A method and apparatus for lighting a flight deck on an aircraft. A status of the aircraft is identified by a processor unit. The processor unit controls the lighting on the flight deck in response to the status of the aircraft to indicate the status of the aircraft.

A method of creating at least one flight plan of an aircraft includes entering a creation objective which illustrates a type and general characteristics of the flight plan to be created, automatically generating a flight plan outline, automatically generating a targeted request for information relating to missing parameters, entering the requested information relating to the missing parameters, and supplementing automatically the flight plan outline and automatically deleting any discontinuities to create, in a definitive manner, the flight plan.

A rotor system is disclosed for a reactive drive rotary wing aircraft. Apparatus and methods are disclosed for maintaining the rigidity of the rotor and eliminating play between flight controls and the rotor by mounting swashplate actuators to a flange rigidly secured to the mast. Methods are disclosed for modulating the temperature of oil pumped over one or more of the mast bearing, swashplate bearing, and spindle bearing. The temperature of air passively or actively drawn through rotor may also be modulated to maintain bearing temperature within a predetermined range. Structures for reducing pressure losses and drag on components due to air flow through the rotor are also disclosed. A rotor facilitating thermal management by oil and air flow is also disclosed. Surfaces interfacing between the swashplate and the mast and between control rods and the swashplate or pitch horn may bear a solid lubricant layer.

A space efficient lavatory module for commercial aircraft includes an aft facing concave wall recess that provides a greater distance from an upper, forward facing portion of a cabin structure, such as an aircraft passenger seat to avoid having a passenger's head impact the aft facing lavatory or enclosure wall in a sudden aircraft deceleration. The aft facing concave wall recess also provides space for mounting of a protective cushion, in order to reduce a passenger's risk of head trauma in a sudden deceleration, as well as other items, such as a video monitor, a bassinet or infant bed, without inhibiting passenger movement.

In conventional aircraft cargo compartments panels or similar flat floor elements are fastened to floor beams or similar supporting elements that are installed in the body of the aircraft. Subsequently functional units such as roller elements, latches or PDUs are mounted and connected to one another by way of appropriate control conductors. It is proposed to fasten the floor elements permanently to the supporting beams so as to form prefabricated floor modules and to install these floor modules in the aircraft.

An arrangement of aerodynamic auxiliary surfaces is configured for being arranged on the underside of an aircraft and furthermore includes a longitudinal axis and at least one aerodynamic auxiliary surface, wherein the aerodynamic auxiliary surface is laterally offset referred to the longitudinal axis, and wherein the aerodynamic auxiliary surface is configured for generating vortices when it is subjected to an oncoming air flow. This makes it possible to compensate vortices caused by the shape of the aircraft such that the directional stability of the aircraft can be improved and the aerodynamic drag may be reduced.

According to one embodiment, a windshield attachment device for coupling a windshield to a body includes a fastener portion, a bolt, and an elastomeric load isolator. The fastener portion has an opening therethrough. The bolt is configured to extend through the opening of the fastener portion and couple the fastener portion to the body. The elastomeric load isolator surrounds at least a portion of the fastener portion and separating the fastener portion from the windshield.

A system has a plurality of spacecraft in orbit around the earth for collecting energy from the Sun in space, using stimulated emission to configure that energy as well defined states of the optical field and delivering that energy efficiently throughout the region of space surrounding Earth.

Methods and apparatus are presented for spacecraft operation using non-Eigen axis attitude transitions via control momentum gyroscopes (CMGs) to avoid or mitigate singularities by providing a time-varying attitude command vector including a plurality of time-varying attitude command signals or values representing a plurality of spacecraft states and control trajectories as a guidance command input to an attitude controller of the spacecraft without modifying the spacecraft feedback control law.

A device for thermal monitoring a piece of equipment, which is integrated on a craft placed in a forced vacuum environment, an outside part of the equipment projecting outside of a wall of the craft and being subjected to a solar radiation flux, includes an absorbent screen that is suitable for being placed between the outside part of the equipment and the wall of the craft, whereby this absorbent screen has—on at least one portion of its front face, designed to be placed on the side removed from the wall of the craft—an absorptivity αSOLAR that is the largest possible in the field of solar radiation, coupled to a low emissivity εIR in the infrared spectrum. The absorbent screen is made of a very heat-conductive material and has—on at least a portion of its rear face, suitable for being oriented toward the wall of the craft—a high emissivity εIR in the infrared spectrum, typically greater than or equal to 0.7.

