An apparatus and method for the actuation of down-hole tools are provided. The down-hole tool that may be actuated and controlled using the apparatus and method may include a reamer, an adjustable gauge stabilizer, vertical steerable tools, rotary steerable tools, by-pass valves, packers, whipstocks, down hole valves, latch or release mechanisms and/or anchor mechanisms.

An anchoring assembly in a downhole tool, the assembly including a first tubular member, a second tubular member coupled to the first tubular member, and an anchoring block disposed between the first tubular member and the second tubular member. The anchoring block includes a body having a central axis defined therethrough and a central bore formed therethrough, a contact crown, in which at least one annular flow channel is formed between the contact crown and the body, and a contact ring configured to engage at least a portion of the first tubular member.

A method of forming a plug in a wellbore includes disposing a work string in a wellbore. The work string includes a first tool comprising a port providing fluid communication between an interior space of the first tool to an exterior space to permit placement of a plug in a wellbore. The method includes introducing a first fluid volume via the work string to form a plug in the wellbore, and includes load testing the plug at least in part by applying an axial force on the plug with the work string to determine that the plug is set.

Magnetic composite particles can be used as proppants and allow for deliberate heating by applying an alternating magnetic field.

A technique includes processing seismic data indicative of samples of at least one measured seismic signal in a processor-based machine to, in an iterative process, determine basis functions, which represent a constructed seismic signal. The technique includes in each iteration of the iterative process, selecting another basis function of the plurality of basis functions. The selecting includes based at least in part on the samples and a current version of the constructed seismic signal, determining a cost function; and interpreting the cost function based at least in part on a predicted energy distribution of the constructed seismic signal to select the basis function.

The invention describes a method for treating near-wellbore zones involving the steps of injecting a magnesium metal with a catalyst into the desired area of the formation to be treated. Subsequently, combustive-oxidizing solution (COS) is injected into the zone of the formation to be treated. The COS initially reacts with the magnesium, which in turn initiates a vigorous oxidation reaction of the COS. The reaction gases and heat produced by the COS oxidation reaction are harnessed to enhance the productivity of the well by creating fractures in the treatment zone and by melting of paraffin and resin deposits in the treatment zone. As a final step, acid is injected into the formation to react with the formation thereby further enhancing the porosity of the fractures. In one embodiment, the COS uses ammonium nitrate as the oxidizer, and in another, urea or ethylene glycol may be added as a reaction fuel.

A method of treating sludge using solar energy is provided. The present invention utilizes a Fresnel panel frame that includes at least one Fresnel panel. The Fresnel panel may cover at least a portion of a bed cavity. An amount of waste may be placed within the bed cavity. When placed in sunlight, the heat enhanced by the Fresnel panels may heat the waste sufficiently for safe easy disposal, recycling, or for the creation of fertilizer.

A device for compensating deviations from a coaxial arrangement of components of a regulating organ, said regulating arrangement being comprised of a regulating organ, a crown pipe, and an immersion cup which serve for controlling the gas pressure of a coke oven chamber, with the regulating arrangement being comprised of an immersion cup with a water immersion that seals the gas space of a coke oven chamber versus the gas collecting main and/or plant units downstream, and wherein the height of the water level of the water immersion represents a regulating means to control the gas pressure, and wherein said regulating arrangement is furthermore comprised of an immersion pipe that configures a specially shaped crown pipe at its end submerging into the water of the immersion cup, and that is comprised of a regulating organ to regulate the water level.

A method for creating laboratory-scale reactive distillation apparatus from provided modular components is described. At least two types of modular distillation column stages are provided. A first type of modular stage comprises two physical interfaces for connection with a respective physical interface of another modular stage. A second type modular stage comprises one such physical interface. At least one type of tray is provided for insertion into the first type of modular stage. A clamping arrangement is provided for joining together two modular stages at their respective physical interfaces for connection to form a joint. The invention provides for at least three modular stages can be joined. At least one sensor or sensor array can be inserted into each modular stage. At least one controllable element can be inserted into each modular stage. The invention provides for study of traditional, advanced, and photochemical types of reactive distillation.

