Abstract: An apparatus and method for protecting trees from undesired contact or access. One exemplary embodiment describes a tree trunk protection device. The tree trunk protection device can have a flexible cord having a first end and a second end; a substantially inflexible cord having a first end and a second end; and a plurality of legs each having a top end and a bottom end. The plurality of legs may be coupled to a flexible cord having at a first end and forming a circle having a first diameter. Additionally, the plurality of legs can be coupled at a second end to a substantially inflexible cord forming a circle having a second diameter that is larger than the circle with the first diameter at the top of the plurality of legs, and the plurality of legs can have a plurality of spacers disposed between each of the plurality of legs.

Abstract: A tandem axial piston pump having a common cylinder block. A first axial piston pump includes a first set of pistons arranged in a parallel, circular array and configured to reciprocate in response to rotation about a central axis. A second axial piston pump includes a second set of pistons arranged in a parallel, circular array and configured to reciprocate as they rotate about the central axis. A common drive shaft extends along the central axis, both the first and second sets of pistons being configured to rotate with the common drive shaft. Both the first and second sets of pistons are configured to reciprocate within corresponding separate first and second sets of cylinder bores of the common cylinder block.

Abstract: Implementations of the present disclosure are directed to enabling data transfer between data producers and data consumers. Implementations include generating a data structure, the data structure including a lockless spin buffer (LLSB), the LLSB including two or more lockless components, each of the two or more lockless components including a plurality of elements to be written to and read from, providing one or more write pointers to enable one or more data producers to write to each of the two or more lockless components, and providing one or more read pointers to enable one or more data consumers to read from each of the two or more lockless components, the one or more data producers being able to write to the LLSB concurrently with the one or more data consumers being able to read from the LLSB.

Abstract: The present technology relates to a compact high fidelity earplug. The earplug has a central column having a hollow sound channel. Inner and outer platforms extend radially from the central column to define a first and second chamber. Openings in the first and second platforms allow sound to enter into the first chamber, and pass into the second chamber. Sound is then directed through an opening in the central column, into the sound chamber, and towards the ear of a wearer.

Abstract: A casing support of a geothermal borehole heat exchanger having an outer casing, the casing support comprising a base support element incorporating an aperture therethrough, the base support element being arranged to be supported by a ground surface around a borehole, an annular orientation guide element at an upper surface of the base support element and having a central conduit communicating with the aperture, the orientation guide element having an upper surface at a selected angle relative to a lower support surface of the base support element, and a casing support ring fitted around an outer casing of a geothermal borehole heat exchanger, the casing support ring being coupled to the orientation guide element to support the casing in the borehole, the outer casing extending through the ring, the conduit and the aperture.

Abstract: At least one transport property for a subsurface region is calculated from derivative seismic data by generating a model relating at least one derivative seismic rock property of a subsurface region to at least one transport property for the subsurface region. At least one transport property is calculated by applying the generated transport property model. Transport phenomena may be simulated with a transport model using at least one transport property generated by applying the model. A model describing evolution of the at least one transport property may be generated within the subsurface region over time, e.g., to facilitate basin modeling of the subsurface region.

Abstract: Implementations of the present disclosure are directed to enabling data transfer between data producers and data consumers. Implementations include generating a data structure, the data structure including a lockless spin buffer (LLSB), the LLSB including two or more lockless components, each of the two or more lockless components including a plurality of elements to be written to and read from, providing one or more write pointers to enable one or more data producers to write to each of the two or more lockless components, and providing one or more read pointers to enable one or more data consumers to read from each of the two or more lockless components, the one or more data producers being able to write to the LLSB concurrently with the one or more data consumers being able to read from the LLSB.

Abstract: A method for identifying and suppressing water column reverberations (“multiple reflections”) in two-component ocean bottom seismic data is disclosed. The method involves processing the hydrophone (P) data and the geophone (Z) data separately to produce two stacked images of the subsurface (21). Analyzing the stacked P-image and the stacked Z-image together can be used to identify multiple reflections (22). Analyzing the stacked /?-image and the stacked Z-image together with an image of the subsurface created from hydrophone and geophone data combined in the usual way (PZ-image) (20) can be used to identify residual multiples in the PZ image (23). The stacked P and Z images can be combined using an existing PZ combination technique to suppress multiples (24). The efficiency of the PZ combination technique at suppressing multiples is increased because of the higher signal-to-noise ratio of stacked data.

Abstract: Systems and methods for maximizing the breakdown voltage of a semiconductor device are described. In a multiple floating guard ring design, the spacing between two consecutive sets of floating guard rings may increase with their distance from the main junction while maintaining depletion region overlap, thereby alleviating crowding and optimally spreading the electric field leading to a breakdown voltage that is close to the intrinsic material limit. In another exemplary embodiment, fabrication of floating guard rings simultaneously with the formation of another semiconductor feature allows precise positioning of the first floating guard ring with respect to the edge of a main junction, as well as precise control of floating guard ring widths and spacings. In yet another exemplary embodiment, design of the vertical separation between doped regions of a semiconductor device adjusts the device's gate-to-source breakdown voltage without affecting the device's pinch-off voltage.

