Abstract: Centrifuges are useful to, among other things, remove red blood cells from whole blood and retain platelets and other factors in a reduced volume of plasma. Platelet rich plasma (PRP) and or platelet poor plasma (PPP) can be obtained rapidly and is ready for immediate injection into the host. Embodiments may include valves, operated manually or automatically, to open ports that discharge the excess red blood cells and the excess plasma into separate receivers while retaining the platelets and other factors in the centrifuge chamber. High speeds used allow simple and small embodiments to be used at the patient's side during surgical procedures. The embodiments can also be used for the separation of liquids or slurries in other fields such as, for example, the separation of pigments or lubricants.

Abstract: The present specification discloses a remotely operated light bar tilting system that adjusts the tilt angle of a light source about an attachment base mounted to a vehicle or other structure. A remotely operated light bar tilting system disclosed herein comprises an actuator coupled to and rotates with the light source to adjust the tilt of the light source by pushing or pulling on a linkage assembly that transmits a force from the actuator to an attachment base. The linkage assembly can include a ternary link or other similar link or assembly of links that can transmit force to the attachment base for tilting the light source. The tilting mechanism is entirely supported by the attachment base creating a compact system that does not require the actuator be mounted to a separate base on the vehicle.

Abstract: The present specification discloses a remotely operated light bar tilting system that adjusts the tilt angle of a light source about an attachment base mounted to a vehicle or other structure. A remotely operated light bar tilting system disclosed herein comprises an actuator coupled to and rotates with the light source to adjust the tilt of the light source by pushing or pulling on a linkage assembly that transmits a force from the actuator to an attachment base. The linkage assembly can include a ternary link or other similar link or assembly of links that can transmit force to the attachment base for tilting the light source. The tilting mechanism is entirely supported by the attachment base creating a compact system that does not require the actuator be mounted to a separate base on the vehicle.

Abstract: A lock open device for a running tool including a mandrel, the device including a collar located on the mandrel of the running tool and having an open position profile and a slot comprising a rotational travel section and an axial travel section. The lock open device also includes a top plate having a cog configured to engage with the open position profile to restrict the collar from relative rotation and a can including a pin configured to engage with the collar slot, in which the collar is rotatable upon overcoming a resistance of the top plate such that the pin is located in the axial travel section, allowing axial movement of the collar relative to the can.

Abstract: A subsea support system comprises: at least one component (501) which is configured to be fixedly connected to a pressure conductor (101) in a seabed; and a subsea support (601) which is configured to compliantly support the at least one component (501); wherein, when the at least one component (501) is fixedly connected to the pressure conductor (101), substantially all of a mechanical load (T) which is applied to the subsea support (601) is transmitted by the subsea support (601) to the seabed while the at least one component (501) is substantially free of the mechanical load and remains fixed relative to the pressure conductor (101).

Abstract: A lock open device for a running tool including a mandrel, the device including a collar located on the mandrel of the running tool and having an open position profile and a slot comprising a rotational travel section and an axial travel section. The lock open device also includes a top plate having a cog configured to engage with the open position profile to restrict the collar from relative rotation and a can including a pin configured to engage with the collar slot, in which the collar is rotatable upon overcoming a resistance of the top plate such that the pin is located in the axial travel section, allowing axial movement of the collar relative to the can.

Abstract: A subsea support system comprises: at least one component (501) which is configured to be fixedly connected to a pressure conductor (101) in a seabed; and a subsea support (601) which is configured to compliantly support the at least one component (501); wherein, when the at least one component (501) is fixedly connected to the pressure conductor (101), substantially all of a mechanical load (T) which is applied to the subsea support (601) is transmitted by the subsea support (601) to the seabed while the at least one component (501) is substantially free of the mechanical load and remains fixed relative to the pressure conductor (101).

Abstract: A system for evaluating multiphase flow of a fluid downhole in a borehole. Dielectric permittivity electrodes generate a capacitance output signal through the fluid, and conductivity electrodes generate a conductivity output signal through the fluid. The electrodes are powered with an AC generator operating at the same or different frequencies. The capacitance and conductivity output signals can be alternately generated by operating a controller, and such signals can be combined with a multiplexer engaged with the controller. The signal can be processed downhole or can be transmitted to a receiver positioned at the well surface for processing and interpretation of the multiphase data.