An electrical heating coal material decomposition apparatus includes a closed kiln body with a feed inlet, a discharge outlet, and an electrical heating device arranged in the kiln body. A propulsion and decomposition path of coal material is formed between the electrical heating device and the inner wall of the kiln body. A coal decomposition gas collecting pipe communicates with the propulsion and decomposition path of coal material, and is connected with a gas dust-trapping and liquefying device arranged outside the kiln. The electrical heating device transfers heat to the pulverized coal inside the propulsion and decomposition path of coal material by conduction and irradiation. The pulverized coal absorbs sufficient heat and decomposes into fuel gas, tar gas and coal. The fuel gas and tar gas enters the gas dust-trapping and liquefying mechanism through the decomposed gas collecting tube, where they are collected, dust-trapped, separated and liquefied under pressure.

A reactor for the continuous production of charcoal, having a substantially vertical structure, comprising, in sequence, a top charging zone, a drying zone, a carbonization zone, a cooling zone, and a discharge zone, wherein the charging zone has a smaller cross section than the drying zone and has an extension into the drying zone , forming an annular space around the extension, which space comprises, in the wall of the drying zone, an outlet to a gas extraction line for the recirculation of these gases into the reactor. The reactor reduces sawdust drag by the gases extracted from the preheating zone, without substantially altering the shape and the size of the reactor, which is achieved due to the fact that the charging zone is arranged eccentrically relatively to the drying zone, and that the outlet to the gas extraction line of the drying zone is located substantially on the larger area section of the annular space.

A solar distillation apparatus utilizing a substantially vertical reactor assembly is disclosed. The reactor includes a tubular outer shell, a base, a cap, and a central tension member. The annular space between the outer tube and the central tension member forms the reactor chamber. Seawater or other feed liquid enters the reactor chamber through the base plate. Reflected or direct solar energy heats the feed liquid, generating low pressure vapor. The vapor exits the reactor through the cap structure or the base. The concentrate left behind settles by gravity to the bottom region of the reactor's liquid column. Extension tubes on the feed openings allow feed liquid to enter the liquid column above the concentrate layer and avoid excessive mixing of the feed liquid and the concentrate. The concentrate exits the reactor through one or more openings in the base.

A modular portable evaporator system for use in a Steam Assisted Gravity Drainage (SAGD) systems having an evaporator, with a sump including an oil skimming weir, a short tube vertical falling film heat exchanger including an outer shell containing short tubes provided for lower water circulation rate. The system further having external to the evaporator, a compressor for compressing evaporated steam from the tube side of the heat exchanger and routing to the shell side of the same exchanger, a distillate tank to collect hot distilled water, a recirculation pump to introduce liquids from the sump into the heat exchanger and an external suction drum protecting the compressor from liquid impurities. The evaporator system receives produced water from the SAGD process into the sump and provides cleaned hot water to a boiler.

For purifying a liquid, the liquid is caused to evaporate in a cyclone in a recirculation circuit. Vapor is discharged via a discharge channel in which a compressor is included. In a heat exchanger downstream of the compressor, supplied vapor condenses and heat thereby released is transferred to liquid in the recirculation circuit. A liquid inlet of the cyclone is placed and directed for delivering a jet having a directional component tangential with respect to an inner surface of the cyclone. The liquid inlet has a section shaped such that in operation the delivered jet is a flat jet having a cross section which in a direction parallel to a nearest generatrix of the inner surface of the cyclone is greater than in a direction perpendicular thereto. The jet contacts the inner surface of the cyclone before drop formation occurs in the jet. A method for purifying a liquid is also described.

The invention relates to a rotary evaporator comprising a rotary drive having a hub and a clamping insert with a sleeve-like basic shape, in particular a clamping sleeve, for the clamping of a steam leadthrough formed as a hollow glass shaft in the hub of the rotary drive, wherein the clamping insert has a longitudinal axis and a first and a second axial end, wherein the clamping insert has two clamping sections which are arranged spaced apart from one another in the longitudinal direction and which each have an outer cross-section tapering toward the first end and of which the clamping arrangement arranged closer to the second end has a larger maximum outer cross-section.

