Abstract: The present invention or dual fuel slagging gasifier provides the equipment, devices, process and methods for increasing the efficiency, commercialization potential and economy of coal/coke gasification. Entrained, fixed bed and water gasification aspects are combined to generate chemically clean high temperature gases from volatile carbonaceous fuels. A charge body of material including particulate solid low volatile carbonaceous material, quartzite, and a flux can be introduced into an upper portion of a slagging gasifier. Further, a finely divided carbonaceous material can be entrained, gasified at a high temperature and injected into a lower portion of the slagging gasifier. This high temperature heat can then be utilized to convert a stack injected steam and the low volatile carbonaceous fuels to additional fuel gas which enhances calorific value and flow rate of the entrained gas to increase energy conversion efficiency of the dual fuel slagging gasifier above that for all known commercial gasifiers.

Abstract: A system and method are provided for controlling access to local electronic devices in an automation network while maintaining failover capability. The method can include the operation of setting a state of a networked device to an online state. Another operation is sending a communication from the networked device to a controller requesting permission to change state of the networked device. The networked device may wait a predetermined amount of time to receive permission to change state. The state of the network device can change without permission from the controller after the predetermined amount of time has passed.

Abstract: Techniques for ultra-high density connection are disclosed. In one embodiment, an ultra-high density connector includes a bundle of substantially parallel elongate cylindrical elements, where each cylindrical element is substantially in contact with at least one adjacent cylindrical element. Ends of the elongate cylindrical elements are disposed differentially with respect to each other to define a three-dimensional interdigitating mating surface. At least one of the elongate cylindrical elements has an electrically conductive contact positioned to tangentially engage a corresponding electrical contact of a mating connector.

Abstract: A method and device for developing a positional orientation sleep aspect (POSA) to enable an individual to assume at least one preselected side-sleeping orientation on either a left or right side, including the steps of: a) placing first and second cylindrically configured, elongate pillows in parallel orientation on the bed, tethered by an intermediate member having a length approximately equal to a distance from the individual's low back to an extended knee; b) positioning the individual's body in a preselected, side-position on the intermediate member, c) establishing two additional, concurrent points of contact respectively at the individual's low back side with the first pillow and a projecting limb or knee with the second pillow; and d) sustaining the at least three points of contact to establish a sustainable recognition and awareness during sleep of the side-position while allowing the individual freedom of movement to also assume alternate right and left side positions, including free movement of the

Abstract: A mounting bracket for use in mounting an auxiliary device to a vehicle comprises an engagement section, operable to engage a section of the vehicle to limit movement of the bracket relative to the section of the vehicle. The engagement section includes at least two engagement channels having differing directions of extension. Each of the at least two channels includes an engagement surface shaped to at least partially receive therein the section of the vehicle. A plurality of engagement teeth extend from each of the engagement surfaces, the plurality of engagement teeth being operable to engage the section of the vehicle to limit movement of the body relative to the section of the vehicle.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for providing a displaceable fifth-wheel hitch assembly configured to be mounted in a bed of a truck. The displaceable fifth-wheel hitch assembly includes a platform track, a displaceable platform, and an adjustment assembly. The platform track defines a track space therein and is configured to be mounted in the bed of the truck. The displaceable platform is configured to be positioned in the track space and includes a fifth-wheel hitch coupled thereto. The adjustment assembly includes a means for displacing the platform and a means for locking the platform in place with respect to the platform track and truck. The means for locking the platform includes a locking pin that is spring biased into holes in the platform track. The means for displacing the platform includes an adjustment rod and bracket to displace the locking pin from its locking position.

Abstract: A system and method is provided for modeling a world database that is a spheroid in a computer graphics simulation system. The method includes the operation of modeling the world database using a plurality of geodetic terrain gridposts. A further operation is creating a triangulated network mesh based on the geodetic terrain gridposts in real-time as a function of eye position. In addition, the triangulated network mesh is stored in geodetic coordinates. The triangulated network mesh is then rendered using geometry formed by the triangulated network mesh.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for preparing a jerky food product. The method comprises: (a) preparing a raw meat to obtain a moldable meat dough; (b) contacting at least a portion of the meat dough with a jerky mold apparatus having a pre-determined geometric configuration, wherein a plurality of sectors are spatially separated and defined by supported partitions arranged in a pre-determined pattern; (c) causing at least one of the partitions of the jerky mold to impale the meat dough to dispose portions of the meat dough into at least one of the sectors, thus separating the meat dough into a plurality of meat segments having a size and shape corresponding to that of the sectors; (d) removing the meat segments from the jerky mold; and (e) treating the meat segments to produce a plurality of jerky pieces.

Abstract: LED devices incorporating diamond materials and methods for making such devices are provided. One such method may include forming epitaxially a substantially single crystal SiC layer on a substantially single crystal Si wafer, forming epitaxially a substantially single crystal diamond layer on the SiC layer, doping the diamond layer to form a conductive diamond layer, removing the Si wafer to expose the SiC layer opposite to the conductive diamond layer, forming epitaxially a plurality of semiconductor layers on the SiC layer such that at least one of the semiconductive layers contacts the SiC layer, and coupling an n-type electrode to at least one of the semiconductor layers such that the plurality of semiconductor layers is functionally located between the conductive diamond layer and the n-type electrode.

