Abstract: A clip that is easily attached to and easily detached from a hat or cap and can receive therein either a brand new unsmoked, or partially smoked cigar for storage of said cigar during its non-use that allows said cigar to be accessible for later use. A clip for attaching a cigar to a hat or cap in which the cigar can be protected from damage during its non-use and prevented from otherwise causing damage to a conventional storage location. The clip is comprised of material that is lightweight, durable, resilient and resistant to oxidation and corrosion; such as stainless steel, aluminum, plastic, various composite materials and the like. The clip is provided as a one-piece device or unit having a faceplate, first curved side, first middle plate, second curved side, second middle plate, third curved side, and rear plate.

Abstract: Surface-modified nanoparticles of boehmite, and methods for preparing the same. Aluminum oxyhydroxide nanoparticles are surface modified by reaction with selected amounts of organic acids. In particular, the nanoparticle surface is modified by reactions with two or more different carboxylic acids, at least one of which is an organic carboxylic acid. The product is a surface modified boehmite nanoparticle that has an inorganic aluminum oxyhydroxide core, or part aluminum oxyhydroxide core and a surface-bonded organic shell. Organic carboxylic acids of this invention contain at least one carboxylic acid group and one carbon-hydrogen bond. One embodiment of this invention provides boehmite nanoparticles that have been surface modified with two or more acids one of which additional carries at least one reactive functional group.

Abstract: Disclosed herein is a reinforcing system for a shaped charge assembly for use in a perforating gun. The shaped charge assembly includes a shaped charge combined with a longitudinal reinforcing system extending along a portion of a perforating gun barrel. The reinforcing system comprises a spine with a recess formed to receive the shaped charge of a perforating gun. The reinforcing system further comprises a compression zone coaxially disposed around a portion of the shaped charge. The compression zone is formed between a bushing and a retaining shell that also coaxially circumscribe a portion of the shaped charge and on one of their respective ends connect to the spine.

Abstract: Disclosed herein is a shaped charge assembly for use in a perforating gun. The shaped charge assembly includes a shaped charge combined with a longitudinal spine extending along a portion of a perforating gun barrel. The shaped charge can be secured to the spine with a retaining shell. A bushing is included between the outer radius of the casing the retaining shell. The bushing serves to absorb shock during detonation of the shaped charge and to help in orienting the shaped charges.

Abstract: Disclosed herein is a reinforcing system for a shaped charge assembly for use in a perforating gun. The shaped charge assembly includes a shaped charge combined with a longitudinal reinforcing system extending along a portion of a perforating gun barrel. The reinforcing system comprises a spine with a recess formed to receive the shaped charge of a perforating gun. The reinforcing system further comprises a compression zone coaxially disposed around a portion of the shaped charge. The compression zone is formed between a bushing and a retaining shell that also coaxially circumscribe a portion of the shaped charge and on one of their respective ends connect to the spine.

Abstract: A gas turbine engine combustion system includes a plurality of fuel injectors circumferentially disposed around a combustor in a one to one fuel supply relationship with a plurality of fuel nozzle valves, and an electronic controller for controlling the fuel nozzle valves to eliminate and/or reduce hot streaking in response to sensed hot streak conditions. The fuel nozzle valves may be modulating valves. The electronic controller may be used to individually control the fuel nozzle valves. The hot streak conditions may be sensed with temperature sensors such as temperature sensors operably mounted in the combustor. A program in the electronic controller may be used for determining broken or malfunctioning sensors by calculating a combustor temperature and comparing it to measured temperatures from the sensors and comparing the measured fuel pressures in the individual fuel nozzle circuits with the simulated or calculated fuel pressures.

Abstract: The present invention relates to improved reverse transcription methods using a modified thermostable DNA polymerases, particularly in a magnesium ion buffer. These methods are particularly useful in combined reverse-transcription/amplification reactions.

