bil

Frame and insert for mounting a mobile device to a tripod

An apparatus for mounting a mobile device on a tripod includes a frame with a rigid peripheral member defining an opening therethrough. The peripheral member includes a mount configured to releasably couple the frame to the tripod. An insert is sized and shaped to be placed into the opening of the frame and releasably engage at least a portion of the peripheral member in an assembled configuration. The insert has a membrane in the form of a cavity configured to releasably receive and support the mobile device. The membrane extends over at least a portion of the opening of the frame in the assembled configuration and includes at least one camera hole extending therethrough that is aligned with a camera lens of the mobile device when the mobile device is mounted in the cavity.




bil

Robotic marionettes on magnetically-supported and highly mobile puppeteer platforms

An apparatus for suspending and positioning marionettes. The apparatus includes a thin, planar support membrane such as a plastic sheet. A tender vehicle is positioned on the upper side of the support membrane. A motor or other drive mechanism selectively positions the tender vehicle relative to the support membrane. The apparatus includes a puppeteer vehicle from which a marionette is suspended. The puppeteer vehicle is positioned proximate to the lower side of the support membrane opposite the tender vehicle. To support the puppeteer vehicle, one or both of the vehicles includes one or more rotatable magnetic elements such that the attractive forces support the weight of the puppeteer vehicle and the marionette. Typically, the puppeteer vehicle is a passive follower, and the drive mechanism of the tender vehicle includes motors to move the magnetic elements and position the tender and following puppeteer vehicle with its marionette to provide a show.




bil

Obtaining narrow line-width, full C-band tunability mirror for monolithic or hybrid integrated lasers

An apparatus comprising an optical medium, a power splitter coupled to the optical medium, a first delay line coupled to the power splitter such that the power splitter is positioned between the first delay line and the optical medium, a first comb reflector coupled to the first delay line such that the first delay line is positioned between the first comb reflector and the power splitter, and a second comb reflector coupled to the power splitter but not the first comb reflector and not the first delay line. A method comprising receiving an optical signal, splitting the optical signal into a first split optical signal and a second split optical signal, delaying the first split optical signal, tuning the delayed first split optical signal, tuning the second split optical signal, and delaying the tuned second split optical signal.




bil

Three dimensional image projector stabilization circuit

A method for providing a feedback circuit for a three dimensional projector. First and second input devices and a sensor for determining the rotational speed of the second input device are provided. A control device for controlling the rotational speed of the second input device and a phase locked loop (PLL) are provided. A phase reference signal is created based on the signal rate of the first input device. A phase signal is created based on the rotational speed of the second input device. The PLL compares the phase reference signal and the phase feedback signal to determine whether the first input device and the second input device are synchronized. A signal is sent to the control device for the second input device to change the rotational speed of the second input device in response to determining that the first input device and the second input device are not synchronized.




bil

Mobile terminal, and program and method for preventing unauthorized use of mobile terminal

In a mobile terminal having a security function, both convenience and security protection are realized so as to prevent a user from feeling bothersome. A mobile phone has an operation control unit which sets the operation of various functions of the mobile terminal to be unusable at any timing. When a used state determination unit determines that the mobile phone is not in an abnormal state and not left, the operation control unit controls operation of the various functions to maintain usable states.




bil

Bilateral cargo strap system

A bilateral cargo strap system is provided as a means of securing a variety of different cargo within a storage area. The bilateral cargo strap system utilizes a combination of elastic straps with perpendicularly positioned stabilizing rods to improve retention of a variety of cargo within a storage area. The elastic straps extend over the retained cargo and are used as the means of engaging mounting features within the storage area. The stabilizing rods effectively distribute the tension force of the elastic straps over the retained cargo securing it in place within the storage space. The bilateral cargo strap system is versatile and may be used to secure a wide variety of cargo including, but not limited to, kayaks, coolers, bicycles, lumber, and construction equipment.




bil

Resonator element, resonator, electronic device, electronic apparatus, and mobile object

A resonator element includes a substrate including a first principal surface and a second principal surface respectively forming an obverse surface and a reverse surface of the substrate, and vibrating in a thickness-shear vibration mode, a first excitation electrode disposed on the first principal surface, and a second excitation electrode disposed on the second principal surface, and being larger than the first excitation electrode in a plan view, the first excitation electrode is disposed so as to fit into an outer edge of the second excitation electrode in the plan view, and the energy trap confficient M fulfills 15.5≦M≦36.7.




bil

Resonator element, resonator, electronic device, electronic apparatus, and mobile object

