Abstract: The embodiments relate to an apparatus for controlling the angular position of propeller guards of a multicopter. The apparatus includes a chassis having at least three sides, including first and second sides meeting at a first vertex and second and third sides meeting at a second vertex. Each side is in communication with at least one propeller. At least one guard is in communication with the chassis. Each guard corresponds to a respective side, and each guard has oppositely disposed first and second terminals. The apparatus further includes a rotation mechanism in communication with the at least one guard to control an angular position of at least one guard relative to the chassis. The angular position is controlled in real time to mitigate damage with regard to an approaching or potential obstacle.

Abstract: Methods and systems for extending credit associated with credit ratings are disclosed. One or more credit scores of a person may he received and, if the credit scores are insufficient to qualify the person for a credit line from a lender, the lender may inform the person what actions can be undertaken to improve the credit scores. Once completed, the lender may then extend a credit line to the person. Alternatively, a lender may receive a first credit score of a person and determine the actions to be undertaken in order to improve the credit score to a second credit score. Pre-determined time periods for completion may he established. The lender may determine different credit lines based upon different credit scores and extend a credit line to the person or upgrade/downgrade the credit line if certain actions are completed or not completed.

Abstract: Embodiments include an aerial vehicle. Two winged surfaces are provided in communication with a fuselage. The surfaces are in communication at a front edge via a cuff, at a midsection via a first resilient member, and at a trailing edge via a second resilient member. As the aerial vehicle is in flight, it is subject to loads. The connections of the surfaces provides flexibility and resiliency to maintain the surfaces in communication with the fuselage and to allow regulated separation of the winged surfaces at their rear edges in a first direction in a first flexed state and at their front edges in a second direction, different from the first direction, in a second flexed state.

Abstract: An igniter initiates combustion in an amount of explosive that is downhole and adjacent the igniter. The igniter includes an amount of combustible material and a resistive igniter element disposed on a side of the combustible material that faces the amount of explosive. Applying a designated amount of electricity to the resistive igniter element generates sufficient heat to ignite the combustible material. Strategically initiating ignition adjacent the amount of explosive generates a flame front that travels away from the explosive, which in turn directs a flame against the explosive substantially the entire time the combustible material burns.

Abstract: A shaped charge for use in perforating a wellbore that includes a shaped charge case, a liner in the case, and explosive between the liner and case. Detonating the explosive inverts the liner to form a metal jet that forms a perforation in a side wall of the wellbore. The outer diameter of the liner open end is set radially inward from the inner diameter of the case opening to define an annular gap. Providing a gap between the liner and case allows more control of distribution of material of the liner into the jet.

Abstract: A method for unseating a threaded connection of wellbore tubing within the wellbore. The method utilizes a back-off tool which consists of a tubular metal housing, a shaped charge and HNS detonating cord within the housing, and an explosive material attached to the housing. The back-off tool is detonated near the threaded connection, creating a shockwave that strikes the threaded connection with sufficient force to unseat the connection.

Abstract: A shaped charge having a charge case and liner with an outer layer and an inner layer. The liner is a generally hollow frustoconically shaped member with an open end and a closed end, where the closed end of the liner inserts into an opening in the charge case. An explosive is provided between the liner and the charge case. The inner layer of the liner includes a higher density material than material used for forming the outer layer.

Abstract: A method for unseating a threaded connection of wellbore tubing within the wellbore. The method utilizes a back-off tool which consists of a tubular metal housing, a shaped charge and HNS detonating cord within the housing, and an explosive material attached to the housing. The back-off tool is detonated near the threaded connection, creating a shockwave that strikes the threaded connection with sufficient force to unseat the connection.

Abstract: A shaped charge having a liner, a shaped charge case, high explosive between the ilner and the case, and an active wave shaping element that is made of an energetic material that reacts at a rate different from the high explosive. The wave shaping element is disposed in the high explosive between an apex of the liner and base of the shaped charge case. Example materials of the wave shaping element include HMX, RDX, PBX types, PETN, HNS, TATB, and combinations thereof.

Abstract: A lightweight camera mounting assembly allowing for retraction and extension through a pair of doors in a bottom wall of a housing. The doors are parallel to the bottom wall and are configured to rotate in a plane substantially parallel to the bottom wall. The assembly includes an extension position and a retraction position, and the assembly extends and retracts with respect to rotation of the doors.

Abstract: A lightweight camera mounting assembly allowing for tilt and pan of a camera through a significant portion of a spherical range of views with minimal parts, minimal weight, and a full 360 degree freedom of rotation. A combined retraction and extension assembly for the camera is provided with minimal weight and complexity. The assembly includes doors which open to allow the camera to extend beyond the surface of a vehicle and to close to protect the camera and allow for landing of the vehicle without external skids.

Abstract: A light weight camera mounting assembly allowing for tilt and pan of a camera through a significant portion of a spherical rang of view with minimal parts count, minimal weight and minimal weight in the rotated portion of the assembly. A retraction/extension assembly for a light weight camera with minimal weight and complexity. Doors which open to allow a camera to extend beyond the surface of a vehicle and close to protect the camera and allow for landing of the vehicle without external skids.

Abstract: A lightweight camera mount allowing tilt and pan of a camera turret through a significant portion of a spherical range is disclosed. The camera turret comprised of two hemispheres has a full 360 degree freedom of pan rotation and up to 140 degree of tilt rotation. The mount includes a tilt assembly embedded within the turret and a pan assembly external to the turret. The tilt assembly in communication with a tilt feedback device provides a tilt movement to the turret. The pan portion in communication with a pan feedback device provides a pan movement to the turret. The mount is configured to be mounted on a land based vehicle, a water based vehicle, or an aerial vehicle.

Abstract: A light weight camera mounting assembly allowing for tilt and pan of a camera through a significant portion of a spherical rang of view with minimal parts count, minimal weight and minimal weight in the rotated portion of the assembly. A retraction/extension assembly for a light weight camera with minimal weight and complexity. Doors which open to allow a camera to extend beyond the surface of a vehicle and close to protect the camera and allow for landing of the vehicle without external skids.

Abstract: A shaped charge liner formed by injection molding, where the liner comprises a powdered metal mixture of a first and second metal. The mixture includes about 50% to about 99% by weight percent of the first metal, about 1% to about 50% by weight percent of a second metal, about 1% to about 50% by weight percent of a third metal. In one embodiment, the first metal comprises tungsten, the second metal may comprise nickel, and the third metal may comprise copper.

Abstract: A shaped charge liner formed by injection molding, where the liner comprises a powdered metal mixture of a first and second metal. The mixture includes about 50% to about 99% by weight percent of the first metal, about 1% to about 50% by weight percent of a second metal, about 1% to about 50% by weight percent of a third metal. In one embodiment, the first metal comprises tungsten, the second metal may comprise nickel, and the third metal may comprise copper.

Abstract: A light weight camera mounting assembly allowing for tilt and pan of a camera through a significant portion of a spherical rang of view with minimal parts count, minimal weight and minimal weight in the rotated portion of the assembly. A retraction/extension assembly for a light weight camera with minimal weight and complexity. Doors which open to allow a camera to extend beyond the surface of a vehicle and close to protect the camera and allow for landing of the vehicle without external skids.