Abstract: A screen system having a first screen sub including a first base pipe wrapped with a first screen section; a second screen sub including a second base pipe wrapped with a second screen section; and a pipe coupling assembly joining the first and second base pipes. A section of filter material extends between the first and second screen sections, and extends over the pipe coupling assembly, thereby forming an annular flow path from the first screen section to the second screen section over the pipe coupling assembly.

Abstract: Provided herein in part is a therapeutic nanoparticle that includes a biocompatible polymer; a polymer—EGFR ligand conjugate, wherein the EGFR ligand is covalently bound directly or through a chemical linker to the polymer, and a therapeutic agent.

Abstract: A method of making an antimicrobial composite article, including the steps: providing a matrix comprising a polymeric material; providing a plurality of second phase particles comprising an antimicrobial agent; melting the matrix to form a matrix melt; distributing the plurality of second phase particles in the matrix melt at a second phase volume fraction to form a composite melt; forming a composite article from the composite melt; and treating the composite article to form an antimicrobial composite article having an exterior surface comprising an exposed portion of the matrix and the plurality of second phase particles. The distributing step can employ an extrusion process. The forming a composite article step can employ an injection molding process. The treating step can employ abrading and plasma-treating the article to define the exterior surface.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for obtaining a solution from a solid product in contact with a liquid is provided. A solid product is housed within a dispenser. A liquid is introduced into contact with the solid product. The solution formed between the solid product and the liquid is collected, and a makeup liquid can be added thereto to further dilute or control the concentration of the formed solution. The amount of makeup liquid added to the solution can be controlled based on the temperature of the liquid to provide an automatic, continuously variable amount of liquid added to the solution. In addition, a method of providing a pressure independent control of the makeup liquid is also provided.

Abstract: Described herein is an apparatus and method to convey an object through the air in a controlled and repeatable manner. The apparatus may comprise an object attached to at least one resilient member, the resilient member or members constraining object movement in a substantially vertical y-axis direction. The apparatus may also comprise at least one support member coupled to the at least one resilient member, and the support member or members constrain object movement in a substantially horizontal x-axis direction. In use, the resilient member is energized, movement initiated, and object movement then occurs in both an x-axis and y-axis direction, the movement path substantially governed by the resilient member(s) and the support member(s). The apparatus and method may allow the object to experience a variety of movement sensations, one being the feeling of flight or gliding.

Abstract: Methods, apparatus, and articles of manufacture to perform observer based control of a vehicle are disclosed. An example apparatus includes an error module to calculate a difference between a first state of a vehicle and a second state of the vehicle, the second state based on a measurement from a sensor, an observer module todetermine a third state of the vehicle based on the difference, a baseline control module to generate a first command based on the third state, and a vehicle module to execute the first command to control the vehicle.

Abstract: A robotic surgical system includes a fluid drive system and a surgical instrument removably positioned in operative engagement with the drive system. A sterile barrier covers non-sterile portions of the surgical system. Features of the sterile barrier are used to transfer motion output from the fluid drive system to the instrument for actuation of the instrument.

Abstract: Described herein are latching devices where relative speed of movement between members is in part controlled or reduced via eddy current formation and in part controlled or relative motion stopped via a latch arrangement. Various embodiments are described, one being use of a conductive member; at least one magnetic field and a latch member that, prior to latching, moves independently to the at least one conductive member. A kinematic relationship exists between the conductive member and at least one magnetic field that enables the conductive member to move at a different speed relative to the magnetic field on application of an energizing force, thereby inducing an eddy current drag force by relative movement of the conductive member in the magnetic field. The eddy current drag force resulting causes movement of the conductive member causing the conductive member to engage the latch member thereby halting movement between the at least one conductive member and the at least one latch member.

Abstract: An approach is provided for indirectly connecting a customer's mobile smart device to computers located at a business when the customer is making a purchase at the business. The customer's mobile smart device and the business's computers communicate over the Internet with a customer interaction manager executing on an Internet server. This provides an easy to use interface for the customer and allows the customer to receive information and send requests to the business without having to wait for personnel working at the business to be available.

Abstract: A slider control module, based on a mode command: selectively extends pins into one or more slider actuators of a camshaft slider. Contact between the pins and the grooves in the slider actuator(s) during rotation of a camshaft slides the camshaft slider axially along the intake camshaft. An actual mode module: determines a last stored indicator of the mode command; commands the slider control module to extend one of the pins to slide the camshaft slider and achieve the last stored indicator of the mode command; and, based on whether the one of the pins extended in response to the command, indicates that an actual mode is either: (i) the last stored indicator of the mode command; or (ii) another mode. The mode command module updates the mode command to the actual mode.

