Abstract: Methods and systems for presenting enhanced previously recorded broadcasted or streamed content are provided. Example embodiments provide an Enhanced Content Display System “ECDS,” which supports the management and presentation of previously recorded program content in a non-linear fashion and allows subscribers, using a variety of techniques, to specify which portions of programs or other content is of interest. In one embodiment, an ECDS-enabled Music Browser application includes an Intelligent Media Data Server (“IMDS”) that generates enhanced meta-data that are associated with portions of the broadcasted or streamed news-related content. Using the generated enhanced meta-data and auxiliary recorded content, the Music Browser presents music-related content along with related content segments that enrich the viewer experience.

Abstract: Methods and systems for presenting enhanced previously recorded broadcasted or streamed content are provided. Example embodiments provide an Enhanced Content Display System “ECDS,” which supports the management and presentation of previously recorded program content in a non-linear fashion and allows subscribers, using a variety of techniques, to specify which portions of programs or other content is of interest. In one embodiment, an ECDS-enabled News Browser application includes an Intelligent Media Data Server (“IMDS”) that generates enhanced meta-data that are associated with portions of the broadcasted or streamed news-related content. Using the generated enhanced meta-data, the News Browser helps subscribers organize, locate, and filter news-related content based upon user-defined keywords. This abstract is provided to comply with rules requiring an abstract, and it is submitted with the intention that it will not be used to interpret or limit the scope or meaning of the claims.

Abstract: Methods and systems for presenting enhanced previously recorded broadcasted or streamed content are provided. Example embodiments provide an Enhanced Content Display System “ECDS,” which supports the management and presentation of previously recorded program content in a non-linear fashion and allows subscribers, using a variety of techniques, to specify which portions of programs or other content is of interest, thus enhancing their viewing experiences. In one embodiment, the ECDS includes an Intelligent Media Data Server (“IMDS”) that generates enhanced meta-data that are associated with portions of the delivered broadcasted content or video content. Using the generated enhanced meta-data, the ECDS helps subscribers locate, organize, and otherwise manage content that is delivered from a content distribution facility. This abstract is provided to comply with rules requiring an abstract, and it is submitted with the intention that it will not be used to interpret or limit the scope or meaning of the claims.

Abstract: A graphical user interface (“GUI”) for a content management system is provided, such as to present television program information and/or information associated with other forms of multimedia content. In some situations, the GUI includes information presented simultaneously using at least first and second time scales, such as to provide relatively detailed information for content corresponding to a shorter time scale (e.g., to display television program listings with details about programs that are available during a time period at the shorter time scale) and to provide relatively limited information for content corresponding to a longer time scale (e.g., indications of other programs of potential interest at times outside the time period of the shorter time scale). In addition, in some situations the relatively limited information for content corresponding to the longer time scale may be selectable by the user to provide various functionality related to that content.

Abstract: A graphical user interface (“GUI”) for a content management system is provided, such as to present television program information and/or information associated with other forms of multimedia content. In some situations, the GUI displays various types of information about multiple pieces of content that are currently appropriate for display, and one or more users may make various types of selections that affect the information being displayed. In addition, in some situations various techniques are employed to maintain a state of the GUI that is focused on one or more current selections as changes occur, such as to coordinate information display between multiple distinct information panes or other view areas of the GUI, to alter the information to be displayed in the GUI based on a selected piece of content, and/or to enable identification of a selected piece of content from within a large number of pieces of content.

Abstract: A graphical user interface (“GUI”) for a content management system is provided, such as to present television program information and/or information associated with other forms of multimedia content. In some situations, the GUI displays various types of information about multiple pieces of content that are currently appropriate for display, and one or more users may make various types of selections that affect the information being displayed. In addition, in some situations various techniques are employed to maintain a state of the GUI that is focused on one or more current selections as changes occur, such as to coordinate information display between multiple distinct information panes or other view areas of the GUI, to alter the information to be displayed in the GUI based on a selected piece of content, and/or to enable identification of a selected piece of content from within a large number of pieces of content.

Abstract: A graphical user interface (“GUI”) for a content management system is provided, such as to present information associated with various forms of multimedia content. In some situations, the GUI includes information presented simultaneously using at least first and second time scales, such as to provide relatively detailed information for content corresponding to a shorter time scale (e.g., to display content listings with details about content that corresponds to a time period at the shorter time scale) and to provide relatively limited information for content corresponding to a longer time scale (e.g., indications of other content of potential interest corresponding to times outside the time period of the shorter time scale). In addition, in some situations the relatively limited information for content corresponding to the longer time scale may be selectable by the user to provide various functionality related to that content.

