Abstract: An elongated drive string assembly includes a plurality of hollow sucker rods and connecting elements with an axis, connected together and between a drive head located at the surface of an oil well and a rotary pump located deep down in an oil well. Each hollow sucker rod has at least a first end including an internal female threaded surface engaging an external male threaded surface on a connecting element, such as a nipple. The first end also includes a torque shoulder, which engages a torque shoulder formed on the connecting element. The threads are frusto-conical, non-symmetrical threads with a differential diametral taper. The torque shoulders have a maximized mean diameter and cross-sectional area to resist storing reactive torque in the drive string. The nipple has a wall cross-section that increases towards the torque shoulders from each free end, to increase fatigue resistance.

Abstract: An elongated drive string assembly comprising a plurality of hollow sucker rods and a connecting elements with an axis, connected together and between a drive head located at the surface of an oil well and a rotary pump located deep down hole in an oil well. Each hollow sucker rod has at least a first end comprising an internal female threaded surface engaging an external male threaded surface on a connecting element, such as a nipple. In order to further optimize the stress distribution between the elements, frustro-conical, non-symmetrical threads with a differential diametral taper are used. The torque shoulders have a maximized mean diameter and cross-sectional area to resist storing reactive torque in the drive string. A modified nipple preferably has a small seal at its free end to decrease corrosion erosion problems. A modified rod may have a series of holes at each extreme end, to substantially increase the flow of fluid extracted.

Abstract: A furnace diagnostic system includes sensors that monitor various functions of the furnace. Data generated by such sensors may be stored for subsequent transfer or may be transferred in real time via an infra red link to a remote handheld device with which an analysis thereof is performed. The handheld device additionally allows the technician to control various furnace functions to facilitate the generation of relevant real time data. In order to further enhance the system's diagnostics capabilities, the communication may be established with a centralized computing facility which includes a data base containing data relating to an entire population of similar furnaces.

Abstract: An article of footwear is provided that includes a sizing apparatus to allow the shoe size to be adjustable by the wearer. The article of footwear in the form of a shoe includes a sole, an upper extending from the sole, and a sizing apparatus located within the upper, in which a sizing member is attached to the upper at the rear end of the shoe. The sizing apparatus may include a composite inner core, a detachment feature, and a dual selective fastening system. The inner core may be substantially enclosed in a lining. The sizing apparatus enables a user to adjust the effective length of the shoe to at least three effective lengths. A method of adjusting the size of the article of footwear is provided to make the shoe at least three effective lengths.

Abstract: An elongated drive string assembly comprising a plurality of hollow sucker rods and a connecting elements with an axis, connected together and between a drive head located at the surface of an oil well and a rotary pump located deep down hole in an oil well. Each hollow sucker rod has at least a first end comprising an internal female threaded surface engaging an external male threaded surface on a connecting element, such as a nipple. In order to further optimize the stress distribution between the elements, frustro-conical, non-symmetrical threads with a differential diametral taper are used. The torque shoulders have a maximized mean diameter and cross-sectional area to resist storing reactive torque in the drive string. The nipple preferably has a wall cross-section that increases towards the torque shoulders from each free end, to increase fatigue resistance.

Abstract: The present invention, in one embodiment, is a device for moving a hospital bed. The device comprises a body, a motor driven wheel coupled to the body, and a hitch coupled to the body and adapted for engaging the hospital bed. Finally, the present invention, in yet another embodiment, is a method for moving a hospital bed with a motorized device. The method comprises maneuvering the device into position next to the hospital bed, hitching the device to the hospital bed, and moving the hospital bed with the device.

Abstract: A furnace diagnostic system includes sensors that monitor various functions of the furnace. Data generated by such sensors may be stored for subsequent transfer or may be transferred in real time via an infra red link to a remote handheld device with which an analysis thereof is performed. The handheld device additionally allows the technician to control various furnace functions to facilitate the generation of relevant real time data. In order to further enhance the system's diagnostics capabilities, the communication may be established with a centralized computing facility which includes a data base containing data relating to an entire population of similar furnaces.

Abstract: A method for generating colonography images for colorectal screening of a patient. The patient is administered an amount of radiopaque stool marker which will enable stool present in the patient's colon to be distinguished from soft tissue. The patient's colon is imaged after the stool marker has been administered to generate colonography images. Preparation of the colon is simulated by processing the colonography images to remove marked stool before the images are observed during a diagnosis session.

Abstract: A furnace diagnostic system includes sensors that monitor various functions of the furnace. Data generated by such sensors may be stored for subsequent transfer or may be transferred in real time via an infra red link to a remote handheld device with which an analysis thereof is performed. The handheld device additionally allows the technician to control various furnace functions to facilitate the generation of relevant real time data. In order to further enhance the system's diagnostics capabilities, the communication may be established with a centralized computing facility which includes a data base containing data relating to an entire population of similar furnaces.

Abstract: A combination of a specific first coupling agent, second coupling agent, and carrier solvent is synergistically effective as a primer for improving the adhesion of silicone compositions, especially hydrosilation cured silicone gels, to polymer surfaces. The first coupling agent is a titanium-, boron-, or zirconium-containing coupling agent, or a combination of such. The second coupling agent is a silane coupling agent.

Abstract: A method for generating colonography images for colorectal screening of a patient. The patient is administered an amount of radiopaque stool marker which will enable stool present in the patient's colon to be distinguished from soft tissue. The patient's colon is imaged after the stool marker has been administered to generate colonography images. Preparation of the colon is simulated by processing the colonography images to remove marked stool before the images are observed during a diagnosis session.

