Abstract: An ultrasonic thermometer for measuring a temperature profile along a measurement axis of a structure, comprising a continuous measurement pathway of a structure (310) having a longitudinal measurement axis and proximal (202) and distal ends (204), and at least two backscatterers (332) formed therein transverse to the longitudinal axis and separated by a predetermined separation distance.

Abstract: An ultrasonic thermometer for measuring a temperature profile along a measurement axis of a structure, comprising a continuous measurement pathway of a structure (310) having a longitudinal measurement axis and proximal (202) and distal ends (204), and at least two backscatterers (332) formed therein transverse to the longitudinal axis and separated by a predetermined separation distance.

Abstract: An ultrasonic thermometer for measuring a temperature profile along a measurement axis of a solid structure, comprising a continuous measurement pathway of a solid structure (310) having a longitudinal measurement axis and proximal (202) and distal ends (204), and at least two backscatterers (332) formed therein transverse to the longitudinal axis and separated by a predetermined separation distance.

Abstract: An expansion cone comprising a cone body having a first expansion surface with a diameter that increases from a leading edge to a first expansion diameter. A resilient sleeve disposed on an actuation mandrel that is coupled to the cone body. Movement of the actuation mandrel relative to the cone body moves an outer surface of the resilient sleeve to a second expansion diameter that is greater than the first expansion diameter.

Abstract: An ultrasonic thermometer for measuring a temperature profile along a measurement axis of a solid structure, comprising a continuous measurement pathway of a solid structure (310) having a longitudinal measurement axis and proximal (202) and distal ends (204), and at least two backscatterers (332) formed therein transverse to the longitudinal axis and separated by a predetermined separation distance.

Abstract: An apparatus for radially expanding and plastically deforming a tubular member. In some embodiments, the apparatus includes a tubular support, sliding sleeve, rupture disc, and expansion cone. The tubular support has a first internal passage, wherein the sliding sleeve is disposed, and a flow passage, wherein the rupture disc is seated. The sliding sleeve has a second internal passage and is moveable by fluid pressure between first and second positions. In the first position, the second internal passage is fluidicly coupled with a first annulus surrounding the tubular support. In the second position, the second internal passage is fluidicly isolated from the first annulus. The rupture disc fluidicly isolates the first internal passage from a second annulus surrounding the tubular support and is adapted to rupture, whereby the first internal passage and the second annulus are fluidicly coupled. The expansion cone is disposed in the second annulus and moveable under pressure from fluid in the second annulus.

Abstract: An input system for a virtual reality application that allows for natural human locomotion, and method of using the same, consists of a sphere having a center and an exterior surface and a base support supporting the sphere on the base support. A low friction interface is formed between the base support and a portion of the exterior surface of the sphere. The low friction interface generally conforms to the portion of the exterior surface of the sphere and permits rotation of the sphere about the center of the sphere relative to the base support. A user support is rigidly secured above the sphere and supports a user on the exterior surface of the sphere and holds a center of mass of the user on a vertical axis passing through the sphere. And one or more sensors are coupled to the base support for detecting and measuring a movement of the sphere.