Abstract: Thermal conditions within a computer unit are monitored. A system-level temperature sensor responds to intake cooling air. A subsystem-level temperature sensor responds to the temperature of a subsystem-level component, preferably a motherboard or a backplane. When the temperature sensed by of the system-level temperature sensor falls outside of a critical limit, it is determined whether the temperature sensed by the subsystem-level temperature sensor generally correlates with the temperature sensed by the system-level temperature sensor. If there is no correlation, the operation of the computer unit is continued.

Abstract: Liquid is accumulated above fluid displacement device which is moveable and sealed within a production chamber defined by a production tubing, and upward movement of the fluid displacement device is initiated to pump liquid and gas from a well, by different magnitudes of differential pressure created at the well bottom. Preferably the different magnitudes of differential pressure are created by fluid passageways having different cross-sectional areas.

Abstract: A virtual control system for an operating room establishes virtual control devices to control surgical equipment and patient monitoring equipment and to display control, status and functionality information concerning the surgical equipment and condition information of the patient. The virtual control devices permit direct interaction by the surgeon while maintaining a sterile field, and avoid the use of actual physical devices and electrical cables connecting them to the surgical equipment.

Abstract: A virtual control panel controls the functionality of an electrosurgical generator in response to interrogating, preferably optically, an object, such as a user's finger, interacting with a control panel image as an act of control input over the functionality of the generator. The control panel image is presented, preferably by optical projection, on a display surface of a display surface structure. The control panel image may include, in addition to a contact control area where interaction with the object is interrogated, a display area where information describing the functionality of the generator is presented, preferably by optical projection. A virtual pad can be used with the virtual control panel to divide and separate control and display functionality.

Abstract: Methods and apparatus for producing cast articles with characteristics of original objects such as a stone panel. The cast articles can replicate the contours, textures, and colors of all or a portion of the original object and can be made in any shape or size and specifically can be formed to simulate rock walls, carved stone architecture details, and other construction components normally created by stone masons or sculptors on site and at a high cost. The processes used in making the cast articles include the production of a series of molds. The molds seek to replicate the size, shape, contour, and surface texture of an original object with or without modifications to the original object.

Abstract: Exhaust air containing particulate and gas contaminants is withdrawn from a confined environment, such as a food cooking area, by a circulation system which liquid scrubs some of the contaminants from the exhaust flow, removes mist of the scrubbing liquid from the flow, and then catalyzes or neutralizes gas contaminants into benign gases before discharging the flow back into the confined environment. Removing contaminants in this manner allows a substantial amount of the thermal energy content of the air to be saved for reuse within the confined environment, rather than discharging the thermal energy into the ambient environment.

Abstract: Male and female mating pieces of a gas-assisted electrosurgical accessory connector are connectable together by radially contacting a sealing surface formed on one mating piece with a resilient radially-compressible sealing member carried on the other mating piece. A gas-tight seal exists along a length of the sealing surface as the two mating pieces connect with relative connection movement. The existence of the gas-tight seal over a range of relative connection movement maintains the seal if the mating pieces should become slightly disconnected. The mating pieces are also restrained against separation from one another. A recess is formed in one of the mating pieces and a retention member carried on the other one of the mating pieces is biased into contact with the recess. Separation of the two connected members requires manual force to extract the retention member from the recess.

Abstract: A negative impression of an anatomical portion of a person is captured by forcing the anatomical portion into impression foam to collapse the impression foam into the negative impression. The impression foam has a crush characteristic of approximately constant resistance force over a relatively wide predetermined range of collapse distances. The negative impression is obtained by collapsing the impression foam within the range of constant-force collapse distances, thereby creating the negative impression under conditions which reflect an equally-loaded anatomical portion. A cushion support contour created from the equally-loaded negative impression is beneficial in more appropriately supporting the anatomical portion. The present invention is particularly useful in fabricating wheelchair seat cushions.

Abstract: A support contour of a cushion, such as a wheelchair cushion, defines relief areas at locations adjacent to skin covering the ischial tuberosities, the greater trochanters and the coccyx and sacrum of a person sitting on the support contour. Support areas of the support contour transfer force into the pelvic area adjacent to skin covering tissue masses on opposite lateral sides of the posterior buttocks and beneath the proximal thighs of the person. Greater clearance is also provided in the perineal area. Risks of pressure ulcers from pressure and shear forces on bony prominences is reduced while providing support at the broader areas without bony prominences in such a manner to encourage postural alignment. The risks of skin breakdown perineal are diminished.

Abstract: Liquid is lifted from a well by a fluid displacement device which moves within a production tubing and maintains a seal against the production tubing during movement. The fluid displacement device is moved up and down within the production tubing between the well bottom and the earth surface by applying gas to create opposite relative pressure differentials across the fluid displacement device. Preferably the pressure differentials are obtained from gas supplied from the well at natural formation pressure.

Abstract: A flexible seat cushion, such as a wheelchair cushion, has an upper surface with a support contour for establishing relatively less pressure on skin adjacent to the bony prominences of the person's pelvic area and relatively more pressure on skin covering adjacent tissue masses. A support member is attached to the rear corner of the cushion. The support member has relatively less flexibility than the seat cushion. The support member is retained to a longitudinal and/or transverse side of the cushion to cause the support member to resist deformation of the support contour from contact with the pelvic area of the person when seated on the seat cushion. Connector member may be connected to the support member to extend along longitudinal and/or transverse sides of the cushion to deform and thereby adjust the support contour for better support of the pelvic area.

Abstract: Volatile memory is placed into a data-preserving safe state in a computer system in response to any one of a reduction in power applied to the volatile memory, a bus reset signal on a data communication bus of the computer system, and an absence of a bus clock signal on the bus. The volatile memory is powered from an auxiliary uninterruptible power supply in response to the reduction in power. The volatile memory is also placed into the data-preserving safe state in response to a cessation in executing software instructions by a CPU of the computer system. Placing the volatile memory into the safe state in response to and under these conditions enhances the opportunity to preserve data in response to error and malfunction conditions.

Abstract: Natural gas produced from a well by executing a multiple-phase gas recovery cycle which includes a phase during which a relatively lower evacuation pressure is applied within three chambers in the well to assist in accumulating liquids at a well bottom, followed by a liquid reduction phase which clears the liquid from two of the chambers while leaving the liquid in the third chamber. The remaining liquid is thereafter lifted in subsequent liquid capture and liquid removal phases. The liquid reduction phase clears the fluid from the well more effectively with less interruption in the production of gas from the well while maintaining the full gas productivity of the well.

Abstract: Clip-on sunglasses are retained from a vehicle sun visor and accessed from the sun visor for connection to conventional eyeglasses. A case or pouch may be attached to the sun visor to contain eyeglasses, while the clip-on sunglasses are attached to the exterior of the pouch. Magnetic attraction between a flange of a retainer attached to the sun visor or to the pouch and a slot in a connection body attached to the clip-on sunglasses retains the clip-on sunglasses and permits access to the clip-on sunglasses.