Abstract: A method for provisioning consumer premises equipment includes communicating identification information to a software management system via a network interface, receiving a list of bundles in response to communicating the identification to the software management system via the network interface, determining a location of a repository storing at least one bundle in the list, wherein the software management system includes a plurality of repositories storing a plurality of bundles at different locations, and installing, by the consumer premises equipment, the at least one bundle from the repository having the location.

Abstract: A method for performing in-field discovery, diagnosis and/or repair of a set-top device includes the steps of: determining whether at least a first set-top device is non-responsive to a head-end via a communication channel established between the head-end and the first set-top device; executing a search and rescue (SAR) module on the first set-top device when it is determined that the first set-top device is non-responsive to the head-end; and re-establishing communications between the first set-top device and the head-end by the SAR module executing on the first set-top device.

Abstract: A method for performing in-field discovery, diagnosis and/or repair of a set-top device includes the steps of: determining whether at least a first set-top device is non-responsive to a head-end via a communication channel established between the head-end and the first set-top device; executing a search and rescue (SAR) module on the first set-top device when it is determined that the first set-top device is non-responsive to the head-end; and re-establishing communications between the first set-top device and the head-end by the SAR module executing on the first set-top device.

Abstract: A network controller device connected to a local area network (LAN) and a wide area network (WAN) is in communication with a communication device through a communication interface. The network controller device communicates with one or more controllable devices, each controlling at least one functionality of a device of a building, using network transmissions through the LAN. The network controller device transmits instructions or receives information from the controller to the controllable devices and communications between the communication device and the controller device includes communications regarding the controllable devices. A newly connected device may be placed into a quarantine status by the controller device. The communication interface may provide an alert to the user regarding an event to the controllable devices.

Abstract: An indication is obtained that consumer premises equipment needs to obtain at least one file from a file system. Responsive to the indication, an uncompressed framework portion of the at least one file is obtained at the consumer premises equipment from the file system. The uncompressed framework portion of the at least one file is executed on the consumer premises equipment to: (i) obtain compressed portions of the at least one file at the consumer premises equipment, from the file system; and (ii) decompress and execute the compressed portions of the at least one file on the consumer premises equipment.

Abstract: A magazine lock for a firearm includes a magazine well and a magazine latch. The lock includes a tube nut positioned within a housing. The tube nut is connected to the magazine latch of the firearm. When tightened down, the tube nut prevents the magazine latch from releasing a magazine from the magazine well. A tool is provided to engage the tube nut and rotate the tube nut within the housing permitting the magazine latch to release the magazine. The housing includes a biased engagement feature that selectively prevents the rotation of the tube nut within the housing. The tool is configured to overcome the biased engagement feature and to engage the tube nut so that rotation of the tool rotates the tube nut. A breech block inserted into the top of a magazine inserted into the firearm may also be used to lock the firearm.

Abstract: A magazine lock for a firearm includes a magazine well and a magazine latch. The lock includes a tube nut positioned within a housing. The tube nut is connected to the magazine latch of the firearm. When tightened down, the tube nut prevents the magazine latch from releasing a magazine from the magazine well. A tool is provided to engage the tube nut and rotate the tube nut within the housing permitting the magazine latch to release the magazine. The housing includes a biased engagement feature that selectively prevents the rotation of the tube nut within the housing. The tool is configured to overcome the biased engagement feature and to engage the tube nut so that rotation of the tool rotates the tube nut. A breech block inserted into the top of a magazine inserted into the firearm may also be used to lock the firearm.

Abstract: An indication is obtained that consumer premises equipment needs to obtain at least one file from a file system. Responsive to the indication, an uncompressed framework portion of the at least one file is obtained at the consumer premises equipment from the file system. The uncompressed framework portion of the at least one file is executed on the consumer premises equipment to: (i) obtain compressed portions of the at least one file at the consumer premises equipment, from the file system; and (ii) decompress and execute the compressed portions of the at least one file on the consumer premises equipment.

Abstract: An improved blowout preventer for a well having a casing extending into an underground formation. The blowout preventer has a pair of opposed ram members received within a pair transverse bores within the main housing. The ram members move between an engaged position wherein they engage the pump rod and each other when a pump rod is received through the longitudinal bore in the housing, and a disengaged position where they are retracted from engaging either the pump rod or each other. There are one or more side entry ports within the main housing which permit a fluid or elongate member to be inserted into the casing.

Abstract: A stuffing box assembly (4) comprising a primary housing (8) having a longitudinally oriented hollow bore (11) extending therethrough, a hanger assembly (9) within the longitudinally oriented hollow bore of the primary housing, and drive means (10) received within the hollow bore of the hanger assembly. The hanger assembly has a longitudinally oriented hollow bore extending therethrough. The drive means has means (15) to releasably secure the drive means to a pump rod such that the pump rod is hung from and supported within the primary housing by the hanger assembly. Rotation of the drive means causes a corresponding rotation of the pump rod. The hanger assembly includes one or more seals (17) to contain well fluids and to help prevent the flow of well fluids into the bore of the hanger assembly.

