Abstract: A system for processing spend data. In response to capturing data feeds from one or more clients and a service provider, spend data contained within the data feeds is normalized by mapping the spend data to a common universal taxonomy using a business rule set. The normalized spend data is stored within an aggregated spend database. Report queries are run against total aggregated spend data within the aggregated spend database. Then, results of the report queries are posted on a secure web portal for viewing by authorized users.

Abstract: A process and an apparatus for obtaining a hydrogen product and a sulfur product from a feed gas. The feed gas is comprised of hydrogen sulfide, the hydrogen product is comprised of elemental hydrogen and the sulfur product is comprised of elemental sulfur. In the process, a first separating step separates the feed gas to obtain a first purified hydrogen sulfide fraction comprised of at least about 90 percent hydrogen sulfide by volume. A dissociating step dissociates hydrogen sulfide present in the first purified hydrogen sulfide fraction to convert it into a dissociated first purified hydrogen sulfide fraction comprised of elemental hydrogen and sulfur. A second separating step separates the dissociated first purified hydrogen sulfide fraction to obtain a hydrogen rich fraction comprised of elemental hydrogen. The sulfur product may also be obtained from the dissociated first purified hydrogen sulfide fraction. Finally, the hydrogen product is obtained from the hydrogen rich fraction.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for causing pressure variations in a wellbore. A valve mechanism and a sealing device are provided in the wellbore. The valve mechanism is part of a valve device which may be actuated between an open position and a closed position. The valve device is actuated to the closed position to allow an increase in pressure below the sealing device and is actuated to the open position to allow a fluid to pass through the valve device up the wellbore. The valve device is alternately actuated between the closed position and the open position to cause cyclical pressure variations in the wellbore below the sealing device. The valve device includes the valve mechanism, a fluid passage, a control mechanism for controlling the valve mechanism, and a delay mechanism for delaying the actuation of the valve device from the open position to the closed position.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for causing pressure variations in a wellbore. A valve mechanism and a sealing device are provided in the wellbore. The valve mechanism is part of a valve device which may be actuated between an open position and a closed position. The valve device is actuated to the closed position to allow an increase in pressure below the sealing device and is actuated to the open position to allow a fluid to pass through the valve device up the wellbore. The valve device is alternately actuated between the closed position and the open position to cause cyclical pressure variations in the wellbore below the sealing device. The valve device includes the valve mechanism, a fluid passage, a control mechanism for controlling the valve mechanism, and a delay mechanism for delaying the actuation of the valve device from the open position to the closed position.

Abstract: For a station in a data communication network having a predefined limit of congestion for handling data immediately undergoing transmission through the station, a system for improving service given to network users requesting new access services to support new transmissions through the same station while the predefined congestion limit is exceeded. This system contains: a first element for determining when the predefined limit is exceeded by existing data transmissions through the station; and a second element, responsive to requests for new access services that are received while the predefined limit is being exceeded for: concurrently processing the request for new service and reducing the quality of service (QoS) to selected users. The reductions in QoS generally have the effects of reducing the speed/priority of handling of data being transmitted to or from the selected users, and of freeing up of sufficient bandwidth to accommodate the requested new access services.

Abstract: An anticipation of engineering changes to a multiple-level integrated circuit package, resulting in a significant decrease in the turnaround time required to make engineering changes. After the first pass of the design phase is complete and before manufacture has begun, surplus I/O at different package levels are wired into surplus connections involving all but the highest package level. These surplus connections are reserved for future use when engineering changes become necessary. Once manufacture is complete, the surplus connections can be converted into logical connections by ECing only the highest packaging level with the quickest turnaround time. The surplus connections also provide a means for implementing ongoing incremental engineering changes as they are needed.