Abstract: A pressurized-fluid-operated actuator has multiple piston surfaces for providing increased output force. The actuator includes a stationary cylinder that contains a movable cylinder having multiple inner chambers separated by stationary inner pistons. The inner chambers are in fluid communication with extension and retraction ports provided in the stationary cylinder wall. Introduction of pressurized fluid into one port causes the fluid pressure to act on “n” piston surface(s) to retract the movable cylinder. Introduction of pressurized fluid into the other port causes the fluid pressure to act on “n+1” piston surfaces to provide an increased output force without increasing the diameters of the cylinders and without increasing the pressure of the fluid.

Abstract: A system and method for increasing the performance of a flash-based storage system, using specialized flash memory controller(s). Several methods of performance improvement are suggested such as adding DMA capability to flash memory controller to reduce the data transfer time; connecting flash chips to a multitude of flash memory controllers, which allow continuation of the data transfer to the system, even after the page programming operation has started; and connecting flash chips to a multitude of DMA-capable flash memory controllers to allow data transfer directly from one flash chip to another. In addition, a multi-controller design is suggested, which efficiently combines these performance-improving methods. In its best mode of operation, the present invention is a Flash-based storage system with several flash controllers or a multi-controller with DMA interface, organized in a way that reduces the page programming, page fetch and page copy time.

Abstract: Methods and apparatus for separating solid particles from a fluid. One preferred embodiment includes a tank for settling particles out of the fluid, a conical chamber at the bottom of the tank, an outlet connected to conical chamber, and a conical auger within the conical chamber. The tank may have a tangential inlet that creates a fluid circulation that exerts a centrifugal force on the solid particles to increase the settling of particles out of the fluid. The tank may have a static spiral on the inner wall that helps small particles coalesce into larger particles that settle faster out of the fluid. The fluid content of the solids removed from the tank may be controlled by varying the rotational speed of the conical auger. The rotational speed of the conical auger may be varied depending on the torque required to rotate the conical auger.

Abstract: A guardrail extruder terminal includes a rail feeder chute associated with a downstream end of the guardrail extruder terminal. The terminal also includes an impact portion associated with an upstream end thereof. The impact portion is coupled to the upstream end of the rail feeder chute and includes an impact plate positioned to face oncoming traffic, a first side member coupled to the impact plate and positioned on a roadway side of the guardrail extruder terminal, and a second side member coupled to the impact plate and positioned opposite the first side member. The impact portion may include a top plate and a bottom plate, each being coupled between the first and second side members. The top and bottom plates each have a traffic side edge positioned to face a roadway that is approximately flush with a traffic side of the rail feeder chute.

Abstract: A scalable high-performance bouncing apparatus provides convenient access to an internally mounted compound tension spring. Semi-mounted internal storage of disengaged tension elements may be provided. The tension elements may be engaged or disengaged through an access feature such as a slot in the apparatus frame. A user's finger or tool may be employed to effect engagement/disengagement. Alternatively, the apparatus may include mechanical components capable of effecting engagement/disengagement. The tension elements may also be part of a cartridge unit that can be wholly removed from the apparatus for engagement/disengagement. The assembly may also include a torque-transmitting bearing and/or a universal foot joint for improved high performance operation.

Abstract: The use of polymer latices is described for fluid loss control in water-based drilling fluids. The latices used are water insoluble. The latices are essentially non-swelling in an aqueous solution. The latices are selected from known latices such that they are absorbed within a filter cake building up at the interface between the wellbore and porous formations in essentially the same state as they are in the aqueous drilling fluid during circulation.

Abstract: A method and apparatus described to stabilize and secure individual component items in an array during gas flushing and packaging, without obstructing or preventing the free flow of the gas-flush throughout the component. In accordance with the present invention, when the array has been composed, it is over-wrapped with a loop of thin, inexpensive, gas-permeable film applied under pressure or shrunk around the array, leaving two opposite faces of the array free of the over-wrapping loop.

Abstract: A container has two tray sections that fold over each other along a living hinge. Each of the trays is defined by a recessed domes that is contained within the hinge and lip surfaces opposite and on either side of the hinge. A contoured flap containing a cavity extends from a forward edge of the front of one of the tray lips. A step is provided in the other tray's lip. When the container is closed, the flap may be folded over the step where a recess in the flap engages a detent in the step. A lip extends about the flap cavity and provides a continues tab around the step parts of which facilitate a consumer flipping the flap out of engagement with the step thereby facilitate opening of a closed container.

Abstract: An aerodynamic blade 12 and method of manufacture wherein the blade includes a tip 14, a root 16, materials comprising skins 18A, 18B, reinforcement strips 20A, 20B, 20C, 20D, glass sheets 22A, 22B, stiffeners 24A, 24B, and pre-cut sheets 26A, 26B, 26C, 26D layered into each of top and bottom molds 28, 30 using a resin 32 to define a mating perimeter 34 surrounding a depression 36 in said layered materials in each mold 28, 30. The molds 28, 30 are adapted to be mated together to engage the mating perimeters 34, and the depressions 36 define a core cavity 38. The molds 28, 30 are mounted to a mold bracket assembly 41 which enables the molds 28, 30 to be mated together after the blade 12 and materials are prepared. Each blade 12 further includes foam 40 disposed in the depressions 36 for filling the core cavity 38.

Abstract: A multi-functional walking stick that holds a variety of useful and safety-enhancing tools and devices in an efficient manner that eliminates the need to separately carry similar tools and devices on one's body when walking, hiking, traversing, climbing, and the like.

