Abstract: An avionics system for a plane includes a plurality of nodes disposed throughout the plane, each node performing a function. The system includes an optical network in communication with the nodes and through which the nodes communicate. The system includes at least one of the nodes having a hardwired interpreter that interprets the information transmitted from another one of the nodes via the optical network. A method for operating a plane includes the steps of communicating information through an optical network between a plurality of nodes disposed throughout the plane, each node performing a function. There is the step of interpreting with at least one of the nodes having a hardwired interpreter the information transmitted from another one of the nodes via the optical network. A phostonic stack.

Abstract: A system for responding to file system requests including a plurality of network elements with at least a network element of the plurality of network elements receiving the requests. The system includes a plurality of switching elements in communication with the network elements which route the requests. The system includes a plurality of disk elements in which files are stored and which respond to the requests in communication with the switching elements, the network element insures each request from the network element is only executed once, the network element retransmits each request for which the network element does not receive an acknowledgment from the switching elements. A method for responding to file system requests.

Abstract: The present invention offers a new and improved method and system to establish a trusted and decentralized peer-to-peer network for: the sharing of computer files between and among computing devices; trusted chat sessions; and for other applications of trusted peer-to-peer networks.

Abstract: A stepladder having a front side, a rear side and a top. The stepladder can include a conduit holder attached to the front side for holding conduit. The stepladder can include a first wire spool holder attached to the front side and a second wire spool holder attached to the rear side though which a conduit having a wire spool extends. The stepladder can include a hacksaw hook attached to the front side. A method for cutting a conduit. A method for using a hacksaw. A method for obtaining wire.

Abstract: An apparatus for cranking a shackle of a pump jack. The apparatus includes a shaft which fits through the shackle. The apparatus includes a handle for cranking the shaft. The handle having a locked state in which the handle is unable to rotate the shaft, and an unlocked state in which the handle is able to rotate the shaft. The apparatus includes a locking mechanism engaging the handle at a pivot point and the shaft, the locking mechanism placing the handle in the lock state or the unlocked state by moving the handle about the pivot point to a first position or a second position, respectively. A method for cranking a shackle of a pump jack.

Abstract: The present invention pertains to an apparatus for holding cells. The apparatus comprises a mechanism for incubating cells having a dynamically controlled environment in which the cells are grown, which are maintained in a desired condition and in which cells can be examined while the environment is dynamically controlled and maintained in the desired condition. The apparatus also comprises a mechanism for determining the state of the cells. The determining mechanism is in communication with the incubating mechanism. The present invention pertains to a method for holding cells. The method comprises the steps of incubating the cells in a dynamically controlled environment which is maintained in a desired condition and in which the cells can be examined while the environment is dynamically controlled and maintained in the desired condition. Additionally, there is the step of determining the state of the cells.

Abstract: An upper shackle assembly for a steel pump jack for a wood pole includes a u-shaped shackle component to receive the wood pole. The assembly includes a crank handle that extends through the shackle component and engages the pole to lower the pump jack down the pole. The assembly includes a brake attached to the shackle component to engage with the pole if the crank handle fails. A method for installing a steel pump jack to a wood pole includes the steps of placing a u-shaped shackle component about the wood pole. There is the step of closing a brake with the shackle component to engage with the pole if a crank handle fails. There is the step of extending the crank handle through the shackle component to engage the pole. A steel pump jack.

Abstract: A brace rail shield combination for a rail of a ladder having at least one rung having a first portion that has a shape that conforms with an interior cross sectional surface of the rail. The brace rail shield combination includes a second portion that extends from the first portion at a first location to the rung to provide structural support to the rung. The second portion having an attachment portion at a second location spaced apart from the first location that is fixed to the rung. The first portion and the second portion being one continuous piece. A method for using an extension ladder. A method for producing a knee brace rail shield combination.

Abstract: A variety of lighting apparatuses are described that utilize reflection as a basis for lighting a desired area.

Abstract: An apparatus for obtaining reflectance data of an object includes a diffuser having a surface. The apparatus includes a mapping portion that effects a mapping between a light field at the object's surface and a light field at the diffuser surface for BRDF capture of the object. A method for obtaining reflectance data usable to determine a plurality of values of the BRDF of an object. The method includes the steps of illuminating the object. There is the step of effecting a mapping between a light field at the object's surface and a light field at a diffuser surface for BRDF capture of the object with a mapping portion. An apparatus and a method for measuring an 8D reflectance field of an object or a 3D object.

Abstract: An apparatus for determining fluid flow in a pipe includes an ultrasonic flowmeter which communicates with the interior of the pipe through at least one pair of apertures, where each aperture of the one pair of apertures has an effective diameter. The apparatus includes a turbulence conditioner disposed in the pipe having openings where the pitch between openings is a function of the effective diameter of the aperture. A turbulence conditioner for a pipe has openings and a pitch. The conditioner has walls between the openings whose thickness is a function of the pitch. The conditioner has a length which is a function of the pitch. A method for determining fluid flow in a pipe includes the steps of flowing fluid through a turbulence conditioner disposed in the pipe having openings where the pitch between openings, is made a function of an effective diameter of an aperture of an ultrasonic flowmeter which communicates with the interior of the pipe through the aperture.