Abstract: An online buying group (referred to herein as a “co-op”) is formed for the specific purpose of purchasing a particular product at (102) by defining a start time, end time, critical mass, any minimum number of units offered, any maximum number of units offered, starting price and product cost curve. As data is gathered from buyers, by means of their making binding purchase offers, the co-op is modified at (108) using a pricing tool, so as to take into account for this market data in the definition of the price curve. A buyer chooses a product co-op of interest at (114). The buyer is presented with the following essential co-op information: current price, closing time, next price level (as defined by a price curve visibility window and the price curve) sufficient to entice the buyer to make an offer.

Abstract: A high energy loss fluid control device includes a plurality of annularly-shaped discs stacked one upon another and a reciprocal plug in slidable contact with the discs. The discs form a plurality of flow passageways extending between an inlet and an outlet located at the inner and outer peripheries of the discs. Each of the flow passageways has a plurality of sections connected with right-angle turns. A first one of the sections is radially extending toward the inlet to cause fluid to act upon itself and expend energy by turbulent interaction. Immediately downstream of the first section, a second one of the sections is radially extending toward the outlet. The second section is generally straight and of a length adequate to regain control of fluid velocity by true frictional losses. The passageways can be formed by stacks of discs that cooperate to fully define intermediate passageways or by alternating flow-path discs and separator discs that cooperate to form the passageways.

Abstract: A high energy loss fluid control device includes a plurality of annularly-shaped discs stacked one upon another and a reciprocal plug in slidable contact with the discs. Each of the discs has an inner periphery, an outer periphery, and a plurality of flow passageways extending between an inlet and an outlet located at the inner and outer peripheries. Each of the flow passageways have a plurality of sections connected with right-angle turns. The sections alternate between extending in a circumferential direction and a radial direction. Each passageway has an expanding cross-sectional area but each section has a constant cross-sectional area. A first one of the sections is radially extending toward the inlet to cause fluid to act upon itself and expend energy by turbulent interaction. Immediately downstream of the first section, second one of the sections is radially extending toward the outlet.

Abstract: A soot blower lance tube indexing mechanism including a pinion, first and second pinion ratchet/sprocket assemblies, a spindle, first and second spindle sprockets, and a clutch. The clutch is operable to link the first pinion ratchet/sprocket assembly with the first spindle sprocket to rotatably drive the spindle in a first direction when the lance tube is extended. The clutch is further operable to link the second ratchet/sprocket assembly with the second spindle sprocket to rotatably drive the spindle when the lance tube is retracted. In an alternative embodiment, the lance tube rotates in a single direction regardless of whether the lance tube is being extended or retracted.

Abstract: A steam desuperheater has a body extending into a steam line and is operated by a controlled variable water pressure source responding to the amount of superheat in the steam line. As the pressure of the supply line is increased above a predetermined level greater than the steam pressure in the steam line, a piston moves up against a calibrated spring to progressively uncover a plurality of spray openings so that increasing water pressure results in an increasingly greater amount of water sprayed into the steam line.

Abstract: A boiler cleaning device includes a frame mounting a carriage for moving a lance in and out of a boiler along said frame. The carriage is moved by a drive-chain which passes through a differentially geared set of sprockets, one of which carries a pinion rotating a ring gear mounted on a spindle portion of the lance. The spindle has a plurality of recesses each including an abutment and a ramp while the gear carries a spring loaded plunger which engages the abutment to rotate the spindle and the lance in one direction. When the drive is reversed to move the carriage backward, the gear rotates the other direction and the plunger merely rides up the ramps and down the abutments and the spindle does not rotate.

Abstract: A poppet valve has a flow restrictor downstream of the poppet which is externally adjustable by rotation of the poppet valve stem. The restrictor is in the form of a throttle ring threadedly mounted on a valve guide and the throttle ring has a diameter less than that of the valve port sealed by the poppet so that the assembly of the throttle ring is removable through the valve port while inadvertent removable is prevented by projecting cap screws on the throttle ring extending to a diameter greater than that of the valve port. The valve poppet is also provided with a contour area adjacent the seat which provide a restriction after initial opening movement of the poppet to minimize erosive wear on the poppet sealing surfaces when the pressure drop occurs adjacent these surfaces.

