Abstract: An underreamer for increasing a diameter of a wellbore. The underreamer may include a body with first and second cutter blocks coupled to the body. The first cutter block may have a recess formed therein, and the second cutter block may be positioned in the recess. The first and second cutter blocks may move between retracted and expanded states. In the retracted state, the first and second cutter blocks may have an outer diameter less than or equal to an outer diameter of the body. In the expanded state, the first and second cutter blocks may have different outer diameters, with each being greater than the outer diameter of the body. A method may include running the underreamer into a wellbore, expanding the first and second cutter blocks, and moving the underreamer axially in the wellbore to increase the diameter of the wellbore.

Abstract: An image segmentation method. An image is defined by voxels representing at least two different structure types A and B, by having corresponding different intensities that may be subject to intensity inhomogeneities. A basic method comprises (a) selecting a first voxel to be classified; (b) defining criteria by which a comparison of the intensity associated with the first voxel with an intensity associated with a second voxel is to be considered to indicate that the first voxel represents structure type B assuming the second voxel represents structure type A; (c) determining a path of voxels passing through the first voxel; (d) defining a maximum distance along the path; and (e) determining whether there is a second voxel on the path, within the maximum distance of the first voxel, such that the intensities associated with the first and second voxels together satisfy the criteria, for potentially classifying the first voxel as representing structure type B.

Abstract: A ventilation system for ventilating a passenger compartment of an aircraft is disclosed herein. The ventilation system includes, but is not limited to, a nozzle that is adapted to be mounted proximate an interior of the aircraft and that is configured to direct a stream of air into the passenger compartment. The ventilation system further includes a valve that is spaced apart from the nozzle and positioned upstream of the nozzle, the valve configured to control a flow of air to the nozzle. The ventilation system still further includes a conduit that fluidly couples the valve to the nozzle. The conduit is configured to convey the flow of air from the valve to the nozzle.

Abstract: An image segmentation method. An image is defined by voxels representing at least two different structure types A and B, by having corresponding different intensities that may be subject to intensity inhomogeneities. A basic method comprises (a) selecting a first voxel to be classified; (b) defining criteria by which a comparison of the intensity associated with the first voxel with an intensity associated with a second voxel is to be considered to indicate that the first voxel represents structure type B assuming the second voxel represents structure type A; (c) determining a path of voxels passing through the first voxel; (d) defining a maximum distance along the path; and (e) determining whether there is a second voxel on the path, within the maximum distance of the first voxel, such that the intensities associated with the first and second voxels together satisfy the criteria, for potentially classifying the first voxel as representing structure type B.

Abstract: A vacuum release device is provided for temporarily immobilizing objects, the device comprising: a substrate; a plurality of vacuum release subunits which can be operated independent of each other, each vacuum release subunit comprising an adhesive layer over a surface of the substrate; and a spacing material positioned between the substrate and the adhesive layer so as to form a chamber within which a vacuum may be formed, application of the vacuum causing the adhesive layer to recess toward the chamber.

Abstract: A vacuum release device is provided for temporarily immobilizing objects, the device comprising: a substrate; a plurality of vacuum release subunits which can be operated independent of each other, each vacuum release subunit comprising an adhesive layer over a surface of the substrate; and a spacing material positioned between the substrate and the adhesive layer so as to form a chamber within which a vacuum may be formed, application of the vacuum causing the adhesive layer to recess toward the chamber.

Abstract: A flame-resistant microcapsule that comprises a core comprising a phase change material and a wall material encapsulating the core. The microcapsules includes at least one of: a flame retardant applied to the wall material and a phase change material having a boiling point of about 230° C. to about 420° C. to provided enhanced flame resistance. The phase change material may have a boiling point of about 280° C. to about 400° C. or about 300° C. to about 390° C.

Abstract: A tank assembly and fuel system for an engine having an engine intake. The fuel system may comprise a tank housing defining an interior and an exterior and an opening between the interior and the exterior, a liquid being containable in the interior, vapor being produceable from the liquid, a closure housing connectable to the tank housing to selectively close the opening, a vapor path from the tank interior to the engine intake, and adsorption media for trapping harmful components in the vapor, the adsorption media being supported in the vapor path and being positioned in the vapor path between the tank interior and the engine intake.

Abstract: A tank assembly and a closure device for a tank assembly. The tank assembly may comprise a tank housing defining an interior and an exterior and an opening between the interior and the exterior, a liquid being containable in the interior, vapor being produceable from the liquid, a flow path being defined between the interior and the exterior, a closure housing connectable to the tank housing to selectively close the opening, and adsorption media supported by at least one of the tank housing and the closure housing, vapor being routed along the flow path from the interior of the tank assembly, through the adsorption media and to the exterior of the tank assembly. In some aspects, the adsorption media is supported by the closure housing. In some other aspects, the tank housing includes a receptacle portion having a receptacle interior, the receptacle portion defining the flow path, and the adsorption media is supportable in the receptacle interior.