This invention relates to a high efficiency apparatus for manufacturing an aqueous wood smoke solution in the form of a liquid smoke desired concentration by burning wood, wooden chips or sawdust in a limited amount of air. Wood consumption per unit of liquid smoke is significantly smaller comparing to conventional methods, while the air pollution is reduced to a negligible level.

A pyrolytic conversion assembly for processing biomass including: a rotary kiln including a tube for heating the biomass at pressure having a sealable inlet at a first, higher end for ingress of the biomass, and a sealable outlet at a lower end for egress of charcoal formed from the biomass; and heating elements disposed around the kiln to provide a localized source of heating at a predetermined distance from the sealable inlet for reflux condensation of gas from the biomass.

An apparatus for producing a solid fuel which may be made by a method involving mixing porous coal with a mixed oil containing heavy oil and solvent oil to prepare a raw material slurry; heating the raw material slurry to promote dehydration of the porous coal while impregnating the mixed oil into pores of the porous coal to obtain a dehydrated slurry; separating the resulting upgraded porous coal and mixed oil from the dehydrated slurry; drying the separated upgraded porous coal with carrier gas, and subsequently condensing vaporized mixed oil in the carrier gas by cooling, while capturing the porous coal in the carrier gas by atomization of the condensed mixed oil, thereby recovering the mixed oil; and returning the mixed oil separated and recovered in the separating to the mixing, further involving supplying the mixed oil recovered in the final drying to the separating.

A method of operating an evaporator is described. In evaporator feed water, a Taylor bubble is developed which has an outer surface including a thin film in contact with an inner surface of an outer wall of an evaporator tube. The Taylor bubble is heated as it rises within the evaporator tube so that liquid in the thin film transitions into vapor within the bubble.

A rotary evaporator comprising a motor, a rotary joint movably inserted to a motor rotor of the motor by a sleeve in an axial direction, a collection flask attached to the rotary joint at one end of the joint, with a condenser attached to the other end of the joint. The condenser is adapted to receive a cooling coil from an immersion cooler. The cooling coil is attached to the base unit of the immersion cooler via an insulated hose. The rotary evaporator is adapted to provide various ways to remove heat from the flask in the water bath, whether by mechanically lowering the water bath, dropping fluid from the bath into an underlying reservoir, or raising and lowering the rotary evaporator out of the bath. Where the rotary evaporator is raised and lowered, the immersion cooler can remain in place if the hose connecting the base unit to the cooling coil is sufficiently long, or the condenser includes a flexible portion that accommodates the upward and downward movement.

Mechanical visbreaking and pyrolysis between counter-rotating coaxial centrifugal impellers in a continuous radial counterflow process minimizes wastewater discharges. In one example, a cataclastic shear retort comminutes, shear thins, and shear heats an axial feed, such as tar sand, oil shale, coal tailings, distillation bottoms, or lignite. Pyrolyzing the feedstock in this shear retort yields a product stream of gases, naphthas, and oils which first mixes with the feedstock and then is axially extracted, while spent solids are simultaneously extruded from the periphery as coked devolatilized residue, such as char sand for upgrading soil to terra preta. Recirculation of shear-heated solids in long residence time within the shear retort brings heat from the spent solids at the periphery to the feedstock without an external heated sand loop. CO2 emissions from combustion to heat water for oil extraction are eliminated.

An evaporative desalination device includes a multi stage vapor generator that generates vapor by passing a hot water supply pipe successively through a plurality of vapor generators to evaporate sea water inside thereof, a multi effect vapor generator that uses vapor in the respective vapor generators as heat source and forms a plurality of evaporator groups which can adjust a number of evaporators disposed inside the respective evaporator groups and produce fresh water according to amounts of supplied vapor to evaporate sea water in the evaporator groups on an outer circumference surface of an evaporation tube by heat of vapor flowing in the evaporation tube, and a discharge unit that condenses vapor in the multi effect generator by sea water to discharge fresh water in liquid state, and returns and supplies portions of discharged sea water to the multi stage vapor generator and the multi effect evaporator.

