Abstract: A cluster storage system takes snapshots that are consistent across all storage nodes. The storage system can nearly instantaneously promote a set of consistent snapshots to their respective base volumes to restore the base volumes to be the same as the snapshots. Given these two capabilities, users can restore the system to a recovery point of the user's choice, by turning off storage service I/O, promoting the snapshots constituting the recovery point, rebooting their servers, and resuming storage service I/O.

Abstract: A storage system (400) includes a storage processor (420-1) such as a storage card resident in a host server (410-1) and coupled to the storage device (450-1). The storage processor (420-1) may be configured to create a virtual volume (428-1), store content derived from an image (492) downloaded from a URL storage corresponding to the virtual volume (428-1), and present the virtual volume (428-1) to the host server as a boot LUN. A management infrastructure (480) can be used to create a library (490) of images (492, 494) corresponding to different storage system characteristics and used to selected which URL is provided to the storage processor (420-1).

Abstract: A storage system (400) includes a storage processor (420-1) such as a storage card resident in a host server (410-1) and coupled to the storage device (450-1). The storage processor (420-1) may be configured to create a virtual volume (428-1), store content derived from an image (492) downloaded from a URL storage corresponding to the virtual volume (428-1), and present the virtual volume (428-1) to the host server as a boot LUN. A management infrastructure (480) can be used to create a library (490) of images (492, 494) corresponding to different storage system characteristics and used to selected which URL is provided to the storage processor (420-1).

Abstract: A storage system (100) stores metadata using an append log to provide speed and reliability. Appending entities to the end of a metadata store (154) and provides reliability in the event of failure because a failed append operation at worst corrupts the end of the append log, which is easily detected and corrected. A metadata store (154) can be split into sections (158). A used section (158) may be identified as garbage when the stored metadata in other sections (158) make the all of its stored entity sets stale. A used section (158) can be made garbage by storing the entity sets from the section (158) in another section (158). Sections (158) containing garbage thereby change to unused allow replacement and removal of previous sections (158) of metadata.

Abstract: A storage processing unit (SPU), which may be resident in a server in a storage system, provides a boot volume to the server and provides storage services. The SPU may execute a process including taking three snapshots of the boot volume respectively after writing an operating system image into the boot volume, after writing component images or otherwise customizing contents of the boot volume, and after the server boots from the boot volume. For updates, stability, or recovery of the storage system, the SPU may promote any of the snapshots to be the boot volume before the server reboots.

Abstract: A cluster storage system takes snapshots that are consistent across all storage nodes. The storage system can nearly instantaneously promote a set of consistent snapshots to their respective base volumes to restore the base volumes to be the same as the snapshots. Given these two capabilities, users can restore the system to a recovery point of the user's choice, by turning off storage service I/O, promoting the snapshots constituting the recovery point, rebooting their servers, and resuming storage service I/O.

Abstract: A cluster storage system including servers containing storage processing units (SPUs) can create synchronized snapshot sets for the volumes that the SPUs maintain and can report the snapshot sets to a cloud-based service. Each snapshot in a set reflects the state a corresponding volume had at a rollback point corresponding to the set. A user of the storage system contacts the cloud-based service about recovery of the storage system, and the cloud-based service may present the user with a list of rollback points corresponding to the synchronized snapshot sets. The user may select to recover the storage system to any of the rollback points, and the SPUs promote the selected snapshots to replace the volumes for storage services.

Abstract: A storage system (100) stores metadata using an append log to provide speed and reliability. Appending entities to the end of a metadata store (154) and provides reliability in the event of failure because a failed append operation at worst corrupts the end of the append log, which is easily detected and corrected. A metadata store (154) can be split into sections (158). A used section (158) may be identified as garbage when the stored metadata in other sections (158) make the all of its stored entity sets stale. A used section (158) can be made garbage by storing the entity sets from the section (158) in another section (158). Sections (158) containing garbage thereby change to unused allow replacement and removal of previous sections (158) of metadata.

Abstract: A storage system (400) includes a storage processor (420-1) such as a storage card resident in a host server (410-1) and coupled to the storage device (450-1). The storage processor (420-1) may be configured to create a virtual volume (428-1), store content derived from an image (492) downloaded from a URL storage corresponding to the virtual volume (428-1), and present the virtual volume (428-1) to the host server as a boot LUN. A management infrastructure (480) can be used to create a library (490) of images (492, 494) corresponding to different storage system characteristics and used to selected which URL is provided to the storage processor (420-1).