A method for simulating the movement behavior of a fluid in a closed moving container is provided. The simulation is based on the determination of the potential movement path of the center of gravity of the volume of the fluid as an elliptical trajectory situated in a disturbance plane having certain semi-axes.

A system and method for mitigating an aircraft incident is provided. The invention includes an aircraft panic component coupled to a terminal component. The aircraft panic component facilitates identification of a panic situation and communicates information associated with the panic situation to the terminal component. The aircraft panic component is further operative to at least partially disable a navigation system and/or operational system of an aircraft. The aircraft can then be sent to a safe zone, navigated remotely and/or a course of action for the aircraft can be determined. A safe zone component is adapted to facilitate identification of a course of action for the aircraft based at least in part upon aircraft positional information, aircraft condition information and/or aircraft resource(s). Further, aircraft navigational information and/or aircraft operational information can be sent via an aircraft communication component to a remote system having a remote communication component and a remote analyzing component facilitating transfer of information related to navigational and/or operational system(s) of the aircraft.

A variable length light shield is disclosed for an electro-optical sensor within a nose cone. The light shield includes a base, a telescopic shade supported by the base, and a ring rotatably supported about the base. The light shield also includes a guide tube disposed proximate the ring with an end extending away from the ring about a side of the telescopic shade. The light shield further includes an extension spring supported by the guide tube with an end coupled to the telescopic shade. Additionally, the light shield includes a cable extending through the guide tube and the extension spring, with one end of the cable coupled to the ring and another end of the cable coupled to the telescopic shade. The extension spring is configured to exert a force on the telescopic shade to extend the telescopic shade. Rotation of the ring causes retraction of the telescopic shade.

A projectile control system includes a plurality of fins, a drive mechanism coupled to each of the plurality of fins to enable the plurality of fins to be independently retracted or deployed, and a control mechanism in communication with the drive mechanisms to independently control the deployment or retraction of the plurality of fins. A projectile having the projectile control system and a method of operating a projectile are also described herein.

A stator for a progressive cavity pump comprises a stator housing having a central axis, a first end, and a second end opposite the first end. In addition, the stator comprises a stator liner disposed within the stator housing. The stator liner has a first end and a second end opposite the first end. The first end of the stator liner is axially spaced from the first end of the stator housing. Further, the stator comprises a tag insert positioned in the stator housing between the first end of the stator housing and the first end of the stator liner. The tag insert has a through passage defining a radially inner surface that includes a tag shoulder.

Use of two different methods, either each by itself or in combination, to enhance the stiffness, strength, maximum possible use temperature, and environmental resistance of thermoset polymer particles is disclosed. One method is the application of post-polymerization process steps (and especially heat treatment) to advance the curing reaction and to thus obtain a more densely crosslinked polymer network. The other method is the incorporation of nanofillers, resulting in a heterogeneous “nanocomposite” morphology. Nanofiller incorporation and post-polymerization heat treatment can also be combined to obtain the benefits of both methods simultaneously. The present invention relates to the development of thermoset nanocomposite particles. Optional further improvement of the heat resistance and environmental resistance of said particles via post-polymerization heat treatment; processes for the manufacture of said particles; and use of said particles in the construction, drilling, completion and/or fracture stimulation of oil and natural gas wells are described.

Fluid treatment systems and compositions are provided including (a) at least one material including (1) at least one carboxylic acid functional group and (2) at least one sulfur-containing group selected from the group consisting of sulfonyl functional groups, sulfonate functional groups and mixtures thereof; and (b) at least one friction reducing agent selected from the group consisting of guar gums, polyacrylamides, hydratable cellulosic materials, viscoelastic surfactants, and mixtures thereof. The fluid treatment systems and compositions can be used to treat aqueous systems, for example as fracturing fluids for use in fracturing subterranean formations. Methods for inhibiting formation and/or precipitation of metal oxides in an aqueous composition using the fluid treatment systems or compositions also are provided.

Fluid treatment systems and compositions are provided including (a) at least one material including (1) at least one carboxylic acid functional group and (2) at least one sulfur-containing group selected from the group consisting of sulfonyl functional groups, sulfonate functional groups and mixtures thereof; and (b) at least one scale control agent. The fluid treatment systems and compositions can be used to treat aqueous systems, for example as fracturing fluids for treating aqueous compositions found in subterranean formations. Methods for inhibiting formation and/or precipitation of calcium salts in an aqueous composition using the fluid treatment systems or compositions also are provided.

A geological perforating tool (gun) shape charges disposed at an angle that provides an improvement over other known embodiments by accurately securing the charges in the tool to facilitate reliable, reproducible focus of the shaped charges. Charges are disposed on metal strips fitted into slots that are precision cut at predetermined angles in a tool barrel circumference.

