Abstract: A steering mechanism and guidance system for a milling attachment device provides steering capability without impeding cutting depth control. The steering mechanism has at least one wheel that is rotated by an actuating mechanism such as an extending cylinder, synchronized actuators, or the like. The steering mechanism may be integrated with depth control by using a parallelogrammic structure with pivot points to assist in the depth control or may operate independent of and without impeding depth control.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to a system to improve the safety of robotically assisted minimally invasive surgery. The system includes an endoscope holder, an accelerometer, and a controller. The accelerometer is configured to track motion of the patients head and transmit that information to the controller. The controller is configured to operate the endoscope holder. When the accelerometer detects patient head movement, the controller then retracts the endoscope, via the endoscope holder. The system of the present invention can be used for endoscopic surgery for otolaryngology and neurosurgery. It can also be used for other surgical situations with similar requirements and constraints.

Abstract: An engine driven environmental control system (ECS) air circuit includes a gas turbine engine having a compressor section. The compressor section includes a plurality of compressor bleeds. A selection valve selectively connects each of said bleeds to an input of an intercooler. A second valve is configured to selectively connect an output of said intercooler to at least one auxiliary compressor. The output of each of the at least one auxiliary compressors is connected to an ECS air input.

Abstract: A dual-function heat indicator for monitoring two or more modes of heat exposure is described. A manufacturing process for the dual-function heat indicator is also described. Dual-function heat indicators as described may be useful for monitoring the exposure of host products, with which the dual-function heat indicators may be associated, to cumulative ambient heat exposure and to a peak ambient heat exposure, and for other purposes.

Abstract: A computer-implemented method includes generating code for displaying a two-dimensional media programming schedule grid, receiving a command to compress the grid at a first location along a first dimension, and generating code for displaying the grid with visible graphical fold marks defining a fold area near the first location along the first dimension.

Abstract: A method of positioning a bottom hole assembly in a wellbore includes lowering the bottom hole assembly into the wellbore. The bottom hole assembly has a whipstock, a downhole tool, and a cleaning tool having a cleaning element. The method also includes cleaning at least a portion of a wall of the wellbore using the cleaning tool, and activating the downhole tool to engage the cleaned portion of the wall.

Abstract: An apparatus includes a housing, a piston, an input cavity, a first actuating shaft, a first output cavity, and a second output cavity. The housing comprises an input port, a first output port, a second output port, a first end, a second end, a first wide wall having a first internal surface, and a chamber at least partially defined by the first end and the first internal surface. The piston is able to actuate along the first internal surface of the first side wall. The input cavity is in fluid communication with the input port. The first output cavity is in fluid communication with the first output port. The second output cavity is in fluid communication with the second output port. The first actuating shaft is fixed to the piston and helps fluidly isolate the first output port from the second output port.

Abstract: A sidetrack assembly for forming a lateral wellbore includes a cutting device having a body having a passage, and a mill head configured to connect to the body so that an interior of the mill head and the body form a pressure chamber in fluid communication with the outlet passage. The mill head includes a first port in fluid communication with the pressure chamber, a second port in fluid communication with the pressure chamber, and a blade arranged on a face of the mill head. A whipstock connected to the cutting device includes a tubing having a first end removably inserted in the first port and the passage and a second end connectable to a downhole tool, an inclined surface for guiding the mill at a non-zero angle relative to a central axis of an existing wellbore, and an attachment section removably connecting the cutting device and the whipstock.

Abstract: A bottom hole assembly for use in a wellbore includes a whipstock; a downhole tool coupled to the whipstock; and a cleaning tool coupled to the downhole tool for cleaning a portion of a wall of the wellbore, wherein the downhole tool is configured to engage the cleaned portion of the wall. In one example, the cleaning tool includes a body and a plurality of cleaning elements for cleaning the portion of the wall.

Abstract: A computer-implemented method includes generating code for displaying a two-dimensional media programming schedule grid, receiving a command to compress the grid at a first location along a first dimension, and generating code for displaying the grid with visible graphical fold marks defining a fold area near the first location along the first dimension.

Abstract: Downhole vibratory tools that use fluid flow to reciprocate a rotor in a vibration chamber and associated methods and processes. In a first illustrative embodiment, an elongated external housing allows connection to a drillstring, behind a downhole drill. From a top sub, fluid flows through a first flow plate and spiral flow chamber to enter a central vibration chamber in a spiral direction and exits the vibration chamber through a counterpart second flow plate and spiral flow chamber. A rotor is disposed in the vibration chamber. The spiral flow through the vibration chamber causes the rotor to reciprocate around the vibration chamber, thereby creating vibrations that are transmitted to the drillstring. Methods of use include deploying the vibration tool to improve rates of penetration and enhances reach by creating resonance vibrations against the wall of a wellbore to effectively break static friction.