A resonator element includes a substrate vibrating in a thickness-shear vibration mode, a first excitation electrode disposed on one principal surface of the substrate, and has a shape obtained by cutting out four corners of a quadrangle, and a second excitation electrode disposed on the other principal surface of the substrate, and a ratio (S2/S1) between the area S1 of the quadrangle and the area S2 of the first excitation electrode fulfills 87.7%≦(S2/S1)




bil

Variability and aging sensor for integrated circuits

A ring-oscillator-based on-chip sensor (OCS) includes a substrate having a semiconductor surface upon which the OCS is formed. The OCS includes an odd number of digital logic stages formed in and on the semiconductor surface including a first stage and a last stage each including at least one NOR gate including a first gate stack and/or a NAND gate including a second gate stack. A feedback connection is from an output of the last stage to an input of the first stage. At least one discharge path including at least a first p-channel metal-oxide semiconductor (PMOS) device is coupled between the first gate stack and a ground pad, and/or at least one charge path including at least a first n-channel metal-oxide semiconductor (NMOS) device is coupled between the second gate stack a power supply pad.




bil

Valve having reduced operating force and enhanced throttling capability

A flow control valve element has a generally spherical ball. An inlet is formed in the ball. An outlet is also formed in the ball, the outlet opposing the inlet. A hollowed-out portion extends between the inlet and the outlet. A pair of opposing flats are formed in the ball, the flats each having a first flat portion formed in an external portion of the ball and an opposing second flat portion formed in the hollowed-out portion of the ball.




bil

Method and apparatus to improve reliability of vias

In a disclosed embodiment, a method for tiling selected vias in a semiconductor device having a plurality of vias comprises generating a layout database for the semiconductor device; creating zones around the plurality of vias; measuring density of covering metal in each zone; selecting a low density zone as being a zone that has a metal density less than a threshold metal density; and adding at least one tiling feature on a metal layer above the plurality of vias in the low density zone so that metal density of the low density zone increases to at least the same as the threshold metal density.




bil

Method of selecting stem cells having high chondrogenic differentiation capability

Thrombospondin 1 (TSP-1), TSP-2, interleukin 17B receptor (IL-17BR) and heparin-binding epidermal growth factor-like growth factor (HB-EGF) associated with stem cell activity and use thereof.




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Generating a mucin-producing cell from an umbilical cord amniotic membrane epithelial stem cell

The present invention relates to the generation of a mucin-producing cell using stem/progenitor cells obtained from the amniotic membrane of umbilical cord and therapeutic uses of such mucin-producing cells.




bil

Stadium seat memorabilia support base

A method for enhancing sales of stadium seat memorabilia by utilizing a stabilizing base, with a large surface area in the shape of sports memorabilia, such as baseball bats and/or sports figures, with or without brackets, to mount and stabilize a stadium seat for use outside of the stadium, such as at home or in a commercial setting.




bil

Vehicle seat, in particular automobile seat

A vehicle seat has a longitudinal adjuster, a pair of seat rails, a releasable latching device having at least one actuating pin that projects over the second seat rail, a pivotably arranged actuating lever, and a Bowden cable. A holder is fixed on a rail and supports the actuating lever such as to be pivotable about a pivot axis at one end, and a contact surface is formed on the actuating lever, on which surface the core of the Bowden cable rests in a subarea between the end of the sheath and the end of the core. The holder secures the end of the core of the Bowden cable, and the actuating lever has a Bowden cable support on which the sheath of the Bowden cable is supported directly or indirectly.




bil

Handy printer and mobile phone provided with the same

A handy printer and a mobile phone based on the use of the same are provided, wherein the printing can be performed on recording paper sheets having various sizes. The handy printer comprises a cover member which is movable between an exposure position at which an ink discharge surface of an ink discharge head is exposable to the outside and a cover position at which the discharge surface is hidden from the outside. When the cover member is positioned at the cover position, the recording is permitted on a recording paper sheet accommodated in a recording paper-accommodating mechanism. When the cover member is positioned at the exposure position, the recording is permitted on a recording medium disposed outside a handy-printer body casing.




bil

Apparatus and system for imaging currency bills and financial documents and method for using the same

Currency bills are received, transported, and imaged to produce image data from which a visually readable image of each currency bill can be reproduced. Each of the currency bills includes a denomination, a serial number, and a set of secondary identifiers. One of the currency bills is determined to be a suspect bill. The suspect bill serial number is attempted to be extracted from the image data associated with the suspect bill. In response to failing to extract a complete serial number of the suspect bill, a serial number field in a suspect report is populated with a serial number snippet image.