Abstract: An integrated heat exchange and fluid control device is provided having an inlet, a valve, a heat exchange section in fluid connection with the valve, a bypass section in fluid connection with the valve, and an outlet section in fluid communication with the bypass section and the heat exchange section. The valve is configured to distribute flow of the coolant into the heat exchange system and/or the bypass section. In the heat exchange sections, coolant is substantially cooled by a second fluid or airflow. In the bypass section, the coolant is substantially prevented from being cooled by the second fluid or airflow.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a new class of surface modified particles and to a multi-step surface modification process for the preparation of the same. The multi-step surface functionalization process involves two or more reactions to produce particles that are compatible with various host systems and/or to provide the particles with particular chemical reactivities. The initial step comprises the attachment of a small organic compound to the surface of the inorganic particle. The subsequent steps attach additional compounds to the previously attached organic compounds through organic linking groups.

Abstract: Disclosed herein is a shaped charge assembly for use in a perforating gun. The shaped charge assembly includes a shaped charge combined with a longitudinal spine extending along a portion of a perforating gun barrel. The shaped charge can be secured to the spine with a retaining shell. A bushing is included between the outer radius of the casing the retaining shell. The bushing serves to absorb shock during detonation of the shaped charge and to help in orienting the shaped charges.

Abstract: A perforating gun connector comprising a first and second section connected together on one end. The two sections of the perforating gun connector that couple together are correspondingly tapered so that one end of one connector is tapered and fits into the corresponding tapered hollowed section of one end of the other section. The present invention also provides for the inclusion of shaped charges and booster charges within. Adjacent the charges are sealing bulkheads.

Abstract: A multi-staged gas turbine engine fuel supply fuel injector includes at least first and second staged fuel injection circuits having first and second fuel injection points. At least first and second fuel nozzle valves operable to open at different first and second crack open pressures are controllably connected to the first and second staged fuel injection circuits, respectively. A single fuel supply manifold is connected to all of the fuel nozzle valves. A single fuel signal manifold is controllably connected to all of the first and second fuel nozzle valves. The fuel injector includes a valve housing containing the fuel nozzle valves.

Abstract: A multi-staged gas turbine engine fuel supply system includes a plurality of fuel injectors and at least first and second staged fuel injection circuits in each of the fuel injectors. Each of the first and second staged fuel injection circuits includes first and second fuel injection points and at least first and second fuel nozzle valves operable to open at different first and second crack open pressures and controllably connected to the first and second staged fuel injection circuits, respectively. A single fuel supply manifold is connected to all of the fuel nozzle valves. A single fuel signal manifold is controllably connected to all of the first and second fuel nozzle valves. The fuel injector may have a valve housing with one of the first fuel nozzle valves and one of the second fuel nozzle valves contained therein.

Abstract: A new class of surface modified particles and a multi-step Michael-type addition surface modification process for the preparation of the same is provided. The multi-step Michael-type addition surface modification process involves two or more reactions to compatibilize particles with various host systems and/or to provide the particles with particular chemical reactivities. The initial step comprises the attachment of a small organic compound to the surface of the inorganic particle. The subsequent steps attach additional compounds to the previously attached organic compounds through reactive organic linking groups. Specifically, these reactive groups are activated carbon—carbon pi bonds and carbon and non-carbon nucleophiles that react via Michael or Michael-type additions.

Abstract: The present invention relates to improved reverse transcription methods using a modified thermostable DNA polymerases, particularly in a magnesium ion buffer. These methods are particularly useful in combined reverse-transcription/amplification reactions.

Abstract: A viscosity modifier comprising a low molecular weight block copolymer including A blocks and B blocks, wherein the A blocks comprise at least about 93 wt. % polyethylene and the B blocks comprise a copolymer of between about 40 wt. % to 75 wt. % ethylene and at least one other .alpha.-olefin; wherein the resulting block copolymer has an average ethylene content of between about 60 wt. % to 80 wt. %.

Abstract: Multiple sequential chemical reactions on a polymeric feedstock are carried out in an extruder with multiple reaction zones. Each reaction zone has means for introduction of reagents, for mixing of reagents with polymer and for removal of by/co-products or unreacted reagents.