Abstract: Disclosed herein are novel buoyancy modules for attachment to a cable, pipe, or umbilical. The buoyancy modules include a pair of module bodies adapted to mate with each other. Each module body has a recess adapted to engage a single bolt tensioner and at least one of the module bodies includes a longitudinal channel running the length of the module body. Further, the module bodies include one or more pads positioned within a pad containment channel. A plurality of single bolt tensioners may be positioned within the recesses of the module bodies and tensioned to impart a compressive force such that the module bodies contact each other, generating a predetermined displacement of the pad and thereby imparting a known clamping force that results in a desired clamping pressure being applied by the pad to the cable pipe or umbilical.

Abstract: The present invention provides device system and a method for monitoring movements of mining conveyances in a mine shaft. One or more sensors that form part of the system may be installed directly on the mining conveyances. The sensors may be accelerometers and are for detecting movements on mining conveyances. The system may analyze the descent and ascent paths of the mining conveyances on guides by recording vertical, horizontal and transverse accelerations. The analysis may comprise associating the movements with position of the mining conveyances on the guides for identification of an anomaly at a specific position.

Abstract: An absorbent article (10) includes a longitudinal axis (30) and a lateral axis (32). The absorbent article (10) is a pant that includes a front region (12), a back region (14) and a crotch region (16) disposed between the front region (12) and the back region (14). The crotch region (16) is formed by an absorbent assembly (34). In addition to the absorbent assembly (34), the absorbent article (10) includes a front panel (57) and a back panel (61); the front panel (57) is attached to a front region of the absorbent assembly (34) and the back panel (61) is attached to a back region of the absorbent assembly (34). The front panel (57) and the back panel (61) include a softened material layer (205). The absorbent article (10) has a waistband that provides a custom fit and is soft and comfortable during wear, such that irritation to the skin is reduced or eliminated.

Abstract: A multi-aperture camera system is provided that facilitates the visual inspection of areas or surfaces via a handheld pole camera operated by a user. The system includes a camera head connected to a pole, which has a handle with controls for the camera, a grip, and a screen support. The pole is extendable and the camera head is rotatable about the pole. The camera head includes one or more camera modules, an interface board, a computer module, illumination lights, which may be white light and IR, indication LEDs, and a high-speed data interface. The system may also include a remote-control interface, a power interface, heat sinks, compression stacks, and an enclosure for the camera head.

Abstract: The present invention provides device system and a method for monitoring movements of mining conveyances in a mine shaft. One or more sensors that form part of the system may be installed directly on the mining conveyances. The sensors may be accelerometers and are for detecting movements on mining conveyances. The system may analyze the descent and ascent paths of the mining conveyances on guides by recording vertical, horizontal and transverse accelerations. The analysis may comprise associating the movements with position of the mining conveyances on the guides for identification of an anomaly at a specific position.

Abstract: Approaches herein provide a plasma arc torch including a tip surrounding an electrode, the electrode having a proximal end and a distal end, and a shield surrounding the tip, the shield including an exit orifice proximate the distal end of the electrode. The torch may further include a linear actuating device coupled to the electrode for actuating the electrode such that the distal end of the electrode moves axially relative to the tip and the exit orifice of the shield. In some approaches, the linear actuating device is operable to actuate the electrode along a central longitudinal axis extending through the tip. In some approaches, the linear actuating device may include one of: a micro linear drive motor, a micro linear stepper motor, a voice coil, a solenoid coil, and a magnetostrictive actuator. In some approaches, the electrode is actuated during a welding or cutting cycle of the torch.

Abstract: Approaches herein provide a plasma arc torch including a tip surrounding an electrode, the electrode having a proximal end and a distal end, and a shield surrounding the tip, the shield including an exit orifice proximate the distal end of the electrode. The torch may further include a linear actuating device coupled to the electrode for actuating the electrode such that the distal end of the electrode moves axially relative to the tip and the exit orifice of the shield. In some approaches, the linear actuating device is operable to actuate the electrode along a central longitudinal axis extending through the tip. In some approaches, the linear actuating device may include one of: a micro linear drive motor, a micro linear stepper motor, a voice coil, a solenoid coil, and a magnetostrictive actuator. In some approaches, the electrode is actuated during a welding or cutting cycle of the torch.

