Abstract: A check valve for use with a gas lift system containing a burst disc. The burst disc, when whole, prevents gas from flowing between the mandrel and the tubing. The burst disc is designed to burst when the operator applies a specific amount of pressure to the burst disc. Once ruptured, the burst disc no longer prevents gas from flowing from the mandrel un into the tubing.

Abstract: A gas lift mandrel with centralizing rings. The centralizing rings are integral the exterior of a tubular gas lift mandrel. The centralizing rings minimize the gas lit mandrel from being offset from the central axis of the wellbore. The centralizing rings also aid in torsional rotation and alignment to tools or the string below.

Abstract: A detent hinge firmly secures the door of a containment system in an upward position, downward position, and optionally at pre-determined positions therebetween. The hinge generally includes two hinge assemblies each including a leaf and one or two knuckles, with the knuckles of both assemblies aligned end-to-end. The two hinge assemblies are independently rotatable relative to each other but share a rotational axis. The hinge is locked and the door is substantially immovable due to a spring-activated cam that impedes rotation of the hinge assemblies relative to each other. The hinge is unlocked by depressing a plunger which repositions the cam such that the hinge assemblies can freely rotate relative to each other, and the door can be raised or lowered.

Abstract: A solar powered charging station uses photovoltaic panels to generate electrical energy for use directly and/or for storage in electrical batteries for use during night operation. The station includes parallel electrical circuits which permit the station to operate during daylight hours in the event of a failure of the battery or the battery charging system. The station is adapted to use stabilizing ballast which can be collected locally at the site of the station. The parallel circuitry is adaptable for use with other forms of electrical power generation having a minimal carbon footprint.

Abstract: A lightweight radiation shielding material. A carbon nanotube forest is embedded in a matrix comprising nanoparticulates, such as nanoparticles, carbon nanotubes, or graphene nanosheets. The nanoparticulates can be low atomic number (low-Z) or high atomic number (high-Z). The matrix can be a solidified polymer, epoxy, resin, or ceramic precursor, for example silicon carbide. The radiation shield can shield an object from radio frequency interference (RFI), lightning, electromagnetic interference (EMI), an electromagnetic pulse (EMP), gamma rays, X-rays, neutrons, and/or protons. The nanoforest is disposed on a conductive base with sufficient in-plane electrical conductivity to provide an effective conductive path for currents induced by radiation absorption. The base can be a second nanoforest comprising horizontally-oriented carbon nanotubes, which makes the shield particularly lightweight, as low as 10% of the mass of aluminum that provides equivalent shielding.

Abstract: Methods and apparatuses for continuous, large scale, commercially viable production of nanoforests. A roll-to-roll process passes a flexible substrate, including fibers and fabrics, through a furnace. Precursors are introduced in a growth zone in which a vertical or horizontal nanoforest of nanotubes or nanowires is grown on the substrate. Sensors and actuators with feedback control are provided for parameters such as substrate speed, substrate tension, furnace temperature, precursor flow rate, nanoforest thickness, and nanoforest. The furnace is preferably enclosed for environmental and safety purposes. The feed roll and take-up roll are disposed in housings can be attached to the furnace via airlocks, which enables rapid loading and unloading of the rolls using techniques well known in the industry while maintaining furnace conditions.

Abstract: Information is recorded in quick response codes. A hologram is made from quick response codes and provides three dimensions of information in a two-dimensional hologram. The holograms are used for recording large amounts of information in two dimensions. Multiple quick response codes containing copious information are created using different light wave frequencies in different quick response encoders. The multiple quick response codes are combined in a two-dimensional hologram that is used on labeling. The hologram is read by a hologram reader. Each quick response frequency layer is separated from the hologram. The quick response code is extracted from each layer. A quick response reader provides the information that has been recorded.

Abstract: Methods and apparatuses for continuous, large scale, commercially viable production of nanoforests. A roll-to-roll process passes a flexible substrate, including fibers and fabrics, through a furnace. Precursors are introduced in a growth zone in which a vertical or horizontal nanoforest of nanotubes or nanowires is grown on the substrate. Sensors and actuators with feedback control are provided for parameters such as substrate speed, substrate tension, furnace temperature, precursor flow rate, nanoforest thickness, and nanoforest. The furnace is preferably enclosed for environmental and safety purposes. The feed roll and take-up roll are disposed in housings can be attached to the furnace via airlocks, which enables rapid loading and unloading of the rolls using techniques well known in the industry while maintaining furnace conditions.

Abstract: A magnetometer includes a magnetically isolated chamber having an opening to receive a sample; one or more Optically Pumped Magnetometer (OPM) sensors positioned inside the magnetically isolated chamber; an actuator mounted on a frame, the actuator moving an end portion in and out of the magnetically isolated chamber; and a sample holder coupled to the end portion.

Abstract: A magnetometer includes a magnetically isolated chamber having an opening to receive a sample; one or more Optically Pumped Magnetometer (OPM) sensors positioned inside the magnetically isolated chamber; an actuator mounted on a frame, the actuator moving an end portion in and out of the magnetically isolated chamber; and a sample holder coupled to the end portion.

