Abstract: In one aspect, an optical lens assembly (herein referred to also as an optic) is provided that comprises a plurality of lenses (or lens segments) adapted to receive light from a light source, each of said lenses (or lens segments) having an input surface and an output surface and a lateral surface extending between the input and output surfaces. The lenses are arranged relative to one another and positioned relative to the light source such that each of the lenses receives at its input surface a different portion of light emitted by the source, e.g., each lens receives at its input surface light emitted by the source into an angular subtense (solid angle) different than an angular subtense associated with another lens. Each lens (or lens segment) guides at least a portion of the received light to its output surface via reflection, e.g., via total internal reflection (TIR).

Abstract: In one aspect, an optical lens assembly (herein referred to also as an optic) is provided that comprises a plurality of lenses (or lens segments) adapted to receive light from a light source, each of said lenses (or lens segments) having an input surface and an output surface and a lateral surface extending between the input and output surfaces. The lenses are arranged relative to one another and positioned relative to the light source such that each of the lenses receives at its input surface a different portion of light emitted by the source, e.g., each lens receives at its input surface light emitted by the source into an angular subtense (solid angle) different than an angular subtense associated with another lens. Each lens (or lens segment) guides at least a portion of the received light to its output surface via reflection, e.g., via total internal reflection (TIR).

Abstract: Controlled fracturing in geologic formations is carried out in a method employing a combination of alternating and impulsive current waveforms, applied in succession to achieve extensive fracturing and disintegration of rock materials for liquid and gas recovery. In a pre-conditioning step, high voltage discharges and optionally with highly ionizable gas injections are applied to a system of borehole electrodes, causing the formation to fracture with disintegration in multiple directions but confined between the locations of electrode pairs of opposite polarity. After pre-conditioning, intense current waveform of pulse energy is then applied to the system of borehole electrodes to create waves of ionization or shock waves with bubbles of heated gas that propagate inside and outside the high conductivity channels, resulting in rock disintegration with attendant large scale multiple fracturing.

Abstract: In one aspect, the present invention provides an optic, which comprises a light pipe extending from a proximal end to a distal end about an optical axis, said light pipe being adapted to receive at its proximal end at least a portion of light emitted by a light source. The optic further comprises a central reflector optically coupled to said distal end of the light pipe for receiving at least a portion of the light transmitted through the light pipe and reflecting said received light, a peripheral reflector optically coupled to said central reflector for receiving at least a portion of said reflected light, and an output surface. The peripheral reflect is configured to redirect at least a portion of the light received from the central reflector to said output surface for exiting the optic.

Abstract: Controlled fracturing in geologic formations is carried out by a system for generating fractures. The system comprises: a plurality of electrodes for placing in boreholes in a formation with one electrode per borehole, for the plurality of electrodes to define a fracture pattern for the geologic formation; a first electrical system for delivering a sufficient amount of energy to the electrodes to generate a conductive channel between the pair of electrodes with the conductivity in the channel has a ratio of final to initial channel conductivity of 10:1 to 50,000:1, wherein the sufficient amount of energy is selected from electromagnetic conduction, radiant energy and combinations thereof; and a second electrical system for generating electrical impulses with a voltage output ranging from 100-2000 kV, with the pulses having a rise time ranging from 0.05-500 microseconds and a half-value time of 50-5000 microseconds.

Abstract: Methods and apparatus for the inactivation of infectious agents in, on or around a catheter residing in a patient's body cavity. The method comprises transmitting non-ultraviolet sterilizing electromagnetic radiation (EMR) substantially axially along an optical element in the catheter body. Through delivery of the sterilizing EMR to particular areas of highest infection, the present disclosure is able to inactivate the major sources of infection in catheters.

Abstract: Sample handling, processing and analysis methods and apparatus are described. According to one aspect, a sample processing method includes providing a sample, providing a reference frame which comprises a plurality of markers arranged in a predefined pattern, wherein individual ones of the markers are uniquely identifiable from others of the markers, and associating the reference frame comprising the markers with the sample. The markers are amenable to human or machine reading and for computational manipulation in some examples.

Abstract: In one aspect, the present invention provides an optic, which comprises a light pipe extending from a proximal end to a distal end about an optical axis, said light pipe being adapted to receive at its proximal end at least a portion of light emitted by a light source. The optic further comprises a central reflector optically coupled to said distal end of the light pipe for receiving at least a portion of the light transmitted through the light pipe and reflecting said received light, a peripheral reflector optically coupled to said central reflector for receiving at least a portion of said reflected light, and an output surface. The peripheral reflector is configured to redirect at least a portion of the light received from the central reflector to said output surface for exiting the optic.

Abstract: A process for locationally sorting and filtering mobile applications at a geographical level, utilizing location-specific information is disclosed. The ability to filter categories among location-specific displayed application results in an interface creates much greater additional value to consumers, as they can quickly and easily screen applications pertaining to “Dating,” “Transportation” or other categories near them, where both location and underlying functionality are equally important. Additionally, browsing is encouraged under this system, as users do not have to continually enter new terms and hit search to generate new application search results.

Abstract: The present invention relates to dispensers of fluids such as liquids, powders or particulate solids and in particular, relates to apparatus to quickly, hygienically and accurately dispense predetermined measures of fluid products into a vessel according to the capacity of the vessel. In the preferred embodiment of the invention there is provided a fluid portion dispenser comprising at least one fluid reservoir, one or more nozzles, each of which being fixed to a work surface and having a nozzle outlet configured to dispense fluid from and a pump unit, connecting each reservoir to a nozzle and configured to pump fluid from each reservoir to a nozzle wherein each nozzle includes an activation mechanism, adapted to identify the capacity of a vessel in association with a nozzle outlet and activate the pump unit to dispense a portion of fluid from the nozzle outlet according to the capacity of the vessel identified.