Abstract: A method and system of facilitating development of fluids having a variety of elemental compositions are disclosed. A graphical user interface allows user interaction with a lab deposition system to control fluid drop ejection of fluids through multiple nozzles. Fluid drop ejection and drop formation can vary from fluid to fluid, and require adjustments to waveform parameters of a drive pulse applied to the multiple nozzles. The system implements a drop watcher camera system to capture real-time still and video images of fluid drops as they exit the multiple nozzles. The captured drop formation of the fluid drops are displayed to the user, and based on the images the waveform parameters are adjusted and customized specific for individual fluid. In addition to adjusting the drive pulse that effects fluid drop ejection, a tickle pulse can also be adjusted and customize to prevent clogging of the nozzles.

Abstract: A method and system of facilitating development of fluids having a variety of elemental compositions are disclosed. A graphical user interface allows user interaction with a lab deposition system to control fluid drop ejection of fluids through multiple nozzles. Fluid drop ejection and drop formation can vary from fluid to fluid, and require adjustments to waveform parameters of a drive pulse applied to the multiple nozzles. The system implements a drop watcher camera system to capture real-time still and video images of fluid drops as they exit the multiple nozzles. The captured drop formation of the fluid drops are displayed to the user, and based on the images the waveform parameters are adjusted and customized specific for individual fluid. In addition to adjusting the drive pulse that effects fluid drop ejection, a tickle pulse can also be adjusted and customize to prevent clogging of the nozzles.

Abstract: Polarization compensation in optical system having a primary optical element having polarization-altering characteristics, such as a dichroic element, is provided. A compensation optical element having substantially the same polarization-altering characteristics as the primary optical element is provided in the path of the light beam whose polarization state is to be conserved. The compensation optical element is oriented with respect to the light beam such that by transmitting or reflecting the light beam, it alters its polarization state in a manner opposite to the altering of this polarization state by the primary optical element. Advantageously, this is true for any orientation of the polarization state of the light beam.

Abstract: A method and system of facilitating development of fluids having a variety of elemental compositions are disclosed. A graphical user interface allows user interaction with a lab deposition system to control fluid drop ejection of fluids through multiple nozzles. Fluid drop ejection and drop formation can vary from fluid to fluid, and require adjustments to waveform parameters of a drive pulse applied to the multiple nozzles. The system implements a drop watcher camera system to capture real-time still and video images of fluid drops as they exit the multiple nozzles. The captured drop formation of the fluid drops are displayed to the user, and based on the images the waveform parameters are adjusted and customized specific for individual fluid. In addition to adjusting the drive pulse that effects fluid drop ejection, a tickle pulse can also be adjusted and customize to prevent clogging of the nozzles.

Abstract: A spectrometer (110) including a triggering element (124) for generating a series of trigger signals, a first laser (10) for emitting toward a sample (112) a first laser light pulse (118) having a first wavelength in response to receiving each of the trigger signals, the first laser (10) being wavelength tunable so that the first wavelength is selectively variable; a second laser (114) for emitting toward the sample a second laser light pulse (120) having a second wavelength in response to receiving each of the trigger signals from the series of trigger signals; a dithering element (128) for selectively retarding transmission of the trigger signals to at least one of the first and second lasers such that the first and second laser light pulses (118, 120) are received at the sample substantially non-simultaneously; a delaying element (126) for retarding transmission of the trigger signals to at least one of the first and second lasers in a manner such that the first and second laser light pulses (118, 120) are

Abstract: A method of providing access to telecommunication services involves receiving a routing information request for terminating a communication with a mobile station located within a visited geographic region, the routing information request including a directory number local to the visited geographic region. A subscriber identity associated with the received directory number is then dynamically selecting from an evaluation of a decision tree, the decision tree associating a reference directory number with a plurality of reference subscriber identities. Each reference subscriber identity is associated with a telecommunications service user, each user being registered to receive telecommunication services within a respective home geographic region, the home geographic region being different from the visited geographic region. The mobile station receives access to the telecommunication services within the visited geographic region via the selected subscriber identity.