Abstract: A furnace diagnostic system includes sensors that monitor various functions of the furnace. Data generated by such sensors may be stored for subsequent transfer or may be transferred in real time via an infra red link to a remote handheld device with which an analysis thereof is performed. The handheld device additionally allows the technician to control various furnace functions to facilitate the generation of relevant real time data. In order to further enhance the system's diagnostics capabilities, the communication may be established with a centralized computing facility which includes a data base containing data relating to an entire population of similar furnaces.

Abstract: A motion sensor (10) includes a micromachined sensing structure and a number of capacitive electrodes (20) disposed about a periphery thereof. The sensing structure includes a ring (14) supported above a substrate (12) so as to have an axis of rotation normal to the substrate (12), and a number of springs (16) attached to a post (18) positioned at the center of the ring (14). Certain diametrically opposed ones of the capacitive electrodes (20) are configured as drive electrodes (20a), and other diametrically opposed ones of the capacitive electrodes (20), positioned 90 degrees relative to the corresponding drive electrodes (20a) are configured as sense electrodes (20b). Signals produced at the opposed sense electrodes (20b) are conditioned and coupled to a common input of an amplifier circuit (64,70).

Abstract: A safety ladder stand comprising a generally rectangular base having a front and rear and a center beam, a plurality of stair treads extending upward from the front of said base and means for supporting said stair treads secured to said base, front wheels mounted at the front of said base and beneath the top of said stair treads; center wheels mounted on said center beam of said base, and rear wheels mounted at the rear of said base, and a set of feet mounted on the front of said base; wherein said ladder stand has an activated position wherein said front and center wheel sets are in contact with the ground to enable said ladder stand to roll and said rear wheels and front support feet are not in contact with the ground, as well as a deactivated position wherein the front and center wheel sets are not in contact with the ground and said rear wheels and front support feet are in contact with the ground to prevent said ladder stand from being rolled; and means for moving said ladder stand from said deactivated

Abstract: A safety ladder stand comprising a generally rectangular base having a front and rear and a center beam, a plurality of stair treads extending upward from the front of said base and means for supporting said stair treads secured to said base, front wheels mounted at the front of said base and beneath the top of said stair treads; center wheels mounted on said center beam of said base, and rear wheels mounted at the rear of said base, and a set of feet mounted on the front of said base; wherein said ladder stand has an activated position wherein said front and center wheel sets are in contact with the ground to enable said ladder stand to roll and said rear wheels and front support feet are not in contact with the ground, as well as a deactivated position wherein the front and center wheel sets are not in contact with the ground and said rear wheels and front support feet are in contact with the ground to prevent said ladder stand from being rolled; and means for moving said ladder stand from said deactivated

Abstract: A safety ladder stand comprising a generally rectangular base having a front and rear and a center beam, a plurality of stair treads extending upward from the front of said base and means for supporting said stair treads secured to said base, front wheels mounted at the front of said base and beneath the top of said stair treads; center wheels mounted on said center beam of said base, and rear wheels mounted at the rear of said base, and a set of feet mounted on the front of said base; wherein said ladder stand has an activated position wherein said front and center wheel sets are in contact with the ground to enable said ladder stand to roll and said rear wheels and front support feet are not in contact with the ground, as well as a deactivated position wherein the front and center wheel sets are not in contact with the ground and said rear wheels and front support feet are in contact with the ground to prevent said ladder stand from being rolled; and means for moving said ladder stand from said deactivated

Abstract: A flow measuring device for indicating the leak status of a pressurized fluid-carrying line pressurized by a pump includes an electronic leak sensing module connected in fluid communication with the pressurized line and configured for insertion within a detection port of a pump manifold. The module includes a thermal sensor effected by flow through the pressurized line, whereby leaks in the pressurized line are detected by monitoring the thermal sensor for changes in output signal that correspond to flow through the pressurized fluid-carrying line. The flow measuring device includes a system control unit for monitoring the electronic leak sensing module and indicating the leak status of the pressurized line. Wires which provide power to the leak sensing module, the system control unit and the pump for pressurizing the pressurized line are also used for communication.

Abstract: A system, method, and article of manufacture for imaging tubular structures of the human body, such as the digestive tract of a living person, with a medical imaging device such as a computed tomography (CT) scanner and a computer workstation. The CT scanner is used to generate cross-sectional axial images of a human colon which are then transferred to the computer workstation. A colon midline is defined which follows the colon lumen. The computer workstation supports colon midline definition by generating and displaying reformatted cross-sectional images, volume rendered scouts, and interluminal views. Semi-automatic midline defining tools are also included. After the midline is defined, a montage of images is displayed for diagnostic purposes. The images include axial sections, transluminal cross section, and intraluminal volume rendered images.

Abstract: A motion sensor having a micromachine sensing element and electrodes formed on a silicon chip. The sensing element includes a ring supported above a substrate so as to have an axis of rotation normal to the substrate. Surrounding the ring is at least one pair of diametrically-opposed electrode structures. The sensing ring and electrode structures are configured to include interdigitized members whose relative placement to each other enables at least partial cancellation of the effect of differential thermal expansion of the ring and electrodes. As a result, the performance of the motion sensor is, to first order, insensitive to temperature variation. The sensor further includes circuitry for creating and detecting an electrostatic force between the interdigitized members of the sensing ring and electrode structures.

Abstract: A yaw sensor for automotive controls has a microstructure vibrating ring excited by a driving circuit. The driving circuit comprises an amplitude control loop which delivers voltage pulses at the resonant frequency of the ring. A compensation signal is derived from a comparison of a sensed vibration amplitude to a desired vibration amplitude. Failure of vibration is detected by comparing the compensation signal to a threshold which is higher than a normal compensation signal. Alternatively, vibration failure is detected by comparing the sensed vibration to a threshold lower than the desired vibration amplitude. Upon such failure, the yaw output signal is replaced by ground potential.