned near one of the edges of the perimeter that makes up the boundary of the rear layer.

Abstract: A transmitter is powered by a regulated battery voltage and is installable in one of a plurality of different housings, each housing is characterized by a different design and each can form part of an inground tool for performing an inground operation in which a drill string extends from a drill rig to the inground tool. An antenna driver drives an antenna based on the regulated voltage to emanate an electromagnetic signal for remote reception. A controller limits power consumption from the regulated voltage so as not to exceed a power consumption threshold, irrespective of installation of the transmitter in any one of the housings when the transmitter would otherwise exhibit a different power consumption for each housing design. A corresponding method is described. Features relating to power consumption threshold modification based on temperature as well as mechanical shock and vibration are described.

Abstract: A transmitter for inground use controls a depth signal transmit power in relation to a data signal transmit power such that one reception range of the depth signal at least approximately matches another, different reception range of the data signal. A portable device can form a system with the transmitter in which the portable device scans a plurality of frequencies within at least one low frequency depth signal range to measure the electromagnetic noise at each one of the plurality of frequencies and identify at least one of the frequencies as a potential depth frequency for the transmitter. The portable device can include a dual mode filter having a rebar mode and a normal mode filter. The depth signal frequency is dynamically positionable in relation to low frequency noise.

Abstract: An accelerometer arrangement and method are described for determining accelerations of an inground tool. First and second triaxial accelerometers are supported such that a normal sensing axis of the first triaxial accelerometer is at least generally orthogonal to the normal sensing axis of the second triaxial accelerometer for determining the accelerations along the three orthogonal axes based on a combination of sensing axis outputs from one or both of the triaxial accelerometers. A weaker sensing axis of one triaxial accelerometer can be supported at least approximately normal to a weaker sensing axis of another triaxial accelerometer such that the weaker axes are not used. The triaxial accelerometers can be supported such that one axis of one accelerometer can be redundant with respect to another axis of another accelerometer. One triaxial accelerometer can be mounted on a tilted plane with respect to another triaxial accelerometer.

Abstract: A transmitter for inground use controls a depth signal transmit power in relation to a data signal transmit power such that one reception range of the depth signal at least approximately matches another, different reception range of the data signal. A portable device can form a system with the transmitter in which the portable device scans a plurality of frequencies within at least one low frequency depth signal range to measure the electromagnetic noise at each one of the plurality of frequencies and identify at least one of the frequencies as a potential depth frequency for the transmitter. The portable device can include a dual mode filter having a rebar mode and a normal mode filter. The depth signal frequency is dynamically positionable in relation to low frequency noise.

Abstract: Layered constructions, such as those used in pressure sensitive adhesive constructions and release liner constructions, are disclosed having a functional layer that is capable of removal. Methods of utilizing the layered constructions are also disclosed.

Abstract: A substance may include polymers that include reagent end-capped poly(acetal)s, where a differential scanning calorimetry process exhibits no endothermic peaks for monomers for a first heat cycle of a heat-cool process applied to the reagent end-capped poly(acetal)s and for a second heat cycle of the heat-cool process. The disclosed polyacetals are stable at 23° C., open to the air, for at least 1 month.

Abstract: An accelerometer arrangement and method are described for determining accelerations of an inground tool. First and second triaxial accelerometers are supported such that a normal sensing axis of the first triaxial accelerometer is at least generally orthogonal to the normal sensing axis of the second triaxial accelerometer for determining the accelerations along the three orthogonal axes based on a combination of sensing axis outputs from one or both of the triaxial accelerometers. A weaker sensing axis of one triaxial accelerometer can be supported at least approximately normal to a weaker sensing axis of another triaxial accelerometer such that the weaker axes are not used. The triaxial accelerometers can be supported such that one axis of one accelerometer can be redundant with respect to another axis of another accelerometer. One triaxial accelerometer can be mounted on a tilted plane with respect to another triaxial accelerometer.

Abstract: The present disclosure relates to a nontoxic poly(ethyl cyanoacrylate) (PECA) plastic. The PECA-based plastic is sourced from non-petroleum feedstocks and can be thermally and/or mechanically converted back to the ethyl cyanoacrylate monomer in a closed-loop recycling system with high monomer recovery. The disclosure also provides for methods of making the PECA plastics and methods of recycling the PECA plastics.

Abstract: The present disclosure relates to a nontoxic poly(ethyl cyanoacrylate) (PECA) plastic. The PECA-based plastic is sourced from non-petroleum feedstocks and can be thermally and/or mechanically converted back to the ethyl cyanoacrylate monomer in a closed-loop recycling system with high monomer recovery. The disclosure also provides for methods of making the PECA plastics and methods of recycling the PECA plastics.

Abstract: An accelerometer arrangement and method are described for determining accelerations of an inground tool. First and second triaxial accelerometers are supported such that a normal sensing axis of the first triaxial accelerometer is at least generally orthogonal to the normal sensing axis of the second triaxial accelerometer for determining the accelerations along the three orthogonal axes based on a combination of sensing axis outputs from one or both of the triaxial accelerometers. A weaker sensing axis of one triaxial accelerometer can be supported at least approximately normal to a weaker sensing axis of another triaxial accelerometer such that the weaker axes are not used. The triaxial accelerometers can be supported such that one axis of one accelerometer can be redundant with respect to another axis of another accelerometer. One triaxial accelerometer can be mounted on a tilted plane with respect to another triaxial accelerometer.

Abstract: A transmitter is powered by a regulated battery voltage and is installable in one of a plurality of different housings, each housing is characterized by a different design and each can form part of an inground tool for performing an inground operation in which a drill string extends from a drill rig to the inground tool. An antenna driver drives an antenna based on the regulated voltage to emanate an electromagnetic signal for remote reception. A controller limits power consumption from the regulated voltage so as not to exceed a power consumption threshold, irrespective of installation of the transmitter in any one of the housings when the transmitter would otherwise exhibit a different power consumption for each housing design. A corresponding method is described. Features relating to power consumption threshold modification based on temperature as well as mechanical shock and vibration are described.

Abstract: Disclosed herein are sugar-based composites that are a recyclable and environmentally friendly replacement for plastics. The sugar-based composites are a renewable, recyclable, degradable, energy-efficient, and lightweight replacement of plastics in short term use applications. The sugar-based composites comprise small molecule sugar compounds. Methods of preparing and methods of recycling the sugar-based composites are also disclosed.

Abstract: A transmitter for inground use controls a depth signal transmit power in relation to a data signal transmit power such that one reception range of the depth signal at least approximately matches another, different reception range of the data signal. A portable device can form a system with the transmitter in which the portable device scans a plurality of frequencies within at least one low frequency depth signal range to measure the electromagnetic noise at each one of the plurality of frequencies and identify at least one of the frequencies as a potential depth frequency for the transmitter. The portable device can include a dual mode filter having a rebar mode and a normal mode filter. The depth signal frequency is dynamically positionable in relation to low frequency noise.

Abstract: A transmitter is powered by a regulated battery voltage and is installable in one of a plurality of different housings, each housing is characterized by a different design and each can form part of an inground tool for performing an inground operation in which a drill string extends from a drill rig to the inground tool. An antenna driver drives an antenna based on the regulated voltage to emanate an electromagnetic signal for remote reception. A controller limits power consumption from the regulated voltage so as not to exceed a power consumption threshold, irrespective of installation of the transmitter in any one of the housings when the transmitter would otherwise exhibit a different power consumption for each housing design. A corresponding method is described. Features relating to power consumption threshold modification based on temperature as well as mechanical shock and vibration are described.