Abstract: A control method and system for managing operations at a well. The well operation is divided into operating phases and a set of management requirements for each operating phase are established. An associate system for each discreet management requirement produces selected outputs based upon selected inputs from all the sensed dynamic variables as well as selected inputs from knowledge bases and models. Each associate displays real time functions depending upon the processing of any operating parameter, at the selected operating phase and discreet management requirement.

Abstract: A dual tactile feedback, three-state, low profile pushbutton switch comprising an insulated housing, a metal dome, an extended travel molded elastomeric dome or stem having a conductive material on a bottom surface for contacting the metal dome and contacts in the switch housing, a collar having an opening for a top portion of said elastomeric dome to protrude therethrough, and a fixed contact under the metal dome on the base of the insulated housing connected to a switch terminal. A flat plate with four legs is placed above the stem which moves adjacent to the walls of the housing. The plate extends through a frame and openings on the sides of the frame snap on to the sides of the insulated housing. Greater switch reliability is achieved by having the elastomeric dome with a bottom portion comprising a conductive material for contacting the metal dome.

Abstract: A multi-station, weather resistant bird feeder comprises a squirrel guard positioned around a pole at a predetermined position above the ground. A platform feeder station is secured to the top of the pole for holding a removable screen assembly. The screen assembly comprises a fine screen on top of a course screen both secured by a frame and used for holding bird seed thereon. Four arms extend from each side of a four sided pole below the platform feeder station, each extended arm is supported by an angle brace. A hanging feeder may be positioned on each one of the extended arms, whereby bird watchers can observe larger birds on the platform feeder stations and smaller birds on the hanging feeder stations.

Abstract: The period of pre-purging is selectively determined for improving the utility. When a main run switch is turned on, it is examined at S1 whether or not the temperature of the oil in a frypot measured with a thermal sensor is not higher than a first setting level. If the oil temperature is not higher than the first setting level, it is examined at S2 whether the post-combustion time exceeds 10 minutes or not. When the post-combustion time exceeds 10 minutes, the pre-purging is carried out at S3 for 80 seconds. When not, the pre-purging is performed at S4 for 5 seconds. Then, the combustion is commenced at S5.

Abstract: A tray for ball grid array integrated circuits includes a storage pocket with a transverse structure. The transverse structure carries a plurality of columnar structures at spaced positions on and extending normally from the surface of the transverse structure. Each columnar support structure includes parallel columns that terminate in coplanar free ends that engage the terminal surface of one ball grid array integrated circuit to support it in a terminals down position within the storage pocket.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for verifying the organization of a magnetic disk storage system in which individual storage logical volumes are grouped in sequence as components of a meta device. Data concerning the organization of the meta device is stored in each storage logical volume in a dedicated storage area and in a global memory accessible to the data processing system. Whenever the integrity of the meta device is tested, the data in the configuration file and the data in the dedicated storage area are analyzed and compared. If identity exists, integrity is assumed. If identity does not exist various errors are generated to prevent use of the storage logical volume until the problem is resolved.

Abstract: A piezoelectric acoustic sensor including stress-transferring arches to protect the elements at the lateral side surfaces. An array of parallel rod-like or blade-shaped elements is formed from a dense, poled, strongly piezoelectric or electrostrictive ceramic material. The array is encapsulated in a matrix, e.g., a polymeric matrix, to form a two-phase ceramic/polymer composite body exhibiting 1-3 or 2-2 connectivity. The upper and lower ends of the elements are exposed at upper and lower planar surfaces of the composite body to electrically contact upper and lower electrodes. A stiff portion, e.g., a face plate, extends across each of the upper and lower electroded surfaces, each extending to the edge surfaces of the composite body. A convex-shaped, stress-transferring arch is rigidly anchored to at least one edge of each stiff portion. Hinge portions of each arch at the edges of the stiff portions has a thickness of 0-10 mm.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for emulating a magnetic tape storage device with a conventional, unmodified magnetic disk storage device. I/O output requests for the emulated magnetic tape storage device are intercepted to determine whether they involve a virtual tape resource that comprises a magnetic disk storage device. Tape requests to such a resource are converted into one or more conventional magnetic disk storage requests to effect an analogous operation. The size of the virtual tape resource can be reduced below the normal data capacity for the emulated tape storage device.

Abstract: A plurality of tile panels suited for dry execution for a wall surface. Each tile panel is integrally formed by bonding a plate onto a back surface of a tile and a plurality of restriction blocks are disposed on coupling pieces of at least two opposite side edges of the plate in a tightly attached manner. The restriction blocks are positioned on the side edges of the plate so as to not overlap with each other when the tile panels are aligned vertically and horizontally. The coupling pieces protrude beyond a tile bonding range on the plate. Rivet holes, a nail hole, and a screw hole for an adjuster bolt are provided in each of the restriction blocks.

