Abstract: Systems and methods useful in transmitting information from celebrity-providers to fan-users are provided. System and methods include a global data structure representing at least one celebrity-provider profile, an internal data structure coupled to the global data structure, and a computer server coupled to the global data structure and the internal data structure. The internal data structure includes a handler class programmed to convert raw celebrity-provider data into organized celebrity-provider data, at least one model representing celebrity-provider data, at least one view attached to a corresponding model and being programmed to retrieve the celebrity-provider data from the corresponding model, and a controller coupling the system to one or more fan-users. The model accesses the at least one handler class. The controller is programmed to provide at least one view to one or more fan-users.

Abstract: A continuous process wherein polymers or polymeric materials can be subjected to multiple sequential processing systems of differing temperatures and process conditions to synergistically enhance the pelletization and crystallization of those polymers and polymeric formulations, dispersions, and solutions. The multiple sequential processing systems include the processes and equipment for mixing/extrusion, pelletization, multiple transportation processes, crystallization, multiple drying processes, and optional post-processing manipulations of pellets formed. Multiple serial and/or parallel crystallization processing systems are disclosed.

Abstract: A positionable gas nozzle assembly for injecting and directing pressurized air or other gas having an inert nature into a pellet slurry so as to increase the velocity of the slurry from a pelletizer to and through a dryer. The variably positionable nozzle can be inserted, retracted and/or intermediately positioned to facilitate start-up of the pelletization process, reduce or eliminate pellet hang-up points, maximize and optimize the velocity of the pellet slurry throughput, and to adjust the aspiration level of the pellet slurry such that the internal heat of the pellets is retained for improved degrees of crystallization and/or drying.

Abstract: A positionable gas nozzle assembly having a nozzle tube for injecting and directing pressurized air or other inert gas into a pellet slurry so as to increase the velocity of the slurry from a pelletizer to and through a dryer. The variably positionable nozzle tube can be inserted, retracted and/or intermediately positioned either manually or using an automated control system. The automated control system preferably includes a pneumatic cylinder movably engaged with a carriage that is fixedly coupled to the nozzle tube. The pneumatic cylinder contains a piston that is magnetically coupled with the carriage such that movement of the piston in response to the injection of pressurized air into the cylinder also moves the carriage and the nozzle tube to obtain the variable positions.

Abstract: A positionable gas nozzle assembly having a nozzle tube for injecting and directing pressurized air or other inert gas into a pellet slurry so as to increase the velocity of the slurry from a pelletizer to and through a dryer. The variably positionable nozzle tube can be inserted, retracted and/or intermediately positioned either manually or using an automated control system. The automated control system preferably includes a pneumatic cylinder movably engaged with a carriage that is fixedly coupled to the nozzle tube. The pneumatic cylinder contains a piston that is magnetically coupled with the carriage such that movement of the piston in response to the injection of pressurized air into the cylinder also moves the carriage and the nozzle tube to obtain the variable positions.

Abstract: A positionable gas nozzle assembly for injecting and directing pressurized air or other gas having an inert nature into a pellet slurry so as to increase the velocity of the slurry from a pelletizer to and through a dryer. The variably positionable nozzle can be inserted, retracted and/or intermediately positioned to facilitate start-up of the pelletization process, reduce or eliminate pellet hang-up points, maximize and optimize the velocity of the pellet slurry throughput, and to adjust the aspiration level of the pellet slurry such that the internal heat of the pellets is retained for improved degrees of crystallization and/or drying.

Abstract: A method in a magnetic storage disk drive for independently learning and thereafter canceling repeatable runout that is written to the servo fields of each servo track during the servo writing process. The method does not require a servo writer because the disk drive may independently detect the runout without spinning out of control in response to such runout by operating its servo control loop in a low bandwidth mode so that it is less responsive to the higher frequency components of the runout, and by removing the effect of the DC component of the runout or selected harmonics on each revolution.

Abstract: Apparatus (100) and accompanying methods for accurately simulating a digital facility, including impairments, in a public switched telephone network (PSTN). The invention is particularly suited for precisely emulating, as part of that facility, a line card within a channel bank including a hardware coder-decoder (CODEC) circuit contained therein, but without using an actual CODEC. Specifically, to properly emulate a digital facility, including such a line card, impairments, which need to be emulated, arise not only from the network facility itself but also from the line card. The former include robbed bit signaling (RBS), digital trunk loss and network delay. The latter include intermodulation distortion (IMD), analog loss and echo. To achieve very precise emulation, the simulator implements IMD and network impairments digitally but with the former impairment being processed at much higher, i.e., oversampled, (illustratively 32 kHz) sample rate relative to the sample rate for the latter impairments (e.g.

Abstract: A method in a magnetic storage disk drive for independently learning and thereafter canceling repeatable runout that is written to the servo fields of each servo track during the servo writing process. The method does not require a servo writer because the disk drive may independently detect the runout without spinning out of control in response to such runout by operating its servo control loop in a low bandwidth mode so that it is less responsive to the higher frequency components of the runout, and by removing the effect of the DC component of the runout or selected harmonics on each revolution.The method takes several revolutions to "learn" the servo wedges of a current track by initializing a wedge runout value for each servo wedge and an average uncorrected runout value and then successively developing an interim wedge runout estimate for each servo wedge by adding a fractional portion .lambda. of a raw position error signal to a fractional portion (1-.lambda.

Abstract: A nozzle setting jig useful for aligning and holding a nozzle in proper orientation in an upwardly positioned opening in a sidewall of a pipe or round vessel for welding the nozzle thereto. The jig is useful for use with standard nozzles which nozzles include a short cylindrical section with a flange attached to one end while the other end is contoured cut to coincide with the curvature of a sidewall of a pipe or vessel to which the nozzle will be attached. The nozzle setting jig includes a nozzle flange mounting plate with two length adjustably legs which are self centering and which are adaptable for use with numerous size nozzles. The jig allows a welder to set the proper depth of the nozzle within the opening in the pipe or vessel while also aligning the heavy nozzle both laterally and archingly in relation to the longitudinal axis of the pipe or vessel to which the nozzle will be attached.

Abstract: A disk drive controller having a microprocessor and a sampled signal head positioning system measures and stores the relative rotational offsets between heads arranged in a stacked relationship and respective servo wedges on different disk surfaces. The offsets are stored in a table and subsequently applied to a servo wedge detection circuit to ensure that a next sequential wedge is detected after a head switch.

Abstract: A circle cutting device that is particularly useful for cutting openings through pipe and round vessels and may also be utilized for cutting circular openings through flat material. The device utilizes a conventional oxygen acetylene cutting torch or plasma cutter and also may be angled to provide a means for bevel cutting circular openings at a desired angle. The device is portable and easily used in field operations by a craftsman.