Abstract: A FEPS (flexion extension pronation supination) device includes: a structural frame; a shaft mounted to rotate relative to the structure frame; and a brake that is structured to apply a selectively variable resistance against rotation of the shaft relative to the structural frame. A FEPS (flexion extension pronation supination) device includes: a structural frame; a shaft mounted to rotate relative to the structure frame; and a gripping member mounted to the structural frame and structured to adhere to an external support surface. A method includes operating the FEPS device by rotating the shaft.

Abstract: A truck bed cargo lift and loader is provided consisting of a pivotable and extendable platform or tray whose side supports are connected to linkage bars attached to carriers located in proximity to each base beam on the side of the lift and loader towards the open end of the truck bed, and which carriers travel along a worm gear jack screw with opposing threads installed in the cross member connecting the side base beams, such that when the jack screw rotates upon being driven by an electric motor or by a manually operated hand crank connected to a gearbox attached to the jack screw, the carriers travel towards and away from each other depending on the direction of rotation of the jack screw thereby raising and lowering the linkage bars with their platform or tray.

Abstract: A FEPS (flexion extension pronation supination) device includes: a structural frame; a shaft mounted to rotate relative to the structure frame; and a brake that is structured to apply a selectively variable resistance against rotation of the shaft relative to the structural frame. A FEPS (flexion extension pronation supination) device includes: a structural frame; a shaft mounted to rotate relative to the structure frame; and a gripping member mounted to the structural frame and structured to adhere to an external support surface. A method includes operating the FEPS device by rotating the shaft.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to an improved fishing rod guide. In one embodiment the improved fishing rod includes superhydrophobic metal guides. The superhydrophobic metal guides make it possible for fishing line, including, for example, fly fishing line and conventional fishing line, to move through the guides with less weight and drag due to water and ice accumulation, allowing for significantly greater distance and ease in casting. Additionally, the decrease in friction between the fishing line and line guides help extend the life of the fishing line.

Abstract: An actuator with an anti-drool valve is provided for attaching to or mounting on an aerosol container. Aerosol actuators, and more recently trigger actuated aerosol actuators, may include a manifold which fits to or communicates with a valve on an aerosol container or can. Aerosol containers or cans typically contain a propellant such as a compressed gas or a volatile hydrocarbon. The contents of the container, along with the propellant, are held in the container by a container valve.

Abstract: An actuator with an anti-drool valve is provided for attaching to or mounting on an aerosol container. Aerosol actuators, and more recently trigger actuated aerosol actuators, may include a manifold which fits to or communicates with a valve on an aerosol container or can. Aerosol containers or cans typically contain a propellant such as a compressed gas or a volatile hydrocarbon. The contents of the container, along with the propellant, are held in the container by a container valve.

Abstract: A sprayer includes a discharge valve assembly and includes an integrated poppet valve, spring and volume reducer. The spring includes more than omega-shaped form, each with relatively flat sides. The spring can have sides with portions sufficiently wide to substantially extend across the valve chamber to provide stability to the spring and prevent buckling. The flat sided omega-form construct is relatively easy to manufacture via molding and the ends of such construction provide suitable locations for integrated molding with the valve and the volume reducer.

Abstract: A sprayer includes a discharge valve assembly and includes an integrated poppet valve, spring and volume reducer. The spring includes more than omega-shaped form, each with relatively flat sides. The spring can have sides with portions sufficiently wide to substantially extend across the valve chamber to provide stability to the spring and prevent buckling. The flat sided omega-form construct is relatively easy to manufacture via molding and the ends of such construction provide suitable locations for integrated molding with the valve and the volume reducer.

Abstract: A three part housing for a battery powered spray head includes a left half shell, a right half shell and a hinged top. The batteries are located in the upper portion of the housing below the hinged top (battery cover). The inner front of the top is provided with a downward depending latch member and a spring biased latch member is provided inside the housing. The spring biased latch member is actuated by inserting a pin (or stylus) through a hole in one of the half shells. This prevents accidental opening of the battery cover.

Abstract: Hydrogen sulfide is removed or reduced in absorbent products by the use of a particulate material attached to pulp fiber by a retention aid. The particulate material can remove or reduce the hydrogen sulfide in the environment surrounding the fiber. Suitable materials are zinc oxide, calcium oxide, cupric oxide, magnesium oxide, manganese dioxide, manganese oxide and aluminum oxide. Zeolites are also suitable. The particulate material may be combined with a filler prior to attachment to the fiber.