Abstract: For maneuvering a spacecraft, a method calculates a virtual point that represents a plurality of spacecraft orbiting in a spacecraft formation. The method iteratively calculates a desired trajectory relative to the virtual point for a given spacecraft of the plurality of spacecraft using a relative orbital elements (ROE) state x of the virtual point and the given spacecraft. Model predictive control maintains the given spacecraft within an ROE constraint for a given time interval subject to a fuel consumption. In response to determining a drift trajectory of the given spacecraft is outside of a trajectory tolerance of the desired trajectory, maneuvering the given spacecraft to within the trajectory tolerance using a maneuver trajectory determined using the model predictive control.

Abstract: Systems and methods are provided for locating a pair of components relative to one another using complex surfaces. One component has a complex surface, where the complex surface is smoothly contoured. Another component is shaped to be connected with the first component. A fixture locates the first component relative to the second component. The fixture includes a locator with a complex surface region shaped to mate with the complex surface of the one component to locate the fixture relative to that component. The fixture includes another locator to locate the fixture relative to the second component.

Abstract: For maneuvering a spacecraft, a method calculates a virtual point that represents a plurality of spacecraft orbiting in a spacecraft formation. The method further iteratively calculates an inner polytope boundary relative to the virtual point for a given spacecraft of the plurality of spacecraft. In response to determining the inner polytope boundary will be breached, the method maneuvers the given spacecraft to within the inner polytope boundary based on a switching condition, a guidance law, and model predictive control to minimize fuel consumption.

Abstract: For power-enhanced slew maneuvers, a method determines a power collection function for a satellite. The method determines a power cost function for the satellite. The method calculates a power enhanced slew maneuver based on the power collection function and the power cost function.

Abstract: For model predictive control for a spacecraft formation, a method calculates a virtual point that represents a plurality of spacecraft orbiting in a spacecraft formation. The method calculates an outer polytope boundary and an inner polytope boundary relative to the virtual point for a given spacecraft of the plurality of spacecraft. The method maneuvers the given spacecraft to within the inner polytope boundary using model predictive control (MPC) to minimize fuel consumption.

Abstract: For model predictive control for a spacecraft formation, a method calculates a virtual point that represents a plurality of spacecraft orbiting in a spacecraft formation. The method calculates an outer polytope boundary and an inner polytope boundary relative to the virtual point for a given spacecraft of the plurality of spacecraft. The method maneuvers the given spacecraft to within the inner polytope boundary using model predictive control (MPC) to minimize fuel consumption.

Abstract: A hybrid propulsion system includes a housing, at least two electrodes, a solid-grain fuel material, a combustion chamber, an oxidizer port, and a nozzle. The housing has a first end and a second end and defines a cavity. The electrodes extend into the cavity. The fuel material is free of an oxidizer and is positioned in the cavity. The fuel material has a combustion surface and is exposed to the electrodes. The combustion chamber is defined between the combustion surface and the second end. The oxidizer port provides a flow of oxidizer to the combustion chamber. The nozzle is positioned at the second end. Combustion of the fuel material in the combustion chamber may be dominated by radiative heat transfer. Combustion of the fuel material in the combustion chamber may generate thrust of no more than 5 N at an oxidizer flow rate of no more than 5 g/s.

Abstract: A separator for separating wellbore emulsions into liquid and gaseous components has helical emulsion preheat coils encircling a single-cylinder, dual chamber firetube disposed inside a horizontal separator vessel. In use, emulsion enters the preheat coils before entering the separator vessel. The flow of emulsion through the helical coils promotes initial separation of the emulsion by means of heat transfer and centrifugal flow. Resultant centripetal force separates lighter gaseous and liquid particles toward the inside of the helical coils, while heavier emulsion fractions condense toward the outside of the helical coils. The use of helical preheat coils and a single-cylinder, dual-chamber firetube eliminate or minimize abrupt changes in emulsion flow direction that are characteristic of prior art separators, resulting in reduced wear in both the coils and the firetube.

Abstract: A hybrid propulsion system includes a housing, at least two electrodes, a solid-grain fuel material, a combustion chamber, an oxidizer port, and a nozzle. The housing has a first end and a second end and defines a cavity. The electrodes extend into the cavity. The fuel material is free of an oxidizer and is positioned in the cavity. The fuel material has a combustion surface and is exposed to the electrodes. The combustion chamber is defined between the combustion surface and the second end. The oxidizer port provides a flow of oxidizer to the combustion chamber. The nozzle is positioned at the second end. Combustion of the fuel material in the combustion chamber may be dominated by radiative heat transfer. Combustion of the fuel material in the combustion chamber may generate thrust of no more than 5 N at an oxidizer flow rate of no more than 5 g/s.