bil

Apparatus, method and program for monitoring nuclear thermal hydraulic stability of nuclear reactor

An apparatus for monitoring nuclear thermal hydraulic stability of a nuclear reactor, contains: a calculation unit configured to calculate a stability index of a nuclear thermal hydraulic phenomenon based on nuclear instrumentation signals, the signals being outputted by a plurality of nuclear instrumentation detectors placed at regular intervals in a reactor core; a simulation unit configured to simulate the nuclear thermal hydraulic phenomenon based on a physical model by using information on an operating state of the nuclear reactor as an input condition; a limit value updating unit configured to update a limit value of the nuclear thermal hydraulic phenomenon based on a result of the simulation; and a determination unit configured to determine, based on the stability index and the limit value, whether or not to activate a power oscillation suppressing device.




bil

Method and apparatus for selectively indicating win probability

Each play of a base game increases the likelihood of winning a bonus award. A display provides a graphical indication of the change in likelihood of winning the bonus award. In one aspect, the bonus award comprises the opportunity to play a secondary game.




bil

Environment monitoring and recording tag with remote sensing capability

A tag includes an integrated circuit thereon, including memory, antenna means for RF transmission of data acquired by the integrated circuit, a sensor sensing environmental conditions to which the sensor is subjected, the sensor providing signals based on the environmental conditions to the integrated circuit, a thermistor device of increasing the accuracy of the tag by confining on-board calculation data to a resistance domain and leaving conversion of the data to a temperature domain for an external device once the data is retrieved from the tag's memory.




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Payment or other transaction through mobile device using NFC to access a contactless transaction card

A mobile device utilizes an embedded near field communication (NFC) capability to interact with a contactless transaction card to automatically obtain information from the card, e.g. reducing or eliminating the burden of manual user entry of the account information or the like into the mobile device. The mobile device, for a financial account transaction example, may read the information from the card at the time of a transaction, e.g. to facilitate an on-line purchase, an in-store purchase, ATM transaction or the like. The mobile device may store the information from one or more contactless transaction cards, for use in future transactions of various types. The mobile device and/or a server in communication with the mobile device may track various user activities on the mobile device that also utilize information obtained from the contactless transaction card.




bil

Vehicle movement stabilizing device

A vehicle movement stabilizing device is provided which in effectively functioning braking, acceleration and turning movement during travel of the vehicle by activating the frictional force adding device, reliably controls the start and end of the operation of the frictional force adding device and prevents repetition of unnecessary operations. The vehicle movement stabilizing device is provided with frictional force adding device for increasing the frictional force of the wheels to the road surface by scattering particles and a controller. The controller is structured to start the operation of the frictional force adding device when it detects the operation start conditions based on signals from wheel speed sensors, a hydraulic pressure sensor and a step-in force sensor during braking, and to stop its operation if signals indicating disappearance of the state are detected, thereby preventing repetition of unnecessary operations.




bil

Stabilizing panel

A stabilizing panel for placing items thereon is provided with a first surface including a plurality of parallelogram areas including four corners and four sides. Each corner of the parallelogram areas includes a peak, and the peaks are aligned so as to be parallel with one of the four sides of the parallelogram areas on the first surface. Each of the parallelogram areas defines a depression. The stabilizing panel may be rectangular and includes a pair of adjacent first edges and a pair of adjacent second edges. Each first edge is configured with a male connecting section and each second edge is configured with a female connecting section configured to interlock with the male connecting section of a neighboring stabilizing panel.




bil

Mobile X-ray unit

One embodiment of the present disclosure is directed to a mobile X-ray unit. The mobile X-ray unit may include a base and an arm associated with the base. The arm may be configured to support an X-ray applicator having an X-ray tube. The X-ray tube may be configured to generate an X-ray beam. The X-ray applicator may include an exit surface through which the X-ray beam passes in use. The X-ray unit may further include an applicator cap for covering at least the exit surface of the X-ray applicator.




bil

System and apparatus for interference suppression using macrodiversity in mobile wireless networks

In a wireless network, plural downlink signals from plural base stations are transmitted to a terminal. The plural downlink signals all carry the same information to the terminal. The terminal provides feedback on the downlink channels. The feedback provides information on the taps of the channels. The amount of information fed back is constrained. Based on the feedback, transmission parameters of the downlink signals are adjusted. The process of transmitting, providing feedback, and adjusting the parameters continue so that the energy of the downlink signal is enhanced at the terminal location and suppressed elsewhere. Beam forming can be used to further suppress the energy signature at locations other than the terminal location.




