Abstract: A system including a pre-roll cone or cylinder used as a sleeve for use with smokeable substances, a tip for being attached to a sleeve for holding a smokeable substance. The tip has a freshness plug at a first end of the tip and a filter at a second end of the tip. The sleeve can be formed using with papers made from a variety of materials. Smoking papers are cut in a way to form sleeves that attach to the larger end of the glass tip, or the end where the tip meets raw material. The use of sleeves allows for the re-use of tips made from materials capable of multiple uses without degradation of quality, such as glass or metal. The filter has a cross-hair or similar shape at the end adjacent to the smokeable substance. The freshness plug is at the other end of the tip.

Abstract: A ladder support attachment for spacing a ladder from a structure having a support member configured to mount to the structure and stabilizing the ladder; a spacing member integrally coupled to and extending outwardly from an upper edge of the support member; and a trough member integrally coupled to a distal edge of the spacing member and configured to receive a rung of the ladder. The trough member having a first planer member coupled to a distal edge of the spacing member at an acute angle relative to the support member, a second planer member coupled to a portion of a distal edge of the first planer member and extending transverse to the first planer member, and a third planer member being coupled to a distal edge of the second planer member and extending transverse to the first planer member.

Abstract: The invention relates to a strain gage and methods for making and using the same to measure strain of a surface of interest. In particular, the invention relates to a semiconductor strain gage held by a metal body using a ceramic interface between the gage and the body, which that can be attached to a surface of interest. The invention also relates to methods for making the ceramic interface and attaching the semiconductor strain gage to a surface of interest. The invention, including its various embodiments, also relates to using the semiconductor strain gage to measure strain at temperatures above 1000° F.

Abstract: The invention includes embodiments of a system and method for managing a sales campaign. The system and methods disclosed herein are particularly useful in the context of an entity in the business of direct marketing and sales.

Abstract: A ladder support attachment for spacing a ladder from a structure having a support member configured to mount to the structure and stabilizing the ladder; a spacing member integrally coupled to and extending outwardly from an upper edge of the support member; and a trough member integrally coupled to a distal edge of the spacing member and configured to receive a rung of the ladder. The trough member having a first planar member coupled to a distal edge of the spacing member at an acute angle relative to the support member, a second planar member coupled to a portion of a distal edge of the first planar member and extending transverse to the first planar member, and a third planar member being coupled to a distal edge of the second planar member and extending transverse to the first planar member.

Abstract: A pressure generating device for use in downhole drilling operations includes a rotating valve portion having a first body with at least one first flow channel, and a stationary valve portion having a second body with at least one second flow channels and at least one bypass channel. A flow restrictor is positioned within the at least one bypass channel for adjusting a total flow area of the at least one bypass channel. During rotation of the rotating valve portion relative to the stationary valve portion, a total flow area of a passage defined by the first flow channel(s), the second flow channel(s), and the at least one bypass channel varies according to a uniform closure pattern to provide uniform pressure pulses within a single revolution of the rotating valve portion. A method of generating uniform pressure pulses in downhole drilling operations is also disclosed.

Abstract: A vehicle includes and engine and a transmission having a torque converter with an impeller and a turbine. An electric machine is fixed to the impeller. At least one controller is programmed to, in response to a difference between measured and estimated speeds of the impeller exceeding a threshold, command a torque to the electric machine based on a maximum of the measured and estimated speeds of the impeller, and programmed to, in response to the difference being less than the threshold, command another torque to the electric machine based on the measured speed of the impeller.

Abstract: A three-dimensional scan of an object may be performed by a three-dimensional scanning device to obtain a three-dimensional representation of the object. A coherent beam of light is emitted towards and reflected by the object with the reflected light being measured to form a set of light measurements at each of a plurality of data acquisition points. A sensor array in the device tracks and measures movement of the device and a linear displacement with respect to a fixed anchor point that is external to the device. The tracked movement of the device and the reflected light measurements are synchronized according to when they were measured with this synchronized data being used to generate a three-dimensional representation of the object.

Abstract: Electronic stethoscopes may have various accessories, modular components, and various configurations for powering the various components and accessories of the electronic stethoscope. In one embodiment, an electronic stethoscope apparatus includes a microphone configured to generate an electrical signal in response to received sound from a living subject; amplification circuitry; a speaker operably coupled to the amplification circuitry to output the electric signal after amplification; and a power supply configured to power the amplification circuitry. Circuitry for advanced signal processing may also be included, such as noise cancelling circuitry. The electronic stethoscope may also include removable electronic modules for wired or wireless headphones, battery packs, lights, and/or an electronic device for implementing the percussive method.

Abstract: A method for reconstructing a joint according to an exemplary aspect of the present disclosure includes, among other things, fixating at least one suture inside a joint space, retrieving the at least one suture from inside the joint space, passing the at least one suture through a graft at a location external to the joint space, shuttling the graft into the joint space, and fixating the graft using the at least one suture.