Abstract: A fluid flow control device, particularly for use in connection with valves used in the control of fluids under high pressure, is disclosed. In the new structure, the valve trim includes a form of flow restrictor, which serves to limit flow velocity and which causes the fluid pressure to be reduced in a sufficient number of discrete stages to minimize noise and cavitation. The new flow restrictor comprises an axial stack of annular discs, each provided with a plurality of annular baffle ribs projecting from its opposite end faces. The annular baffle ribs on one side of the disc are slotted along a number of equally spaced radii, and the ribs on the opposite side of a disc are similarly slotted, but along radii offset from the first set of radii. When a series of these discs is assembled in a stack, downwardly facing ribs of one disc fit between upwardly facing ribs of a disc next below, providing a series of annular passages interconnected by radial slots.

Abstract: A fluid flow restrictor for use in a high pressure valve or the like which comprises a series of closely interfitting concentric cylinders alternately attached to the valve seat and an axially movable valve plug of the valve. In one advantageous embodiment of the invention, various arrangements of slot openings are formed through the several cylinders. The slot openings may be of any geometric shape, for example, rectangular or trapezoidal, and are of sufficient volume to act as expansion chambers for a compressible fluid. The openings of each cylinder communicate with the openings of an adjacent cylinder by various overlapping relationships between openings or by viscous friction flow paths between the cylinders to form restricting flow paths therebetween. Axial displacement of the valve plug will move the interfitting cylinders with respect to one another to vary the flow path dimensions between the slot openings of the cylinders.

Abstract: The dislosure relates to fluid flow control devices, particularly for use in connection with valves used in the control of fluids under high pressure. In the new structure, the valve trim includes a novel and advantageous form of flow restrictor, which serves to limit flow velocity and which causes the fluid pressure to be reduced in a sufficient number of discrete stages to minimize noise and cavitation. The new flow restictor comprises an axial stack of annular discs, each provided with a plurality of annular baffle ribs projecting from its opposite end faces. The annular baffle ribs on one side of the disc are slotted along a number of equally spaced radii, and the ribs on the opposite side of a disc are similarly slotted, but along radii offset from the first set of radii. When a series of these discs is assembled in a stack, downwardly facing ribs of one disc fit between upwardly facing ribs of a disc next below, providing a series of annular passages interconnected by radial slots.

Abstract: The disclosure relates to a controllable valve structure, for throttling liquids under high pressure in a manner to minimize cavitation damage to the valve parts. The valve structure includes a cylindrical trim cage surrounding the valve seat and plug and formed with a relatively large multiplicity of passages for the radially inward flow of liquid. The orifices are so shaped and contoured that the effective throttling orifice of each is formed as close as practicable to the inner wall of the trim cage, causing formation of vena contracta in regions spaced as far as practicable from the walls of the trim cage. This reduces damage resulting from cavitation and correspondingly increases the useful operating life of the valve.

Abstract: Digital sootblower control systems and methods therefor are provided in accordance with the teachings of the present invention. In the digital sootblower control systems provided within the present invention, a programmable controller is interconnected to a scanner, a display panel, sootblower drivers, sootblower signal receivers, and information input panels. The information input panels are capable of designating sootblowers within the system, sootblowing program routines to be established and sequences of program routines to be initiated. The programmable controller is provided with an executive program which is determinative of system parameters to be monitored as well as limits upon sootblowing program routines to be established. Once a sootblowing program routine has been initiated by an operator, the programmable controller issues orders to the sootblower drivers to start an initial sequence of sootblowers defined in the inititated sootblowing program routine.

Abstract: An automatically regulated variable orifice desuperheater valve is disclosed which includes improved constructional features providing for a more compact installation then heretofore, one which is more reliable in operation and which is at the same time more economical to construct. The desuperheater unit has a welded-closed housing, which includes a concentrically mounted valve guide structure. The lower portion of the desuperheater valve housing structure is arranged so that, after the unit is welded closed, with the valve guide structure contained therein, the valve element may be inserted into the housing from the bottom or inlet opening, followed by a shouldered sleeve which functions as the valve seat. The sleeve is seated against a facing shoulder in the inlet opening of the valve housing, and is secured against such shoulder by appropriate means such as welding.