bil

Mobile device network signaling management

A mobile wireless device maintains a radio sector database. When receiving no response or a negative response from a radio sector to a transmitted signaling message, the mobile wireless device adds or updates the radio sector database. When receiving a positive response from the radio sector, the mobile wireless device deletes the radio sector from the radio sector database. Before transmitting signaling messages to a radio sector, the mobile device determines a time delay value if the radio sector is in the radio sector database. The mobile wireless device discards the signaling message when an elapsed time since a most recently transmitted signaling message to the radio sector does not exceed the determined time delay value. In an embodiment, each radio sector in the radio sector database includes a failure count value, and the determined time delay value depends on the failure count value.




bil

Methods and systems for PDCCH blind decoding in mobile communications

Various methods and systems for efficiently performing the blind decoding of downlink signals is described. Several forms of arranging possible CCE combinations are examined and investigated. Based on PDCCH size estimation/information, CCE concatenations that are most likely (of of limited sets) can be arrived at. Tree-based concatenations are also devised using largest CCE ordering to align smaller CCE sizes to similar boundaries. By such ordering, the search space for all possible CCE ordering and sizes can be reduced to an efficient tree. Set mapping between possible lnposelstartCCElnposelend/REs are also described using a first set to secondary and tertiary sets. Various other ordering and sorting schemes are also detailed that enable a blind decode of a PDCCH channel to be efficiently performed.




bil

Method for adjusting soft keyboard layout and mobile terminal

Embodiments of the present invention disclose a method for adjusting soft keyboard layout. The method includes: displaying an option for adjusting a soft keyboard layout; receiving information that a user selects the option for adjusting the soft keyboard layout, and after receiving the information that the user selects the option for adjusting the soft keyboard layout, displaying a soft keyboard adjustment interface on a touch screen, and receiving an adjustment scheme input by the user; and modifying the soft keyboard layout according to the adjustment scheme. In this way, a requirement of a user for adjusting a keyboard according to personal preference is satisfied.




bil

Method for operating an automated guided, mobile assembly and/or material transport unit and automated guided, mobile assembly and/or material transport unit therefor

A method for operating a driverless, mobile assembly and/or material transport unit as a driverless transport system (DTS) with fixed assembly and/or warehousing stations. In this method, a system control device is used for the entire assembly process. The driverless, mobile assembly and/or material transport units comprises a travel device for the traveling movement of the unit, a drive device for the travel device, an energy storage device for providing the energy for the drive device and a control device for controlling the traveling movement in coordination with the system control device.




bil

DC motor assembly with soft starting capability

A DC motor assembly (10) with soft starting capability is provided. The assembly (10) comprises a DC motor (12) including an armature (14) and a field winding (16) adapted to be excited separately from the armature; and circuitry configured to controllably increase current flow through the field winding of the DC motor as a function of time during starting of the DC motor.




bil

Mobile device case with retractor reel assembly for user-provided headphones

A mobile device case includes a reel assembly, including a reel, a supporting plate, and a hub between the reel and the supporting plate. The hub includes a first cavity between the hub and the supporting plate for housing a spring, and a second cavity between the hub and the reel for housing a flat flexible cable (FFC). The spring is wound in a first direction, while the FFC is wound in a second direction. The FFC includes a first end for electrically coupling to a female jack connector of a device. A female connector is electrically coupled to a second end of the FFC for engaging a male jack connector of user-provided headphones. When the reel rotates in the first direction, the spring tightens and the FFC loosens. When the reel rotates in the second direction, the spring loosens and the FFC tightens.




bil

Umbilical cart and system

Disclosed is a conduit cart for supporting conduits above at least one rail. The conduit cart has a base; and at least two right-side protrusions, namely, a right-side sub-rail protrusion extending horizontally from the base; and a right-side super-rail protrusion extending horizontally from the base. The right-side sub-rail protrusion and right-side super-rail protrusion are adapted to straddle a flange of a first rail and the first rail is one among the at least one rail. Further, the base has at least two left-side protrusions, namely, a left-side sub-rail protrusion extending in a direction opposite to the right-side sub-rail protrusion from the base; and a left-side super-rail protrusion extending to the right-side super-rail protrusion from the base. The left-side sub-rail protrusion and left-side super-rail protrusion can straddle a substantially horizontal flange of a second rail, and the second rail is among the at least one rail.




