Abstract: A method for initializing the input of each of m receiver channels of a receiving transducer in a well logging tool comprising the steps of selecting a logging tool having a multi-element receiving transducer wherein each element of the multi-element receiving transducer operates in an anti-resonant mode below its resonant frequency, and executing a routine in an initialization mode wherein a predetermined number of run cycles are operated and receiver input responses are measured and averaged for each of the m channels while transmitter firing signals are disabled.

Abstract: There is disclosed a data receiving device for coupling to an AC power line through a standard light bulb socket. A standard medium lamp base is supported by a frame and connected to a branch circuit of the AC power line. An electrical device having signal terminals and supported by the frame is driven by electrical circuitry having a first input and a first output. The first output is coupled to the signal terminals for driving the electrical device. A data receiver has a second input for receiving both AC power and a data signal from the AC power line. The second input is coupled to the lamp base and a second output is coupled to the first input of the electrical circuitry. In another aspect, a data interface comprising a standard medium lamp base coupled to a data terminal device having a data receiving and/or transmitting interface circuit therein is threadably engaged to a standard medium lamp receptacle connected to the AC power line branch circuit.

Abstract: A battery operated fluorescent lamp is disclosed, which is operable from the battery while the battery is being recharged, comprising a tubular housing configured as a handle grip at one end and a cylindrical lens portion at the other end. The tubular housing lockably connects to a battery pack. The cylindrical 3030 lens portion encloses a miniature fluorescent bulb. The electrical circuitry, enclosed within the handle grip and alternately operable from either 120 VAC or 12 VDC, includes a converter circuit, a battery charging circuit, and a fluorescent lamp ballast circuit. The battery pack is electrically coupled to simultaneously receive charging current from an output of the charging circuit and to deliver DC supply voltage to the fluorescent lamp ballast circuit without the occurrence of a net discharge of the battery pack.

Abstract: A free point tool comprises an elongated main shaft assembly and a low mass sensor assembly coaxially and slidingly disposed over the elongated main shaft. The low mass sensor assembly is adapted to be supported within the down hole casing by first and second drag spring centralizers coupled respectively to upper and lower ends of the low mass sensor assembly. The low mass sensor assembly comprises a magnetic amplifier sensor disposed in a sensor body and having a variable inductance proportionally responsive to longitudinal and rotational displacement of an adjacent sensor plate portion of a movable sensor sleeve concentric with and enclosing the sensor body, wherein the sensor sleeve is attached to the first drag spring centralizer and the sensor body is attached to the second drag spring centralizer.

Abstract: A single combination task lamp and flashlight instrument, providing separate flood and spot light beams, independently controlled in a three-state sequence by simple push button switches. The two kinds of light beams are produced by separate arrays of compact light emitting devices. both arrays are driven by a single, rechargeable battery powered electrical circuit that provides separate, regulated constant currents to the respective arrays of LEDs. The optics and electronics are constructed in a single, ruggedized, compact module. The module is enclosed within an elongated handle that positions the center of mass for optimum balance of the instrument and the control switches for convenient operation according to the sense of touch.

Abstract: A method is provided for reducing the power rating of a current limiting resistor (R) in a branch circuit having at least one protected element and the current limiting resistor connected between first and second nodes. The method includes the steps of: determining a maximum fault current in the branch circuit; determining a total current limiting resistance to limit the current in the branch circuit having the short-circuited elements to the maximum fault current; inserting a fuse having an intrinsic resistance in the branch circuit; and dividing the determined total current limiting resistance between the resistor (R) and the intrinsic resistance of the fuse.

Abstract: A dining garment for a child's high chair or toddler's table or other similar furniture article, comprises a tray cover, a bib extension of the tray cover extending over the tray, and a bolster disposed around and extending upward from the perimeter of the tray cover, the combination forming a basin. The bolster has sufficient rigidity to maintain the basin form and sufficient flexibility to facilitate installation, removal, and cleaning, without requiring inflation of the bolster and without requiring a separate supporting frame. The dining garment includes a trough between the tray cover and the bib extension for accumulating spilled food materials. A drain may be provided in the trough for draining the spilled material. The drain may include a cap, stopper, or plug.

Abstract: A device for providing anatomical support during operative or therapeutic procedures comprising a configurable bolster formed from a block of resilient synthetic foam material and having a plurality of recessed regions formed in the top surface of the bolster and extending into selected portions of the bolster for accommodating particular anatomical structures. Precut slits are provided extending vertically upward from the bottom surface of the bolster to enable removal of material from the bolster to adapt it to particular circumstances of use.

Abstract: An apparatus for synchronizing the initiation of the playback of packetized multimedia data received asynchronously in each receiver in a system, and for synchronizing the real time playback in a plurality of receivers in the system, from the transmitter over a wired communications medium. The clocks in the transmitter encoder and the receiver decoders operate asynchronously but at substantially the same rate. Initiation of playback is synchronized according to the arrival time of a first received data packet having a zero-valued retransmit number. Real time playback among a plurality of receivers is synchronized according to a measured time difference between an operating rate of the encoder and an operating rate of the decoder.

