Abstract: A system and method for balancing flows of renal replacement fluid is disclosed. The method uses pressure controls and pressure sensing devices to more precisely meter and balance the flow of fresh dialysate and spent dialysate. The balancing system may use one or two balancing devices, such as a balance tube, a tortuous path, or a balance chamber.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for local loop closure is provided. The apparatus includes a component for use in a gas turbine engine. The component includes at least one of an actuator and a servo-valve, at least one sensor, and an electronic module comprising controller electronics and memory. The electronic module is configured to receive and process commands for the at least one of an actuator and a servo-valve and queue received commands in an input buffer.

Abstract: A system is disclosed for inserting advertising description data into an audio/visual data stream, the system including but not limited to a first server processor in data communication with a first computer program comprising instructions embedded in a computer readable medium, wherein the processor is configured to insert advertising trigger signal data into the audio/visual data stream at a super head office (SHO) and send the audio/visual data stream with trigger signal data to an end user client device; and a second processor at a VHO is configured to receive the audio visual data stream and trigger signal data from the first processor, generate a per-VHO multicast data stream and inject advertising description data into the per-VHO multicast stream upon detection of the advertising trigger data in the audio/visual data stream and send the per-VHO multicast data stream from the VHO to the end user client device.

Abstract: A wellbore system suitable for conducting pressure testing of wellbore equipment. The system comprises a casing and a pressure testing valve incorporated within the casing. The pressure testing valve further comprises a sleeve positioned within a housing and transitional from a first to a second position, and from the second to a third position. When the sleeve is in the first and second positions, the sleeve blocks a route of fluid communication via one or more housing ports. When the sleeve is in the third position the sleeve does not block fluid communication. The pressure testing valve is configured such that the sleeve transitions from the first position to the second position when a force in the direction of the second position is applied to the sleeve. When in the second position, a reduction of the force in the direction of the second position to the sleeve causes the sleeve to transition to the third position.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for local loop closure is provided. The apparatus includes a component for use in a gas turbine engine. The component includes at least one of an actuator and a servo-valve or electric motor, at least one sensor, and an electronic module comprising controller electronics and memory. The electronic module is configured to receive and process commands for the at least one of an actuator and a servo-valve and queue received commands in an input buffer.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for monitoring connectivity in a network at a bearer path layer are disclosed. For example, the method receives a request to monitor a user endpoint, identifies an internet protocol address of the user endpoint, an internet protocol address of each transport network element between the user endpoint and a bearer trace server, a bearer path identification of each bearer used by the user endpoint, a quality of service associated with each bearer used by the user endpoint, and a tunnel identification of each bearer used by the user endpoint; and performs a fault isolation and performance monitoring at a bearer path layer, wherein the fault isolation identifies a particular segment where a fault is detected at the bearer path layer.

Abstract: A system and method for balancing flows of renal replacement fluid is disclosed. The method uses pressure controls and pressure sensing devices to more precisely meter and balance the flow of fresh dialysate and spent dialysate. The balancing system may use one or two balancing devices, such as a balance tube, a tortuous path, or a balance chamber.

Abstract: An improved downhole tool apparatus for limiting the extrusion of a sealing elements in downhole tools that use segmented retaining assemblies, retaining shoes or retaining limiters. The apparatus provides for locating the retaining bands for the retaining assemblies in a groove on the inner surface of the retaining assembly so that the bands are protected from breaking prematurely by inadvertently contacting the wellbore, casing within a wellbore, or other object.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for monitoring connectivity in a network at a bearer path layer are disclosed. For example, the method receives a request to monitor a user endpoint, identifies an internet protocol address of the user endpoint, an internet protocol address of each transport network element between the user endpoint and a bearer trace server, a bearer path identification of each bearer used by the user endpoint, a quality of service associated with each bearer used by the user endpoint, and a tunnel identification of each bearer used by the user endpoint; and performs a fault isolation and performance monitoring at a bearer path layer, wherein the fault isolation identifies a particular segment where a fault is detected at the bearer path layer.

Abstract: An electromagnetically shielded enclosure that is portable and lightweight with a double perimeter entry seal. The electromagnetically shielded enclosure can be used for applications such as testing and security and can be scaled from a bench top unit to a large field deployed enclosure. The electromagnetically shielded enclosure has a novel entry seal that eliminates the electromagnetic leakage that is common around the entry areas of such enclosures. The entry seal of the electromagnetically shielded enclosure is made up of a door having a first perimeter closure material and a second perimeter closure material and an enclosure opening having a first perimeter closure and a second perimeter closure where the first perimeter closure material aligns with the first perimeter closure and the second perimeter closure material aligns with the second perimeter closure. This double perimeter entry seal provides for electromagnetic isolation within the electromagnetically shielded enclosure.