Abstract: Methods and apparatuses for continuous, large scale, commercially viable production of nanoforests. A roll-to-roll process passes a flexible substrate, including fibers and fabrics, through a furnace. Precursors are introduced in a growth zone in which a vertical or horizontal nanoforest of nanotubes or nanowires is grown on the substrate. Sensors and actuators with feedback control are provided for parameters such as substrate speed, substrate tension, furnace temperature, precursor flow rate, nanoforest thickness, and nanoforest. The furnace is preferably enclosed for environmental and safety purposes. The feed roll and take-up roll are disposed in housings can be attached to the furnace via airlocks, which enables rapid loading and unloading of the rolls using techniques well known in the industry while maintaining furnace conditions.

Abstract: A reinforcement for increasing the strength and toughness and other properties in both transverse and in-piano directions for a composite material, and methods of manufacture therefor. The reinforcement has a layer of a nanoforest of vertical nanotubes or nanowires and a layer of horizontal nanotubes or nanowires. The reinforcement can be made by rolling a vertical nanoforest to produce a collapsed layer of horizontal nanofubes or nanowires, then growing a vertical nanoforest on the collapsed layer. The reinforcement can be grown directly on fibers which are used to reinforce the composite material, or alternatively Interleaved with layers of those fibers before the composite part is cured. The reinforcement and manufacturing method are compatible with almost any composite material in any shape, including epoxy, polymer, or ceramic matrix composites, or any manufacturing method, including prepreg, wet-layup and matrix film stacking.

Abstract: A system for producing a proof-mass assembly includes a translation stage to receive a flapper hingedly supported by a bifilar flexure that extends radially inwardly from a support ring, wherein the bifilar flexure comprises a pair of flexure arms spaced apart by an opening or window; and a femtosecond laser optically coupled to the translation stage with focusing optics, the femtosecond laser applying a laser beam on the flexure arms over a plurality of passes to gradually thin the bifilar flexure regions, the laser periodically reducing a laser output to minimize damage from laser scanning and maximize bifilar flexure strength until the bifilar flexure reaches a predetermined thickness.

Abstract: A method of making a ceramic matrix composite (CMC) part such as armor, in which a mixture, including a preceramic polymer, particles such as ceramic microparticles and/or nanoparticles, and organic compounds such as a surfactant and a solvent, are mixed to form a paste and printed or molded. The part is then cured and densified by polymer infiltration and pyrolysis (PIP) using the preceramic polymer with a varying amount and size of ceramic particles and different temperatures in some of the cycles. The CMC can contain silicon carbide, boron carbide, boron suboxide, alumina, or any other ceramic. The process is compatible with sacrificial materials, enabling the creation of parts with hollow portions or overhangs. The mixture preferably has a high loading of particles, for example between 70 wt % and 90 wt % of the mixture, in order to minimize shrinkage. Curing and pyrolyzing the part can be performed by microwaving.

Abstract: Certain embodiments described herein are directed to injector inserts and injector assemblies. In some examples, an injector insert that includes an inlet comprising a substantially inert metal is described. In other examples, an injector that includes a major amount of a substantially inert metal in a fluid flow path is disclosed. Devices and systems using the injectors inserts and injectors are also described.

Abstract: Systems and methods are disclosed for generating temperature compensated acceleration data in analog and digital format from a torque balance accelerometer (TBA). During manufacture of the TBA, a calibration process is used for measuring a TBA scale factor and offset. After collecting scale and offset data, said data is loaded into the memory of the TBA. Field operation of the device includes: sensing a current temperature, retrieving the closest scale and offset correction factors from memory of the TBA, and performing linear interpolation to generate a temperature-compensated output for the TBA.

Abstract: New identifying code for labeling products to certify sources has Color Holographic Quick Response code by superimposing multiple layers of red, green and blue quick response codes using holographic imaging and creating layers of features that are extremely difficult to replicate. Multidimensional quick response code is provided in a hologram that cannot be copied.

Abstract: A method of making a ceramic matrix composite (CMC) article by combining a preceramic polymer with one or more sized nanopowders and optional surfactants and/or solvents to form a mixture suitable for 3D printing, depositing the mixture on a mandrel, curing it to form a green body, and pyrolyzing the green body such that the nanocrystalline surface of the CMC article has sufficiently the same surface roughness and figure accuracy of the mandrel to enable the CMC article to be used without further polishing. The mixture can be a paste or slurry that is self supporting and exhibit pseudoplastic rheology. The preceramic polymer is preferably a precursor to SiC, and the nanopowders preferably comprise SiC. The article can be densified by using polymer infiltration pyrolysis, with or without nanoparticles. The curing and pyrolysis of the article can be performed with microwave radiation.

Abstract: Information is recorded in quick response codes. A hologram is made from quick response codes and provides three dimensions of information in a two-dimensional hologram. The holograms are used for recording large amounts of information in two dimensions. Multiple quick response codes containing copious information are created using different light wave frequencies in different quick response encoders. The multiple quick response codes are combined in a two-dimensional hologram that is used on labeling. The hologram is read by a hologram reader. Each quick response frequency layer is separated from the hologram. The quick response code is extracted from each layer. A quick response reader provides the information that has been recorded.

Abstract: Systems and methods are disclosed for generating temperature compensated acceleration data in analog and digital format from a torque balance accelerometer (TBA). During manufacture of the TBA, a calibration process is used for measuring a TBA scale factor and offset. After collecting scale and offset data, said data is loaded into the memory of the TBA. Field operation of the device includes: sensing a current temperature, retrieving the closest scale and offset correction factors from memory of the TBA, and performing linear interpolation to generate a temperature-compensated output for the TBA.