Abstract: A method for inspecting welds between welded tubular ends includes arranging a series electromagnetic acoustic transducer (EMAT) assemblies in circumferential direction adjacent to an inner and/or outer surface of at least one of the welded tubular ends and inducing the EMAT assemblies to transmit sequentially or simultaneously acoustic shear wave signals towards the weld and to detect the shear waves reflected by and/or passing through the weld while the EMAT assemblies are maintained in a substantially fixed position relative to the weld such that at least a substantial part of the weld is scanned by the EMAT assemblies instantly after the weld is made.

Abstract: The present development is a silica additive for use in rubbers and similar cross-linked materials having a silicon atom intercalated within an oxygenated framework. The additive may be prepared starting with crystalline, fused or amorphous silica powder, thereby reducing the cost of the additive as compared to using precipitated silica.

Abstract: A faster system includes a screw or bolt having two interleaved helical threads, which bracket a helicoil. The helicoil expands and torques by various means to maintain hold and purchase between the screw coil combination and the substrate into which the screw and helicoil are inserted even when the substrate recedes a significant distance from the screw and helicoil combination. The fastener system includes means for latching the tilt of the coil so as to minimize the constraining forces and optimize the motion of the helicoil, that results in the screw or bolt being pushed into the substrate.

Abstract: An automated method for forge welding tubulars including heating the tubular ends to be joined in a welding chamber while the heated tubular ends are maintained aligned and parallel relative to each other and at a small spacing, whereupon the heated tubular ends are pressed together while a reducing shield gas is injected into the chamber.

Abstract: An oil shale formation may be treated using an in situ thermal process. Hydrocarbons, H2, and/or other formation fluids may be produced from the formation. Heat may be applied to the formation from one or more heat sources to raise a temperature of a portion of the formation to a desired temperature. Some of the heat sources may be conductors placed within conduits. The conductors may be resistively heated so that the conductors radiantly heat the conduits. The generated heat may transfer to the formation.

Abstract: A method for inspecting welds between welded tubular ends includes arranging a series electromagnetic acoustic transducer (EMAT) assemblies in circumferential direction adjacent to an inner and/or outer surface of at least one of the welded tubular ends and inducing the EMAT assemblies to transmit sequentially or simultaneously acoustic shear wave signals towards the weld and to detect the shear waves reflected by and/or passing through the weld while the EMAT assemblies are maintained in a substantially fixed position relative to the weld such that at least a substantial part of the weld is scanned by the EMAT assemblies instantly after the weld is made.

Abstract: A stent radially expandable from a radially contracted introduction state into a radially expanded position state, in which the final shape of the stent can be controlled by varying the amount and places energy is delivered onto the interior surfaces of the tubes from which the stent is fabricated, and means to seal the opening into the aneurysm, thereby causing the blood therein to clot and preventing the aneurysm from growing or rupturing.

Abstract: A fastener system includes a screw or bolt having two interleaved helical threads, which bracket a helicoil. The helicoil expands and torques by various means to maintain hold and purchase between the screw coil combination and the substrate into which the screw and helicoil are inserted even when the substrate recedes a significant distance from the screw and helicoil combination. The fastener system includes means for latching the tilt of the coil so as to minimize the constraining forces and optimize the motion of the helicoil, that results in the screw or bolt being pushed into the substrate.

Abstract: A stent radially expandable from a radially contracted introduction state into a radially expanded position state, in which the final shape of the stent can be controlled by varying the amount and places energy is delivered onto the interior surfaces of the tubes from which the stent is fabricated, and means to seal the opening into the aneurysm, thereby causing the blood therein to clot and preventing the aneurysm from growing or rupturing.

Abstract: A method and assembly for preserving solder connections of components mounted on a thin laminate circuit board during wave soldering of leaded components to the circuit board. The method generally entails supporting the circuit board on a pallet with pedestals that contact the surface of the circuit board directly opposite surface-mount components on the board. The pallet also includes an access directly opposite leaded components assembled to the board so that their leads are exposed. The pallet and board assembly are then placed on a wave soldering apparatus and wave soldered while applying and maintaining a force to the circuit board that ensures contact between the pedestals and the surface of the board opposite the surface-mount components, so that the leads of the leaded components are soldered to the circuit board.

Abstract: The present invention relates to precursor adhesive coating compositions which optionally contain water, which are particularly suitable for being admixed with at least one supercritical fluid used as a viscosity reduction diluent and then spraying this resultant liquid mixture of supercritical fluid and precursor adhesive coating composition onto a substrate to be coated. Processes for spraying these precursor adhesive coating compositions are also disclosed.