Abstract: An apparatus for determining fluid flow in a pipe apparatus includes a fluid nozzle in contact with the pipe having a contour without negative pressure gradients along the nozzle's surface as fluid flows through the nozzle. The apparatus includes a transit time ultrasonic flow meter employing at least one acoustic path in communication with the fluid in the pipe and disposed downstream of the nozzle. An apparatus for determining fluid flow in a pipe. The apparatus includes a fluid nozzle in contact with the pipe having a contour defined by a compound cubic. The present invention includes a transit time ultrasonic flow meter employing at least one acoustic path in communication with the fluid in the pipe and disposed downstream of the nozzle. A fluid nozzle for a pipe. A method for determining fluid flow in a pipe.

Abstract: An access ladder for an access hole in a building includes a plurality of sections which telescope relative to each other between an extended position, where the sections define a plane and a user can climb the sections, and a retracted position where the sections are folded on each other. Several of the sections have a least one step which preferably moves between an unfolded position where the user can stand on the step when the sections are in the extended position, and a folded position when the sections are in the retracted position. Each section slides relative to another section of the plurality of sections which it is in contact in order for the sections to telescope. A method for using an access ladder attached to an end of an access hole of a building.

Abstract: An apparatus for data storage includes a cluster of NFS servers. Each server has network ports for incoming file system requests and cluster traffic between servers. The apparatus includes a plurality of storage arrays in communication with the servers. The servers utilize a striped file system for storing data. A method for data storage. A method for establishing storage for a file. A method for removing a file from storage. A method for reading data in a file. A method for writing data in a file.

Abstract: An access ladder for accessing a ceiling from a floor. The ladder comprises a plurality of sections which telescope open and closed, and from a bottom section each section telescopes open to positively lock to the section below it with plungers that lock and unlock each section in sequence as the sections open and close, respectively.

Abstract: A clip for maintaining a first side rail of a first ladder adjacent to a second side rail of a second ladder which is in series with the first side rail. The clip includes a first portion connected to a support element and a second portion connected to the support element. The first portion, second portion and support element are one continuous piece. The first portion defines a hooking engagement with the first side rail and the second portion defines a receiving engagement with the second side rail. The first and second portion opening from opposite sides of the support element, respectively, which conform to the portion of the respective side rail that it receives for removably and frictionally holding the respective side rails in a self-gripping and form-fitting manner such that the side rails are maintained adjacent and in series to each other so that no damage is possible to the ladders by relative movement of the side rails under dynamic conditions brought about by motion during transportation.

Abstract: An apparatus for separating a stream of particles with individual sizes smaller than 300 ?m and magnetic properties ranging from collective magnetism as in ferromagnetism to paramagnetism to diamagnetism. The apparatus includes a plurality of stages for separating a stream of particles. The apparatus includes a magnetic component producing a magnetic force associated with each stage. The apparatus includes an aerodynamic component producing an aerodynamic force associated with each stage, where the more magnetic component or components of a feed of particles for each stage is separated and either or both the less magnetic product and the more magnetic product of each stage are the feed for separate succeeding stages with each stage and where the magnetic and aerodynamic forces along with gravimetric forces of each stage are chosen to separate more strongly magnetic particles from less magnetic particles.

Abstract: A pump jack for a scaffold in a system to support a work platform and move the platform up and down a pole to access a vertical work surface. The pump jack includes an L-shaped framework having a horizontal frame member which supports the work platform and a vertical frame member. The vertical frame member having laterally opposing Z-shaped channels, each having a leg that bends about the pole and extends inward toward the pole. The pump jack includes an upper shackle supported by the framework. The pump jack includes a lower shackle supported by the framework, which with the upper shackle applies a coupling force for gripping the pole. The pump jack includes a pump arm lever pivotably coupled to the vertical frame member to step upwardly the pump jack relative to the pole. The pump jack includes a crank mechanism coupled to the vertical frame member. A method for supporting and moving a work platform up and down a pole to access a vertical work surface.

Abstract: An eyeliner pencil. The pencil includes an elongate portion which is gripped by the user, the elongate portion having a central axis. The pencil includes a marking portion extending from the elongate portion and in an angular relationship between 5° and 175° with the elongate portion. The marking portion is for marking an eyelid. A lipliner pencil. A method for applying eyeliner to an eyelid. A method for applying lipliner to a lip.

Abstract: An eye liner pencil. The pencil includes an elongate portion which is gripped by the user, the elongate portion having a central axis. The pencil includes a marking portion extending from the elongate portion and in an angular relationship between 5° and 175° with the elongate portion. The marking portion is for marking an eyelid. A lip liner pencil. A method for applying eye liner to an eyelid. A method for applying lip liner to a lip. The pencil can include a plurality of sections.