Abstract: A vehicle includes and engine and a transmission having a torque converter with an impeller and a turbine. An electric machine is fixed to the impeller. At least one controller is programmed to, in response to a difference between measured and estimated speeds of the impeller exceeding a threshold, command a torque to the electric machine based on a maximum of the measured and estimated speeds of the impeller, and programmed to, in response to the difference being less than the threshold, command another torque to the electric machine based on the measured speed of the impeller.

Abstract: A method of delivering a selected fuel product having a selected octane level to an operator from a fuel dispenser including a blend manifold, a fuel nozzle, and a fuel hose extending therebetween, including the steps of determining a first volume of a first fuel that is retained in the fuel hose upon completion of a first fueling event, determining a first octane level of the first volume of the first fuel, determining a second volume of a second fuel having a second octane level, and delivering the first fuel volume and the second fuel volume to the operator during a second fueling event, wherein a total volume of fuel equaling the first volume of the first fuel and the second volume of the second fuel has a total octane level that falls within a predetermined limit of the selected octane level of the selected fuel product.

Abstract: This disclosure is directed to methods for reconstructing an unstable triangular fibrocartilage complex (TFCC). Exemplary methods include preparing, delivering, and fixating a graft within a distal radioulnar joint in a manner that restores the functionality to the TFCC, thereby improving the joint kinematics of the radioulnar joint.

Abstract: A method for reconstructing a joint according to an exemplary aspect of the present disclosure includes, among other things, fixating at least one suture inside a joint space, retrieving the at least one suture from inside the joint space, passing the at least one suture through a graft at a location external to the joint space, shuttling the graft into the joint space, and fixating the graft using the at least one suture.

Abstract: A method of delivering a selected fuel product having a selected octane level to an operator from a fuel dispenser including a blend manifold, a fuel nozzle, and a fuel hose extending therebetween, including the steps of determining a first volume of a first fuel that is retained in the fuel hose upon completion of a first fueling event, determining a first octane level of the first volume of the first fuel, determining a second volume of a second fuel having a second octane level, and delivering the first fuel volume and the second fuel volume to the operator during a second fueling event, wherein a total volume of fuel equaling the first volume of the first fuel and the second volume of the second fuel has a total octane level that falls within a predetermined limit of the selected octane level of the selected fuel product.

Abstract: In essence, the proposed network is meant to provide a platform for prompt pet recovery. Through the establishment and integration of an IoT network consisting of smart pet collars with digital wallets, event triggers which alert a network of individuals when a pet has escaped with available location information, and private user profiles so that those who recover lost pets can be easily rewarded, the proposed network will establish incentives for the decentralized recovery of lost and endangered pets. Since this system will allow owners to increase the reward incentive on the fly, and individuals recovering the animals are rewarded on a first come first serve basis; this network will establish an environment in which a decentralized community may compete to be the first one to save the animal.

Abstract: Methods for reconstructing a joint include fixating at least one suture inside a joint space, retrieving the at least one suture from inside the joint space, passing the at least one suture through a graft at a location external to the joint space, shuttling the graft into the joint space, and fixating the graft to bone using the at least one suture.

Abstract: A pressure generating device for use in downhole drilling operations includes a rotating valve portion having a first body with at least one first flow channel, and a stationary valve portion having a second body with at least one second flow channels and at least one bypass channel. A flow restrictor is positioned within the at least one bypass channel for adjusting a total flow area of the at least one bypass channel. During rotation of the rotating valve portion relative to the stationary valve portion, a total flow area of a passage defined by the first flow channel(s), the second flow channel(s), and the at least one bypass channel varies according to a uniform closure pattern to provide uniform pressure pulses within a single revolution of the rotating valve portion. A method of generating uniform pressure pulses in downhole drilling operations is also disclosed.

Abstract: A removable trap for lavatory sinks is provided to enable new technologies to be incorporated into just the water trap portion of the sink trap to maximize the performance of the trap in infection control, while at the same time preserving the trap performance features demanded by major building codes. While a traditional P-trap requires the removal of the entire trap for cleaning or replacement, the removable trap presented in this application allows for easy removal of just the U-bend portion of the trap by releasing latch clamps. The U-bend containing the water is the most vulnerable to attack to cleaning chemicals as well as the most effective locus of innovation in materials and methods employed to reduce infectious bacteria forming biofilms within the lavatory trap.

Abstract: A bonnet assembly may be coupled to a valve block. The bonnet assembly may include a bonnet body extending, in an axial length, between a first and second end of the bonnet body. Additionally, the bonnet body may have a sealing surface on the second end. Further, a bonnet retainer nut may be provided with passage axially extending through a first end surface to a second end surface. The bonnet retainer nut may be disposed on the bonnet body such that a portion of the bonnet body is enclosed within the passage of bonnet retainer nut. Furthermore, the bonnet retainer nut may lock the bonnet body.