Abstract: At least one transport property for a subsurface region is calculated from derivative seismic data by generating a model relating at least one derivative seismic rock property of a subsurface region to at least one transport property for the subsurface region. At least one transport property is calculated by applying the generated transport property model. Transport phenomena may be simulated with a transport model using at least one transport property generated by applying the model. A model describing evolution of the at least one transport property may be generated within the subsurface region over time, e.g., to facilitate basin modeling of the subsurface region.

Abstract: Systems and methods for maximizing the breakdown voltage of a semiconductor device are described. In a multiple floating guard ring design, the spacing between two consecutive sets of floating guard rings may increase with their distance from the main junction while maintaining depletion region overlap, thereby alleviating crowding and optimally spreading the electric field leading to a breakdown voltage that is close to the intrinsic material limit. In another exemplary embodiment, fabrication of floating guard rings simultaneously with the formation of another semiconductor feature allows precise positioning of the first floating guard ring with respect to the edge of a main junction, as well as precise control of floating guard ring widths and spacings. In yet another exemplary embodiment, design of the vertical separation between doped regions of a semiconductor device adjusts the device's gate-to-source breakdown voltage without affecting the device's pinch-off voltage.

Abstract: A method for identifying and suppressing water column reverberations (“multiple reflections”) in two-component ocean bottom seismic data is disclosed. The method involves processing the hydrophone (P) data and the geophone (Z) data separately to produce two stacked images of the subsurface. Analyzing the stacked P-image and the stacked Z-image together can be used to identify multiple reflections. Analyzing the stacked P-image and the stacked Z-image together with an image of the subsurface created from hydrophone and geophone data combined in the usual way (PZ-image) can be used to identify residual multiples in the PZ image. The stacked P and Z images can be combined using an existing PZ combination technique to suppress multiples. The efficiency of the PZ combination technique at suppressing multiples is increased because of the higher signal-to-noise ratio of stacked data.

Abstract: Methods, systems, and computer program products for analyzing an imaging system or an image produced by the imaging system are disclosed. The imaging system is configured to sense a target on a background and the target, background, and imaging system are associated with spatial information and spectral information. The imaging system or image is analyzed by, first, determining two of a spatial confidence level associated with the spatial information, a spectral confidence level associated with the spectral information, and a total confidence level associated with sensing the target on the background. A non-determined one of the spatial confidence level, the spectral confidence level, and the total confidence level is then calculated responsive to the determined confidence levels for use in analyzing the imaging system or image.

Abstract: An apparatus for generating and manipulating a high-pressure fluid jet includes an assembly coupled to a motion assembly that imparts motion to the assembly along one or more axes. The motion assembly includes two motors coupled together to form a gimbal wrist, each motor having an axis of rotation. The two axes of rotation of the two motors can be perpendicular to each other, but are not necessarily aligned with the manipulator's axes of motion. The high-pressure fluid assembly incorporates a swivel that can rotate about two axes which may be parallel to the two motors' axes of rotation, allowing the high-pressure tubing contained therein to follow the motion imparted by the gimbal wrist of the motion assembly.

Abstract: In accordance with the principles of the present invention, a display system for a fitness trainer is provided. The display system includes a processor, a hardware circuit board in communication with the processor, and a memory in communication with the hardware circuit board and the processor. A base portion is provided in communication with the processor and the memory. The base portion provides exercise information to the user. At least two modules are provided that can be removably attached to the base portion. In one embodiment, the removable modules comprise entertainment modules.

Abstract: Embodiments of the present invention relate to an earphone that allows for individual adjustment of different audio levels produced out of a first and second speaker to compensate for hearing impairment in one or both ears. The earphone may include a jack plug that is configured for insertion into an audio source that has a first volume control for setting the audio volume level produced by the first speaker. The earphone may also include a second volume control having an inlet and an outlet the inlet being operably connected to the jack plug. The second volume control may be configured to adjust the audio volume level produced by the second speaker. The maximum audio volume level of the second volume control may be approximately the same as the audio volume level set by the first volume control. The minimum audio volume of the second volume control may be inaudible.

Abstract: An exercise device includes a frame, first and second foot links, first and second foot supports, a coupling system and a guide system. Each foot link has a first portion and a second portion. The first and second foot supports are carried by the first and second foot links, respectively. The coupling system is associated with the first portion of each foot link for coupling the first portion to the frame so that the first portion of each foot link travels in a closed path relative to the frame. The guide system supports the second portions along a preselected reciprocating path of travel as the first portions of the respective foot links travel along their paths of travel. The guide system is selectably positionable at an angle from horizontal within the range of 45 degrees to 75 degrees.