Abstract: Described herein are plastic-to-fuel production systems and methods that provide a solution to the challenge of proper management of plastic waste. The disclosed techniques convert un-recycled plastic waste into ready-to-use, sustainably produced fuels in a concurrent process without the assistance of any catalyst materials. A Non-Catalytic Reformation System (NCR) system produces sustainable fuels such as diesel and gasoline, and other commodities such as paraffin and heavy diesel as well as a process gas (LPG) that is used to fuel the heaters serving the reformers in the NCR system to drive the process. By transforming waste into valuable resources, the techniques contribute to a circular economy where nothing may go to waste. This eco-friendly approach may also reduce reliance on fossil fuels by producing ready to use, sustainable fuels from plastic waste rather than fossil fuels and helps mitigate the environmental impact of plastic waste.

Abstract: Providing separate real-time and configuration segments in a database. The real-time segment provides real-time data values to a real-time application and the configuration segment provides configuration data values to the real-time application. Utilizing two or more configuration segments enables changes to configuration data values without impacting real-time applications.

Abstract: Providing separate real-time and configuration segments in a database. The real-time segment provides real-time data values to a real-time application and the configuration segment provides configuration data values to the real-time application. Utilizing two or more configuration segments enables changes to configuration data values without impacting real-time applications.

Abstract: Providing separate real-time and configuration segments in a database. The real-time segment provides real-time data values to a real-time application and the configuration segment provides configuration data values to the real-time application. Utilizing two or more configuration segments enables changes to configuration data values without impacting real-time applications.

Abstract: Providing double-buffered record locking in a database architecture. Double-buffered database records enable multiple parallel read locks substantially simultaneously with one write lock to eliminate lock collisions between the read locks and the write lock.

Abstract: An air-cooled earth-boring drill bit including a plurality of lugs. Each lug includes a pin flange. A first roller race is distal to the pin flange. A thrust flange is distal to the first roller race. At least one pin flange vent slot is arranged in a surface of the pin flange opposite the first roller race. The at least one pin flange vent slot opens in a direction of a load side of a bearing. At least one thrust flange vent slot is arranged in a surface of the thrust flange facing the first rollers. The at least one thrust flange vent slot opens in the direction of the load side of the bearing. A plurality of flow passages are arranged within the lug to supply fluid to the at least one pin flange vent slot and the at least one thrust flange vent slot.

Abstract: A corrugated metal vent pipe includes a helically corrugated pipe structure formed by helical winding of a corrugated metal strip, wherein the helically corrugated pipe structure has a diameter of between 15 inches and 36 inches and a plurality of vent openings distributed thereon. A first pipe end treatment is located on a first end of the helically corrugated pipe structure, and a second pipe end treatment is located on a second end of the helically corrugated pipe structure.

Abstract: Providing separate real-time and configuration segments in a database. The real-time segment provides real-time data values to a real-time application and the configuration segment provides configuration data values to the real-time application. Utilizing two or more configuration segments enables changes to configuration data values without impacting real-time applications.

Abstract: Providing double-buffered record locking in a database architecture. Double-buffered database records enable multiple parallel read locks substantially simultaneously with one write lock to eliminate lock collisions between the read locks and the write lock.

Abstract: An air/water separator including a first hollow member configured to receive a flow including an air and water mixture and a second hollow member configured to receive the flow from the first hollow member. An exit of the first hollow member extends into an opening of the second hollow member such that the exit of the first hollow member axially overlaps the opening of the second hollow member, thereby creating a first flow path from the interior of the first hollow member to the outside of the second hollow member including two turns about the exit of the first hollow member and opening of the second hollow member, and a second flow path from the first hollow member through the second hollow member.

Abstract: A hemodialysis patient data acquisition and management system resides on a host computer which receives information from one or more non-invasive, optical blood monitors associated with a hemodialysis system. When a patient is undergoing hemodialysis treatment, a sensor assembly monitors the patient's blood flowing through the hemodialysis system and a controller for the blood monitor generates data which includes at least an identification code for the patient undergoing the treatment on the respective system, and non-invasively determined blood data taken at the onset of the scheduled treatment, such as initial Hgb, HCT, and SAT values. A host computer communicates with the one or more optical blood monitors, preferably via a wireless network, and the patient's session commencement data is downloaded to the host computer.