Abstract: A controller opens or closes a valve in response to the ambient temperature crossing a threshold value, for example to prevent the continued supply of water to pipes that might have frozen and burst. An output shaft (4) acts on a stem of the valve to rotate it between the open and closed positions. A clock spring (8) biases the output shaft towards one of those positions but is restrained by a latch (28) until a thermal actuator (30) operates mechanically to release the latch in response to a change in temperature. The latch may be a pawl (28) acting on a ratchet gear (22) that allows the output shaft (4) to rotate in one direction but not the other. The ratchet gear (22) may be mounted on an input shaft (14), which is connected to the output shaft (4) through a gear train (16-19) to give a mechanical advantage when turning the output shaft (4) against the force of the spring (8).

Abstract: A vehicle sun visor assembly includes a sun visor body and an electrical system. The electrical system includes a power source tray configured to receive a power source. The sun visor body includes a mounting feature configured to couple the power source tray to the sun visor body and to facilitate removal of the power source tray from the sun visor body. In addition, the electrical system includes at least one electrical contact coupled to the sun visor body and configured to establish an electrical connection with the power source while the power source tray is engaged with the mounting feature.

Abstract: An engine control module includes at least one high side driver connected to at least one intake camshaft actuator and at least one exhaust camshaft actuator. A plurality of low side drivers is connected to the at least one intake camshaft actuator and the at least one exhaust camshaft actuator. A sliding camshaft control module selectively actuates the at least one high side driver and the plurality of low side drivers based on a status associated with the at least one intake camshaft actuator and/or the at least one exhaust camshaft actuator.

Abstract: A Network Functions Virtualization (NFV) method integrating third-party Virtual Network Functions (VNF) through a plugin framework includes operating, via one or more servers in an NFV cloud, the plugin framework with Application Programming Interfaces (API) to one or more third-party VNFs; providing a catalog of VNF services comprising the one or more third-party VNFs to an end user; and operating the one or more third-party VNFs with the end user via the NFV cloud, wherein the one or more third-party VNFs are from a different vendor than an operator of the NFV cloud.

Abstract: Systems, methods, and software technology for governing resource utilization in a computing environment. In an implementation, a governance thread started by a job manager process identifies threads running within the job manager process and associates each of the threads with one of various jobs. The governance thread then tracks a resource utilization level of each of the jobs based on the resource utilization level of each of the threads associated with the job. When the resource utilization level of any of the jobs exceeds a threshold, the governance thread is able to shut down at least one of the threads associated with the job.

Abstract: A control system for a recirculation valve of a turbocharger includes a target boost module, a close request module, and a close delay module. The target boost module determines a target boost for the turbocharger based on a torque request. The close request module selectively generates a close request to close the recirculation valve based on the target boost. The close delay module, in response to the generation of the close request, delays closing of the recirculation valve.

Abstract: A dynamic licensing method, implemented in an integrated system, includes, responsive to an end user requesting a third-party application through the integrated system; determining a license key, for the third-party application, in the integrated system using a public key associated with the integrated system; receiving an encrypted validation result from a system associated with the third-party application that validates the license key using a private key and software provided with the integrated system, wherein the system returns the encrypted validation results to the third-party application which provides the encrypted validation results to the integrated system; and decrypting the encrypted validation results using previously allocated session key and determining whether to run the third-party application based on the validation results.

Abstract: Described herein is an apparatus and method to convey an object through the air in a controlled and repeatable manner. The apparatus may comprise an object attached to at least one resilient member, the resilient member or members constraining object movement in a substantially vertical y-axis direction. The apparatus may also comprise at least one support member coupled to the at least one resilient member, and the support member or members constrain object movement in a substantially horizontal x-axis direction. In use, the resilient member is energised, movement initiated, and object movement then occurs in both an x-axis and y-axis direction, the movement path substantially governed by the resilient member(s) and the support member(s). The apparatus and method may allow the object to experience a variety of movement sensations, one being the feeling of flight or gliding.

Abstract: An approach is provided for indirectly connecting a customer's mobile smart defies to a point of sale computer located at a business when the customer is making a purchase at the business. The customer's mobile smart device and the POS computer communicate over the Internet with a customer interaction manager executing on an Internet server. This provides an easy to interface for the customer and allows the customer to receive information and send requests to the business without having to wait for personnel working at the business to be available.