Abstract: In some aspects, an optic is disclosed that includes a light input interface having a rippled surface that can mix the light incident thereon as the light propagates within the optic from the rippled surface to a peripheral surface of the optic, which is configured to redirect the light incident thereon to an output surface through which the light exits the optic.

Abstract: In one aspect, the present invention provides an optic, which comprises a light pipe extending from a proximal end to a distal end about an optical axis, said light pipe being adapted to receive at its proximal end at least a portion of light emitted by a light source. The optic further comprises a central reflector optically coupled to said distal end of the light pipe for receiving at least a portion of the light transmitted through the light pipe and reflecting said received light, a peripheral reflector optically coupled to said central reflector for receiving at least a portion of said reflected light, and an output surface. The peripheral reflector is con figured to redirect at least a portion of the light received from the central reflector to said output surface for exiting the optic.

Abstract: Optics and optical devices and systems are disclosed that employ a plurality of refractive and/or reflective optical elements, such as lenses and mirrors, with different shapes to achieve a desired illumination pattern. In various aspects, a plurality of lenses in which at least two of the lenses have different boundary shapes are arranged, e.g., according to a predefined pattern, to receive light from one or more light sources and to redirect the received light to form collectively a desired far-field illumination pattern. For example, the lenses can be configured such that the far-field illumination pattern has a boundary shape that is different from the boundary shape of a far-field illumination pattern that can be provided individually by the lenses.

Abstract: Controlled fracturing in geologic formations is carried out by a system for generating fractures. The system comprises: a plurality of electrodes for placing in boreholes in a formation with one electrode per borehole, for the plurality of electrodes to define a fracture pattern for the geologic formation; a first electrical system for delivering a sufficient amount of energy to the electrodes to generate a conductive channel between the pair of electrodes with the conductivity in the channel has a ratio of final to initial channel conductivity of 10:1 to 50,000:1, wherein the sufficient amount of energy is selected from electromagnetic conduction, radiant energy and combinations thereof; and a second electrical system for generating electrical impulses with a voltage output ranging from 100-2000 kV, with the pulses having a rise time ranging from 0.05-500 microseconds and a half-value time of 50-5000 microseconds.

Abstract: Controlled fracturing in geologic formations is carried out in a method employing a combination of alternating and impulsive current waveforms, applied in succession to achieve extensive fracturing and disintegration of rock materials for liquid and gas recovery. In a pre-conditioning step, high voltage discharges and optionally with highly ionizable gas injections are applied to a system of borehole electrodes, causing the formation to fracture with disintegration in multiple directions but confined between the locations of electrode pairs of opposite polarity. After pre-conditioning, intense current waveform of pulse energy is then applied to the system of borehole electrodes to create waves of ionization or shock waves with bubbles of heated gas that propagate inside and outside the high conductivity channels, resulting in rock disintegration with attendant large scale multiple fracturing.

Abstract: The present invention provides a system and method for handling large transactions by a storage virtualization system. Current storage virtualization systems can only manage a limited number of data objects stored on an associated NAS system because of the cost or hardware constraints of physical main memory. The present invention will enable a storage virtualization system to increase the number of data objects managed by a factor of five or more by using an associated secondary memory store, such as a disk, to store information or metadata about data objects stored on associated NAS systems. The invention also provides a method for moving metadata from the storage virtualization system memory to the secondary store and back, and recovering metadata if corrupted. The invention thereby increases the number of data objects handled by the storage virtualization system with negligible loss of performance as perceived by clients of the storage virtualization system.

Abstract: A disconnectable driveline arrangement for an all-wheel drive vehicle includes a power take-off unit having a disconnect mechanism, a rear drive module having a torque transfer device providing a disconnect function, a speed synchronization function and a torque biasing function, and a control system for controlling actuation of the disconnect mechanism and the torque transfer device. The power take-off unit and the rear drive module can each be equipped with a two-speed range shift unit which, under the control of the control system, permits establishment of high and low speed drive connections.

Abstract: A disconnectable driveline arrangement for an all-wheel drive vehicle includes a power take-off unit having a disconnect mechanism, a rear drive module having a torque transfer device providing a disconnect function, a speed synchronization function and a torque biasing function, and a control system for controlling actuation of the disconnect mechanism and the torque transfer device. The power take-off unit and the rear drive module can each be equipped with a two-speed range shift unit which, under the control of the control system, permits establishment of high and low speed drive connections.

Abstract: A disconnectable driveline arrangement for an all-wheel drive vehicle includes a power take-off unit having a disconnect mechanism, a rear drive module having a torque transfer device providing a disconnect function, a speed synchronization function and a torque biasing function, and a control system for controlling actuation of the disconnect mechanism and the torque transfer device. The power take-off unit and the rear drive module can each be equipped with a two-speed range shift unit which, under the control of the control system, permits establishment of high and low speed drive connections.

Abstract: The present invention relates to dispensers of fluids such as liquids, powders or particulate solids and in particular, relates to apparatus to quickly, hygienically and accurately dispense predetermined measures of fluid products into a vessel according to the capacity of the vessel. In the preferred embodiment of the invention there is provided a fluid portion dispenser comprising at least one fluid reservoir, one or more nozzles, each of which being fixed to a work surface and having a nozzle outlet configured to dispense fluid from and a pump unit, connecting each reservoir to a nozzle and configured to pump fluid from each reservoir to a nozzle wherein each nozzle includes an activation mechanism, adapted to identify the capacity of a vessel in association with a nozzle outlet and activate the pump unit to dispense a portion of fluid from the nozzle outlet according to the capacity of the vessel identified.