Methods of treating a wellbore in a subterranean formation including providing an oil-external treatment fluid, wherein the oil-external treatment fluid is a 3D-network comprising a chemical interaction between a hydrocarbon fluid, an aqueous fluid, and a surface modification agent; providing proppant particulates; suspending the proppant particulates in the oil-external treatment fluid; and introducing the oil-external treatment fluid comprising the proppant particulates into the wellbore in the subterranean formation.

A method may include determining a first particle size distribution for particulate additives in a first wellbore fluid circulated through a wellbore through an earthen formation, and determining a second particle size distribution for drilled cuttings resulting from drilling of the wellbore. The first and second particle size distributions may then be compared to determine a third particle size distribution for the combined particulate additives and the drilled cuttings. A lost circulation material having a fourth particle size distribution may then be selected based on the third particle size distribution and the selected lost circulation material may be pumped into the wellbore.

An apparatus for use in stage-cementing an oil well in the region of a lost-circulation zone that is proximate an annular space defined by the lower end of an outer casing surrounding an inner casing include a load-bearing annular steel plate of substantial thickness that is positioned on, and maintained stationary relative to the inner casing by supporting and retaining means secured to the inner casing, the outer diameter of the plate being less than the inside diameter of the outer casing so that the plate can be lowered with the inner casing string to the desired location inside of the outer casing and, with a layer of gravel, to provide a seal and support the cement poured into the annulus between the inner and outer casings.

An oxygen scavenger for completion brines effective and stable in high temperature subterranean formations. In one embodiment, the scavenger contains erythorbate and alkylhydroxlyamine.

A method of servicing a wellbore that includes, transporting a fluid treatment system to a wellsite, accessing a water source proximate to the wellsite, introducing a water stream from the water source into the fluid treatment system, irradiating at least a portion of the water stream within the fluid treatment system, forming a wellbore servicing fluid from the irradiated water stream, and placing the wellbore servicing fluid into the wellbore. The portion of the water stream is irradiating by exposing the portion of water stream to ultraviolet light emitted from at least one pulsed ultraviolet lamp.

A system for diverting fluids from a wellhead in a subsea environment has a capping stack with a connector suitable for connection or interconnection to the wellhead, a flow base fixedly positioned in the subsea environment, and a conduit connected to the outlet of a diverter line of the capping stack and connected to the inlet of an interior passageway of the flow base. The conduit is suitable for passing fluids from the capping stack toward the flow base. The flow base is a modified horizontal Christmas tree. The interior passageway within the horizontal Christmas tree has a plug therein located a level below the level of the inlet to the flow base. The flow base can be attached to a wellhead or to an anchor pile in the subsea environment.

An adapter assembly having a sealing element, a drive bushing, and an adapter flange disposed between the sealing element and the drive bushing. Also, a method of assembling a rotational control device that includes coupling mechanically an adapter flange to a sealing element, coupling mechanically the adapter flange to a drive bushing, and installing the adapter flange, sealing element, and drive bushing in the rotational control device.

A method and a device for enabling the use of riserless drilling fluid recovery from a seabed-based borehole (1) which is to be drilled by means of a casing (26), the casing (26) being provided with a drill bit (28) at its lower portion and with an inner wellhead (30) at its upper portion, and there being a conductor casing (6), which has an outer wellhead (8), in the seabed (2), the method including: —providing a suction module (12) with a dividable adapter (16) which fits complementarily in the outer wellhead (8); —drilling a length of the borehole (1) by means of the casing (26) extending through the suction module (12), while, at the same time, drilling fluid is flowing via the suction module (12) from the borehole (1); —subsequently pulling the adapter (16) up from the outer wellhead (8) and dividing the adapter (16); and—lowering the casing (26) with the inner wellhead (30) through the suction module (12) and the adapter (16) to its position in the outer wellhead (8).

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.

A method for determining position of a wellbore in the Earth's subsurface includes actuating a plurality of seismic energy sources each disposed at a known geodetic position. Seismic energy from the sources is detected at a selected location along the wellbore. The geodetic position at the selected location is determined from the detected seismic energy. A corresponding method includes actuating a seismic energy source at a selected position within the wellbore. The seismic energy is detected at a plurality of known geodetic positions. The geodetic position of the source is determined from the detected seismic energy.

When conducting cementing operations within confined locales, such as the annular space within a wellbore, it can sometimes be difficult to successfully deliver an uncured cement composition to a desired location. Cementing methods can comprise: providing a cement composition comprising a cement and a property control package, the property control package comprising: a filtration control agent; a friction reducer; and a setting accelerator; introducing the cement composition into a mineral exploration wellbore; and setting the cement composition in the wellbore.

