Abstract: A self-suspending proppant that resists the adverse effects of calcium and other cations on swelling comprises a proppant substrate particle and a gelatinized neutral starch coating on the proppant substrate particle.

Abstract: A resin coated proppant capable of self-bonding at temperatures as low as 70° F. (˜21° C.) is made from an aqueous dispersion of a self-bonding vinyl aromatic/acrylic ester addition copolymer.

Abstract: A perforation ball sealer for temporarily plugging a perforation in an oil or gas well comprises a polymer foam core and a shell surrounding the core formed from a solid or essentially solid second polymer. Both the core and the shell are made from slowly water-soluble polymers.

Abstract: A perforation ball sealer for temporarily plugging a perforation in an oil or gas well comprises a polymer foam core and a shell surrounding the core formed from a solid or essentially solid second polymer. Both the core and the shell are made from slowly water-soluble polymers.

Abstract: The durability of a self-suspending proppant which is made by applying a layer of a hydrogel-forming polymer in powder form to a binder carried on the surfaces of a proppant particle substrate is improved by applying a crosslinking agent for polymer to these powder particles after they have been bound to the binder.

Abstract: A resin coated proppant capable of self-bonding at temperatures as low as 70° F. (˜21° C.) is made from an aqueous dispersion of a self-bonding vinyl aromatic/acrylic ester addition copolymer.

Abstract: A self-suspending proppant comprises a proppant substrate particle and a water-swellable composite coating on the proppant substrate particle comprising the combination of at least two of an anionic hydrogel polymer, a cationic hydrogel polymer and a nonionic hydrogel polymer.

Abstract: A self-suspending proppant that resists the adverse effects of calcium and other cations on swelling comprises a proppant substrate particle and a gelatinized cationic starch coating on the proppant substrate particle.

Abstract: A system of solar roof shingles and underlayment with wireless power transfer between the solar roof shingles and the underlayment is disclosed. Each roof shingle has a solar collector array coupled to a wireless resonator. The solar collector array establishes a voltage in response to exposure to sunlight and the wireless resonator converts the voltage to a transmittable electromagnetic signal. The signal is transmitted to resonant devices embedded in the underlayment beneath the shingles The resonant devices may be resonant capture devices that convert the received electromagnetic signal back to a usable voltage, or they may be wireless repeaters that retransmit the electromagnetic signal to remote resonant capture devices, which then convert it to a voltage. This voltage is placed on an electrical grid and made available at a remote location for use, storage, or placement on the public electrical grid.

Abstract: A system of solar roof shingles and underlayment with wireless power transfer between the solar roof shingles and the underlayment is disclosed. Each roof shingle has a solar collector array coupled to a wireless resonator. The solar collector array establishes a voltage in response to exposure to sunlight and the wireless resonator converts the voltage to a transmittable electromagnetic signal. The signal is transmitted to resonant devices embedded in the underlayment beneath the shingles The resonant devices may be resonant capture devices that convert the received electromagnetic signal back to a usable voltage, or they may be wireless repeaters that retransmit the electromagnetic signal to remote resonant capture devices, which then convert it to a voltage. This voltage is placed on an electrical grid and made available at a remote location for use, storage, or placement on the public electrical grid.

Abstract: A building materials composite is provided, having a first perforated coated scrim, a second perforated coated scrim, and a breathable thermoplastic film bonded to and sandwiched between the first and the second perforated coated scrims. Further, a method of manufacturing a building materials composite is provided, the method having the steps of coating a fabric, perforating the coated fabric to make a perforated coated scrim, bonding one side of the perforated coated scrim to one side of a breathable thermoplastic film, and bonding a non-woven fabric to a second side of the breathable thermoplastic film.

Abstract: A non-asphaltic roofing underlayment that is breathable, water resistant and skid-resistant is disclosed. The non-asphaltic roofing underlayment includes a woven or non-woven substrate in which at least one surface thereof includes a breathable thermoplastic film disposed thereon. The breathable thermoplastic film imparts water-resistant to the substrate as well as maintains the breathability of the substrate.

