Abstract: A float structure for a WEC is designed to have a tapered underside to reduce the impact due to wave slam and bending moments while providing little reduction in the surface area responding to the wave surface in order to maintain the beneficial power generating capability of a “flat” float. The underside of the float presents an inverted wedge section to decrease loads associated with wave slamming. The float may have a generally toroidal or elliptical configuration at and about the “still” water line with the generally submerged underside of the float having a cross section shaped to have one or more inverted triangular sections extending between the outer perimeter of the float and its center to reduce impact loading due to wave slamming while maintaining power producing capability.

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 computer readable medium is disclosed containing embedded computer executable instructions that when executed by a computer or router or switch are useful in performing a method for sending targeted advertising data, the computer program comprising instructions to receive a first data set at a server; instructions to duplicate the data to form N duplicated data sets; instructions to replace a source address in each of the N duplicated data sets with a different one of a number, N data source addresses; and instructions to send each of the N duplicated data sets to a different end user zone. A system and method for sending targeted advertising data are disclosed. A data structure for containing data used by the system and method is also disclosed.

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 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 enhanced sputtered film processing system and associated method comprises one or more sputter deposition sources each having a sputtering target surface and one or more side shields extending therefrom, to increase the relative collimation of the sputter deposited material, such as about the periphery of the sputtering target surface, toward workpiece substrates. One or more substrates are provided, wherein the substrates have a front surface and an opposing back surface, and may have one or more previously applied layers, such as an adhesion or release layer. The substrates and the deposition targets are controllably moved with respect to each other. The relatively collimated portion of the material sputtered from the sputtering target surface travels beyond the side shields and is deposited on the front surface of the substrates.

Abstract: In an embodiment, a method of allocating media streams includes measuring real-time port usage data related to each of a plurality of physical ports associated with a link aggregation group. The method further includes selecting at least one, but not all, of the plurality of physical ports based on the real-time port usage data and sending a media stream to a network via the physical port.

Abstract: An apparatus and method are provided for bypassing a load coil in a Digital Subscriber Line (DSL) circuit. An interface is provided for making a connection with the DSL circuit and receiving a combined multichannel signal. The combined multichannel signal includes a high frequency or DSL signal and a low frequency signal or voice signal. A high pass filter is utilized to block the voice signal and route the DSL signal over a communications path to bypass the load coil in the DSL circuit. The voice signal is then routed by a low pass filter to the load coil in the DSL circuit.

Abstract: A method for promoting plant growth and/or disease resistance comprising applying a purified polypeptide that is a bacteriocin and that possesses plant growth and/or disease resistance promoting activity to a plant or plant seed, or to the growing environment thereof.

Abstract: A pass through socket (12) and wrench (10) combination is disclosed wherein a first drive member (22a, 22b) is provided on the socket's exterior surface and a second drive member (24) is provided on the front side of the ratchet wrench's wheel (26) for engaging the socket's first drive member (22a, 22b) to enable the socket (12) to be driven with the wrench (10). The wrench's wheel (26) defines an axially aligned through hole (30) extending through the wheel (26) for receiving an insertable end of the socket (12) through the front side of the wheel (26). Socket retention means, preferably a snap ring mounted on the front side of the ratchet wheel (26), is also provided.

Abstract: A bridge plug having a segmented backup shoe, and at least one split cone extrusion limiter, the extrusion limiter comprising a two part conical retainer positioned between packer elements and the segmented backup shoe to block packer element extrusion though spaces between backup shoe segments. In one embodiment, two split cone extrusion limiters are used together and positioned so that each split cone extrusion limiter covers gaps in the other extrusion limiter and together the two split cone extrusion limiters block packer element extrusion though gaps between backup shoe segments regardless of their orientation relative to the segmented backup shoe. In one embodiment, a solid retaining ring is positioned between a split retaining cone extrusion limiter and a packer element and resists extrusion of packer elements into spaces in the split cone extrusion limiter or limiters.