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.

There are provided a dividing wall distillation column for producing high-purity acrylic acid, and a fractional distillation method using the same. The dividing wall distillation column includes a condenser, a reboiler and a main column having a dividing wall. Here, the main column is divided into a column-top zone, an upper feed zone, an upper outflow zone, a lower feed zone, a lower outflow zone and a column-bottom zone. Accordingly, since one distillation column can be used to realize the same effect as that obtained from the use of two distillation columns, the dividing wall distillation column can have an effect of reducing the costs of equipment to produce high-purity acrylic acid, as well as an energy-reducing effect, compared to a conventional process system.

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 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.

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 preload mechanism for a memory alloy wire actuator is disclosed that includes a rotating element configured to rotate about a pivot. The rotating element has a first contact point that is configured to couple to the memory alloy wire actuator such that contraction of the memory alloy wire actuator displaces the first contact point such that the rotating element rotates from a first position to a second position. The preload mechanism also includes a bias element with a first end that is coupled to a second contact point of the rotating element and a second end configured to be pinned relative to the pivot. The bias element has a line of action extending from the second end through the first end. The line of action has an offset distance that is the minimum distance between the line of action and the pivot. The offset distance has a first value when the rotating element is in the first position and a second value when the rotating element is the second position, the second value being smaller than the first value.

The present invention relates to a method for purifying a liquid comprising liquid particles and residual particles. It is hereby possible to generate substantially pure water from, for instance seawater.

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.

One exemplary embodiment can be a system for separating a plurality of naphtha components. The system can include a column, an overhead condenser, and a side condenser. Generally, the column includes a dividing imperforate wall with one surface facing a feed and another surface facing at least one side stream. Typically, the wall extends a significant portion of the column height to divide the portion into at least two substantially vertical, parallel contacting sections. Typically, the overhead condenser receives an overhead stream including a light naphtha from the column. Usually, a side condenser receives a process stream from the column and returns the stream to the column to facilitate separation. A cooling stream may pass through the overhead condenser and then the side condenser.

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.

Disclosed herein is a system comprising an evaporation unit comprising a first heat exchanger in fluid communication with a second heat exchanger; where the first heat exchanger is operative to heat an effluent stream comprising an amine solvent and/or amine byproducts and water and to discharge the effluent stream to the second heat exchanger; where the second heat exchanger is operative to convert the effluent stream into a distillate stream and a concentrate stream; and a reverse osmosis unit in fluid communication with the evaporation unit; where the reverse osmosis unit comprises a first reverse osmosis unit that is operative to receive the distillate stream and to separate water from byproducts of the amine solvent such that the water has a purity of greater than 95%, based on the weight of the distillate stream.

A device (1) comprises a source (20) for emitting ultraviolet light, an inlet (30) for letting in fluid to the device (1), an outlet (40) for letting out fluid from the device (1), and means (51, 52) for performing a straightening action of a flow of fluid through the device (1). The flow straightening means comprise at least one flow straightening element (51, 52) having inlet openings for letting in fluid at one side and outlet openings for letting out fluid at another side, wherein each inlet opening is in communication with a plurality of outlet openings, and wherein the element (51, 52) comprises a maze of randomly arranged, interconnected holes. In such a structure, a water element that is moving from one side of the element (51, 52) to another side may take one of various paths, as a result of which variations in inlet conditions can be dampened.

In one aspect, a lighted tip for attachment to a flexible rod comprises a tip body having proximal and distal ends, a mechanical connector at the proximal end, a lens connected to the distal end, a light source that emits light through the lens, and a holder coupled to the light source and the lens. A circuit is completed or interrupted as the holder moves in relation to the tip body, thereby switching the light source on or off. In another aspect, a lighted tip for attachment to a flexible rod comprises a lens forming a distal end of the lighted tip. The lens is cylindrical over at least some of its length, and the tip further includes a light source at least partially within the cylindrical lens portion and a mechanical connector at a proximal end if the lighted tip, for connecting the tip to the flexible rod.

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 apparatus of the present invention is used for movable objects upwardly and downwardly relative to a fixed surface. The apparatus includes a lifting device presented by a pair of blocks movable relative one and the other. A carriage device is supported by the blocks. The carriage device is connected to object to be lifted relative the fixed surface. An actuator is connected to the blocks. As the actuator moves the blocks relative one and the other, the blocks move above the carriage device relative the fixed surface at various distances lift and lower the objects.

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.