Abstract: Alternating electric current flow through a lamp fixture (L) of a maximum power rating is reduced without being terminated should a lamp be used in the fixture of a power rating that exceeds the fixture's maximum power rating. This is done using a thermally responsive switch (B) connected in series with a resistor (S) of relatively low resistance and in parallel with a resistor (P) of relatively high resistance, the switch and resistors being thermally connected, and by simultaneously passing alternating current to the fixture through an auxiliary line which has a diode (D1) that substantially halves current flow through the auxiliary line.

Abstract: A system (100) for current and/or temperature control of light fixtures includes a sensor (110) structured to be in communication with a light fixture (150), sense a current flow or a temperature of the light fixture (150), and communicate an input signal relative to the current flow or the temperature; a variable switch (120) structured to be in communication with the light fixture (150) and regulate the current flow of the light fixture (150) in response to a control signal; and a controller (130) in communication with the sensor (110) and the variable switch (120) and structured to monitor the input signal communicated by the sensor (110), compare the input signal to a condition, and communicate the control signal to the variable switch (120) to control its operation. A method for current and/or temperature control of light fixtures includes providing the system (100), monitoring the current flow or the temperature of the light fixture (150); and regulating the current flow of the light fixture (150).

Abstract: Alternating electric current flow through a lamp fixture (L) of a maximum power rating is reduced without being terminated should a lamp be used in the fixture of a power rating that exceeds the fixture's maximum power rating. This is done using a thermally responsive switch (B) connected in series with a resistor (S) of relatively low resistance and in parallel with a resistor (P) of relatively high resistance, the switch and resistors being thermally connected, and by simultaneously passing alternating current to the fixture through an auxiliary line which has a diode (D1) that substantially halves current flow through the auxiliary line.

Abstract: A method for preparing a roofing membrane, and a membrane, having significantly less adhesive while retaining the same sealing properties. The reduction in the amount of adhesive significantly decreases the cost of raw materials needed for manufacturing the membrane and thus reduces the overall cost of the membrane itself.

Abstract: A distributed coil stator (102) for external rotor electric motors includes a core having a cylindrical surface bounded by a first end surface and a second end surface, wherein a first set of openings (110) aligned in a first circular path (111) extends within the core from the first end surface to the second end surface, a second set of openings (114) aligned in a second circular path (115) positioned concentrically within the first circular path extends within the core from the first end surface to the second end surface, and a third set of openings (118) aligned in a third circular path (119) positioned concentrically within the second circular path extends within the core from the first end surface to the second end surface.

Abstract: A paper or plastic surface material of appropriate thickness and stiffness which can be coated with or laminated to asphaltic or non-asphaltic adhesives. The surface material can have a plurality of individual slits formed in substantially parallel spaced rows extending transversely from one end to the opposing end of the surface material. The flexible surface material is expandable by extending the opposing ends of the surface material whereby the slits form an array of openings. The length, width and spacing of the cuts can be varied to achieve desired stretch ratios. The surface material can be easily stored in the non-expandable position and easily expanded to be stretchable and conformable around windows, skylights or other suitable uses.

Abstract: A system for current and/or temperature control of light fixtures includes a sensor in communication with a light fixture, sense a current flow or a temperature of the light fixture, and communicate an input signal relative to the current flow or the temperature; a variable switch in communication with the light fixture to regulate the current flow of the light fixture in response to a control signal; and a controller in communication with the sensor and the variable switch to monitor the input signal, compare the input signal to a condition, and communicate the control signal to the variable switch to control its operation. A bypass circuit applies a normal current directly to the light fixture should a failure occur with the sensor, the variable switch or the controller.

Abstract: A system (100) for current and/or temperature control of light fixtures includes a sensor (110) structured to be in communication with a light fixture (150), sense a current flow or a temperature of the light fixture (150), and communicate an input signal relative to the current flow or the temperature; a variable switch (120) structured to be in communication with the light fixture (150) and regulate the current flow of the light fixture (150) in response to a control signal; and a controller (130) in communication with the sensor (110) and the variable switch (120) and structured to monitor the input signal communicated by the sensor (110), compare the input signal to a condition, and communicate the control signal to the variable switch (120) to control its operation. A method for current and/or temperature control of light fixtures includes providing the system (100), monitoring the current flow or the temperature of the light fixture (150); and regulating the current flow of the light fixture (150).