Abstract: A stem cell niche for expanding stem cells in culture is described. The stem cell niche includes a scaffold, a plurality of stromal mesenchymal stem cells, and a plurality of umbilical cord blood stem cells grown in a rotating culture chamber. One embodiment of the rotating culture chamber has a fluid-filled compartment in which the umbilical cord blood stem cells are grown in the presence of the mesenchymal stem cells seeded on the scaffold. The culture chamber has a dual flow valving member at each end, wherein a first flow path passes under a molecular cut-off membrane covering a central core that transverses the culture chamber and a second flow path flows through the culture chamber and allows cells to be harvested while in suspension.

Abstract: A rotary switch for activating selected functions in a hand held device. One embodiment of the invention provides a rotary switch having a rotatable switch selector. Whenever the switch selector is rotated, it reduces the diameter of a torsion spring causing the torsion spring to contact a switch contact and signal a microprocessor to selectably power a particular circuit or a step in a routine.

Abstract: One embodiment of a remotely controlled apparatus for selectably admitting a large animal into and then selectably releasing the animal from a livestock chute uses the weight of the animal as its primary energy source for opening and closing the entry and exit gates. The livestock chute has a linking mechanism for communicating with the entry gate, the exit gate, a moveable floor, and a biasing force wherein the weight of the animal is used to overcome the biasing force to open the entry gate and to store energy that can be selectively activated to open the exit gate on the livestock chute.

Abstract: The present invention is a lubrication system for movable pins connecting pivotable structural members of a deepwater floating oilfield production platform. The lubrication provides adequate lubrication for easing movement of the pins and also for maintaining the long-term functionality of the pins by reducing the corrosion of the pin assemblies. The lubrication of each of the pins is provided by a closed loop circulation system that provides sufficient flow and pressure to establish hydrostatic bearings around the bearing surfaces of the pin-connected members that are being axially assembled and between pin-connected members that are being rotated relative to each other. The lubrication system provides for continuously lubricating a static pinned connection for the purpose of preventing water intrusion and subsequent corrosion. Furthermore, the lubrication system provides a means for ensuring the lubrication of the most highly loaded zones of a laterally loaded pin connection.

Abstract: A simple mechanical height adjustment device adjusts the ground clearance of a trailer. The trailer, having the height adjustment device can selectably and reversibly increase its ground clearance. The trailer, having an adjustable ground clearance, can minimize its load height when operating on improved roads in order to meet local and state height regulation, but can increase its ground clearance on uneven roads.

Abstract: A remotely adjustable lighting device configured to an operational mode customized for the geographic location of the device. The lighting device is powered by a battery provided with solar charging. The lighting device, under control of an integral controller, is turned off and on for an illumination period as a function of both local sunrise and sunset times determined by a combination of time and date information and GPS positioning. The luminosity of the lighting device is autonomously controlled as a function of battery charge and the determined required illumination period. The solar charging system is oriented by the controller to optimize its energy collection by periodical adjustments.

Abstract: The present invention provides a hot tap machine having independent speed drives for the center drill and the holesaw that can be remotely operated. The hot tap machine of the present invention also has improved vibratory damping and coupon stability and retention. During operation, the machine cartridge holding the machine internal assemblies of the hot tap machine of the present invention is, except for its controls and external support systems, entirely contained within its pressure containment housing which is sealingly attached to the hot tap fitting on the pipe. An advantage in the operation of the present invention is the independence of the center drilling operation and the pipe coupon cutting operation.

Abstract: A portable apparatus having a source, a detector and a filtering element placed a known distance from the source and/or the detector. One embodiment of the apparatus is a headlamp having an illumination source, a camera, and two eye pieces. The headlamp has an adjustable headband for positioning the headlamp on the head of the user and a protective cover for interacting with the camera, eye pieces, and/or illumination source. The protective cover preferably includes multiple sets of filtering elements such that motion about or along an axis changes the filtering elements interacting with the camera, eye pieces, and/or the illumination source.

Abstract: A selectably elevatable coiled tubing injector is described that is suitable for a mobile self-contained unitized coil tubing rig for the drilling and workover of petroleum wells. The selectably elevatable coiled tubing injector includes a mechanism for positioning a trailer mounted coiled tubing injector either in a first stowed position on the deck of the transport trailer or in a second position resting on an elevated rig floor of a drilling rig. Furthermore, the selectably elevatable coiled tubing injector includes a further mechanism for selectably elevating the injector above its second position on the rig floor while clamping the tubing in order to provide additional tension on the tubing string or to raise the tubing deployed within a well.