Abstract: A method of recovering hydrocarbons from water-containing hydrocarbonaceous materials can include forming a constructed permeability control infrastructure. This constructed infrastructure defines a substantially encapsulated volume. A mined or separately collected water-containing hydrocarbonaceous material can be introduced into the control infrastructure to form a permeable body of hydrocarbonaceous material. The permeable body can be heated sufficient to initially remove water therefrom as a water vapor. The water vapor can be removed from the infrastructure via an outlet which can be controlled or shut off when the permeable body is sufficiently dewatered. The dewatered permeable body can be heated sufficient to remove hydrocarbons therefrom. During heating the hydrocarbonaceous material is substantially stationary as the constructed infrastructure is a fixed structure. Removed hydrocarbons can be collected for further processing, use in the process, and/or use as recovered.

Abstract: The present invention provides semiconductor-on-diamond devices, and methods for the formation thereof. In one aspect, a mold is provided which has an interface surface configured to inversely match a configuration intended for the device surface of a diamond layer. An adynamic diamond layer is then deposited upon the diamond interface surface of the mold, and a substrate is joined to the growth surface of the adynamic diamond layer. At least a portion of the mold can then be removed to expose the device surface of the diamond which has received a shape which inversely corresponds to the configuration of the mold's diamond interface surface. The mold can be formed of a suitable semiconductor material which is thinned to produce a final device. Optionally, a semiconductor material can be coupled to the diamond layer subsequent to removal of the mold.

Abstract: A method of recovering hydrocarbons from hydrocarbonaceous materials can include forming a constructed permeability control infrastructure. This constructed infrastructure defines a substantially encapsulated volume. A comminuted hydrocarbonaceous material can be introduced into the control infrastructure to form a permeable body of hydrocarbonaceous material. The permeable body can be heated sufficient to remove hydrocarbons therefrom. During heating the hydrocarbonaceous material is substantially stationary as the constructed infrastructure is a fixed structure. Removed hydrocarbons can be collected for further processing, use in the process, and/or use as recovered.

Abstract: A system and method are provided of bridging proxy traffic in an electronic network. The method can include the operation of receiving a data stream from a client into a packet scanning device using a first socket. This data stream can be directed to an external communication network. The socket information for the first socket can be cached or stored in a cache in the packet scanning device using a cache ID. The first socket can then be connected to a user space process. A second socket can be generated by the user space process using the cache ID. The second socket can be modified using information retrieved from the cache based on the cache ID to make the second socket emulate the first socket. An additional operation is sending the data stream through the second socket to the external communication network.

Abstract: Composite wall panels are a viable method of quick and inexpensive building. Providing a composite wall panel with increased shear resistance and axial load capacity is extremely desirable. A fiber reinforced polymer (FRP) cage incorporated into composite wall panels which forms a wall panel with these desirable characteristics and a method of forming such a composite wall panel is disclosed and described. The FRP cages can include FRP shells or sleeves which include two or more bars secured thereto. One or more FRP cages can be incorporated into a composite wall panel where a portion of the FRP shell is imbedded in each of two concrete layers with an insulation layer therebetween. The resulting FRP reinforced composite wall panel has improved shear resistance and axial compressive strength which can allow for use in load bearing applications and generally improved properties such as thermal insulation.

Abstract: A coupling to connect two pipes, and to connect pipe fittings and valves with pipes, which includes arcuates provided with inner flanges in their end portions, where said arcuates are positioned around crossable inner means, which means can also be used by different types of cylindrical couplings which couplings require grooves around cylindrical rings mounted around the end portions of pipes; where crossable inner means is comprised of a centrally located partitioner ring located between two pipes, which ring separates two gaskets provided with backup rings which backup rings are provided with radial circumferential grooves for the attachment of said arcuates bridging across said inner means. Said backup rings are attachable to the shoulders constructed around the end portions of two opposite pipes.

Abstract: A method and apparatus providing a tile configured to form a modular floor covering including an array of substantially identical tiles. The tile includes a top surface, bottom side, front and rear sides and first and second lateral sides. The top surface includes an elongated shape and the bottom side includes a support grid. The front and rear sides are defined along a longitudinal length of the elongated shape. The front side includes at least one first hinge member and the rear side includes at least one complementary second hinge member configured to be engageable with the at least one first hinge member of an adjacently positioned tile. The first and second lateral sides define a width of the elongated shape with the first and second lateral sides including a respective tab and slot coupling portion each having a coupling length at least one-third the width of the elongated shape.

Abstract: Semiconductor-on-diamond (SOD) substrates and methods for making such substrates are provided. In one aspect, a method of making an SOD device is provided that includes etching depressions into an etch surface of a semiconductor substrate to a uniform depth, depositing a diamond layer onto the etch surface to form diamond-filled depressions, and thinning the semiconductor substrate at a thinning surface opposite the etch surface until the diamond filled depressions are exposed, thus forming a semiconductor device having a thickness substantially equal to the uniform depth.

Abstract: A serpentine robotic crawler capable of multiple movement moves is disclosed. The serpentine robotic crawler includes a plurality of frame units, coupled together by at least one actuated linkage. Each frame unit includes a continuous track, enabling forward movement of the serpentine robotic crawler. The at least one actuated linkage has at least 7 degrees of movement freedom, enabling the serpentine robotic crawler to adopt a variety of poses.

Abstract: Synchronization between base stations in a broadband wireless access system is achieved using interfering base stations. Interfering base stations are first identified for a base station of interest (BSOI). One of the interfering base stations is then selected to be a master base station for the BSOI. The BSOI may then establish and maintain synchronization with the master base station.