Abstract: A bridge plug having a segmented backup shoe, and at least one split cone extrusion limiter, the extrusion limiter comprising a two part conical retainer positioned between packer elements and the segmented backup shoe to block packer element extrusion though spaces between backup shoe segments. In one embodiment, two split cone extrusion limiters are used together and positioned so that each split cone extrusion limiter covers gaps in the other extrusion limiter and together the two split cone extrusion limiters block packer element extrusion though gaps between backup shoe segments regardless of their orientation relative to the segmented backup shoe. In one embodiment, a solid retaining ring is positioned between a split retaining cone extrusion limiter and a packer element and resists extrusion of packer elements into spaces in the split cone extrusion limiter or limiters.

Abstract: An apparatus for producing light includes a chamber that has a plasma discharge region and that contains an ionizable medium. The apparatus also includes a magnetic core that surrounds a portion of the plasma discharge region. The apparatus also includes a pulse power system for providing at least one pulse of energy to the magnetic core for delivering power to a plasma formed in the plasma discharge region. The plasma has a localized high intensity zone.

Abstract: A tool and a method for sealing a casing or a wellbore according to which a device is supported on a mandrel and expands into engagement with the casing or the wellbore. An explosive cutter is also supported on the mandrel and is adapted to explode to cut the mandrel and the device and release the engagement.

Abstract: A system for securely providing prescription medication to patients. The system accepts prescriptions that are submitted from either a physician's office or by the patient at a Kiosk. An electronic image of the prescription is created by scanning and is electronically communicated to a central server. The prescription is validated by the server and a point of delivery, such as a pharmacy is selected based upon the patient's location. The prescription image is then transferred to the point of delivery and the prescribed medicine is delivered to the patient. A confirmation of delivery is then communicated back to the central server.

Abstract: The present invention relates to agriculture. More particularly, the invention relates to a method of increasing photosynthesis of a plant and more particularly of crop plants. In addition, the invention relates to a method of increasing photosynthesis and/or yield in crop plants, comprising an exposure thereof to lipo-chitooligosaccharides, and compositions therefor. Further, the invention relates to an agricultural composition for enhancing a plant crop photosynthetic rate and/or growth thereof comprising a photosynthetic rate-promoting amount of at least one lipo chitooligosaccharide (LCO) together with an agriculturally suitable carrier and methods using same.

Abstract: A vehicle supporting platform can be supported at plural locations (e.g., four locations) from below such that the platform can pivot fore to aft and side to side in response to the impact of wind on a vehicle on the platform. In a desirable form, the platform is suspended by four suspension rods or cables that loosely support the respective corners of a platform supporting structure. The platform supporting structure can be positioned in a bay beneath the floor level. Although a different number of sensors can be used, in one approach there is one aft motion sensor coupled to the front of the floor supporting frame and a wall portion of the bay and two side sensors, one adjacent to the front of the platform and the other adjacent to the rear of the platform. Both of the side sensors can be on the same side of the platform. A double ball joint can be used to couple the sensor to the structure in one embodiment to eliminate off axis loading.

Abstract: A vacuum cleaning device powered by compressed air includes a canister forming an internal collection chamber for collecting liquid and debris sucked up by the vacuum cleaning device. The vacuum includes a user operated drain from which liquid and debris collected in the collection chamber of the vacuum can be drained, when desired, and may also include a liquid extraction conduit extending into the collection chamber and attachable to a liquid pump for pumping liquid sucked up into the vacuum from the collection chamber. This makes draining the collection chamber much easier that in other vacuums. The vacuum device also includes a filter for air leaving the device which may include filter material in a filter housing over which a vacuum bag may be placed. A bypass in the filter housing may be opened to allow air from the device to bypass the filter material in the housing and pass directly into the vacuum bag.

Abstract: The presently described technology provides a method for selectively applying one or more QoS algorithms. The method comprises receiving data transmitted to a destination node in one or more of a first network and a second network and applying at least one of the QoS algorithms to the data based on the intended destination of the data. The presently described technology also provides a computer-readable storage medium comprising a set of instructions for a computer. The set of instructions comprises a data destination routine and an application routine. The data destination routine is configured to determine an intended destination of data received at a routing node. The application routine is configured to apply at least one QoS algorithm to at least a subset of the data based on the intended destination of the data.

Abstract: Certain embodiments of the present invention provide for a method for data communication including determining protocol information for a block of data, prioritizing the block of data, and communicating the block of data. The protocol information may include information used by a protocol to communicate the block of data. The prioritization may be based at least in part on the protocol information. The communication may be based at least in part on the prioritization of the block of data.