Abstract: An LED lighting array is disclosed wherein a plurality of light emitting devices disposed in at least first and second columns are mounted on a planar mounting surface to form an emission plane. The emission axes of all the LEDs in a first column are parallel with each other and lie in a first plane. The emission axes of the LEDs in an adjacent, second column are also parallel, but a second plane containing the emission axes of the second column is disposed at a predetermined, non-zero angle with respect to the first plane. The non-zero angle is a function of the LED beam width and the distance to a lighting target. This configuration of the LEDs provides an optimum balance at a predetermined target distance between the size of the area illuminated and the brightness of the illumination of the target. In one aspect of the invention the LED lighting array includes at least first, second and third columns of LEDs.

Abstract: A fluorescent task lamp includes a housing assembled from first and second shells for supporting a lens body, first and second CFL bulb receptacles and first and second CFL bulbs; and a strain relief for an AC power cord having an integral hub portion with first and second pivot pins that pivot within first and second opposing pivot bushings formed respectively in each first and second shell in opposite sides of an aperture or cavity for receiving the hub portion therein. The pivoting strain relief permits orienting the power cord so that the lamp may be stood upright upon its base or hung from its hook.

Abstract: An instrument housing for a drill string, comprising: a cylindrical housing having a cavity for receiving an instrument assembly such as a transmitter sonde; an elongated side load opening disposed parallel with and toward one end of the cavity and formed through a side of the cylindrical housing into the cavity. The side load opening is substantially shorter than the length of the instrument assembly; and an elongated side load door assembly is configured to fit within the side load opening, to enclose and secure the instrument assembly within the cylindrical housing such that the instrument is protected from loss or damage due to loss or damage to the side load door during operation.

Abstract: A handheld fluorescent task lamp comprising a housing assembly having a housing and a tubular lens body enclosing compact fluorescent bulbs, an elongated spine configured for slidingly supporting the lens body, and a resilient bulkhead for cushioning the compact fluorescent bulbs in the lens body; an electronic ballast circuit within the housing comprising a power supply, a self-starting electronic driver circuit operable to start and run at least first and second CFL bulbs; a bulb accommodation circuit that enables operation of the electronic ballast circuit with either starter type or non-starter type and regardless whether one or both CFL bulbs are connected to the driver circuit; and an illumination assembly, wherein the CFL bulbs are oriented with respect to each other such that an enhanced forward emission field is provided.

Abstract: An insulated structural truss panel, comprising: a rectangular panel body formed of a rigid foam material and a parallel arrangement of at least first and second trusses embedded longitudinally within the panel body at predetermined on-center spacings between and parallel to the first and second sides.

Abstract: A method and apparatus is provided for synchronizing both the initiation of playback of digital multimedia data in one or more receivers and the rate of playback of the digital multimedia data in the one or more receivers, all receiving the digital multimedia data from a single transmitter, without transmitting clock or timing signals to the receiver(s). An exemplary embodiment is described using the AC powerline as a medium of transmission, although the method and apparatus are adaptable to a variety of communication media.

Abstract: A method of using a single pole, single throw switch having normally open contacts in a conductive path in a non-intuitive manner in an electric circuit to sequentially provide three operable states including latched engagement (path closed, circuit OFF), momentary disengagement (path opened, circuit ON momentarily), and latched disengagement (path open, circuit ON until switch actuated again).

Abstract: A data receiving or transmitting device, having data receiving or transmitting capability, is coupled respectively from or to an AC power line through a standard light bulb socket. In one aspect, a data interface includes a data receiving device that may be configured for extracting data encoded for transmission or encoding data to be embedded and transmitted along the AC power line branch circuit. In another aspect a data receiving device includes a loudspeaker, an amplifier, and a data decoder coupled to the AC power line for playback of audio program material communicated to the device along the power line. The device screws into a light bulb socket for a “no-tools” installation.

Abstract: A battery operated fluorescent lamp is disclosed, which is operable from the battery while the battery is being recharged, comprising a tubular housing configured as a handle grip at one end and a cylindrical lens portion at the other end. The tubular housing lockably connects to a battery pack. The cylindrical 3030 lens portion encloses a miniature fluorescent bulb. The electrical circuitry, enclosed within the handle grip and alternately operable from either 120 VAC or 12 VDC, includes a converter circuit, a battery charging circuit, and a fluorescent lamp ballast circuit. The battery pack is electrically coupled to simultaneously receive charging current from an output of the charging circuit and to deliver DC supply voltage to the fluorescent lamp ballast circuit without the occurrence of a net discharge of the battery pack.

Abstract: An apparatus for converting a low voltage alternating current (AC) wiring circuit to a high speed data communications link, comprising a primary coupling circuit and a secondary coupling circuit. The apparatus provides low voltage AC power to a data device and couples data signals between the data device and the AC power line via the converted low voltage AC wiring circuit. An example is provided for retrofitting a door chime system to a high speed data link such as a video camera system.