Membranes for membrane distillation include at least one hollow fiber porous hydrophobic membrane, the at least one membrane including carbon nanotubes incorporated into the pore structure of the membrane. Membrane distillation systems may include a heat exchanger operably connected to a hollow fiber membrane module with one or more membranes including carbon nanotubes. Methods of solvent removal, sample preconcentration and desalination employing hollow fiber porous hydrophobic membranes with carbon nanotubes are disclosed.

An apparatus for repetitively lifting and lowering objects to create visual patterns having a plurality of units each with a motor, a rotary member, a cord attached at its distal end to the circumferential edge of the rotary member, an attaching mechanism affixed to the proximal end of the cord, and an object removably connected to the attaching mechanism. A computer or microprocessor is provided and programmed to selectively rotate the rotary members to move the objects between selected pre-determined positions along a generally vertical path of travel to establish a geometric pattern of repetitive elements.

An apparatuses and methods to release a chain. Apparatuses and methods include an electronic, mechanical, or electro-mechanical actuator system used to rotate a hooking arm. The actuator system includes an extendable piston. In some embodiments, the actuator system is hydraulic. In other embodiments, the actuator system is pneumatic.

An assembly includes a motor; a second motor; a planetary transmission coupled to the motor and the second motor, and a spool coupled to the transmission. The spool has an interior volume for receiving the motor, the second motor and the transmission, and the motor and the second motor are disposed or disposable entirely within the spool. The motor and the second motor are capable of being operated such that one of the motors is speed controlled, and the other motor is torque controlled.

The present invention provides an apparatus and method for recovering the core (108) of a subterranean sheathed electrical cable (106), while minimising the impact on the surrounding environment. The apparatus comprises a ram (102) operable to exert a pushing force on the core of a length of the cable, a plurality of linkages, each linkage being configured to be insertable into the cable along its length under the action of the ram to displace the core relative to an outer sheath of the cable, and a puller operable (104) to exert a pulling force on the core to thereby facilitate removal of the displaced core from the outer sheath by action of the pushing/pulling forces. The apparatus and method are found to be particularly suited to the recovery of high-tension copper core cables, while enabling any hydrocarbon (e.g. oil) impregnated inner sheathing to be controllably disposed of without hazard to the environment.

An apparatus for moving an elongate component within or through one of a plurality of sidewalls of a pit, including a gripping arrangement for releasably gripping the elongate component, a lever arm comprising a handle at a first end and the gripping arrangement at the second end, and a frame to which the lever arm is attached, wherein during use the frame is positioned substantially above the pit, and the gripping arrangement hangs downwardly from the frame into the pit.

A manual marine winch includes a safety knockout override preventing release of winch tension without the handle in stowed position. The winch includes a housing; a rotating drum on the housing; a winch line on the drum; a control for spooling and un-spooling the winch line on the drum, wherein the control includes a handle for selectively tensioning the drum and moveable between a position engaged with the drum and a disengaged stowed position; a tension holding mechanism on the housing comprising a ratchet gear coupled to the drum, a pawl selectively engaged with the ratchet gear, and a knockout configures to selectively disengage the pawl from the gear to allow for release of winch tension; and a safety knockout override coupled to the housing and selectively engaged by the handle and configured to prevent release of winch tension when the handle is not in the stowed position.

A tool for removing a spindle and/or elastomeric bearing from a hub generally includes a coupler, an arm, and a weight slidably engaged with the arm. The weight is slidable with respect to the arm along a predetermined stroke that limits the travel of the weight. The coupler may be secured to a spindle, which spindle is in turn secured to a bearing, or the coupler may be secured directly to the bearing. An operator may slide the weight between a first position adjacent the coupler and a second position opposite the coupler to impart kinetic energy to the spindle and/or bearing, thereby removing the bearing from or the bearing installing into a hub, depending on whether the kinetic energy is in an inboard or outboard direction.

Diverting pulley arrangement of an elevator, which includes an axle, at least one diverting pulley that rotates while supported on the axle, a faceplate structure, in relation to which and supported by which the diverting pulley is arranged to rotate on the first side of the faceplate structure, which axle is locked so that it does not rotate in relation to the faceplate structure by the aid of a locking element, which locking element is on the second side of the faceplate structure and supported so that it does not move in relation to the faceplate structure. The locking element is placed against the locking surface included in the axle so that the contact point of the locking element and the locking surface of the axle is at least partly visible.