Abstract: A spectrometer (110) including a triggering element (124) for generating a series of trigger signals, a first laser (10) for emitting toward a sample (112) a first laser light pulse (118) having a first wavelength in response to receiving each of the trigger signals, the first laser (10) being wavelength tunable so that the first wavelength is selectively variable; a second laser (114) for emitting toward the sample a second laser light pulse (120) having a second wavelength in response to receiving each of the trigger signals from the series of trigger signals; a dithering element (128) for selectively retarding transmission of the trigger signals to at least one of the first and second lasers such that the first and second laser light pulses (118, 120) are received at the sample substantially non-simultaneously; a delaying element (126) for retarding transmission of the trigger signals to at least one of the first and second lasers in a manner such that the first and second laser light pulses (118, 120) are

Abstract: A method of providing access to telecommunication services involves receiving a routing information request for terminating a communication with a mobile station located within a visited geographic region, the routing information request including a directory number local to the visited geographic region. A subscriber identity associated with the received directory number is then dynamically selecting from an evaluation of a decision tree, the decision tree associating a reference directory number with a plurality of reference subscriber identities. Each reference subscriber identity is associated with a telecommunications service user, each user being registered to receive telecommunication services within a respective home geographic region, the home geographic region being different from the visited geographic region. The mobile station receives access to the telecommunication services within the visited geographic region via the selected subscriber identity.

Abstract: Apparatus including a plurality of droplet ejection devices, an electric source and a controller. Each droplet ejection device includes a fluid chamber having an ejection nozzle, an electrically actuated displacement device associated with the chamber, and a switch having an input connected to the electric source, an output connected to the electrically actuated displacement device, and a control signal input that is controlled by the controller to control whether the input (and thus the electric source) is connected to the output (and thus the electrically actuated device). The electrically actuated displacement device moves between a displaced position and an undisplaced position to change the volume of the chamber as a capacitance associated with the electrically actuated displacement device changes in charge between an actuated condition and an unactuated condition.

Abstract: A method of providing access to telecommunication services involves receiving a routing information request for terminating a communication with a mobile station located within a visited geographic region, the routing information request including a directory number local to the visited geographic region. A subscriber identity associated with the received directory number is then dynamically selecting from an evaluation of a decision tree, the decision tree associating a reference directory number with a plurality of reference subscriber identities. Each reference subscriber identity is associated with a telecommunications service user, each user being registered to receive telecommunication services within a respective home geographic region, the home geographic region being different from the visited geographic region. The mobile station receives access to the telecommunication services within the visited geographic region via the selected subscriber identity.

Abstract: The present invention provides methods and devices for performing flow cytometry. In one embodiment, blood circulating through one or more retinal blood vessels of a subject is illuminated in-vivo so as to excite a plurality of fluorescent-labeled cells contained in the blood. The fluorescence radiation emitted by the excited cells is then detected and analyzed to count the cells from which fluorescence is detected.

Abstract: The present invention provides methods and devices for performing flow cytometry. In one embodiment, blood circulating through one or more retinal blood vessels of a subject is illuminated in-vivo so as to excite a plurality of fluorescent-labeled cells contained in the blood. The fluorescence radiation emitted by the excited cells is then detected and analyzed to count the cells from which fluorescence is detected.

Abstract: In one aspect, the invention features assemblies for depositing droplets on a substrate during relative motion of the assembly and the substrate along a process direction. The assemblies include a first printhead module and a second printhead module contacting the first printhead module, each of the printhead modules including a surface that includes an array of nozzles through which the printhead modules can eject fluid droplets, wherein each nozzle in the first printhead module's nozzle array is offset with respect to a corresponding nozzle in the second printhead module's nozzle array in a direction orthogonal to the process direction.