Abstract: A hybrid propulsion system includes a housing, at least two electrodes, a solid-grain fuel material, a combustion chamber, an oxidizer port, and a nozzle. The housing has a first end and a second end and defines a cavity. The electrodes extend into the cavity. The fuel material is free of an oxidizer and is positioned in the cavity. The fuel material has a combustion surface and is exposed to the electrodes. The combustion chamber is defined between the combustion surface and the second end. The oxidizer port provides a flow of oxidizer to the combustion chamber. The nozzle is positioned at the second end. Combustion of the fuel material in the combustion chamber may be dominated by radiative heat transfer.

Abstract: A hybrid propulsion system includes a housing, at least two electrodes, a solid-grain fuel material, a combustion chamber, an oxidizer port, and a nozzle. The housing has a first end and a second end and defines a cavity. The electrodes extend into the cavity. The fuel material is free of an oxidizer and is positioned in the cavity. The fuel material has a combustion surface and is exposed to the electrodes. The combustion chamber is defined between the combustion surface and the second end. The oxidizer port provides a flow of oxidizer to the combustion chamber. The nozzle is positioned at the second end. Combustion of the fuel material in the combustion chamber may be dominated by radiative heat transfer. Combustion of the fuel material in the combustion chamber may generate thrust of no more than 5 N at an oxidizer flow rate of no more than 5 g/s.

Abstract: A separator for separating wellbore emulsions into liquid and gaseous components has helical emulsion preheat coils encircling a single-cylinder, dual chamber firetube disposed inside a horizontal separator vessel. In use, emulsion enters the preheat coils before entering the separator vessel. The flow of emulsion through the helical coils promotes initial separation of the emulsion by means of heat transfer and centrifugal flow. Resultant centripetal force separates lighter gaseous and liquid particles toward the inside of the helical coils, while heavier emulsion fractions condense toward the outside of the helical coils. The use of helical preheat coils and a single-cylinder, dual-chamber firetube eliminate or minimize abrupt changes in emulsion flow direction that are characteristic of prior art separators, resulting in reduced wear in both the coils and the firetube.

Abstract: For power-enhanced slew maneuvers, a method determines a power collection function for a satellite. The method determines a power cost function for the satellite. The method calculates a power enhanced slew maneuver based on the power collection function and the power cost function.

Abstract: A hybrid propulsion system includes a housing, at least two electrodes, a solid-grain fuel material, a combustion chamber, an oxidizer port, and a nozzle. The housing has a first end and a second end and defines a cavity. The electrodes extend into the cavity. The fuel material is free of an oxidizer and is positioned in the cavity. The fuel material has a combustion surface and is exposed to the electrodes. The combustion chamber is defined between the combustion surface and the second end. The oxidizer port provides a flow of oxidizer to the combustion chamber. The nozzle is positioned at the second end. Combustion of the fuel material in the combustion chamber may be dominated by radiative heat transfer. Combustion of the fuel material in the combustion chamber may generate thrust of no more than 5 N at an oxidizer flow rate of no more than 5 g/s.

Abstract: A modular flare system skid having a base, a flare stack, and one or more removable modules. The flare can be of any size required and can come in sections if needed. The removable modules can have lift points for easy manipulation and transport, as well as housing ancillary equipment for use with the flare stack.

Abstract: A separator for separating wellbore emulsions into liquid and gaseous components has helical emulsion preheat coils encircling a single-cylinder, dual chamber firetube disposed inside a horizontal separator vessel. In use, emulsion enters the preheat coils before entering the separator vessel. The flow of emulsion through the helical coils promotes initial separation of the emulsion by means of heat transfer and centrifugal flow. Resultant centripetal force separates lighter gaseous and liquid particles toward the inside of the helical coils, while heavier emulsion fractions condense toward the outside of the helical coils. The use of helical preheat coils and a single-cylinder, dual-chamber firetube eliminate or minimize abrupt changes in emulsion flow direction that are characteristic of prior art separators, resulting in reduced wear in both the coils and the firetube.

Abstract: A backhoe bucket reverse adapter is provided which can be interposed between a conventional Wain-Roy-style or Gannon-style backhoe arm bucket coupling assembly and a backhoe bucket so as to reverse the orientation of the backhoe bucket. The adapter is provided with an open framework and a rear end cross-connector having a tubular configuration corresponding to the tubular steel back cross-connecting member located at the top of a conventional Wain-Roy-style or Gannon-style backhoe bucket. The adapter has a pair of hook elements that are oriented in a forward direction, away from the chassis of the backhoe vehicle and in an opposite direction from the hook elements of a conventional backhoe coupling system. The hook elements of the backhoe bucket adapter can be utilized to engage a back cross-connecting member located at the top of a conventional bucket, while the structure of the adapter receives the oppositely directed hook elements of a conventional backhoe coupling assembly.

Abstract: The grip assembly that is attachable to or may be incorporated into variously shaped item sections with a grip portion and an item attachment structure. The grip portion has an ergonomically polygonal shaped outer surface. The item attachment structure is in force transferring relation to the ergonomically shaped outer surface and is securable to any one or a large variety of item shapes in a manner such that physical forces may be transferred between the item and the hand of a user gripping the ergonomically shaped outer surface portion.