Abstract: Structural metal-matrix composites (MMC) comprising a foam matrix material infiltrated with a binder material, where the binder material binds the foam matrix material to a structural element of a tool, thereby enhancing three-dimensional reinforcement of the tool. In some instances, the structural element is a portion of a wellbore tool or a bit body, such that portions of such tools or bit bodies are composed of the structural MMC. The foam matrix material may be composed of a metallic foam, a ceramic foam, and any combination thereof.

Abstract: The invention provides a method for obtaining a broadly neutralizing antibody (bNab), including screening memory B cell cultures from a donor PBMC sample for neutralization activity against a plurality of HIV-1 species, cloning a memory B cell that exhibits broad neutralization activity; and rescuing a monoclonal antibody from that memory B cell culture. The resultant monoclonal antibodies are characterized by their ability to selectively bind epitopes from the Env proteins in native or monomeric form, as well as to inhibit infection of HIV-1 species from a plurality of clades. Compositions containing human monoclonal anti-HIV antibodies used for prophylaxis, diagnosis and treatment of HIV infection are provided. Methods for generating such antibodies by immunization using epitopes from conserved regions within the variable loops of gp120 are provided. Immunogens for generating anti-HIV1 bNAbs are also provided. Furthermore, methods for vaccination using suitable epitopes are provided.

Abstract: The present invention is an improved apparatus and method for forming a retractable tower or column. The present invention includes pointed hooks wherein the hooks are attached to each section of a section chain, one in a horizontal direction and one in an off-set manner. The section chains are placed on a take up mechanism in an operable position and then raised utilizing a motor. As the section chains are raised, they are guided by a guide tower, rollers, shims, and gear racks into a position whereby hooks from adjacent sections of the section chains form coupled engagements. The coupled engagement of the hooks of the sections of each adjacent section chains thereby form the column.

Abstract: The present invention is an improved apparatus and method for forming a retractable tower or column. The present invention includes pointed hooks wherein the hooks are attached to each section of a section chain, one in a horizontal direction and one in an off-set manner. The section chains are placed on a take up mechanism in an operable position and then raised utilizing a motor. As the section chains are raised, they are guided by a guide tower, rollers, shims, and gear racks into a position whereby hooks from adjacent sections of the section chains form coupled engagements. The coupled engagement of the hooks of the sections of each adjacent section chains thereby form the column.

Abstract: The present invention is an improved apparatus and method for forming a retractable tower or column. The present invention includes pointed hooks wherein the hooks are attached to each section of a section chain, one in a horizontal direction and one in an off-set manner. The section chains are placed on a take up mechanism in an operable position and then raised utilizing a motor. As the section chains are raised, they are guided by a guide tower, rollers, shims, and gear racks into a position whereby hooks from adjacent sections of the section chains form coupled engagements. The coupled engagement of the hooks of the sections of each adjacent section chains thereby form the column.

Abstract: The present invention is an improved apparatus and method for forming a retractable tower or column. The present invention includes pointed hooks wherein the hooks are attached to each section of a section chain, one in a horizontal direction and one in an off-set manner. The section chains are placed on a take up mechanism in an operable position and then raised utilizing a motor. As the section chains are raised, they are guided by a guide tower, rollers, shims, and gear racks into a position whereby hooks from adjacent sections of the section chains form coupled engagements. The coupled engagement of the hooks of the sections of each adjacent section chains thereby form the column.

Abstract: A flow separation hub including a first hub component, a second hub component affixed to the first hub component, a first passage arranged through the first and second hub components for enabling a first fluid to flow through the flow separation hub, a second passage arranged through the first and second hub components for enabling a second fluid to flow through the hub, wherein the hub prohibits fluid communication between the first and second fluids when the first and second fluids flow through the hub.

Abstract: A torque converter, including a front cover with an exterior surface at least partially facing in a direction parallel to an axis of rotation for the torque converter, and a portion at a furthest radial distance from the axis of rotation. The torque converter also includes: at least one angled mounting plate fixedly connected to the exterior surface of the front cover and including a portion disposed at an acute angle with respect to the axis of rotation; and at least one threaded fastener with: a first end fixedly connected to the portion of the at least one angled mounting plate; and a second end, opposite the first end, disposed further in the direction than the first end, disposed radially outward from the first end, and at a radial distance from the axis of ration less than the furthest radial distance for the front cover.

Abstract: A blade assembly for a torque converter including a shell with an inner surface and a plurality of blades attached to the shell by brazing. Each blade has a first surface for guiding a fluid in the torque converter and a second surface substantially parallel to the inner surface. The blades may include sheet steel and may be made by stamping. In an example embodiment of the invention, each blade includes at least one tab, the shell comprises a plurality of slots or indents, and the at least one tab is disposed in a respective slot or indent. The shell may be an outer shell or a core ring for a pump or turbine for the torque converter.

Abstract: The present invention is an improved apparatus and method for forming a retractable tower or column. The present invention includes pointed hooks wherein the hooks are attached to each section of a section chain, one in a horizontal direction and one in an off-set manner. The section chains are placed on a take up mechanism in an operable position and then raised utilizing a motor. As the section chains are raised, they are guided by a guide tower, rollers, shims, and gear racks into a position whereby hooks from adjacent sections of the section chains form coupled engagements. The coupled engagement of the hooks of the sections of each adjacent section chains thereby form the column.