Abstract: A method for determining orientation of an instrument with respect to earth's gravity. The method includes measuring components of earth's gravity along mutually orthogonal axes. One of the axes is substantially parallel to an axis of the instrument. Tilt of the instrument along two orthogonal axes is measured. One of the tilt axes is substantially parallel to the instrument axis. The instrument is rotated about its axis, and biases of the sensors used to measure the components of earth's gravity perpendicular to the instrument axis are calculated by averaging measurements made by these sensors during rotation. The ratio of gains of these sensors is determined from the range of amplitudes of the output of these sensors during rotation. A roll angle is determined from the bias corrected measurements of components of the earth's gravity perpendicular to the axis. The tilt measurement with respect to the two orthogonal axes is then calibrated by using the calculated roll angle.

Abstract: A method of extracting a phase and amplitude modulation signal impressed on a carrier is disclosed. The method includes generating the carrier at a frequency which is a multiple of the bandwidth of the modulation signal. The multiple equals 4N+1, where N is an integer. The modulation signal is impressed on the carrier, generating a phase and amplitude modulated carrier, The modulated carrier is digitally sampled at a frequency of four times the bandwidth the modulation signal. The digital sampling is initiated substantially contemporaneous with initiation of generating the carrier. A 90-degree phase shift is applied to the digitally sampled carrier to generate a quadrature component of the digitally sampled carrier.

Abstract: Discs and a footpad for devices such as automatic swimming pool cleaners are disclosed. The discs incorporate upwardly-extending, non-truncated fins protruding radially from their peripheries. The peripheries themselves, moreover, define a plurality of tongues for increased flexibility, and both the discs and footpad may include ramped segments facilitating movement over obstacles extending from swimming pool surfaces. Also disclosed are discs having series of slits spaced along portions of their peripheries. Each such disc may be part of an assembly including a "bib," or cap, that too may be slitted if desired. The slits of each component, when present, permit its effective surface area to increase as the associated cleaner climbs the side of a swimming pool, enhancing the maneuverability of the cleaner. By contrast, unslitted portions of the cap seal, or cover, the slits present in the disc to provide adequate suction for the disc against the pool surface.

Abstract: Discs and a footpad for devices such as automatic swimming pool cleaners are disclosed. The discs incorporate upwardly-extending, non-truncated fins protruding radially from their peripheries. The peripheries themselves, moreover, define a plurality of tongues for increased flexibility, and both the discs and footpad may include ramped segments facilitating movement over obstacles extending from swimming pool surfaces.

Abstract: A computer-aided customer support system is described for rapidly retrieving stored documents useful in answering customer inquiries. A hierarchical index tree is used in which an indexing document is referenced at each level as the search proceeds down through the various tiers. Once the targeted document is retrieved and reviewed, the user is interrogated by the system as to the usefulness of the document in solving the customer's inquiry. Based on the response to this interrogation, the usefulness priority and location of this document within the tree structure are reevaluated.

Abstract: A downhole seismic acoustical signal source capable of selectively firing numerous, prewired explosive charges. The downhole seismic source has a firing system that uses a sequence of combinations of two conductors at a time and a downhole diode array to select and fire a single charge. The conductors are connected to a Surface Control Unit at the surface. A seismic crew on the surface can select and fire any charge through this control unit. The downhole seismic source has the ability to fire numerous explosive charges in a given downhole trip through the firing of many individual explosive charges.

Abstract: The invention is a system for reducing offset in an analog to digital conversion system. A signal representing the system offset is stored in digital form. A digital to analog converter generates an analog feedback signal in response to the stored digital signal. The output of the system analog to digital converter is periodically sampled to update the stored digital word representing system offset.

Abstract: A method for operating a computer controlled industrial machine in which a plurality of axes of motion are independently controlled. The method utilizes programmable data processors to enable the production of motion command signals to the servo drives of the machine. In one embodiment, coordinated motion of several axes is attained by programmably grouping axes into motion groups. Each motion group has an assigned master processor which coordinates the operation of all axis processors in that group. The axis processors can be re-assigned to any other motion group while a programmed motion is being performed.