bil

Umbilical cart and system

Disclosed is a conduit cart for supporting conduits above at least one rail. The conduit cart has a base; and at least two right-side protrusions, namely, a right-side sub-rail protrusion extending horizontally from the base; and a right-side super-rail protrusion extending horizontally from the base. The right-side sub-rail protrusion and right-side super-rail protrusion are adapted to straddle a flange of a first rail and the first rail is one among the at least one rail. Further, the base has at least two left-side protrusions, namely, a left-side sub-rail protrusion extending in a direction opposite to the right-side sub-rail protrusion from the base; and a left-side super-rail protrusion extending to the right-side super-rail protrusion from the base. The left-side sub-rail protrusion and left-side super-rail protrusion can straddle a substantially horizontal flange of a second rail, and the second rail is among the at least one rail.




bil

Mobile power pack with built-in retractable cable

A mobile power pack includes a cover over a guide track which includes first, second, third, and fourth turning points. A sliding block defines a sliding groove to receive a ball, and the slotted ball interacts with the guide track. An elastic element is connected to the sliding block. When a cable is pulled out, the sliding block slides from the first turning point to the second turning point. When the pull on the cable is released, the elastic element restores to cause the sliding block to move until the ball reaches the third turning point, to lock the cable in position. When the cable is pulled and released, the sliding block slides until the ball reaches the fourth turning point, allowing the cable to be retracted into the body of the power pack.




bil

Immobilization device

The invention provides a device for use in partially or fully immobilizing animals such as cattle, sheep and the like. The device includes a probe for insertion in the anal canal of the animal the probe comprising a pair of spaced electrodes connected by way of electrical conductors to a power source. The power source providing a pulsed electrical current having a voltage of between 2 and 10 Volts and a frequency of between 20 and 50 Hz to the electrodes.




bil

Immobilization device

The invention provides a device for use in partially or fully immobilizing animals such as cattle, sheep and the like. The device includes a probe for insertion in the anal canal of the animal the probe comprising a pair of spaced electrodes connected by way of electrical conductors to a power source. The power source providing a pulsed electrical current having a voltage of between 2 and 10 Volts and a frequency of between 20 and 50 Hz to the electrodes.




bil

Extendable electronic immobilization staff

An extendable electronic discharge staff will consist of a central sliding member translating within a tubular body member to be positioned by the means of a spring-loaded ball detent. When the central sliding member is positioned, it will be locked in place by the means of a locking nut at the distal end of the tubular body member. A forward adjustable handgrip will be located and locked into position along the length of the tubular body member to accommodate the size and comfort of the person using the device. By rotating the rear hand grip, the device will be turned on or off, and by sliding the rear handgrip forward or backward a high or low voltage will be delivered to the distal contact end of the central sliding member. On an alternate embodiment having three contact positions, the default center position delivers low voltage while both forward and backward outer positions deliver high voltage. This action gives the operator two different voltage capabilities along with a visible snapping arc to indicate the potential of the device. A sealed cylindrical housing fixed to the rear of the tubular body member will house a removable battery pack and electronic control module. The device is capable of giving a momentary delivery, a prolonged delivery, or several prolonged deliveries and has been designed not to stun an individual unless necessary, giving the unruly individual several warnings in advance.




bil

Mobile work bench

A wheeled mobile work bench which has an adjustable tabletop surface. The tabletop surface removably engages an adjustable rectangular frame which, in turn, is attached atop a pair of upright frame members, each upright frame member being attached to a respective bottom frame component. An electrical box attached to one of the right and left upright frame members is operationally connectable connected to a power cord having a plug. While the mobile work bench is in use, the plug is operationally connectable to a source of standard electrical current to permit use of a power tool plugged into the electrical box.




bil

Structures for improving current carrying capability of interconnects and methods of fabricating the same

Interconnect structures and methods of fabricating the same are provided. The interconnect structures provide highly reliable copper interconnect structures for improving current carrying capabilities (e.g., current spreading). The structure includes an under bump metallurgy formed in a trench. The under bump metallurgy includes at least: an adhesion layer; a plated barrier layer; and a plated conductive metal layer provided between the adhesion layer and the plated barrier layer. The structure further includes a solder bump formed on the under bump metallurgy.




bil

Adjustable bent drilling tool having in situ drilling direction change capability