Abstract: The present invention is an improved apparatus and method for forming a retractable tower or column. The present invention includes pointed hooks wherein the hooks are attached to each section of a section chain, one in a horizontal direction and one in an off-set manner. The section chains are placed on a take up mechanism in an operable position and then raised utilizing a motor. As the section chains are raised, they are guided by a guide tower, rollers, shims, and gear racks into a position whereby hooks from adjacent sections of the section chains form coupled engagements. The coupled engagement of the hooks of the sections of each adjacent section chains thereby form the column.

Abstract: A fully contained, drop-in clutch assembly, which includes a clutch cover which has slots, a moveable pressure plate with radially outwardly directed tabs that engages the slots of the clutch allowing axial movement, a fixed pressure plate which is fastened to the clutch cover by fastening elements, a clutch disc disposed between the movable pressure plate and the fixed pressure plate, and a diaphragm spring. By fastening the fixed pressure plate to the clutch cover, the clutch assembly is fully contained, allowing easy assembly to transmission housing and a flexplate.

Abstract: A system and method for optimizing fixed and temporal noise in an infrared imaging system. The system may use correction tables with correction factors, each correction factor indexed to a plurality of system parameters.

Abstract: A torque converter, including: turbine and pump shells; a turbine hub; a drive hub including a first orifice; and a lock-up clutch. The clutch includes: a clutch plate directly engaged with the turbine hub, fixed with respect to rotation to the turbine hub, and sealed with respect to the turbine hub; an apply plate the rotation of which is fixed to the rotation of the pump shell; and a piston plate. The converter includes a first fluid chamber at least partially formed by the piston, clutch and apply plates; and a second fluid chamber partially formed by the clutch and apply plates and the turbine and pump shells. When the lock-up clutch is closed, the first chamber is sealed except for the first orifice and one of a second orifice through the apply plate or a first fluid flow path through the lock-up clutch to the second fluid chamber.

Abstract: A support ring for a torque converter including first and second laminations, wherein each of the first and second laminations includes first and second opposite surfaces, wherein the first surfaces of the first and second laminations are matingly engaged and affixed together, and the second surfaces of the first and second laminations form a pair of external, opposite surfaces of the support ring, wherein the first surfaces of the first and second laminations each further comprise at least one hole, at least one protrusion, and wherein the at least one protrusion of the first lamination is engaged in the at least one hole of the second lamination, and wherein the at least one protrusion of the second lamination is engaged in the at least one hole of the first lamination.

Abstract: The present invention is an improved apparatus and method for forming a retractable tower or column. The present invention includes pointed hooks wherein the hooks are attached to each section of a section chain, one in a horizontal direction and one in an off-set manner. The section chains are placed on a take up mechanism in an operable position and then raised utilizing a motor. As the section chains are raised, they are guided by a guide tower, rollers, shims, and gear racks into a position whereby hooks from adjacent sections of the section chains form coupled engagements. The coupled engagement of the hooks of the sections of each adjacent section chains thereby form the column.

Abstract: A torque converter, including a front cover with an exterior surface at least partially facing in a direction parallel to an axis of rotation for the torque converter, and a portion at a furthest radial distance from the axis of rotation. The torque converter also includes: at least one angled mounting plate fixedly connected to the exterior surface of the front cover and including a portion disposed at an acute angle with respect to the axis of rotation; and at least one threaded fastener with: a first end fixedly connected to the portion of the at least one angled mounting plate; and a second end, opposite the first end, disposed further in the direction than the first end, disposed radially outward from the first end, and at a radial distance from the axis of ration less than the furthest radial distance for the front cover.

Abstract: The present invention is an improved apparatus and method for forming a retractable tower or column. The present invention includes pointed hooks wherein the hooks are attached to each section of a section chain, one in a horizontal direction and one in an off-set manner. The section chains are placed on a take up mechanism in an operable position and then raised utilizing a motor. As the section chains are raised, they are guided by a guide tower, rollers, shims, and gear racks into a position whereby hooks from adjacent sections of the section chains form coupled engagements. The coupled engagement of the hooks of the sections of each adjacent section chains thereby form the column.

Abstract: A torque converter including: a membrane forming a portion of a release chamber for the clutch; a friction plate for a torque converter clutch, the plate rotationally connected to a turbine hub and disposed within the release chamber; and a damper element rotationally connected to the turbine hub and to the torque converter clutch. In lock-up mode for the converter, the plate is arranged to transmit torque to the turbine hub. The torque converter includes cooling fluid and a torus and the clutch further comprises friction material and in some aspects, during the lock-up mode, the release chamber is sealed except for a flow of the cooling fluid from the release chamber through the friction material to the torus. The plate includes oppositely disposed first and second radial surfaces and during a torque converter mode for the torque converter, respective pressures on the first and second surfaces are substantially equal.

Abstract: A stator, including a blade assembly with an inner circumferential surface and a plurality of pre-formed grooves in the inner circumferential surface and an outer race with an outer circumferential surface and a plurality of protrusions at least partially engaged with the plurality of pre-formed grooves. The plurality of protrusions is frictionally engaged with the plurality of pre-formed grooves. In one embodiment, the inner circumferential surface includes an area circumferentially disposed between first and second protrusions from the plurality of protrusions and a portion of the area is displaced radially inward by the engagement of the pluralities of grooves and protrusions.