Abstract: A pressure retained gasket seal provides enhanced resistance to hydraulic unloading by including a notch formed in a rear face of the gasket groove, thereby reducing intrusion of process fluid behind the gasket and improving hydraulic retention of the gasket seal. Embodiments increase the process fluid pressure limit of the gasket seal by a factor of two or three compared to gasket seals of the prior art. In embodiments, the gasket groove has a dovetail cross-section, thereby increasing resistance to process fluid pressure by requiring compression of the gasket before it can be dislodged from the groove. Embodiments form the gasket from flexible graphite, which can be initially shaped as an annulus and then forced by an applied load into the gasket groove in conformance with the notch. Embodiments include compressing the graphite to within 50% or even 70% of its maximum density during installation thereof.

Abstract: An end face mechanical seal for a high pressure, compressible fluid includes metal or ceramic seal faces separated by a seal gap having at least one supersonic region that accelerates the fluid in the leakage direction, producing a shockwave that reduces fluid pressure to significantly reduce viscous heating and gap length. A choke width of the seal gap formed between the converging and diverging segments of the first supersonic region is between 50 and 200 micro-inches, and upper and lower boundaries thereof are flat, with combined slopes of less than 10 degrees. A total length of all of the supersonic regions is less than 0.1 inches. A non-supersonic region can further reduce fluid pressure by inducing viscous stresses. The seal can be configured axially or radially, and can be used as a pre-conditioner in combination with a conventional downstream mechanical fluid seal.

Abstract: A pressure retained gasket seal provides enhanced resistance to hydraulic unloading by including a notch formed in a rear face of the gasket groove, thereby reducing intrusion of process fluid behind the gasket and improving hydraulic retention of the gasket seal. Embodiments increase the process fluid pressure limit of the gasket seal by a factor of two or three compared to gasket seals of the prior art. In embodiments, the gasket groove has a dovetail cross-section, thereby increasing resistance to process fluid pressure by requiring compression of the gasket before it can be dislodged from the groove. Embodiments form the gasket from flexible graphite, which can be initially shaped as an annulus and then forced by an applied load into the gasket groove in conformance with the notch. Embodiments include compressing the graphite to within 50% or even 70% of its maximum density during installation thereof.

Abstract: A method to extract, amplify and separate nucleic acid in a microfluidic device having a plurality of chambers and channels can include a) introducing cells having nucleic acid to a first chamber of the microfluidic device and subjecting the cells in the first chamber to conditions that lyse the cells. The method can further include b) subjecting the first chamber to centrifugal force, thereby allowing the lysate or a portion thereof having nucleic acid to be distributed to a second chamber through a first channel in the microfluidic device. The method can also include c) combining the lysate or the portion thereof and reagents for amplification of the nucleic acid, thereby providing a second mixture. The method can also include d) subjecting the second chamber to centrifugal force, thereby allowing gas to be expelled from the second mixture.

Abstract: When a user visits a website in response to selecting an advertisement, information about the user and/or about the user's visit to the website can be obtained. During the user's visit to the website, a tracking phone number can be displayed. If the user calls the tracking phone number to complete a purchase, an identifier can be embedded in the phone call. A system that handles the phone call can extract the identifier and use it to uniquely associate the phone call with the information obtained about the user's online activity. The system can also use the identifier to obtain the information so it can be used to customize the routing and/or handling of the phone call. The information may also be employed to dynamically determine if or when to present a tracking phone number to the user.

Abstract: A method to extract, amplify and separate nucleic acid in a microfluidic device having a plurality of chambers and channels can include a) introducing cells having nucleic acid to a first chamber of the microfluidic device and subjecting the cells in the first chamber to conditions that lyse the cells. The method can further include b) subjecting the first chamber to centrifugal force, thereby allowing the lysate or a portion thereof having nucleic acid to be distributed to a second chamber through a first channel in the microfluidic device. The method can also include c) combining the lysate or the portion thereof and reagents for amplification of the nucleic acid, thereby providing a second mixture. The method can also include d) subjecting the second chamber to centrifugal force, thereby allowing gas to be expelled from the second mixture.

Abstract: An end face mechanical seal for a high pressure, compressible fluid includes metal or ceramic seal faces separated by a seal gap having at least one supersonic region that accelerates the fluid in the leakage direction, producing a shockwave that reduces fluid pressure to significantly reduce viscous heating and gap length. A choke width of the seal gap formed between the converging and diverging segments of the first supersonic region is between 50 and 200 micro-inches, and upper and lower boundaries thereof are flat, with combined slopes of less than 10 degrees. A total length of all of the supersonic regions is less than 0.1 inches. A non-supersonic region can further reduce fluid pressure by inducing viscous stresses. The seal can be configured axially or radially, and can be used as a pre-conditioner in combination with a conventional downstream mechanical fluid seal.

Abstract: A lowest rate on a multi-night lodging stay is achieved by obtaining lodging rate information for a first lodging location from a plurality of lodging rate sources. The information is correlated with a desired multi-night lodging stay to locate a lowest lodging rate for each of the nights of the desired multi-night lodging stay. Then, a plurality of lodging reservations corresponding to the multi-night lodging stay are generated, wherein at least two of the lodging reservations correspond to different nights of the multi-night lodging stay and are placed through different lodging reservation systems.