Abstract: An apparatus includes a housing, a piston, an input cavity, a first actuating shaft, a first output cavity, and a second output cavity. The housing comprises an input port, a first output port, a second output port, a first end, a second end, a first wide wall having a first internal surface, and a chamber at least partially defined by the first end and the first internal surface. The piston is able to actuate along the first internal surface of the first side wall. The input cavity is in fluid communication with the input port. The first output cavity is in fluid communication with the first output port. The second output cavity is in fluid communication with the second output port. The first actuating shaft is fixed to the piston and helps fluidly isolate the first output port from the second output port.

Abstract: Targeted profile picture selection includes providing for a first user of a messaging service contextual parameter categories upon which contextual messaging service profile picture selection for the first user is available to be made, receiving a definition of selection rule(s) for each of one or more categories of the plurality, prioritizing how the selection rule(s) of each of the one or more categories is applied in profile picture selection for the first user, ascertaining a current context under which a selected profile picture for the first user is to be conveyed to a messaging client of a second user of the messaging service, the current context indicating a respective parameter for each of the one or more categories, and based on the prioritizing and the ascertained current context, selecting the profile picture for conveyance to the messaging client of the second user.

Abstract: Systems and methods for providing a combined mosquito staging and dissection system are disclosed. The system can include a mosquito staging subsystem; a robotic pick-and-place station; and a dissection, extrusion, collection, and disposal subsystem. The subsystems can include one or more stations to provide orientation, decapitation, extrusion of salivary glands, and disposal of carcasses of the mosquitoes. The resident live sporozoites from the salivary glands can be used to produce Plasmodium SPZ-based vaccines.

Abstract: A system and method for improving the functioning of a turbocharged diesel engine equipped with a cylinder deactivation system includes detecting when the turbocharged diesel engine is at risk of compressor surge, and then delaying the implementation of the cylinder deactivation. The delay may be a set period of time, or it may be determined by performing a set of instructions effective for estimating changes in intake manifold pressures over time if cylinders are deactivated, and then comparing the intake manifold pressure estimates to acceptable intake manifold pressure information. A formula for performing the required estimates is provided.

Abstract: A control system for an offboard fluid supply system. The fluid supply system has mud supply pump which may be controlled by a local control system disposed at the fluid supply system. The mud supply pump may also be controlled by a remote control system disposed on a drilling rig. The mud supply pump provides fluid through a conduit to a drill string on the drilling rig. The local control system and the remote control system are paired such that only one of each is connected at one time. While paired, information from both the fluid supply system and drilling rig may be displayed by either control system.

Abstract: Examples includes systems and methods for lifting and moving gondolas using a modular gondola moving system. Components of a modular gondola moving system include interchangeable skates. The interchangeable skates are further removably attached to a longitudinal member which, when connected to the longitudinal member, form a skate system. Multiple skate systems are positioned to the underside of a gondola and may additionally be connected together by connector bars for stabilization and to form the modular gondola moving system. One or more lifting devices are provided independent of and are used in combination with each skate system for positioning the gondola on each skate system. The one or more lifting devices may be repeatedly used in order to place the gondola on a single modular gondola support system.

Abstract: An ultrasound imaging system having real-time tracking and image registration includes a fiducial-marker system comprising an ultrasound transmitter structured to provide a localized ultrasound pulse at an optically observable localized spot on a body of interest. The system further includes an optical imaging system, a two-dimensional ultrasound imaging system, an optical image processing system, and an ultrasound image processing system.

Abstract: Embodiments described herein may be directed to systems, methods, apparatuses, devices, computer program products, computer-executable instructions, and/or applications for securely and anonymously accessing web resources and customizable attribution of identity. In accordance with the present disclosure, a user may inspect and analyze a webpage as well as the underlying source code from an “arm's length” using a secure analysis application to prevent exposure on the user's local machine. The secure analysis application may provide increased flexibility in masking and/or modifying the user's digital persona to external websites. Additionally, the secure analysis application may be integrated with a translation service to translate textual web content without the web content provider being alerted that a translation is taking place.

Abstract: A device and method of use for augmenting the extraction of salivary glands from Plasmodium-infected mosquitoes, where the sporozoite stage of Plasmodium primarily resides. Sporozoites are useful for research as well as for the immunogen in whole parasite vaccines for the prevention of malaria. The device and methods of use disclosed herein greatly increase the rate at which sporozoites can be harvested.