Abstract: A method for selectively cooling one or more heat-generating electronic components in an enclosure. Air is passed through an enclosure that houses one or more heat-generating components. Heated air is separated into at least first and second parallel airstreams within the enclosure. The first airstream is passed through a first heat exchanger in thermal contact with a first side of a thermoelectric cooling module. The second airstream is passed through a second heat exchanger in thermal contact with a second side of the thermoelectric cooling module. A voltage is applied to the thermoelectric cooling module to cool the first side and heat the second side of the thermoelectric cooling module. A temperature at a location in the enclosure in sensed and the voltage applied to the thermoelectric cooling module is varied in response to the sensed temperature.

Abstract: The apparatus of the present invention is directed to a replacement cage assembly (106) to modify a conventional power tong (100) to enable the power tong to grip and rotate smaller diameter tubular segments (90). The method of the invention is directed to modifying a power tong (100) to grip and rotate a tubular segment of a diameter smaller than could be gripped by the unmodified power tong (100). The invention provides a rotary gear insert (240), having an interior second cam surface, rotatably captured intermediate an upper cage plate (230) and a lower cage plate (210) and slidably receivable within the conventional rotary gear of the power tong (100) and to cam and rotate a plurality of replacement gripping jaws (220, 221) pivotally captured adjacent the second cam surface (240) and intermediate the upper cage plate (230) and the lower cage plate (210).

Abstract: Protecting a membrane and electrode assembly in an electrochemical cell having one or more electrocatalysts in intimate contact with the membrane during storage or shipment of the cell. The membrane may be provided in either the non-proton form of a dry or hydrated cation exchange membrane, such as an alkali metal cation form or an ammonium cation form; the wet or dry precursor form of a cation exchange membrane, such as the non-ionically conducting sulfonyl-fluoride polymer membrane; or the dry proton form of a cation exchange membrane. These membrane surfaces are not acidic under open circuit conditions experienced during storage or shipment of the cell. Since some electrocatalysts are degraded during contact with the acidic surface of a hydrated membrane, the non-acidic surface of the membrane protects these electrocatalysts. The method may be used on newly assembled electrochemical cells, on cells being taken out of service, and on membrane and electrode assemblies.

Abstract: A self-tightening safety tubular clamp for suspending a casing string or other tubular member within a well. In one embodiment, a base has an opening for receiving the casing string. A first gripping member and an opposing second gripping member are each adapted to frictionally engage the casing string. First and second pivot arms include parallel linkages for supporting the gripping members. Each parallel linkage is pivotally secured to the base at one pivot pair, and pivotally secured to one of the gripping members at an upper pivot pair. Frictional contact with the gripping members allows the weight of the casing string to move the pivot arms downward. As the pivot arms move downward, the gripping members move downward and inward into engagement with the casing string. The parallel linkages ensure that gripping surfaces of the gripping members remains vertical, in alignment.

Abstract: An assembly that facilitates the use of modules requiring orthogonal airflow in a chassis providing normal airflow. Partitions within the housing direct ambient airflow from the front air inlet, through the modules, and out the rear air exhaust. The housing and partitions define first and second vertically and horizontally offset slots for receiving first and second orthogonal airflow modules, and also define separate first and second airflow pathways. The first airflow pathway provides airflow through a front air inlet, under the second module, orthogonally through the first module and out the rear air exhaust. Similarly, the second airflow pathway provides airflow through a front air inlet, over the first module, orthogonally through the second module and out the rear air exhaust. Both airflow pathways both draw ambient air into the housing and exhaust warm air from the rear of the housing, while keeping the two airflow pathways separated.

Abstract: An apparatus comprising a saver sub and a stabbing guide having a housing to capture and direct the upwardly disposed threaded end of a tubular joint to the downwardly disposed threaded mating end of the saver sub is disclosed. The stabbing guide is adapted for surrounding and facilitating threaded connection of the saver sub to tubular segments brought within the housing.

Abstract: An apparatus bounds and retains the medium in which a transplantable plant is grown, and promotes the production of lateral root tips by such a plant at all levels in the growth medium. The apparatus includes a sheet having a plurality of hollow protuberances formed with proximal protuberance openings that communicate with distal protuberance openings. The protuberances provide pathways that mimic the natural tendency of the plant roots, so as to decrease the likelihood of the root tips evading the protuberances and promote root-tip growth towards the distal protuberance openings whereby air-root pruning is assured.

Abstract: Sodium nonatitanate compositions, a method using the composition for recovery of 82Sr from irradiated targets, and a method using the composition for generating 82Rb. The sodium nonatitanate materials of the invention are highly selective at separating strontium from solutions derived from the dissolution of irradiated target materials, thus reducing target processing times. The compositions also have a very low affinity for rubidium, making it an ideal material for use as a 82Rb generator. Sodium nonatitanate materials of this type both improve the recovery of 82Sr and provide a safer, more effective 82Rb generator system.