Abstract: A lowest rate on a multi-night lodging stay is achieved by obtaining lodging rate information for a first lodging location from a plurality of lodging rate sources. The information is correlated with a desired multi-night lodging stay to locate a lowest lodging rate for each of the nights of the desired multi-night lodging stay. Then, a plurality of lodging reservations corresponding to the multi-night lodging stay are generated, wherein at least two of the lodging reservations correspond to different nights of the multi-night lodging stay and are placed through different lodging reservation systems.

Abstract: A shockwave-inducing mechanical rotating shaft seal includes a seal face gap having at least one section of converging and then diverging gap width that supersonically accelerates compressible fluid escaping through the seal gap, thereby causing a shockwave that reduces the fluid pressure and provides a high pressure fluid seal with significantly reduced viscous heating and gap width. A plurality of the converging-diverging sections can be provided, having a combined width between 0.004 and 0.008 inches. The converging-diverging sections can be configured to accelerate the fluid to a Mach number less than 4. The gap can further include a section of flat, parallel seal faces that induce viscous stresses in the fluid, thereby further reducing the fluid pressure. The seal can be configured with axially directed seal faces or radially directed seal faces, and/or used as a pre-conditioner in combination with a conventional downstream mechanical fluid seal.

Abstract: A method to extract, amplify and separate nucleic acid in a microfluidic device having a plurality of chambers and channels can include a) introducing cells having nucleic acid to a first chamber of the microfluidic device and subjecting the cells in the first chamber to conditions that lyse the cells. The method can further include b) subjecting the first chamber to centrifugal force, thereby allowing the lysate or a portion thereof having nucleic acid to be distributed to a second chamber through a first channel in the microfluidic device. The method can also include c) combining the lysate or the portion thereof and reagents for amplification of the nucleic acid, thereby providing a second mixture. The method can also include d) subjecting the second chamber to centrifugal force, thereby allowing gas to be expelled from the second mixture.

Abstract: A lowest rate on a multi-night lodging stay is achieved by obtaining lodging rate information for a first lodging location from a plurality of lodging rate sources. The information is correlated with each night of a window during which a consumer is available to travel. A block of nights within the window having the lowest lodging rate is identified. Then, a plurality of lodging reservations corresponding to the identified block are generated, wherein at least two of the lodging reservations correspond to different nights of the multi-night lodging stay and are placed through different lodging reservation systems. A block having the lowest total cost of travel can also be identified by considering the cost of other travel related expenses in conjunction with the lodging rate for the block.

Abstract: An itinerary can be scheduled interactively by assisting a user in identifying which destinations or attractions can be visited during a vacation based on a specified location where the user intends to be during the vacation. A database of information about each possible destination or attraction as well as about available transportation between such destinations and attractions can be maintained. This information can identify many different criteria that can be used to determine whether it would be desirable or feasible for the user to visit the destination or attraction based on an intended location of the user. The information can be compiled based on input from locals or other experts that are familiar with the destinations or attractions. Once an itinerary is scheduled, reservation requests can be automatically generated for any destination and/or mode of transportation that was selected for inclusion in the itinerary.

Abstract: When a user visits a website in response to selecting an advertisement, information about the user and/or about the user's visit to the website can be obtained. During the user's visit to the website, a tracking phone number can be displayed. If the user calls the tracking phone number to complete a purchase, an identifier can be embedded in the phone call. A system that handles the phone call can extract the identifier and use it to uniquely associate the phone call with the information obtained about the user's online activity. The system can also use the identifier to obtain the information so it can be used to customize the routing and/or handling of the phone call. The information may also be employed to dynamically determine if or when to present a tracking phone number to the user.

Abstract: A tappet having a contiguous body, an outer wall and transverse web. The outer wall defines a cylindrically-shaped outer surface and a recess. The recess is disposed within cylindrical surface of the body. An alignment member is press-fit between two staked ends of the recess, which engage opposite sides of the alignment member. The alignment member extends outwardly from the cylindrically-shaped surface. A roller is mounted to the contiguous body at the cam contacting end of the tappet.

Abstract: A lowest rate on a multi-night lodging stay is achieved by obtaining lodging rate information for a first lodging location from a plurality of lodging rate sources. The information is correlated with each night of a window during which a consumer is available to travel. A block of nights within the window having the lowest lodging rate is identified. Then, a plurality of lodging reservations corresponding to the identified block are generated, wherein at least two of the lodging reservations correspond to different nights of the multi-night lodging stay and are placed through different lodging reservation systems. A block having the lowest total cost of travel can also be identified by considering the cost of other travel related expenses in conjunction with the lodging rate for the block.

Abstract: A lowest rate on a multi-night lodging stay is achieved by obtaining lodging rate information for a first lodging location from a plurality of lodging rate sources. The information is correlated with a desired multi-night lodging stay to locate a lowest lodging rate for each of the nights of the desired multi-night lodging stay. Then, a plurality of lodging reservations corresponding to the multi-night lodging stay are generated, wherein at least two of the lodging reservations correspond to different nights of the multi-night lodging stay and are placed through different lodging reservation systems.

Abstract: A tappet having a contiguous body, an outer wall and transverse web. The outer wall defines a cylindrically-shaped outer surface and a recess. The recess is disposed within cylindrical surface of the body. An alignment member is press-fit between two staked ends of the recess, which engage opposite sides of the alignment member. The alignment member extends outwardly from the cylindrically-shaped surface. A roller is mounted to the contiguous body at the cam contacting end of the tappet.