Abstract: A system and method for balancing flows of renal replacement fluid is disclosed. The method uses pressure controls and pressure sensing devices to more precisely meter and balance the flow of fresh dialysate and spent dialysate. The balancing system may use one or two balancing devices, such as a balance tube, a tortuous path, or a balance chamber.

Abstract: A weapon-locating ladar system estimates a backward trajectory of an airborne target by using flow field measurements to follow the wake turbulence trailing the airborne target from a position at which the target is detected backwards until the wake is no longer observable. The system may use the backward trajectory to estimate the point-of-origin of the target. The system may also use the flow field measurements along the backward trajectory to classify the target. Target classification may be used to refine the point-of-origin estimate, to influence counter-fire or to adapt the flow field measurements.

Abstract: A particular method includes measuring port usage data related to each of a plurality of physical ports associated with a link aggregation group. A bandwidth requirement of a requested media stream is estimated and added to a traffic load at each of the plurality of physical ports to produce an estimated total traffic load of each of the plurality of physical ports. When the requested media stream includes non-video data, the requested media stream is sent to a destination device via a physical port that selected in accordance with a static bandwidth allocation. When the requested media stream includes video data, the requested media stream is sent to the destination device via a least loaded physical port that is dynamically identified based on the estimated traffic loads of each of the plurality of physical ports.

Abstract: A system and method for deploying and managing software components to a plurality of network devices of an extended data communications network. In one embodiment of the invention, a client type defining software components required for at least one network device of the plurality of network devices may be determined. At least one network device of the plurality of network devices corresponding to the client type may be determined. The software components may be provided to the at least one network device based in part on the client type. The software components may be installed on the at least one network device such that functional capabilities of the software components may be employed by the network device. In another embodiment, a record of the software components installed on the at least one network device on a hub server associated with the extended data communications network may be stored.

Abstract: An electromagnetically shielded enclosure with operable interfaces that is portable and lightweight. The electromagnetically shielded enclosure has operable interfaces including a tactile interface through the shielding material and optionally a shielded tactile window for viewing of a secured electronic device and also for operating the secured electronic device should it have a touch screen. An internal frame is optionally provided that prevents conductive interference of a secured electronic device touch screen by the shielded tactile window. An input/output assembly is further provided to allow signals and power to be brought in or out of the enclosure to connect with the secured electronic device without compromising radio silence.

Abstract: A wellbore system comprising a casing, and a pressure testing valve incorporated within the casing and comprising a sleeve positioned within a housing and transitional from a first to a second position, and from the second to a third position, wherein, when the sleeve is in the first and second positions, the sleeve blocks a route of fluid communication via one or more housing ports and, when the sleeve is in the third position the sleeve does not block fluid communication, wherein the pressure testing valve is configured such that a force in the direction of the second position to the sleeve causes the sleeve to transition to the second position, and wherein the pressure testing valve is configured such that a reduction of the force in the direction of the second position to the sleeve causes the sleeve to transition to the third position.

Abstract: A skill toy comprises: a first piece having a male member extended from a male mating end and having a first tether end opposite the male mating end; a second piece having a receptacle in a female mating end and having a second tether end opposite the female mating end; and a tether connected between the first tether end and the second tether end. Other skill toys are disclosed.

Abstract: An internal combustion engine includes a piston reciprocable within a cylinder, a phase controllable valvetrain configured to alter the effective compression ratio of the engine, and a knock sensor. A method for controlling the engine includes controlling the valvetrain to a first effective compression ratio whereat knock is detectable by the knock sensor and thereafter controlling the valvetrain to reduce the effective compression ratio to a point whereat knock is no longer detectable.

Abstract: A twister assembly for use in connection with bundling one or more objects with a length of wire may cut, grip, eject, and twist the length of wire. The twister assembly includes a main shaft driven by a main shaft motor and a twister shaft driven by a twister motor. The main shaft may be operatively coupled to a gripping mechanism, which is operable between an open and a closed position, a cutting mechanism, and an ejector mechanism. The twister shaft may be operatively coupled to a twisting mechanism, where the twisting mechanism includes a plurality of gears configured to rotate a twister pinion. The twister pinion is further configured to engage the length of wire and twist a portion of the length of wire to form a knot. Related twister assemblies and methods are also provided.

Abstract: A track system, for use in connection with bundling one or more objects positioned within a bundling station, includes guiding a length of wire through a track guide assembly. The track guide assembly includes a plurality of straight and corner track segments coupled to each other and to a carrier plate subassembly, the track guide assembly substantially enclosing a wire guide path to guide the length of wire about the one or more objects. The track system further includes a pneumatic system configured to reduce a pressure to release the plurality of straight and corner track segments to free the length of wire during a tension cycle and to increase the pressure to fix the plurality of straight and corner track segments during a feed cycle. Related systems and methods are also provided.