Abstract: A sensor including a flexible channel defining a fluid flow path, the flexible channel configured to at least partially deflect when a force is imparted on the flexible channel. A gel layer is in contact with an outer surface of the flexible channel, and a transducer is in contact with the gel layer. Transducer is configured to generate an output signal that corresponds to an amount of strain imparted on the flexible channel.

Abstract: A vehicle door handle assembly, comprising: a door handle having opposite first and second ends, the first end including a handle leg connectable to a bellcrank; a door handle end-cap; a slide-lock cassette supporting the bellcrank; and a frame mounting the door handle and the door handle end-cap. The frame is securable to a vehicle door and defines an opening receiving the slide-lock cassette therein. The opening is dimensioned to permit sliding movement of the slide-lock cassette therein. The slide-lock cassette is slidingly moveable relative to the frame between a first position, in which the handle leg is not connected to the bellcrank and the door handle end cap is not secured in place relative to the frame, and a second position, in which the handle leg is connected to the bellcrank and the door handle end-cap is captured by the slide-lock cassette against removal from the frame.

Abstract: Methods and systems are described managing module for remotely managing hardware of at least one of a plurality of distributed remote storage devices. A computer implemented method includes locally monitoring a system (including, for example, a core operating system) of the hardware, locally detecting an abnormal or unresponsive state of the system, generating a notice when the abnormal or unresponsive state is detected, delivering the notice to a remotely located central service, and automatically rebooting the hardware when the abnormal or unresponsive state is detected.

Abstract: A sensor including a flexible channel defining a fluid flow path, the flexible channel configured to at least partially deflect when a force is imparted on the flexible channel. A gel layer is in contact with an outer surface of the flexible channel, and a transducer is in contact with the gel layer. Transducer is configured to generate an output signal that corresponds to an amount of strain imparted on the flexible channel.

Abstract: A system for accessing a vehicle when the main battery is incapable of supplying sufficient power for actuating the vehicle's power door locks/latches comprises: a power supply in the door or release handle supplying power to the vehicle's power latch; an entry authentication device for receiving one or more inputs for authenticating a user's access to the vehicle, the entry authentication device powered by the rechargeable power supply; and a latch controller powered by the power supply and operatively connected to the power latch and the at least one entry authentication device to receive information from the entry authentication device corresponding to the one or more inputs. The latch controller can authenticate a user's access to the vehicle to place the power latch in an unlocked state so that the door can be opened.

Abstract: A vehicle door handle assembly, comprising: a door handle having opposite first and second ends, the first end including a handle leg connectable to a bellcrank; a door handle end-cap; a slide-lock cassette supporting the bellcrank; and a frame mounting the door handle and the door handle end-cap. The frame is securable to a vehicle door and defines an opening receiving the slide-lock cassette therein. The opening is dimensioned to permit sliding movement of the slide-lock cassette therein. The slide-lock cassette is slidingly moveable relative to the frame between a first position, in which the handle leg is not connected to the bellcrank and the door handle end cap is not secured in place relative to the frame, and a second position, in which the handle leg is connected to the bellcrank and the door handle end-cap is captured by the slide-lock cassette against removal from the frame.

Abstract: A cementing tool (20) capable of being installed in a casing string (10) and configured to selectively permit the flow of cement through one or more ports (34) in the tool is provided. The ports (34) are normally sealed by rupture disc assemblies (36) comprising a rupture disc (62) that can be opened to permit flow of cement through the casing string central bore (32) and into the annulus (14) defined by the casing string (10) and the downhole formation (16). The cementing tool (20) is particularly useful during cementing operations in which the annulus (14) has become blocked by a collapsed portion of the formation by allowing the obstruction (104) to be bypassed and the flow of cement (100) into the annulus to be continued without substantial interruption. Tool (20) may also be used in multistage cementing operations.

Abstract: A cementing tool (20) capable of being installed in a casing string (10) and configured to selectively permit the flow of cement through one or more ports (34) in the tool is provided. The ports (34) are normally sealed by rupture disc assemblies (36) comprising a rupture disc (62) that can be opened to permit flow of cement through the casing string central bore (32) and into the annulus (14) defined by the casing string (10) and the downhole formation (16). The cementing tool (20) is particularly useful during cementing operations in which the annulus (14) has become blocked by a collapsed portion of the formation by allowing the obstruction (104) to be bypassed and the flow of cement (100) into the annulus to be continued without substantial interruption. Tool (20) may also be used in multistage cementing operations.

Abstract: An activation rupture disc unit is provided that is capable of withstanding a substantially higher back pressure than its burst activation pressure. The unit includes a tubular housing having a fluid passage. Tapered wall structure defines at least a portion of the passage with the fluid outlet thereof being of greater area than the fluid inlet. A rupture disc is carried by the housing and has a central bulged section in fluid-blocking relationship to the passage. A tapered, self-releasing solid plug is positioned in and conforms to the tapered portion of the passage. The plug has a curved surface conforming to and positioned in full supporting relationship to the central section of the rupture disc. The plug is of sufficient mass to prevent rupture of the central section of the disc under a back pressure substantially greater than the activation pressure of the disc.

Abstract: An activation rupture disc unit is provided that is capable of withstanding a substantially higher back pressure than its burst activation pressure. The unit includes a tubular housing having a fluid passage. Tapered wall structure defines at least a portion of the passage with the fluid outlet thereof being of greater area than the fluid inlet. A rupture disc is carried by the housing and has a central bulged section in fluid-blocking relationship to the passage. A tapered, self-releasing solid plug is positioned in and conforms to the tapered portion of the passage. The plug has a curved surface conforming to and positioned in full supporting relationship to the central section of the rupture disc. The plug is of sufficient mass to prevent rupture of the central section of the disc under a back pressure substantially greater than the activation pressure of the disc.

Abstract: An anti-parallax scintillator system images light from a face of a scintillator radiated by penetrating ionizing radiation from a localized source. Radiation from the source will traverse the scintillator along rays forming a cone having its vertex approximately at the source. Scintillator light directed along each such ray is collected and redirected toward an aperture in a screen between the scintillator and the photocathode of an image intensifier. The aperture transmits the redirected light which is then incident upon the photocathode to form an image. Scintillator light not directed along rays from the vertex will miss the aperture and be blocked from the photocathode by the screen. A second embodiment, without an aperture, uses a plurality of mirrors arranged in a quasi-Newtonian configuration to provide anti-parallax imaging.