Abstract: A crafting pad may include an enclosure portion and a multi-layered composite portion. The enclosure portion defines an enclosure pocket and the multi-layered composite portion is retained in the enclosure pocket, according to various embodiments. The crafting pad is generally configured to facilitate heat transfer from a heat press to a workpiece operably engaged against the crafting pad.

Abstract: Methods of forming Li2S and other MSn nanocrystals are provided. The methods employ low-cost lithium salts as a reagent and utilizes one or more metathesis reactions that occur either in solution, preferably at or near ambient conditions, or in the solid-state at elevated temperatures.

Abstract: A precast concrete step unit formed of left and right sidewalls, risers, and treads, wherein left and right sidewalls are assembled from a plurality of pre-cast sidewall panel modules, including at least one stepped panel module and at least one rectangular panel module. The panel modules are joined edge-to-edge at seams, with cement and/or with hardware. Pre-cast concrete tread modules extend at least between the left and right sidewalls and are mounted onto respective stepped edge surfaces of the right and left sidewalls. Pre-cast concrete riser modules also extending at least between the right and left sidewalls and mounted onto tread modules. These each extend vertically to successive stepped edge surfaces. Reinforcing cross brace members are fastened to the inward surfaces of the left and right sidewalls and extend at crossed diagonals between them. The precast modules each weight about 200 pounds or less and can be carried by two workmen.

Abstract: A precast concrete step unit formed of left and right sidewalls, risers, and treads, wherein left and right sidewalls are assembled from a plurality of pre-cast sidewall panel modules, including at least one stepped panel module and at least one rectangular panel module. The panel modules are joined edge-to-edge at seams, with cement and/or with hardware. Pre-cast concrete tread modules extend at least between the left and right sidewalls and are mounted onto respective stepped edge surfaces of the right and left sidewalls. Pre-cast concrete riser modules also extending at least between the right and left sidewalls and mounted onto tread modules. These each extend vertically to successive stepped edge surfaces. Reinforcing cross brace members are fastened to the inward surfaces of the left and right sidewalls and extend at crossed diagonals between them. The precast modules each weight about 200 pounds or less and can be carried by two workmen.

Abstract: A turbo decoder employs max* term or max term maximum a priori (MAP) decoding of received, encoded data. Initially, MAP decoding is iterative and employs max* term computation of log-likelihood values at each iteration. Max* term computation includes computation of a max term and a logarithmic correction term. A bypass algorithm switches from max* term computation to only max term computation in later iterations with little or no degradation in decoder performance. The iteration selected for switching may be based on increasing intrinsic signal-to-noise ratio (SNR) of the iterative MAP decoding. Since, in general, fewer computations are required for max term computation than for max* term computation, switching between max* and max allows for reduced power consumption of a particular decoder implementation.

Abstract: A steerable bottom hole assembly may be used for drilling both a curved section and straight section of the borehole, with the bottom hole assembly including a reamer beneath the downhole motor 12. The bottom hole assembly includes a bit 30 having a bit face defining a bit diameter, and a gauge section 32 having a substantially uniform diameter cylindrical surface approximating the bit diameter and having an axially length of at least 75% of the bit diameter. The motor is preferably run slick without stabilizers for engaging the wall of the borehole.

Abstract: For use in a CDMA receiver having a Viterbi decoder, a system for, and method of, performing one-pass blind transport format detection (BTFD) with respect to a received frame and a WCDMA receiver incorporating the system or the method. In one embodiment, the system includes: (1) a traceback circuit that performs a zero state BTFD traceback function with respect to at least a Viterbi-decoded portion of the frame, the traceback function being dependent upon a relative position of a BTFD checkpoint and generating hard decision bits and (2) a BTFD point selection circuit, coupled to the traceback circuit, that employs the hard decision bits to determine a location of a BTFD point with respect to the frame.

Abstract: A turbo decoder employs max* term or max term maximum a priori (MAP) decoding of received, encoded data. Initially, MAP decoding is iterative and employs max* term computation of log-likelihood values at each iteration. Max* term computation includes computation of a max term and a logarithmic correction term. A bypass algorithm switches from max* term computation to only max term computation in later iterations with little or no degradation in decoder performance. The iteration selected for switching may be based on increasing intrinsic signal-to-noise ratio (SNR) of the iterative MAP decoding. Since, in general, fewer computations are required for max term computation than for max* term computation, switching between max* and max allows for reduced power consumption of a particular decoder implementation.

Abstract: A reinforced concrete panel is formed by embedding a stretched steel chain link mesh unit within concrete. The panel can be used to form a building or a flood dyke, or an earth reinforcing wall. The earth reinforcing wall is formed by digging a trench in the soil. Vertical posts are positioned in the trench, the posts spaced apart by a distance corresponding to a width of a panel. The panels are lowered between adjacent pairs of posts, and the edges of each panel slide within grooves formed in the posts. Finally, the trench is filled with concrete to encase the panels and posts.