Abstract: An invention is provided for data bit align. The invention includes a multiplexer that receives a data sample word as data input and also receives a clock sample word as select input. The multiplexer selects a data bit from the data sample word based on the clock sample word. Generally, the multiplexer can select the data bit from the data sample word corresponding to a position of the clock edge in the clock sample word. The invention also includes an output register, which is coupled to the multiplexer. The output register stores the selected data bit from the multiplexer and provides the selected data bit to remaining system components.

Abstract: The present invention provides a dual stage digital filter and a method for filtering digital data signals. The dual stage digital filter includes a pre-filter, a main filter, and an output register. The pre-filter receives a set of first data bits as inputs and is arranged to filter single noise bits from the set of input data bits to output a set of second data bits. The main filter is coupled to receive the set of second data bits as inputs and is arranged to filter burst noise bits from the set of second data bits to output a set of third data bits. The output register is coupled to receive and store the set of third data bits for output.

Abstract: A combination memorial and storage urn for cremated remains is disclosed, and may include a separate container/support and a pedestal for displaying the memorial.

Abstract: An apparatus for correcting duty cycle error is provided which includes circuitry capable of determining existence of a duty cycle error from input data received over data transmissions lines where the circuitry generates duty cycle correction data based on the duty cycle error. The apparatus also includes a digital analog converter (DAC) being coupled to the circuitry where the DAC is capable of receiving a magnitude portion of the duty cycle correction data from the circuitry. The apparatus further includes an adjustable bias driver being coupled to the circuitry, the DAC and the data transmission lines. The adjustable bias driver receives the magnitude portion of the duty cycle correction data from the DAC and receives a polarity portion of the duty cycle correction data from the circuitry where the adjustable bias driver adjusts the polarity of signals applied to the data transmission lines for correcting the duty cycle error.

Abstract: An invention is provided for a deskewer that corrects skew on a data channel. The deskewer includes a delay calculator that calculates deskew data indicating the amount of delay needed to correct skew on a data channel. Coupled to the delay calculator is a deskew circuit that receives the deskew data from the delay calculator and uses the deskew data to delay a bit stream on the data channel.

Abstract: Various methods are described which increase the efficiency and accuracy of a signal processor in determining parameters of a fluid using signals output by a spatial array of sensors disposed along a pipe. In one aspect, parameters used for calculating the temporal Fourier transform of the pressure signals, specifically the amount or duration of the data that the windowing function is applied to and the temporal frequency range, are adjusted in response to the determined parameter. In another aspect, an initialization routine estimates flow velocity so the window length and temporal frequency range can be initially set prior to the full array processing. In another aspect, the quality of one or more of the parameters is determined and used to gate the output of the apparatus in the event of low confidence in the measurement and/or no flow conditions. In another aspect, a method for determining a convective ridge of the pressure signals in the k-? plane is provided.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to a method for producing macrocapsules containing therein a plurality of microcapsules. In accordance with some embodiments of the present invention, the microcapsules contain a phase change material.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to a method for producing macrocapsules containing therein a plurality of microcapsules. In accordance with some embodiments of the present invention, the microcapsules contain a phase change material.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to thermal energy storage compositions comprising macrocapsules containing therein a plurality of microcapsules and to methods for producing macrocapsules containing microcapsules. In accordance with some embodiments of the present invention, the microcapsules contain a phase change material.

Abstract: A vacuum release device is provided for temporarily immobilizing objects, the device comprising: a substrate; a plurality of vacuum release subunits which can be operated independent of each other, each vacuum release subunit comprising an adhesive layer over a surface of the substrate; and a spacing material positioned between the substrate and the adhesive layer so as to form a chamber within which a vacuum may be formed, application of the vacuum causing the adhesive layer to recess toward the chamber.

Abstract: A device is provided for temporarily immobilizing objects, the device comprising: a substrate; two or more adhesive regions, each adhesive region comprising an adhesive layer surface adapted to temporarily immobilize one or more objects relative to the device through adhesion created between the adhesive layer surface and the one or more objects; and a region positioned between adjacent adhesive regions that does not adhere to an object in contact with the adjacent adhesive regions. The region positioned between adjacent adhesive regions that does not adhere to an object in contact with the adjacent adhesive regions may be non-adhesive. Also, the region may not adhere to an object in contact with the adjacent adhesive regions because the surface of that region is below a horizontal plane of the adjacent adhesive regions and thus does not come into contact with an object attached to the device.