Abstract: An oil shale formation may be treated using an in situ thermal process. Heat may be applied to the formation to raise a temperature of a portion of the formation to a pyrolysis temperature. Heat input into the formation may be controlled to raise the temperature of portion at a selected rate during pyrolysis of hydrocarbons within the formation. A mixture of hydrocarbons, H2, and/or other formation fluids may be produced from the formation. The mixture may be separated into condensable hydrocarbons and non-condensable hydrocarbons. The condensable hydrocarbons removed from the formation may be a high quality oil that has a relatively low olefin content and a relatively high API gravity.

Abstract: A network design method for Ethernet-type networks exhibiting capacities sufficient for operation during normal periods as well those as periods when a single node or link has failed.

Abstract: The present invention is an improved shunt system for draining CSF. The system includes a removable sheath for reduction of catheter clogging during shunt insertion, a catheter with relatively large holes, an extracranial filter to allow non-invasive filter replacement, and a wireless flow/pressure meter to monitor and control CSF flow.

Abstract: This present specification provides, amongst other things, an electro-optical monitoring system for obtaining a once-per-revolution signal based on the surface reflection of a rotating device that mandates non-contacting sensor input in potentially hostile environments. The system can use optical and electronic sections to illuminate and detect surface reflections from the rotating surface using existing mounting locations on the periphery of the machine to be measured. The electronic portion is configured to determine a unique mark as the once-per-revolution marker or allow an attending operator to assign a specific marker based on the observed reflected pattern. The optical portion consists of a light source, receiver, and optics will allow for focused and directed light paths to properly position relevant to key reflective surfaces.

Abstract: Tonometers are disclosed for measuring intraocular pressure (IOP) and having an ocular probe movable a predetermined distance in a linear manner by a motor against the closed eyelid of a patient's test eye, a distance sensor configured to monitor the probe position as the probe is moved against the eyelid and provide a distance measurement, a mechanism for aligning the probe with the center of the cornea underneath the closed eyelid, and a force sensor configured to measure force on the ocular probe as it is moved against the closed eyelid by the motor and provide a force measurement, wherein a value indicative of IOP of the test eye is determined from the force and distance measurements. Methods for measuring IOP using the inventive tonometers are also disclosed.

Abstract: This present specification provides, amongst other things, an electro-optical monitoring system for obtaining a once-per revolution signal based on the surface reflection of a rotating device that mandates non-contacting sensor input in potentially hostile environments. The system can use optical and electronic sections to illuminate and detect surface reflections from the rotating surface using existing mounting locations on the periphery of the machine to be measured. The electronic portion is configured to determine a unique mark as the once-per-revolution marker or allow an attending operator to assign a specific marker based on the observed reflected pattern. The optical portion consists of a light source, receiver, and optics that allow for focused and directed light paths.

Abstract: A system and method are disclosed for time-domain wavelength interleaved networking that reduce the need for complex time-slot scheduling and reduce the routing complexity. Substantially all communications in the time-domain wavelength interleaved network pass through a hub node. In addition, interior nodes in the time-domain wavelength interleaved network will forward substantially all communications received from the hub node that are destined for another node on all branches outward from the hub node. The central hub node can impose a timing reference. Thus, the transmission and reception of a message can be synchronized such that a message sent in a time-slot k by a node Ni will be received by a node Nj in the time-slot k. Further, the hub node can recover from a link failure by shifting transmission times of all nodes that are separated from the hub node by the failed link.

Abstract: The present invention relates to methods for the early diagnosing of an amyloid-related disorder or a predisposition thereto in a subject through the detection or monitoring of a metal-protein complex in the ocular lens, wherein said metal-protein complex comprises at least one amyloid protein.

Abstract: A method for inhibiting formation of hydrocarbon hydrates in mixtures of water and a hydrate-forming guest molecule has been discovered that involves adding a composition to the mixtures in an amount that is effective in inhibiting formation of the hydrocarbon hydrates under conditions otherwise effective to form the hydrocarbon hydrates in the absence of the reaction product. The composition includes at least one dendrimeric compound having a number average molecular weight of at least 1,000 atomic mass units (amu); and at least one small molecular weight species having less than 1,000 amu, selected from the group consisting of polyalkyleneimine, polyallylamine, starch, sugars, and polymers or copolymers of vinyl alcohol or allyl alcohol; and, optionally, at least one surfactant.

Abstract: A chemical dispenser reads RFID tags on both chemical source and diluted chemical mixture containers. A dispensing button shifts and electric controller from low to high power state for such reading and initiation of dispensing when data read from such tags is determined compatible. A battery powers the controllers in both power states. A selector valve for selecting a chemical concentrate at one of several source stations also provides selected station information to the controller. A controller learn mode stores delta from RFID tags on the concentrated chemical containers, with the controllers initiated in a high power state in response to entering the learn mode. An alternate embodiment substitutes an alternative receiving container such as a mop bucket, and a dispensing nozzle is provided with an. RFID reader for reading an RFID tag on the alternative container. Methods are provided.