Abstract: Electrochemical apparatus and methods that support periodic, non-steady state, or discontinuous operation without suffering degradation of materials or loss of efficiency. The invention provides a means for positioning one or more electrodes into contact with electrolyte and means for retracting the one or more electrodes out of contact with the electrolyte. The means for positioning and means for retracting may be the same device or different devices. The means for positioning and means for retracting may be designed to provide automatic, passive, or fail-safe retraction of the electrode upon a given shutdown condition, such as a voltage of less than one Volt being applied between the first and second electrodes, expiration of a time period, an ozone concentration greater than a setpoint ozone concentration, contact pressure of less than 5 psig, and combinations thereof.

Abstract: Thermal diagnostic systems and methods are provided for improved detection of airflow anomalies in a computer system. In particular, processor load is selectively increased to amplify the effects caused by any airflow anomaly that may be present in the computer system. Workload migration may be used to shift processor load from another node to a target node. Artificial load may also be generated on the target node. The processor load increased to a level sufficient that an airflow anomaly would cause a detectable temperature difference at the selected node. The processor load may be increased by an amount computed to generate this detectable temperature difference. Alternatively, the processor load may be increased by a predetermined amount of between 40% and 100% of full processor utilization. While at the increased processor load, actual temperature sensed by temperature sensors may be compared to temperatures predicted from the model to detect the presence or absence of an airflow anomaly.

Abstract: Composition and method for promoting growth of microbes that are capable of degrading animal waste. The method includes applying a nontoxic composition to a bedding substrate that is disposed to receive animal waste. The composition comprises a carboxylic acid, preferably the carboxylic acid is a fatty acid, and more preferably a combination of a saturated fatty acid and an unsaturated fatty acids. Specifically, a preferred composition comprises a saturated fatty acid having from 12 to 22 carbon atoms and an unsaturated fatty acid having from 12 to 22 carbon atoms. A still more preferred composition used both saturated and unsaturated fatty acids having from 16 to 20 carbon atoms. Optionally, the composition may include or encapsulate nutrients, an oxygen-releasing compound, or microbes.

Abstract: A reduced insertion force mezzanine connector is used to couple first and second circuit boards. In one embodiment a connector frame has a first end disposed against the first circuit board and defining a first wall, and an opposing second end disposed against the second circuit board and defining a second wall generally parallel with the first wall. A plurality of wafers are disposed. Each wafer has a first edge in sliding contact with the first wall and an opposing second edge in sliding contact with the second wall. A plurality of electrically conducting pathways extend along each wafer from the first edge to the second edge. A wafer guide structure defines a plurality of wafer-support aisles on the first and second walls for receiving the edges of the wafers to constrain the wafers with a fixed spacing and generally parallel alignment.

Abstract: An apparatus for latching, aligning, and connecting a first connector located in a chassis with a second connector on a cable. The invention comprises a plurality of trough segments coupled in series. The trough segments include a distal trough segment having a retainer for securing and axially orienting a cable connector, a proximal trough segment having a latch element selectively secureable to a guide passage, and one or more intermediate trough segments coupled between the distal trough segment and the proximal trough segment. Each individual trough segment is pivotally coupled to any adjacent trough segment to allow bending of the cable trough. The cable trough formed by the collective trough segments may be directed into the guide passage for coupling of the cable connector to an internal chassis connector and latching of the cable trough in position within the guide passage.

Abstract: A method and an amide composition used therein for inhibiting, retarding, mitigating, reducing, controlling and/or delaying formation of hydrocarbon hydrates or agglomerates of hydrates. The method may be applied to prevent or reduce or mitigate plugging of conduits, pipes, transfer lines, valves, and other places or equipment where hydrocarbon hydrate solids may form under the conditions. At least one amide compound is added into the process stream, where the compound may be mixed with another compound selected from amino alcohols, esters, quaternary ammonium, phosphonium or sulphonium salts, betaines, amine oxides, other amides, simple amine salts, and combinations thereof.

Abstract: An apparatus and a method for locking a cam lever which positions a second card as inserted into a connector on a first card, and activating the second card with a coupling member. In one embodiment, the second card is inserted between a pair of guides secured to the first card into a connector on the first card. A hinged cam lever on either a guide or the second card positions the second card. A coupling member on the cam lever can be moved to lock the cam lever in place and engage a switch on the second card to activate the second card. When removal of the second card is desired, the coupling member on the cam lever can be moved to unlock the cam lever and disengage the switch on the second card to deactivate the second card.

Abstract: A method for preparing and automatically updating a greeting on a voice mail system comprising receiving a call to a voice mailbox, selecting a greeting template based on one or more conditions, identifying greeting parameters present within the greeting template, retrieving values for the greeting parameters, and generating a greeting using the values of the greeting parameters in accordance with the greeting template. The method allows the voice mailbox user to better manage incoming calls when the user is not available to accept them. The method further provides a benefit to the caller by providing a greeting that contains information tailored to benefit the caller, thereby helping the caller to decide, for example, whether or not to leave a voice mail message in the user's voice mailbox.

Abstract: A new and distinct hybrid of the genus Tecoma is provided. This hybrid has been named ‘Mnstabe’ for a cultivar name. The new variety is the product of a deliberate cross of interspecific origin between two hybrid plants of the genus Tecoma made in 2006. Seeds from this cross were saved and planted and the new variety was selected from a block of these hybrid seedlings. The new variety displays a uniquely different flower color previously unavailable in the genus, is compact in size, and as well is generally sterile.