Abstract: Systems and methods are disclosed for distributed file collection and processing. According to certain embodiments, a producer system may detect a producer configuration file that specifies a file type, identify at least one file of the specified file type, and send the at least one identified file to a collector system. A conductor system may receive a request from a consumer system and allocate the at least one identified file to the consumer system based on the request. The collector system may receive the at least one identified file from the producer system. The consumer system may send the request to the conductor system and pull the at least one identified file from the collector system.

Abstract: The invention relates to a sports ball comprising a rubber core and optionally a felt, the rubber core defining an internal volume and an outer surface, the felt being provided on the outer surface of the rubber core, and the rubber core comprising: natural and/or synthetic rubber; and a biodegradability-enabling additive comprising at least one organic compound in a carrier material, wherein the organic compound is a nutrient substrate for an active landfill or marine environment strain of bacteria. The invention further relates to a method for manufacturing a tennis ball including: a) mixing natural rubber and butadiene rubber with further ingredients and the biodegradability-enabling additive; b) extruding a portion of the mixture; c) utilizing the extruded portion for forming a shellpart; d) assembling a core by attaching at least two shellparts to each other; e) inflating the core; and f) providing a felt on the surface of the core.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for positioning a manufacturing tool. A wheel assembly comprises a wheel plate and rollers. The wheel plate has a perimeter and an axis of rotation that is tiltable about a tilt axis. The rollers are arranged near the perimeter of the wheel plate, each of the rollers having an axis of rotation parallel to the tilt axis. An apparatus comprises an upper frame, a lower frame associated with the upper frame, a wedge slideably located between the upper frame and the lower frame, and a force applicator associated with the wedge.

Abstract: Systems and methods are disclosed for distributed file collection and processing. According to certain embodiments, a producer system may detect a producer configuration file that specifies a file type, identify at least one file of the specified file type, and send the at least one identified file to a collector system. A conductor system may receive a request from a consumer system and allocate the at least one identified file to the consumer system based on the request. The collector system may receive the at least one identified file from the producer system. The consumer system may send the request to the conductor system and pull the at least one identified file from the collector system.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for positioning a manufacturing tool. A wheel assembly comprises a wheel plate and rollers. The wheel plate has a perimeter and an axis of rotation that is tiltable about a tilt axis. The rollers are arranged near the perimeter of the wheel plate, each of the rollers having an axis of rotation parallel to the tilt axis. An apparatus comprises an upper frame, a lower frame associated with the upper frame, a wedge slideably located between the upper frame and the lower frame, and a force applicator associated with the wedge.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for positioning a manufacturing tool. A wheel assembly comprises a wheel plate and rollers. The wheel plate has a perimeter and an axis of rotation that is tiltable about a tilt axis. The rollers are arranged near the perimeter of the wheel plate, each of the rollers having an axis of rotation parallel to the tilt axis. An apparatus comprises an upper frame, a lower frame associated with the upper frame, a wedge slideably located between the upper frame and the lower frame, and a force applicator associated with the wedge.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for positioning a manufacturing tool. A wheel assembly comprises a wheel plate and rollers. The wheel plate has a perimeter and an axis of rotation that is tiltable about a tilt axis. The rollers are arranged near the perimeter of the wheel plate, each of the rollers having an axis of rotation parallel to the tilt axis. An apparatus comprises an upper frame, a lower frame associated with the upper frame, a wedge slideably located between the upper frame and the lower frame, and a force applicator associated with the wedge.

Abstract: Systems and methods are provided for providing content to be displayed to a user in response to a search request. One embodiment of a method includes identifying a page recipe comprising one or more page properties and one or more content module definitions, each content module definition defining an amount of content to be displayed in a content module to be displayed on a results page, the location of the content module to be displayed on the results page, and a content source from which to obtain content to be displayed in the content module, and using the page recipe to generate a results page to be displayed on a search client.

Abstract: Systems and methods are provided for providing content to be displayed to a user in response to a search request. One embodiment of a method includes identifying a page recipe comprising one or more page properties and one or more content module definitions, each content module definition defining an amount of content to be displayed in a content module to be displayed on a results page, the location of the content module to be displayed on the results page, and a content source from which to obtain content to be displayed in the content module, and using the page recipe to generate a results page to be displayed on a search client.

Abstract: A flexible track drilling machine employs a pair of rails that are flexible in one direction to conform to a non-flat workpiece surface and are substantially stiff in a direction parallel to the workpiece surface. The rails are attached to the workpiece by vacuum cups spaced along each rail. An X-axis carriage is slidably mounted on the rails by rollers mounted on flexible spring plates affixed to the carriage. A drill or other device to be positioned is mounted on a Y-axis carriage that is slidably connected to the X-axis carriage. The three-dimensional surface of the workpiece is mathematically transformed into a two-dimensional flat pattern, and the positioning of the carriages is controlled based on the flat pattern.

Abstract: A flexible track drilling machine employs a pair of rails that are flexible in one direction to conform to a non-flat workpiece surface and are substantially stiff in a direction parallel to the workpiece surface. The rails are attached to the workpiece by vacuum cups spaced along each rail. An X-axis carriage is slidably mounted on the rails by rollers mounted on flexible spring plates affixed to the carriage. A drill or other device to be positioned is mounted on a Y-axis carriage that is slidably connected to the X-axis carriage. The three-dimensional surface of the workpiece is mathematically transformed into a two-dimensional flat pattern, and the positioning of the carriages is controlled based on the flat pattern.