Abstract: A turbine vane is provided which includes a radial outer platform, a radial inner platform and an airfoil extending between the outer platform and the inner platform. Each platform has a gas washed surface facing towards the respective other platform, a non gas washed surface facing away from the respective other platform and a peripheral surface extending from the gas washed surface to the non gas washed surface. The peripheral surface includes an upstream section that is designed to be directed towards the gas flow washing the gas washed surface. Cooling fluid channels each include an opening in the peripheral surface or in the gas washed surface and are located in at least a section of the outer platform and/or in at least a section of the inner platform. The respective section directly adjoins the upstream section of the peripheral surface of the respective platform.

Abstract: A system for reducing scatter in radiographic imaging systems while permitting large area imaging. Multiple collimators are used to successively trim the radiation beam to match the detector plate while simultaneously eliminating scatter from the previous stages. The movable collimation stages, in conjunction with nonmoving scatter reduction stages, trim the beam to match the detector area. For larger part imaging, the detector may move. The present invention allows the collimators to move with the detector to steer the collimated beam onto only the active area of the detector.

Abstract: A socket for easily connecting and disconnecting a standard camlock fitting, such as those used in flanges on marine vessels, includes four drive lugs, or tangs, for mating with recesses on the camlock. The socket is adapted for connection to a standard ratchet wrench for providing torque to tighten or loosen the camlocks.

Abstract: A method of automatically creating a personalized media sequence of rich media from a group of media elements is performed. A media list that describes media elements that are appropriate to the personalized media sequence is received. The media elements described in the media list are combined into a coherent, personalized media sequence of rich media. The result is the creation of a personalized broadcast.

Abstract: A method and system for indexing, searching, and retrieving information from timed media files based upon relevance intervals. The method and system for indexing, searching, and retrieving this information is based upon relevance intervals so that a portion of a timed media file is returned, which is selected specifically to be relevant to the given information representations, thereby eliminating the need for a manual determination of the relevance and avoiding missing relevant portions. The timed media includes streaming audio, streaming video, timed HTML, animations such as vector-based graphics, slide shows, other timed media, and combinations thereof.

Abstract: A billiard training air for promoting accuracy and consistency in contacting an object ball with a cue ball to effect and desired path for the object ball and a resultant path and position for the cue ball includes an alignment body supported above the object ball, an object ball laser projecting a forward beams that is positioned on the desired path along a longitudinal axis, a impact indicating laser downwardly projecting a contact line along the object ball for indicating a contact point for the cue ball, a light unit for projecting a ghost ball image on the longitudinal axis at the contact point for indicating the impact position for the cue ball, and a pair of transverse lasers for projecting lateral beam to indicate and reference post impact cue ball position.

Abstract: A quick-action multi-port fluid coupling having a socket member and a plug member each housing a plurality of coupling devices arranged in a non-linear array. A cam arrangement is provided for axially drawing the plug member into the socket member in a leveraged manner so that the coupling devices can be connected under fluid pressure with relatively little manual force required. The coupling can also include an alignment arrangement that ensures that no contact occurs between the cooperative coupling devices until the coupling members are in proper alignment relative to each other.

Abstract: A method facilitates tissue donation from an individual having at least one beneficiary. The method comprises receiving a registration from the individual during a first occasion, wherein the registration confirms the individual's consent to become a tissue donor at a subsequent second occasion, and paying at least a portion of the individual's health care expenses after receiving the registration. The method also comprises harvesting tissue from the individual during the second occasion, wherein the at least one beneficiary receives revenue based on the tissue harvested.

Abstract: A barrier device includes a first containment chamber and a second containment chamber. The first containment chamber is secured to the second containment chamber by a connector. A barrier wall includes a first barrier device having a first containment chamber, a second containment chamber, and a connector. A containment chamber of a second barrier device is positioned between the first containment chamber and the second containment chamber and is positioned in overlying relationship to the connector. A barrier wall is built by positioning a first barrier device, having a first containment chamber, a second containment chamber, and a connector on a support surface. A containment chamber of a second barrier device is positioned between the first containment chamber and the second containment chamber of the first barrier device and overlying the connector.

Abstract: A barrier device includes a first containment chamber and a second containment chamber. The first containment chamber is secured to the second containment chamber by a connector. A barrier wall includes a first barrier device having a first containment chamber, a second containment chamber, and a connector. A containment chamber of a second barrier device is positioned between the first containment chamber and the second containment chamber and is positioned in overlying relationship to the connector. A barrier wall is built by positioning a first barrier device, having a first containment chamber, a second containment chamber, and a connector on a support surface. A containment chamber of a second barrier device is positioned between the first containment chamber and the second containment chamber of the first barrier device and overlying the connector.

Abstract: The invention described relates to a downrigger line clamp mechanism used in downrigger fishing and includes an adjustable clamping force for adjusting the overall release tension of a fishing line. The pre-stressed line clamp mechanism includes a pair of pivotally engaged, elongate arms which, when assembled, are resiliently flexed such that one portion of the arms, the proximal grip portions, are outward bowed, the tips of the proximal grip portions pinching together, thereby biassing another portion of the arms, the jaws, towards a closed clamp position. The line clamp mechanism uses an adjustable compression-force biassing device movably mounted between the tips of the proximal grip portions of the arms. The biassing device may include spacers of different spacing dimensions, each spacer being positionable into an active position between the tips of the proximal grip portions of the arms by moving the biassing device relative to the arms.

Abstract: A barrier device includes a first containment chamber and a second containment chamber. The first containment chamber is secured to the second containment chamber by a connector. A barrier wall includes a first barrier device having a first containment chamber, a second containment chamber, and a connector. A containment chamber of a second barrier device is positioned between the first containment chamber and the second containment chamber and is positioned in overlying relationship to the connector. A barrier wall is built by positioning a first barrier device, having a first containment chamber, a second containment chamber, and a connector on a support surface. A containment chamber of a second barrier device is positioned between the first containment chamber and the second containment chamber of the first barrier device and overlying the connector.

Abstract: A barrier device includes a first containment chamber and a second containment chamber. The first containment chamber is secured to the second containment chamber by a connector. A barrier wall includes a first barrier device having a first containment chamber, a second containment chamber, and a connector. A containment chamber of a second barrier device is positioned between the first containment chamber and the second containment chamber and is positioned in overlying relationship to the connector. A barrier wall is built by positioning a first barrier device, having a first containment chamber, a second containment chamber, and a connector on a support surface. A containment chamber of a second barrier device is positioned between the first containment chamber and the second containment chamber of the first barrier device and overlying the connector.

Abstract: The invention described relates to a downrigger line clamp mechanism used in downrigger fishing and includes an adjustable clamping force for adjusting the overall release tension of a fishing line. The pre-stressed line clamp mechanism includes a pair of pivotally engaged, elongate arms which, when assembled, are resiliently flexed such that one portion of the arms, the proximal grip portions, are outward bowed, the tips of the proximal grip portions pinching together, thereby biassing another portion of the arms, the jaws, towards a closed clamp position. The line clamp mechanism uses an adjustable compression-force biassing device movably mounted between the tips of the proximal grip portions of the arms. The biassing device may include spacers of different spacing dimensions, each spacer being positionable into an active position between the tips of the proximal grip portions of the arms by moving the biassing device relative to the arms.