Abstract: The smokeless liquid two-phase burner system of the present invention relates to a method and apparatus for burning a wide variety of flammable liquids using an integrated burner system. The system has both a primary injection path and an alternate injection path for the fuel to be burned, as well as a main air pump or blower. The present invention also provides a method and apparatus for selectably injecting a secondary stream of a gas or vapor or volatile liquid into a flare system for the purpose of enhancing combustion. The apparatus is self-contained and self erecting on a transportable trailer.

Abstract: The smokeless liquid two-phase burner system of the present invention relates to a method and apparatus for burning a wide variety of flammable liquids using an integrated burner system. The system has both a primary injection path and an alternate injection path for the liquid fuel to be burned, as well as a main air pump or blower. The present invention also provides a method and apparatus for selectably injecting a secondary stream of a gas or vapor or volatile liquid into a flare system for the purpose of enhancing combustion.

Abstract: The invention relates to a readily installable and removable device for storing multiple elongate locking load bars and other elongated items for use inside the bodies of trucks and vans. The device is readily and reversibly mounted on preexisting E-track slotted tracks in the cargo spaces of commercial fleet trucks. The device includes one or more wall mountable brackets having outwardly extending arms that form slots for receiving elongated members. The device is selectably installed using a latch engaged in the E-track slotted tracks and a self-locking latch retainer positioned on opposed ends of the brackets.

Abstract: A system that allows an operator to determine the true vapor pressure of a liquid composition from the bubble-point pressure for a given temperature at which the lightest component starts to flash includes a heated chamber with a retractable plunger. A sample of the liquid to be tested is trapped in a chamber at a pressure above the bubble-point pressure. A plunger inserted into the chamber gradually reduces the chamber internal pressure by retracting the plunger out of the chamber at a uniform (synchronous) speed from the start to the resting plunger rod position. The chamber pressure is recorded at each pressure increment reduction. The bubble point-pressure is determined from the point of inflection in the pressure decline curve.

Abstract: A device for applying tension to a string of coiled tubing for the purpose of its insertion into or withdrawal from a wellbore. Specifically, the device is used with a wheel-type tensioner, which contacts and supports the tubing over an arc length of less than 180°. The device enhances the tractive ability of the tensioner by applying forces normal to the tubing to press it into more intimate contact with the surface of the wheel, thereby increasing the normal force and attendant frictional force between the tubing and the wheel.

Abstract: A lighting device having a dual LED point-source assembly containing two high flux LEDs mounted facing each other with LED lenses positioned between the LEDs. At least one heat sink is attached to one of the LEDs. The heat sinks serve to transfer heat from the LEDs to the outside environment. In one embodiment the lighting device is positioned within a fresnel lens to produce a horizontally uniform distribution of light.

Abstract: The present invention relates to pins that may be selectably operated to engage and disengage socket bores in the assembly and disassembly of large structures, such as floating offshore platforms for deepwater applications. The pin connections can be engaged or disengaged robotically or under direct operator control. The construction and installation of structures utilizing the pin connections will typically use multiple sets of selectably operable pins to connect, support and stabilize the structural components of the structure.

Abstract: A method for improving the health and viability of pancreatic islets and improving the outcome of pancreatic islet transplantations is described. The method includes incubating the islets with an IKVAV-containing laminin A chain peptide, such as PA22-2, either before or during the culturing of the islets in an RCCS bioreactor.

Abstract: A lighting device having multiple light emitter assemblies 10 containing a light source 22, a light source mounting block 20, a heat dissipater 30, a reflector mounting block 40 and a mirror 70 attached to the reflector mounting block 40.

Abstract: A mobile coiled tubing rig for the drilling and workover of wells is designed to have a control room for the coiled tubing rig positioned within a tank at the forward end of the rig during transport. The control room, stored in the empty tank during transit, is selectably elevated out of the tank to its working position during rig operation When the control room is elevated, the operator or operators of the coiled tubing rig can see the coiled tubing storage wheel and the coiled tubing injector.