Abstract: Compositions for increasing the thermal and pressure stability of well fluids viscosified using viscoelastic surfactants, the compositions including an effective amount of an oligomeric or polymeric compound that has a thermally stable backbone structure and at least one pendent viscoelastic surfactant functional group. Preferred compositions for increasing the stability of well fluids viscosified using monomeric viscoelastic surfactants include an effective amount of an oligomeric or polymeric compound that has a thermally stable backbone structure and a multiplicity of pendent viscoelastic surfactant functional groups attached to said backbone structure through relatively long hydrocarbon chains, 1 to 18 carbons in length.

Abstract: A projectile to be fired from a gun having a chamber (2) with a conical transition region (4) to a caliber barrel (3) that adjoins the front of the gun. The projectile (5) has a sub-caliber penetrator (6), a jettisonable propelling cage sabot (7) connected to the penetrator (6), and at least one guide band (10) adapted to the caliber barrel (3) secured to the rear side or portion of the sabot. To ensure that the rear region of the propelling cage sabot (7) seals the chamber (2) against propellant gases that are pushing forward, even if the guide band (10) itself is still located in the chamber, an additional sealing ring (14; 17), comprising a deformable plastic, is provided on the existing guide band (10) adapted to the caliber of the barrel (3). The sealing ring assumes the function of providing the initial seal after the cartridge is ignited.

Abstract: A non-linear, semi-parametric neural network-based adaptive filter is utilized to determine the dynamic speed of a rotating rotor within an induction motor, without the explicit use of a speed sensor, such as a tachometer, is disclosed. The neural network-based filter is developed using actual motor current measurements, voltage measurements, and nameplate information. The neural network-based adaptive filter is trained using an estimated speed calculator derived from the actual current and voltage measurements. The neural network-based adaptive filter uses voltage and current measurements to determine the instantaneous speed of a rotating rotor. The neural network-based adaptive filter also includes an on-line adaptation scheme that permits the filter to be readily adapted for new operating conditions during operations.

Abstract: A device, a method and a system for reading/writing data, preferably of a particular type, from a first dedicated port of a NVM storage, while other data is reading/written to at least a second general port of the NVM storage. Preferably, while data is being continually read/written through the dedicated port of the NVM storage, the logic processor which controls the NVM storage optionally “sleeps”, or reverts to a lower power consumption mode. The NVM storage of the present invention may optionally feature a plurality of ports, as long as at least one dedicated port for reading/writing data, preferably of a particular type, and at least one general port for reading/writing data, is provided. According to preferred embodiments of the present invention, the at least one dedicated ports is a port for reading/writing streamed data, such as streaming audio and/or video data for example.

Abstract: A method of the preparation and utilization of polymerized alpha-hydroxycarboxylic-acid-coated proppants for gravel pack and removal of filter cake that was deposited by reservoir drilling fluid. In a preferred example, polyglycolic-acid-coated sand is used to replace conventional gravel pack sand typically used for gravel packing. Under downhole conditions, the acidic by-product generated from the hydration of polyglycolic-acid-coated sand can break down acid-soluble and/or acid-breakable components embedded in the filter cake. This reaction enhances the filter cake removal and the flow of hydrocarbon from the producing formation. The polyglycolic-acid-coated sand may be produced by polymerizing a glycolic acid with a natural or synthetic proppant like 20-40 mesh commercial sand, at temperatures of about 210° F. or higher.

Abstract: A wrapping machine for wrapping a wrapping film around an object. The wrapping machine has a film dispensing unit (1), which comprises first supporting elements (2) for rotatably supporting a first wrapping film reel (3) on the film dispensing unit; first deflecting elements (51 . . . 510), over which the first wrapping film can be passed to the object to be wrapped; second supporting elements (6) for rotatably supporting a second wrapping film reel (7) on the film dispensing unit; a second deflecting element (9), over which the second wrapping film (8) can be passed. The second deflecting element (9) is mounted on the film dispensing unit (1) so as to be movable between a first position (I) and a second position (II). In position (I), the end of the second wrapping film (8) is in contact with the first wrapping film (4) to cause the first and second wrapping films to adhere to each other during the wrapping process in order to bring them one over the other onto the object to be wrapped.

Abstract: A system and method of providing enhanced user-service interactivity between a user and a service in an integrated telecommunications network including an IP-based packet-switched (PSN) portion and a circuit-switched network (CSN) portion. The network supports IN-based service architecture for providing Value-Added Services (VAS) to the user who interacts with the network by operating an IP-compliant terminal. The network includes a switching node that governs call setup, call control, and service access and switching with respect to the user. A Service Control Point (SCP) is included in the network for the provisioning of VAS to the user. The SCP node includes a logic portion for determining whether an interaction between the user and an Intelligent Peripheral is to be effectuated when a service is invoked and an appropriate service trigger is transmitted from the switching node.

Abstract: A method for detaching a manhole frame (7) that is embedded in a road surface, wherein the manhole frame (7) is cut horizontally starting from the inside, without significant exposure of the outside area surrounding the manhole frame (7), by using a horizontally oriented rotating cutting blade (15) that performs eccentric circumferential runs along the inside of the manhole frame.

Abstract: A new and distinct variety of Prunus persica is provided. The new peach tree variety produces an attractively colored, yellow fleshed, clingstone peach that matures early in the season (7-10 days after Flordaking) under the ecological conditions prevailing in the medium chill zone of south central Texas and is adapted in the medium chill region. The variety requires approximately 450 chilling units of dormancy.

Abstract: A new and distinct variety of Prunus persica named ‘TexPrince’ is provided. This variety requires approximately 500 to 550 chilling units of dormancy and produces an attractively colored freestone peach that ripens in early midseason suitable for commercial production.