Abstract: A portable multi-dimensional gas chromatograph, the gas chromatograph including a carrier gas container, a regulator fluidly connected to the carrier gas container, a dopant chamber containing a reference chemical, at least one pre-concentrator which is fluidly connected to the regulator and the dopant chamber, a first separation column fluidly connected to the at least one pre-concentrator, a second separation column fluidly connected to the at least one pre-concentrator, a first detector fluidly connected to the first separation column, and a second detector fluidly connected to the second separation column.

Abstract: A portable multi-dimensional gas chromatograph, the gas chromatograph including a carrier gas container, a regulator fluidly connected to the carrier gas container, a dopant chamber containing a reference chemical, at least one pre-concentrator which is fluidly connected to the regulator and the dopant chamber, a first separation column fluidly connected to the at least one pre-concentrator, a second separation column fluidly connected to the at least one pre-concentrator, a first detector fluidly connected to the first separation column, and a second detector fluidly connected to the second separation column.

Abstract: A portable multi-dimensional gas chromatograph, the gas chromatograph including a carrier gas container, a regulator fluidly connected to the carrier gas container, a dopant chamber containing a reference chemical, at least one pre-concentrator which is fluidly connected to the regulator and the dopant chamber, a first separation column fluidly connected to the at least one pre-concentrator, a second separation column fluidly connected to the at least one pre-concentrator, a first detector fluidly connected to the first separation column, and a second detector fluidly connected to the second separation column.

Abstract: A separation column assembly for a gas chromatograph and the like is provided. The assembly is a self contained unit which allows very rapid heating and cooling of the column.

Abstract: A thermal conductivity detector comprises a housing having an internal cavity, a fluid inlet, a fluid outlet, a first bore and a second bore. The thermal conductivity detector further comprises a thermistor having a first electrical lead and a second electrical lead, a first contact pin in electrical communication with said first electrical lead and a second contact pin in electrical communication with said second electrical lead. The first contact pin is oriented within the first bore, the second contact pin is oriented within the second bore and the thermistor is suspended within the gas analysis chamber.

Abstract: A thermal conductivity detector comprises a housing having an internal cavity, a fluid inlet, a fluid outlet, a first bore and a second bore. The thermal conductivity detector further comprises a thermistor having a first electrical lead and a second electrical lead, a first contact pin in electrical communication with said first electrical lead and a second contact pin in electrical communication with said second electrical lead. The first contact pin is oriented within the first bore, the second contact pin is oriented within the second bore and the thermistor is suspended within the gas analysis chamber.

Abstract: A tubing string rotator for rotating a tubing string in a well having a downhole pump. The tubing string rotator includes a housing having a first portion and a second portion. At least the second portion of the housing is adapted to be operatively connected to the end of a length of the tubing string such that rotational torque applied to the tubing string through the operation of the pump is transferred to the second portion of the housing. The rotator further includes means to permit the controlled rotation of the second portion, together with the tubing string connected thereto, relative to the first portion of the housing when the ability of the first portion to rotate is retarded or eliminated, and when rotational torque is supplied to the tubing string through the operation of the pump.

Abstract: A separation column assembly for a gas chromatograph and the like is provided. The assembly is a self contained unit which allows very rapid heating and cooling of the column.

Abstract: A recoil reduction system for the front end of a firearm, such as a shotgun or a rifle. In a first embodiment, the recoil reduction structure is mounted in a handgrip member secured to the bottom surface of the forend member. Various types of springs and cylindrical elastomer members can be utilized in various handgrip members. In a second embodiment the recoil reduction system is mounted in the forend member. In a third embodiment, the recoil reduction structure is utilized with a rifle having a long gun stock. The long gun stock has a butt portion, a middle portion and a front portion. The front portion is located forwardly of the receiver. A primary recess is formed in the bottom wall of the front portion and the recoil reduction structure is mounted therein. A cover member positioned over the primary recess hides the recoil reduction structure from view. A handle member may be secured to the bottom surface of the cover member and it may retractable or rigidly positioned upright.

Abstract: A modular cheek rest assembly for a gunstock. The major members of the assembly are a low level cheek rest, a high level cheek rest, a storage container, a shotgun shell holder and a magazine holder. The low level cheek rest is the principal member that has engagement structure adjacent the bottom ends of its side walls for detachably securing the low level cheek rest to the butt stock of a firearm. There are attachment structure on the outer surface of the side walls of the low level cheek rest for disengageably attaching the other members. There is the ability to attach these members on either the right or left side depending on the preference of the user. If the high level cheek rest is needed, it nests over the top of the low level cheek rest.