Abstract: An embodiment of an assembly includes an isolation member and an isolation member seat to together isolate a first portion of a well casing from a second portion of the well casing. The isolation member comprises an exterior surface including at least one of a ceramic material, metallic glass, a reactive metal or a PGA material, and the isolation member includes an interior chamber to receive an explosive device. The explosive device may be surrounded by a non-compressible fluid, and may include a pressure sensor, a processor, a battery and an explosive charge. The ceramic, metallic glass and reactive metal and may comprise one of zirconium oxide, aluminum oxide, Bulk metallic Glass, silicon nitride, tungsten carbide, reactive metal alloy or PGA salt. The isolation member is resistant to deformation within an isolation member seat under the application of a substantial pressure differential across the isolation member and isolation member seat.

Abstract: An excavation system is disclosed for use with a machine. The excavation system may have a work tool, and linkage connecting the work tool to the machine. The excavation system may also have at least one sensor configured to generate a signal indicative of an angle of the linkage, a display, and a controller in communication with the at least one sensor and the display. The controller may be configured to selectively cause the display to notify a user of the excavation system when the angle of the linkage is within a desired material penetration range of angles.

Abstract: A component for a gas turbine engine is disclosed. The component includes at least a first portion and a second portion, and a data representing matrix. The second portion includes a second portion surface. The data representing matrix is formed directly on the second portion surface and includes a plurality of contrasting cells arranged in a geometric pattern representing information about the component including test data, a serial number, and a part number. The plurality of contrasting cells includes a plurality of first cells and a plurality of second cells that contrast from the plurality of first cells.

Abstract: An embodiment of an isolation member cooperates with an isolation member seat to isolate a well first portion of an earthen well drilled into the earth's crust from a well second portion and comprises an interior chamber to receive an explosive charge. The explosive charge may be surrounded by a filler material that is resistant to deformation. A pressure sensor, a circuit, and a battery are also received into the chamber. The isolation member material may comprise one of zirconium oxide, aluminum oxide, bulk metallic glass, silicon nitride or tungsten carbide, and the isolation member is resistant to deformation within the isolation member seat under the application of a substantial pressure differential across the isolation member and isolation member seat. Detonation of the explosive charge fragments the isolation member to prevent the isolation member from presenting an obstruction to subsequent well operations. A safety fuse may be included to enable safe handling and transport.

Abstract: The present invention provides a method and apparatus for supporting a portable computer appliance. The invention may comprise rotating a computer appliance to convert between mouse-based use and a touch-based use, or other orientations and applications. The apparatus may be attached to a microphone stand or similar mechanism to aid viewing the computer appliance. To assist coordination with public performances, the apparatus may hold and support a computer appliance to display notes, music, video, or other expressions for assisting a performer, such as for public speeches, concerts, plays, stand-up comedy, and the like.

Abstract: An embodiment of a ceramic isolation ball is provided to cooperate with a ball seat to isolate a first portion of a well drilled into the earth's crust from a second portion of the well. Embodiments of the ball of the present invention are comprised of a ceramic material with excellent resistance to deformation when received into a ball seat and subjected to very high pressure differentials tending to force the ball into the ball seat to isolate a portion of a borehole below or beyond the ball and ball seat from a portion of the borehole above or before the ball and ball seat. Embodiments of the ball of the present invention include a hollow interior and a hole that receives a plug to close the hollow interior to prevent fluid intrusion therein. The ball is used to isolate a portion of a well during high-pressure fracturing operations.

Abstract: In an embodiment of the invention, furnace tubes for cracking hydrocarbons having a longitudinal array of pins having i) a maximum height from 0.5-1.3 cm; ii) a contact surface with the tube, having an area from 0.1%-10% of the tube external surface area iii) a uniform cross section along the length of the pin. (i.e. they are not tapered); and iv) a length to diameter ratio from 1.5:1 to 0.5:1 have an improved heat transfer over bare fins and reduced stress relative to a fined tube.

Abstract: An embodiment of a fracking ball cooperates with a ball seat to isolate a well first portion of an earthen well drilled into the earth's crust from a well second portion and comprises an interior chamber to receive an explosive charge. The explosive charge may be surrounded by a filler material that is resistant to deformation. A pressure sensor, a circuit, and a battery are also received into the chamber. The ball material, may comprise one of zirconium oxide, aluminum oxide, bulk metallic glass, silicon nitride or tungsten carbide, and the ball is resistant to deformation within the ball seat under the application of a substantial pressure differential across the ball and ball seat. Detonation of the explosive charge fragments the ball to prevent the ball from presenting an obstruction to subsequent well operations. A safety fuse may be included to enable safe handling and transport.

Abstract: An airway support appliance lifts a patient's jaw upwards by using the mid-face of the patient as a stable fulcrum, thereby alleviating the need for techniques or devices to detect or alleviate airway obstructions. The appliance spans the patient's lower face and is secured to the angle and ramus of each side of the mobile mandible. These attachments are linked to one another across the midface or maxilla, using the bridge of the nose or the area between the nose and upper lip of the patient as the stabilizing point. The appliance may include an adjustment mechanism to facilitate tightening. Upon securement of the device to the patient while in a supine position, and activation of the adjustment mechanism, the mandible of the patient, which is mobile, is lifted anteriorly. Upon lifting of the mandible, the patient's tongue is carried forward and away from the posterior pharynx.