Abstract: An air/water separator including a first hollow member configured to receive a flow including an air and water mixture and a second hollow member configured to receive the flow from the first hollow member. An exit of the first hollow member extends into an opening of the second hollow member such that the exit of the first hollow member axially overlaps the opening of the second hollow member, thereby creating a first flow path from the interior of the first hollow member to the outside of the second hollow member including two turns about the exit of the first hollow member and opening of the second hollow member, and a second flow path from the first hollow member through the second hollow member.

Abstract: A corrugated metal vent pipe includes a helically corrugated pipe structure formed by helical winding of a corrugated metal strip, wherein the helically corrugated pipe structure has a diameter of between 15 inches and 36 inches and a plurality of vent openings distributed thereon. A first pipe end treatment is located on a first end of the helically corrugated pipe structure, and a second pipe end treatment is located on a second end of the helically corrugated pipe structure.

Abstract: A self-inflating camp mat having a fabric outer shell and panels of open cell foam wherein longitudinally spaced fold lines located between foam panels allows the mat to be deflated by folding said mat along said fold lines, expelling the interior air through a valve as the mat is folded.

Abstract: An air-cooled earth-boring drill bit including a plurality of lugs. Each lug includes a pin flange. A first roller race is distal to the pin flange. A thrust flange is distal to the first roller race. At least one pin flange vent slot is arranged in a surface of the pin flange opposite the first roller race. The at least one pin flange vent slot opens in a direction of a load side of a bearing. At least one thrust flange vent slot is arranged in a surface of the thrust flange facing the first rollers. The at least one thrust flange vent slot opens in the direction of the load side of the bearing. A plurality of flow passages are arranged within the lug to supply fluid to the at least one pin flange vent slot and the at least one thrust flange vent slot.

Abstract: An optical blood monitoring system with a ratiometric model determines hematocrit values for a hemodialysis patient, from which hemoglobin values for the patient are estimated. The ratiometric model is calibrated, normally against a cell counter, using blood from a blood bank. The blood from a blood bank is preserved in a long term preservative which is typically different than that found in clinical settings. The hematocrit value determined by the ratiometric model is scaled by scaling factor so that the estimated hemoglobin level output from the monitor consistently matches that measured in a clinical setting. The hematocrit scaling factor is substantially about 1.033 when the patient's blood sample is stored in a short term preservative ethylene diamine tetra acetic, and is substantially about 1.06 when the hematocrit is measured in the blood sample without preservative being added to the blood sample. The hemoglobin value can also be adjusted for altitude.

Abstract: An optical blood monitoring system with a ratiometric model determines hematocrit values for a hemodialysis patient, from which hemoglobin values for the patient are estimated. The ratiometric model is calibrated, normally against a cell counter, using blood from a blood bank. The blood from a blood bank is preserved in a long term preservative which is typically different than that found in clinical settings. The hematocrit value determined by the ratiometric model is scaled by scaling factor so that the estimated hemoglobin level output from the monitor consistently matches that measured in a clinical setting. The hematocrit scaling factor is substantially about 1.033 when the patient's blood sample is stored in a short term preservative ethylene diamine tetra acetic, and is substantially about 1.06 when the hematocrit is measured in the blood sample without preservative being added to the blood sample. The hemoglobin value can also be adjusted for altitude.

Abstract: An optical blood monitoring system with a ratiometric model determines hematocrit values for a hemodialysis patient, from which hemoglobin values for the patient are estimated. The ratiometric model is calibrated, normally against a cell counter, using blood from a blood bank. The blood from a blood bank is preserved in a long term preservative which is typically different than that found in clinical settings. The hematocrit value determined by the ratiometric model is scaled by scaling factor so that the estimated hemoglobin level output from the monitor consistently matches that measured in a clinical setting. The hematocrit scaling factor is substantially about 1.033 when the patient's blood sample is stored in a short term preservative ethylene diamine tetra acetic, and is substantially about 1.06 when the hematocrit is measured in the blood sample without preservative being added to the blood sample. The hemoglobin value can also be adjusted for altitude.

Abstract: A tent having an automatically stored window covering. As a window for the tent is moved from a closed position, where a fabric cover covers the window opening, to an open position, where the fabric cover is partially or fully removed from the opening, the fabric cover automatically stores itself. The only use effort to both open and store the fabric cover is in opening the fabric cover.

Abstract: A sleeping bag (20) having a top (24), a bottom (26), a primary attachment structure (28) for attaching the top to the bottom so as to form a bag, and a secondary attachment structure (34), independent of the primary attachment structure, that is releasable to create an opening to provide access to an inside of the sleeping bag and that is closable to close the opening. A mesh panel (40) covers the opening when the secondary attachment structure is released.