Abstract: A laptop carrying case (20) is disclosed as including a pair of sides (22, 24) and a carriage assembly (28). The sides (22, 24) are connected together by a hinge (26) and are configured to enclose a laptop computer (144) and the carriage assembly (28) in a closed position. The carriage assembly (28) is configured for retaining the laptop (144) and for sliding the laptop (144) between a carry position and a work position.

Abstract: The prepay telecommunications system (60) includes a prepay call management platform (50) which is directly coupled to a telecommunications carrier switch (24). A customer database (116) is coupled to the prepay call management platform (50) for storing prepay customer data, and a plurality of customer interface facilities (62, 64, 66, 68, 80) are provided for accepting customer prepayment and immediately updating the customer database (116). The prepay calls are recognized by the mobile identification number and is routed to the prepay call management platform (50) coupled to and co-located with the telecommunications carrier switch (24). The customer account balance associated with the prepay call is looked up in a customer database (116), and the maximum allowable call duration in response to the customer account balance is computed. The prepay call is then released to the telecommunications carrier switch (24) for line termination. At the same time, a call duration timer is started.

Abstract: A turbine fuel valve packing assembly including two sets of packing rings in which at least one packing ring is a V-shaped packing ring, a compression member, lantern ring, and packing gland with a sealing ring is disclosed which effectively seals turbine fuel valves against leaking. Further disclosed is a valve packing replacement method utilizing a bifurcated valve shaft allowing part of the shaft to be removed, thereby providing enough space for the valve packing assembly to be removed from the fuel valve and replaced without disassembling the entire fuel valve.