An apparatus for raising and lowering a carrier for supporting clothes hangers or other hanging articles within a wardrobe closet that includes a tube, brackets for rotatable mounting of the tube, a tubular motor coupled to the tube for rotating the tube, and a base that attaches to a side panel of the wardrobe closet. Two arms each lie on a plane parallel to the base and to the side panel, attach at their ends to the carrier, and are mounted on the base so that they may oscillate and pivot in the plane between two positions, raising and lowering the carrier. At the lowest position the carrier releases from the arms and drop further. Fabric straps are wound onto and unwound from the tube to raise and lower the arms as the tube is rotated. A remote control receiver or programmable device may be used to control operation of the motor.

An assembly for collapsing a self-expanding prosthetic heart valve includes a compression member, a support member and a constricting member. The compression member has a tapered wall between its first open end and its second open end, the tapered wall defining an open space adapted to receive the valve. The support member has a base and a recess adapted to receive an end of the valve. The support member and the compression member are movable toward one another to compress the valve and push it through a relatively small aperture in the second open end of the compression member. The second end of the constricting member is sized to receive the compressed valve from the second open end of the compression member for loading into a delivery device.

An aerial roller spacer apparatus and related methods thereto are provided. The aerial roller spacer apparatus includes a spacer body. At least one saddle is formed on the spacer body. A spacer arm is connected to the spacer body at a first end, wherein the spacer arm extends away from the spacer body. A roller assembly is positioned proximate to a second end of the spacer arm, wherein the roller assembly has two rotatable roller halves that are removably engagable with one another with at least one fastener. A messenger groove is formed between the two rotatable roller halves.

Assembly and method for making up and/or caring for keratin material, the assembly containing: at least one composition containing platelet-shaped particles, at least one nonionic surfactant and/or at least one ionic surfactant and/or at least one polymeric surfactant, or at least one fatty-phase rheological agent, andat least one applicator having an application member and a vibrating source for making the application member vibrate.

A wig for a wearer. The wig includes a cap and primary hair. The cap is worn by the wearer. The primary hair is affixed to the cap, and when the wig is worn by the wearer, the wearer has a pre-styled hairdo.

A hair protection, retention and styling apparatus has a triangular shape. The left and right base corners comprise hair protection flaps that extend from either side of a rectangular hair retention channel roll. A top hair retention flap extends from the top thereof to form the top corner. A cylindrical style bar is attached near the top of the triangular body. Once a user places her hair on the channel roll, the hair protection flaps are folded in over the hair, thereby containing, retaining, and protecting the hair. The ends of the user's hair are wrapped around the style bar and the top hair retention roll is wrapped over the bar and the hair and bar are rolled approximately to the user's scalp. First and second wrap ties attach near the top of the triangular body and are used to secure the apparatus to the user's head.

The invention relates to a cosmetics applicator having a handle section, an applicator element and a shaft section connecting the applicator element and the handle section, wherein the applicator element includes a core element of a first material and a bristle element which at least partially envelops the core element and includes a second material preferably different from the first material with regard to its hardness and/or flexibility.

A method of sectioning eyelashes into zones is disclosed. A method of sectioning eyelashes into zones comprises dividing a surface of an eyelid into zones and applying extension lashes to natural lashes within the zones. Zones can comprise an inner zone, a mid-zone and an outer zone. Furthermore, at least a portion of extension lashes within inner zone can have a first length, while the extension lashes within middle zone and outer zone can have a second and third length, respectively.

A nail print apparatus, including: a print head which performs printing on a nail region on the basis of image data including a first design and a second design that is a background of the first design; and an image data processing unit which has a second image data processing unit that processes the image data so that the second design covers an entire nail region.

A mascara system comprising, in combination: (a) a mascara applicator comprising a substantially longitudinal stem having a major axis A and a plurality of protrusions extending therefrom, wherein at least two adjacent protrusions are spaced from one another at a distance R at the base of the stem; (b) a mascara composition comprising primary particles that are at least about 5 microns in equivalent diameter; and (c) a dermatologically acceptable carrier. The mascara applicator is a molded applicator, the distance R is from about 0.75 mm to about 3.0 mm, and at least one of the primary particles is a wax primary particle composed primarily of one or more waxes.