Abstract: A play set constructed for recreational use, having a structure resembling an excavator backhoe machine comprising tracks, an elevated platform play area, a cab with simulated controls mounted above the tracks, a counterweight attached to the rear of the play area, a main boom extending upward from the front of the play area having monkey bars spaced apart on the bottom side of the main boom and swings hanging from a horizontal portion of the main boom, a slide attached to a side of the elevated platform play area extending outward away from the play set, and a stick attached to an upper end of the main boom extending downward with a bucket attached to the end of the stick, the lower end of the bucket resting on the ground. The elevated platform play area includes an opening in the floor for entrance to the play area from beneath the play set. The structure may be made of wood, plastic, metal or combinations thereof.

Abstract: A system and method for providing on-line, real-time, transparent data migration from an existing storage device to a replacement storage device. The existing and replacement storage devices are connected as a composite storage device that is coupled to a host, network or other data processing system. The replacement storage device includes a table which identifies data elements that have migrated to the replacement storage device. When a host system makes a data transfer request for one or more data elements, the replacement storage device determines whether the data elements have been migrated. If the data elements have migrated, the replacement storage device responds to the data transfer request independently of any interaction with the existing storage device. If the data elements have not migrated, the replacement storage device migrates the requested data elements and then responds to the data request and updates the data element map or table.

Abstract: Load balancing of activities on physical disk storage devices is accomplished by monitoring reading and writing operations to blocks of contiguous storage locations on the physical disk storage devices. A list of exchangeable pairs of blocks is developed based on size and function. Statistics accumulated over an interval are then used to obtain access activity values for each block and each physical disk drive. A statistical analysis leads to a selection of one block pair. After testing to determine any adverse effect of making that change, the exchange is made to more evenly distribute the loading on individual physical disk storage devices.

Abstract: A control mechanism for a catheter with a distal anchor. Suture threads extend from the anchor to the control mechanism. A first body contains a reel with a radial port through which the suture threads extend to be received in a termination structure on a second, partially concentric and axially coextensive body of the control mechanism. Rotation of the second body wraps and unwraps the sutures about the reel thereby to remove or introduce slack into the suture threads after the anchor device forms. Removing slack in the suture threads prevents complete straightening of the anchor device and therefore inadvertent removal of the catheter from the patient.

Abstract: A protective gaiter fits around a lubricated joint such as a vehicle constant velocity joint. The gaiter is in the form of a generally conical rubber tube (10) having stepped configurations at its wider end so that it can be cut down to fit different diameters of joint members. The stepped configurations have seating areas (23 or 40-42) for a fixing strap (49) and there are flexible transitions between these areas to enable the gaiter to flex and pivot. In one embodiment the flexible transitions are inwardly directed folds (24). In a second embodiment the seating areas (41, 42) are inclined inwardly and the flexible transitions are defined by angular joints with radial linking walls (43-45).

Abstract: A radial diffuser having insert rings for providing microturbulence to a paper fluid stock suspension and uniformly discharging the fluid stock via a plurality of tubes around the perimeter of the radial diffuser to a paper forming unit including a headbox. The radial diffuser comprises a cover, a main head body, an inlet feed pipe and a plurality of flexible or rigid circumferential discharge tubes. The main head body comprises either one or a pair of the co-axial ring inserts which form a fixed or variable passage or space in the chamber of the radial diffuser. The co-axial rings enhance fluid stock fiber mixing as the fluid stock flows through the radial diffuser head. The plurality of outlets around a side wall of the radial diffuser have removable housings for varying entrance coefficients to facilitate the pumping of the fluid stock suspension into the radial diffuser.

Abstract: A dispensing pump includes first and second sleeve assemblies. Each sleeve assembly includes a rotary valve having an input and output position and a longitudinally displaceable piston that moves between a first position abutting the valve and a second position displaced from the valve. The sleeve connects to a manifold with input and output passages that align with input and output apertures in the sleeve. Withdrawing the piston with the input port of the valve aligned with the input aperture draws material into the sleeve. Moving the piston toward the valve in the output position with the output port aligned with the output passage displaces material from the manifold.

Abstract: A filter for use in an x-ray film cassette for cephalometric imaging. The filter is interposed between the x-ray film being exposed an adjacent x-ray conversion screen. The filter has a substantially optically opaque portion that is aligned with the patient's forehead and chin and a transparent portion. An image produced on the film depicts skeletal features in the area aligned with the transparent portion and both skeletal and soft tissue features in an area aligned with the substantially optically opaque portion.