Abstract: According to one aspect, embodiments of the invention provide a current monitoring device comprising a current transformer configured to be removeably coupled to a power line and to generate a reference signal having a level related to a current level of the power line, a sensor circuit connected to the current transformer and configured to convert the reference signal to a measurement signal, a flexible cable having a first end and a second end, the first end coupled to the sensor circuit, and a connection portion coupled to the second end of the flexible cable and configured to be removeably coupled to a communications bus, wherein the sensor circuit is further configured to provide the measurement signal to the communication bus via the flexible cable and the connection portion.

Abstract: A method is provided for coaching an operator of an earthmoving machine having a controller. The method may include the controller presenting a list of coaching points to the operator. The controller receives input to execute a coaching point selected by the operator. The controller accesses memory to retrieve a predetermined method for execution of the coaching point. The controller manipulates the machine to execute the coaching point according to the predetermined method.

Abstract: A method for coaching an operator of an earthmoving machine is disclosed. The machine may have a controller in communication with a plurality of sensors configured to generate actual data indicative of real-time parameters associated with an operation of the machine. In this aspect, the method comprises the controller receiving actual data related to the operation of the machine performed by the operator. The controller determines a type of operation being performed based on the actual data. The controller compares the actual data to expected data for the type of operation being performed as preprogrammed in a memory associated with the controller. The controller provides notification of performance to the operator in real-time based on the comparison of the actual data to expected data.

Abstract: Furnace tubes for cracking hydrocarbons that in an embodiment have a longitudinal array of pins having i) a maximum height from about 2 to about 4.8 cm; ii) a contact surface with the tube, having an area from about 0.1% to about 10% of the tube external cross section area iii) a uniform cross section along the length of the pin. (i.e., they are typically not tapered); and iv) a length to diameter ratio from about 4:1 to about 2:1 have an improved heat transfer over bare fins and reduced stress relative to a fined tube.

Abstract: Various embodiments provide systems and methods enable a user to receive feedback regarding a computer-implemented design of an architectural structure as the user is designing or otherwise modifying the computer-implemented design using a computer-aided design (CAD) software tool. The feedback (hereafter also referred to as “design feedback”) may provide the user with useful analysis information regarding the architectural structure's predicted characteristics (e.g., operational performance, resource consumption, cost, etc.) based on the current state of the computer-implemented design. As the user performs one or more actions on the computer-implemented design model (e.g., through the CAD software tool), particularly with respect to the geometry or texture of the computer-implemented design model, systems and methods can provide the impact of those actions, possibly at or near the time the actions were executed (e.g., at or near real-time).

Abstract: A receptacle has at least one elastomeric sidewall with a contoured non-linear shape defining a container with a predetermined volume for housing a substance to be contained. The at least one sidewall includes a substance-contacting surface. The receptacle is fully reversibly eversible to transform between a first stable conformation with the substance-contacting surface facing inward and a second stable conformation with the substance-contacting surface facing outward allowing for facile cleaning and drying of the substance-contacting surface. The at least one elastomeric sidewall possesses sufficient structural strength to stand upright in the first and second stable conformations without extraneous support. The receptacle can include a cap and an attachment joint for securing the cap to the elastomeric receptacle.

Abstract: Input sources to a display, such as a television, are depicted with a first indicator if active, such as active with a signal having visual information, and are depicted with a second indicator if inactive, such as lacking an active signal. A selection module allows a user of the display to select an active source but precludes selection of an inactive source. For instance, a user is allowed to select highlighted input sources that are active but not allowed to select grayed out input sources that are inactive. An override allows the user to present all input sources with the first indicator, whether or not the input sources are active.

Abstract: An elastomeric containment receptacle has at least one sidewall defining a container substantially surrounding and enclosing a predetermined volume for housing a substance to be contained within the receptacle. The at least one sidewall includes a substance-contacting surface. The receptacle is reversibly transformable between a first stable conformation, wherein the substance-contacting surface faces inward, and a second stable conformation, wherein the substance-contacting surface faces outward. In other words, the receptacle is fully eversible, allowing for facile cleaning and drying of the receptacle interior. The receptacle possesses sufficient structural strength to stand without extraneous support. The eversible receptacle can be adapted to serve as a nursing bottle or other beverage receptacle. The receptacle can include a nipple or other receptacle cap, and an attachment joint for securing the cap to the elastomeric receptacle.

Abstract: A method of calibrating an optical detector arrangement (38,42) comprises simultaneously generating a plurality of entangled photon pairs, such that one photon from each pair traverses a first path (36-38-42) and the other photon from each pair traverses a second path (36-40-44). The number of photons received along the first path is calculated using the detector arrangement (38,42), while the number of simultaneously-generated photons received along the second path is calculated using a second detector arrangement (40,44). These photon numbers are used to calculated an estimate of the detection efficiency (50) of the first detector arrangement (38,42).

Abstract: A network interface includes a receptacle configured to receive a plug, a first contact and a second contact each disposed in the receptacle, and a combination of a resistive element and a normally closed switch arranged in series with each other. The combination is coupled between the first contact and the second contact, and has a first configuration in which the switch is opened responsive to a presence of the plug within the receptacle, and a second configuration in which the switch is closed responsive to an absence of the plug from the receptacle.