Abstract: A digital repository 20 includes data items. A user can add additional functionality or program routines to data item by including as a data item a data processing identifier pointing to at least one data processing routine. Such routines are accessed by a client 22 by sending from a client to the digital repository 20 a request to access a data item, wherein the repository provides an interface description document 32 from the digital repository 20 to the client 22 as the response to the request. The client 22 can then transmit a data processing request from the client to a service 26 identified by the data processing identifier of the interface description document 32, the data processing request including the identifier from the interface description document.

Abstract: The invention provides a lid mechanism suitable for use with automated instrumentation. The lid mechanism has a compact design enabling it to function in very small spaces, and therefore on very compact instrumentation. One embodiment of the lid mechanism has a nut positioned around a jackscrew; a motor translationally attached to the nut for driving rotational motion of the nut around the jackscrew and vertical motion of the jackscrew; a main shaft positioned around the jackscrew with a bearing support positioned on the main shaft; a moving support comprising a bearing guide track and positioned on the main shaft so that the bearing support is positioned within the bearing guide track; and a lid plate positioned on the moving support so that vertical movement of the moving support causes vertical movement of the lid plate and rotational movement of the moving support causes rotational movement of the lid plate. Also provided is an automated laboratory instrument having a lid mechanism of the invention.

Abstract: A specially designed rotary indexing system and associated operational methods are incorporated in a downhole control device, representatively a sliding sleeve valve, having an outer tubular member in which an annular plug seat is coaxially disposed. The plug seat is resiliently expandable between a first diameter and a larger second diameter and is illustratively of a circumferentially segmented construction. The rotary indexing system is operative to detect the number of plug members that pass through and diametrically expand the plug seat, and responsively preclude passage of further plug members therethrough when such number reaches a predetermined magnitude. Such predetermined magnitude is correlated to the total rotation of an indexing system counter ring portion rotationally driven by axial camming forces transmitted to the rotary indexing system by successive plug member passage-generated diametrical expansions of the plug seat.

Abstract: A diverter flowline seal assembly for use in subsea drilling. The seal assembly includes a seal body having an inner diameter end and an outer diameter end formed of an inflatable elastomeric material having a first modulus. The inner diameter end of the seal body includes two diametrically opposed axially inward lip portions and two diametrically opposed axially outward base portions. Integrated with the inflatable elastomeric material at the base portions of the inner diameter end of the seal body is a material having a modulus that is higher than the modulus of the inflatable elastomeric material so as to prevent the radial expansion of the lip portions and the base portions of the inner diameter end of the seal body.

Abstract: A method of making a transducer head disclosed herein includes depositing a spacer layer on an NFT layer of the transducer head, forming an etch stop layer on a spacer layer of a transducer, depositing a cladding layer on the etch stop layer, and milling the cladding layer at a sloped angle such that the milling stops at the etch stop layer.

Abstract: Methods and apparatus for liquid/solid separation for use in applications such as dewatering fine particulate solids, and recovery of valuable metals from ore in a leaching process are provided. One application relates to methods of agitation leaching of metals such as gold from gold-bearing feedstock. A slurry is formed in a tank by agitation, and allowed to settle. A filter bed forms to drain the liquid from the tank, and a vertical screen pipe such as a well point addresses the formation of an impervious film on the upper surface of the filter bed.

Abstract: The present application discloses a handle configured to receive a catheter. The handle comprises a port that communicates with a lumen of the catheter and a mechanism is provided that moves the end of the catheter for positioning. The guide wire traverses a reservoir located in the handle. In particular, the handle comprises an enclosure with a conduit and a reservoir, where the conduit extends through the enclosure from the left side to the right side and the reservoir space has a curved or concave base. The bottom side and top side of the handle converge into a tapered point on the left side.

Abstract: There is a strap that may include an elongated flexible, a transparent solid dome of polymer resin (urethane) and that is free of adhesives. The strap includes a second solid dome disposed on a second side, a decorative layer disposed between the first side and the solid dome, a decorative element embedded with the solid dome, a coupling device, and an electronic device imbedded in the solid dome. There is a method of manufacturing a strap, including the steps of providing a flexible substrate coupled to a carrier sheet; applying a liquid polymer resin over a majority of the first side of the elongated flexible substrate; hardening the liquid polymer resin; separating the flexible substrate from the carrier sheet; applying and hardening a liquid polymer resin on the second side; printing a decorative layer; and cutting the flexible substrate and removing flexible substrate material between cuts.

Abstract: A method of making a transducer head disclosed herein includes depositing a spacer layer on an NFT layer of the transducer head, forming an etch stop layer on a spacer layer of a transducer, depositing a cladding layer on the etch stop layer, and milling the cladding layer at a sloped angle such that the milling stops at the etch stop layer.

Abstract: A jewelry organizer stand has a frame with a mesh region for mounting post-type earrings and pins and a mounting bar region of parallel mounting bars for holding various clips with extensions. The clips with extensions can include ring bars for holding rings, necklace bars for holding necklaces, spin-rings for holding beads, pendants and pins, and locking bracelet hooks for holding bracelets. The organizer stand can be pivotably mounted on a base so that it can be turned around. The height can be about that of an adult. The base is at least as wide as the frame so that the organizer will not fall over even if a large unbalanced weight of jewelry is placed on it.