Abstract: Transmissive WSS-based mesh nodes of degree N, N?3, includes N node port apparatuses connected to provide a multiple wavelength channel signal with reciprocal connectivity between the N node ports. Each node port apparatus has an input port and N?1 output ports and comprises either (1) a coupler connected to said input port and having N?1 outputs, (2) a transmissive 1×(N?1) WSS connected to said input port and responsive to a control signal C for establishing a switching connection to one of its N?1 outputs, or (3) a coupler connected to said input port and having X+1 outputs including one output connected to an input of a transmissive 1×Y WSS having Y outputs, where X+Y equals N?1, the sum of the remaining X outputs of the coupler and the Y outputs of the transmissive 1×Y WSS being the N?1 output ports of the node port apparatus.

Abstract: A method including a) injecting into the formation an aqueous solution containing a polymer and a surfactant to create a organic phase and a aqueous phase, the surfactant being capable of reducing the interfacial tension between the phases to less than 1 dyne/cm; b) recovering a portion of the organic and aqueous phases containing at least a portion of the polymer and surfactant components and a portion of native petroleum surfactants generated in the porous formation; c) adjusting the conditions of the recovered portions to force a portion of the polymer and surfactant from one phase into the other phase by use of chemical, physical, electrical or gravitational means or a combination of said means; d) separating the polymer- and surfactant-containing phase; e) concentrating the polymer and surfactant components in the separated phase; and f) re-injecting at least a portion of the concentrated polymer and surfactant components into the formation.

Abstract: An oil shale formation may be treated using an in situ thermal process. Heat may be applied to the formation to raise a temperature of a portion of the formation to a pyrolysis temperature. Heat input into the formation may be controlled to raise the temperature of portion at a selected rate during pyrolysis of hydrocarbons within the formation. A mixture of hydrocarbons, H2, and/or other formation fluids may be produced from the formation. The mixture may be separated into condensable hydrocarbons and non-condensable hydrocarbons. The condensable hydrocarbons removed from the formation may be a high quality oil that has a relatively low olefin content and a relatively high API gravity.

Abstract: A mounting assembly couples a current limiting fuse to an element that defines a longitudinal axis. The mounting assembly includes a mounting member on the element; a first attachment member coupled to the mounting member in a fixed position relative to the mounting member; and a second attachment member coupleable to the current limiting fuse. The first and second attachment members are configured to be attached to one another in a plurality of discreet positions about an axis that is non-parallel to the longitudinal axis.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for grooming traffic demands according to mileage based tariffs. An Integer Linear Program (ILP) that captures the traffic grooming problem is defined, and such a linear program can in principle be solved by conventional linear program application systems which are fully familiar to those of ordinary skill in the art. However, the time required to solve such an ILP is fairly large, even for the moderately sized networks we are interested in. That is, there are many possible routes to consider, and hence many integer variables in the ILP. Therefore, further in accordance with the principles of the present invention, the ILP is advantageously run on the Delaunay Triangulation of the network rather than on the completely connected network graph.

Abstract: A housing for a current limiting fuse that includes a metal fuse element and a non-conductive filler material. The fuse element is configured to melt to create an open circuit when an applied current exceeds a threshold amount. The housing includes first and second cylindrical members. The first cylindrical member has an open end portion and the second cylindrical member has an integrally formed closed end portion and an open end portion configured to be attached to the open end portion of the first cylindrical member to close the housing. The housing also includes a fastening member configured to prevent the open end portion of the first cylindrical member from separating from the open end portion of the second cylindrical member when the fuse element melts.

Abstract: A central vacuum system connectable to an interior portion of an inhabitable structure includes a housing having an upper end, a lower end, and a side wall defining a collection chamber, the side wall defining an opening communicating between atmosphere and the collection chamber, and a vacuum motor supported in the housing and being operable to move debris from the interior portion into the collection chamber.

Abstract: A magnetic treatment of hydrocarbon fuel flowing through a fuel conduit. A plurality of magnets with repelling polarity is used in affecting the fuel structure and alternating said structure by aligning the hydrocarbons in a parallel uniform manner to increase combustion efficiency thus increasing power while reducing pollutants and exhaust emissions.

Abstract: An electronic control unit for a vehicle system that includes at least one acceleration sensor and at least one angular rate sensor for generating data concerning motion of the vehicle relative to vehicle reference axes.

Abstract: This present specification provides, amongst other things, an electro-optical monitoring system for obtaining a once-per-revolution signal based on the surface reflection of a rotating device that mandates non-contacting sensor input in potentially hostile environments. The system can use optical and electronic sections to illuminate and detect surface reflections from the rotating surface using existing mounting locations on the periphery of the machine to be measured. The electronic portion is configured to determine a unique mark as the once-per-revolution marker or allow an attending operator to assign a specific marker based on the observed reflected pattern. The optical portion consists of a light source, receiver, and optics will allow for focused and directed light paths to properly position relevant to key reflective surfaces.