An adjustable bent drilling tool capable of changing in situ drilling direction to facilitate horizontal drilling. The drilling tool may be controlled from the surface and eliminates the need to bring the tool to the surface for reconfiguration. In one embodiment, the drilling tool utilizes a communications module to communicate with upstream sections of the tool. The communications module is connected to a programmable electronic control module which controls an electric motor. A hydraulic valve assembly follows the control module, which receives input signals and controls a pilot piston between two fixed points of a mid-assembly typically located adjacent to and downstream of the hydraulic valve assembly on the drill tool. A lower assembly is attached to the drill tool immediately following the mid-assembly, and provides both a safety release sub-assembly as well as a bendable sub-assembly which directs the adjustable drill tool to change drilling angle and direction.




bil

Adapting of an oxy-combustion plant to energy availability and to the amount of CO2 to be trapped

A carbon fuel combustion process, employing an air gas separation unit, a combustion unit operating either with air or with an oxidizer leaner in nitrogen than air, coming from the air gas separation unit, and a unit for compressing and/or purifying the CO2 coming from the combustion flue gas, wherein the power consumed by the air gas separation unit and/or the flow of oxygen produced by the air gas separation unit and/or the capture of the CO2 coming from the combustion flue gas are variable over time is presented.




bil

Spread spectrum clocking method for wireless mobile platforms

According to some embodiments, a method and apparatus are provided to vary a clock signal frequency for a first time period between a lower limit of a range of problematic frequencies and a frequency lower than the lower limit, and vary the clock signal frequency for a second period of time between an upper limit of the range of problematic frequencies and a frequency greater than the upper limit.




bil

Operational transconductance amplifier with increased current sinking capability

An amplifier circuit includes an input terminal and an output terminal. A current sinking transistor includes a first conduction terminal coupled to the output terminal and a second conduction terminal coupled to a reference supply node. A voltage sensing circuit has a first input coupled to the input terminal and a second input coupled to the output terminal. An output of the voltage sensing circuit is coupled to the control terminal of the current sinking transistor. The voltage sensing circuit functions to sense a rise in the voltage at the output terminal which exceeds the voltage at the input terminal, and respond thereto by activating the current sinking transistor.




bil

Mobile dosing, mixing and packaging plant

The main objective of this invention is a Mobile plant for dosing, mixing and packaging of powdery products, characterized because it is comprised of a carrying structure and several areas for: reception and weighing, loading, mixing, sack filling, sewing and labelling, metal detection, palletizing and cleaning. This invention is included within the industrial plants technical sector of manufacturing and mixing of powdery products.




bil

Fluid treatment systems, compositions and methods for metal ion stabilization in aqueous solutions and/or enhanced fluid performance

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.




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Fluid treatment systems, compositions and methods for metal ion stabilization in aqueous solutions

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.




bil

Light well intervention umbilical and flying lead management system and related methods

Systems and methods for managing umbilical lines and one or more jumpers are provided. An example of a system includes a deployment platform carrying a winch and spool assembly, a tether management assembly, and an integrated electrical and/or hydraulic umbilical line extending between a spool on the winch and spool assembly and the tether management assembly. The winch and spool assembly is configured to deploy and to support the umbilical line. The tether management assembly includes a winch and spool assembly for deploying a flying lead and/or annulus jumper adapted to connect to an emergency disconnect package of a well control package for a well. A set of buoyant modules are connected to or integral with a portion of the umbilical line to be used to form an artificial heave compensation loop.




bil

Wardrobe lift with extended lowering capability

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.




bil

Counterweight suspension device and mobile crane

A counterweight suspension device includes a pair of suspension cylinders that suspends a counterweight and that are hung from first and second hanging points provided separately in a left and right direction at a top end of a rear mast. A coupling member couples cylinder rod ends of the pair with each other. A lifting member lifts the counterweight. First and second connection points of the counterweight are connected with each of the cylinder rod ends, with the first and the second connection points provided separately in the left and right direction on the counterweight for attaching the lifting member to the counterweight. A first communication circuit is provided through which rod chambers of the suspension cylinders communicate with each other. A second communication circuit is provided through which bottom chambers of the suspension cylinders communicate with each other.




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Mobile lift crane with variable position counterweight

A mobile lift crane includes a carbody; a rotating bed; a boom; a moveable counterweight unit; at least one linear actuation device; and at least one arm pivotally connected at a first end to the rotating bed and at a second end to the linear actuation device. The arm and linear actuation device are connected between the rotating bed and the counterweight unit such that extension and retraction of the linear actuation device changes the position of the counterweight unit compared to the rotating bed. In one method of operation, the counterweight unit is never supported by the ground during crane pick, move and set operations other than indirectly by the ground engaging members on the carbody.