Abstract: A reinforced concrete panel is formed by embedding a stretched steel chain link mesh unit within concrete. The panel can be used to form a building or a flood dyke, or an earth reinforcing wall. The earth reinforcing wall is formed by digging a trench in the soil. Vertical posts are positioned in the trench, the posts spaced apart by a distance corresponding to a width of a panel. The panels are lowered between adjacent pairs of posts, and the edges of each panel slide within grooves formed in the posts. Finally, the trench is filled with concrete to encase the panels and posts.

Abstract: A ladder top storage rack includes a rigid tool box having securable to a ladder top. A pair of side pouches are secured to two side walls of the tool box. Each of the side pouches has a zippered opening. A rear pouch is secured to the rear wall of the tool box. The rear pouch has a zippered opening.

Abstract: A stripping apparatus comprising an elongated cylindrical outer jacket and an elongated inner cylinder surrounded by the outer jacket. The inner cylinder has an inner surface forming a stripping chamber and has an inlet at one end and an outlet at the other end. It has two portions of reduced outer diameter forming two separate channels and seal between the inner cylinder and outer jacket at the ends of said two separate channels. A plurality of parallel slots extend angularly through the two portions of reduced diameter in the direction of the outlet of the innner cylinder. Separate inlets extend through the outer jackets to the two separate channels for conducting different fluids under pressure or solids thereto.

Abstract: A cooling system with at least one cooling tower and multiple upper pans or distribution manifold pipes is provided with a strainer tank assembly at the tower lower end in proximity to the sump to receive incoming fluid for cooling, which strainer tank includes a screen to strain particulate material from the inlet fluid communicated to the tower upper end and to equally distribute this fluid at the lowest elevation at a pressure with a higher static pressure component than its dynamic pressure component to avoid a requirement for a flow control valve to provide relatively quiescent fluid for fluid distribution to the tower and fluid transfer media therein. A pressure relief baffle in the strainer tank is operable in response to a fluid overpressure condition to bypass the screen and open fluid communication to avert catastrophic failures within the fluid circuit.

Abstract: A cooling system with at least one cooling tower and multiple upper pans or distribution manifold pipes is provided with a strainer tank assembly at the tower lower end in proximity to the sump to receive incoming fluid for cooling, which strainer tank includes a screen to strain particulate material from the inlet fluid communicated to the tower upper end and to equally distribute this fluid at the lowest elevation at a pressure with a higher static pressure component than its dynamic pressure component to avoid a requirement for a flow control valve to provide relatively quiescent fluid for fluid distribution to the tower and fluid transfer media therein. A pressure relief baffle in the strainer tank is operable in response to a fluid overpressure condition to bypass the screen and open fluid communication to avert catastrophic failures within the fluid circuit.

Abstract: The present invention provides an outlet connection for use in a lined basin. A structural steel basin, usually part of a cooling tower, includes a fiberglass reinforced polyester liner. Such liner is desired to provide corrosion resistance and watertightness to the steel basin. The outlet connection includes a piping section of cylindrical shape affixed to a backing plate. The piping section passes through an opening in the liner, with the backing section and another backing plate holding gaskets compressed against the liner. The piping section extends through an opening in a basin wall section, and a closure plate is affixed to the basin wall section. The closure plate also has an opening corresponding to the outer surface of the piping section, and is held to the piping section along the sides of said opening by welding or other similar means.

Abstract: A new method is provided for improved degradation of metal-crosslinked polymer gels which are useful in oil and gas well treating operations. In this method an esterified carboxylated chelator is added to the gel. At elevated temperatures, the esterified chelator undergoes hydrolysis to form an acid and an active ligand which subsequently removes the crosslinking metal ion from the gel and hydrolyses the polymer.

Abstract: A new method is provided for improved degradation of metal-crosslinked polymer gels which are useful in oil and gas well treating operations. In this method an esterified carboxylated chelator is added to the gel. At elevated temperatures, the esterified chelator undergoes hydrolysis to form an acid and an active ligand which subsequently removes the crosslinking metal ion from the gel and hydrolyses the polymer.

Abstract: An apparatus including a support bar linearly aligned with a platform mounted at a forward distal end of the support bar, with the support bar including a forward support plate arranged parallel to and spaced from a rear support plate extending downwardly relative to a rear distal end of the platform, with the support bar and platform including a bottom surface canted downwardly. The platform is arranged to mount a camcorder thereon for alignment with a photograph mounted to a mounting plate that is orthogonally mounted to a top wall of a slide bar slidably oriented relative to the support bar. The mounting plate is laterally offset relative to the slide bar to align the mounting plate relative to an optical lens of an associated camcorder mounted to the platform.

Abstract: Mixing apparatus comprising a pair of detachable, spaced rings,--one having inlet passages skewed in a direction to cause clockwise rotation of the exiting fluid, and the other skewed in an opposite direction to cause counter-clockwise rotation thereof, to cause shear action and intense mixing of fluid therebetween. Pairs of mixers may be arranged in different relative positions in either an open or closed body of liquid to effect mixing of effluent therein.