Abstract: A portable handheld wireless breath alcohol monitoring device (RBAM) utilizes facial recognition from an enrollment image or gallery of images accumulated over time, and automatic retesting if an initial test is positive for alcohol or of an initial facial match is negative. A location fix is captured with each breath test taken by an offender. After each breath test, the breath alcohol content (BrAC), date and time of the breath test, facial image data, and location fix are uploaded through a built-in cellular phone module in the RBAM to a monitoring station. The monitoring station evaluates each breath test and determines if immediate notification to a supervising agency is needed. If so, an email, text message, or page is sent to the supervising agency. RBAM enables the monitoring of lower-risk offenders or offenders who have earned the privilege of a less intrusive alcohol testing and monitoring program.

Abstract: A specially designed rotary indexing system and associated operational methods are incorporated in a downhole control device, representatively a sliding sleeve valve, having an outer tubular member in which an annular plug seat is coaxially disposed. The plug seat is resiliently expandable between a first diameter and a larger second diameter and is illustratively of a circumferentially segmented construction. The rotary indexing system is operative to detect the number of plug members that pass through and diametrically expand the plug seat, and responsively preclude passage of further plug members therethrough when such number reaches a predetermined magnitude. Such predetermined magnitude is correlated to the total rotation of an indexing system counter ring portion rotationally driven by axial camming forces transmitted to the rotary indexing system by successive plug member passage-generated diametrical expansions of the plug seat.

Abstract: A tubular downhole tool, representatively a sliding sleeve valve, coaxially supports within its interior an annular plug ball seat formed from a series of rigid, arcuate segments that circumferentially overlap one another in various representatively disclosed manners. The seat is expandable from a diametrically compressed orientation, toward which it is resiliently biased, to a diametrically expanded orientation by a plug ball pumped through the seat. Due to the circumferential segment-to-segment overlap, each segment is blocked by its two circumferentially adjacent segments from being axially separated from the overall seat assembly by operational pressure forces.

Abstract: A distributed power (DP) control system is contained within a non-freight carrying intermodal container for communicating with and receive instructions and/or commands from a command system of a lead distributed power locomotive within a train. The container is configured to be provided on a car adjacent to a remote non-distributed powered (non-DP) locomotive provided within a length of the train. One or more connection hoses connect the distributed power control system within the container to the non-DP locomotive to control application of at least its brake system.

Abstract: A vertical gas cooler suitable for use as an intercooler in a multi-stage compressor includes an inlet at its upper portion, a tube bundle, a centrally disposed mist eliminator assembly and a side-draw outlet. Optionally provided is a drain pipe from the mist eliminator assembly to a sump located below the side-draw outlet.

Abstract: A portable handheld wireless breath alcohol monitoring device (RBAM) utilizes facial recognition and automatic retesting if an initial test is positive for alcohol or of an initial facial match is negative. A location fix is captured with each breath test taken by an offender. After each breath test, the breath alcohol content (BrAC), date and time of the breath test, facial image data, and location fix are uploaded through a built-in cellular phone module in the RBAM to a monitoring station. The monitoring station evaluates each breath test and determines if immediate notification to a supervising agency is needed. If so, an email, text message, or page is sent to the supervising agency. RBAM enables the monitoring of lower-risk offenders or offenders who have earned the privilege of a less intrusive alcohol testing and monitoring program.

Abstract: The invention relates to a magnetic stripe reader, and more particularly, to systems, devices and methods of directly extracting binary information embedded in a magnetic stripe using simple analog and digital signal processing techniques. Once information stored in the magnetic stripe is extracted as a F-2F waveform by the magnetic stripe reader, peaks, valleys and mid-level transition points between every consecutive peak and valley are detected. A peak-to-peak period and an average time are directly derived to determine whether the corresponding peak-to-peak transition is associated with a binary bit of “1” or “0”. This magnetic stripe reader spares a need for a multi-bit analog-to-digital converter (ADC) and a large memory, and thus, constitutes a simple and self-contained solution that may read out the binary information stored on the magnetic stripe with reduced power consumption and improved cost efficiency.

Abstract: A subterranean well fracturing system comprises a downhole well string having installed therein initially closed upstream and downstream sliding sleeve valve assemblies each openable to provide fracing fluid discharge outlets through well string side ports to an associated subterranean fracing zone. To inhibit an undesirable screen-out condition during formation fracturing, specially designed apparatus and methods are operative to sequentially (1) block the downstream valve seat, (2) open the blocked downstream valve seat using pressurized fracing fluid, (3) partially block the upstream valve seat, (4) open the partially blocked upstream valve seat using pressurized fracing fluid, a portion of which is flowed through the partially blocked upstream valve seat, and then (5) unblock the partially blocked upstream valve seat to permit a full flow of pressurized fracing fluid therethrough.

Abstract: A room temperature butter dish has a cover and a base. The base has two end walls and two side walls that a stick of butter resides between. The cover sits over the end walls and side wall and rests on the base. The end walls have raised shoulders and a horizontal knife scraper between the shoulders. The knife scraper is above the height of a conventional stick of butter. Butter can be scrapped off of a knife and rest on top of a stick of butter below. The shoulders of the end walls keep the bottom edge of the cover from hitting any butter as the cover is put on or removed.

Abstract: The present application discloses a handle configured to receive a catheter. The handle comprises a port that communicates with a lumen of the catheter and a mechanism is provided that moves the end of the catheter for positioning. The guide wire traverses a reservoir located in the handle. In particular, the handle comprises an enclosure with a conduit and a reservoir, where the conduit extends through the enclosure from the left side to the right side and the reservoir space has a curved or concave base. The bottom side and top side of the handle converge into a tapered point on the left side.