The present invention relates generally to a system for easily carrying mascara and multiple other cosmetic products to be applied to the face and in particular to a unitary stick system for easily carrying a mascara and three other cosmetic products for application to the face wherein the user may mix more than one of these other cosmetic products during application to create an aesthetically different cosmetic product.

A hairpiece or wig is formed of a substrate having at least two layers or sets of fibers. The hairpiece has a wig cap section which forming the core of the hairpiece to be placed on the head of an individual. The wig cap may be formed of a plurality of selectively-deformable rings adapted to adjustably conform to a head of an individual. A mesh section of the wig cap may adorn the portion of the wig cap corresponding to the forehead of the individual. The mesh section may have opposing parting areas on the left and right anterior portions of wig cap formed by recesses extending into the deformable ring portion of the wig cap. Hair strands extending from each parting area may have different shades and/or colors from one another and/or any hair strands extending from the deformable ring portion of the wig cap.

An ergonomic eyelash curler, cosmetic applicator, container, and mascara remover compromising of a grip type device with anatomical features and a fixed ellipsoid curvature tongue at one end. The tongue and grip are shaped to fit the anatomy of the hand to allow free movement of the thumb and index fingers. This device has an ergonomic design that optimizes human wellbeing and overall hand coordination allowing the user to apply precise and natural motion when beautifying and maintaining the eyelashes. The thumb's tactile sense allows the user to apply measured pressure on the eyelash against the curling edge to provide a prolonged and continuous curvature of the eyelash. The thumb and index finger tactile sense allows the user to effectively remove mascara from the eyelash without irritating the eye area. Multiple eyelash beautifying and maintenance functions can be performed with this invention including mascara application.

The present invention relates to a rotary powder container with a brush, wherein powder is discharged through a brush of a powder discharge case by rotating an internal case containing powder in an external case. The internal case is able to be rotated in the external case, wherein powder is discharged into a brush when a plurality of discharge holes of a powder discharge case are in line with a plurality of discharge member holes of a powder discharge member if the internal case is rotated in the external case, and powder is not discharged into a brush when the plurality of discharge holes of the powder discharge case are not in line with the plurality of discharge member holes of the powder discharge member if the internal case is rotated in the external case. The present invention is convenient to use and has an elegant look.

In order to treat human or animal hair fixedly arranged on a sopport, hair is divided into strands. The divided strands are subjected to a dielectric plasma treatment by drawing an apparatus connected to a high voltage source (8) through the strands. The apparatus can be in the form of tongs or have a comb-like structure.

Solutions formed by combining poly(α(1→3) glucan) with CS2 in aqueous alkali metal hydroxide solution have been shown to produce the xanthated form of the poly(+(1→3) glucan). The solutions so formed have been shown to be useful for solution spinning into fiber of poly(α(1→3) glucan) when the spun fiber is coagulated in an acidic coagulation bath. The fibers so produced exhibit desirable physical properties. The poly(α(1→3) glucan) employed was synthesized by fermentation.

A lightweight artificial stone system comprises a plurality of artificial stones, each of the artificial stones formed of at least some portion of cement, expanded glass, the lightweight artificial stones having a density in the range of between about 30 and 70 pounds per cubic foot.

An ultra-fine nepheline syenite powder produced from a pre-processed nepheline syenite powder feedstock. The powder having a “controlled” maximum grain size D95 or D99 of less than about 20 microns and a “controlled” minimum grain size D5 in the range of 2-8 microns with a particle size spread D5-D95 of less than about 12 microns.

A composition for the preparation of a fire protection mortar comprising 45 to 70% by weight of cement binder,8 to 20% by weight calcite,8 to 20% by weight mica,0 to 5% by weight of xonotlite,0.1 to 20% by weight of expanded perlite,0.1 to 10% by weight of fibers,0.01 to 2% by weight of air entrainer and foaming agent,0.01 to 2% by weight of processing aids.