Abstract: An exercise device is provided using, for example, handles, connected to cords that increase in tension as the handles are pulled. The tension may be provided using elasticity of the cords or by an actuator, for example powered by an electric motor. Pulleys allow adequate extension while remaining compact enough to fit in a standard height room and allowing accessibility to components. Upper and forward pulleys may be used. The upper pulleys may be displaced from potential obstacles, including the forward pulleys.

Abstract: Systems and methods are provided for facilitating automated compliance with security, audit and network configuration policies. In some instances, new runtime configuration files are iteratively generated and compared to a baseline configuration file to determine whether a threshold variance exists between the baseline configuration file and each separate and new runtime configuration file. If the threshold variance exists, remedial actions are triggered. In some instances, runtime configuration files are scanned for blacklist configuration settings. When blacklist configuration settings are found, remedial actions can also be triggered. In some instances, configuration files are scrubbed by omitting detected blacklist items from the configuration files. In some instances, changes are only made to configuration files when they match changes on an approved change list and are absent from an open incident list.

Abstract: Systems and methods are provided for facilitating automated compliance with security, audit and network configuration policies. In some instances, new runtime configuration files are iteratively generated and compared to a baseline configuration file to determine whether a threshold variance exists between the baseline configuration file and each separate and new runtime configuration file. If the threshold variance exists, remedial actions are triggered. In some instances, runtime configuration files are scanned for blacklist configuration settings. When blacklist configuration settings are found, remedial actions can also be triggered. In some instances, configuration files are scrubbed by omitting detected blacklist items from the configuration files. In some instances, changes are only made to configuration files when they match changes on an approved change list and are absent from an open incident list.

Abstract: A downhole burner for a steam generator includes an injector and a cooling liner. Steam enters the burner through holes in the cooling liner. Combustion occurring within the cooling liner heats the steam and increases its quality and may superheat it. The heated, high-quality steam and combustion products exit the burner and enter an oil-bearing formation to upgrade and improve the mobility of heavy crude oils held in the formation. The injector includes a face plate, a cover plate, an oxidizer distribution manifold plate, and a fuel distribution manifold plate. The cooling liner has an effusion cooling section and effusion cooling and jet mixing section. The effusion cooling section includes effusion holes for injecting steam along the cooling liner surface to protect the liner. The effusion cooling and jet mixing section has both effusion holes and mixing holes for injecting steam further toward central portions of the burner.

Abstract: A downhole burner for a steam generator includes an injector and a cooling liner. Steam enters the burner through holes in the cooling liner. Combustion occurring within the cooling liner heats the steam and increases its quality and may superheat it. The heated, high-quality steam and combustion products exit the burner and enter an oil-bearing formation to upgrade and improve the mobility of heavy crude oils held in the formation. The injector includes a face plate, a cover plate, an oxidizer distribution manifold plate, and a fuel distribution manifold plate. The cooling liner has an effusion cooling section and effusion cooling and jet mixing section. The effusion cooling section includes effusion holes for injecting steam along the cooling liner surface to protect the liner. The effusion cooling and jet mixing section has both effusion holes and mixing holes for injecting steam further toward central portions of the burner.

Abstract: A gas stream with a reduced oxygen concentration relative to ambient air is used to vaporize a liquid fuel or liquefied higher hydrocarbon gas, or is mixed with a vaporized gas, and the reduced oxygen vaporized fuel gas is fed to a combustion device such as a premixed or diffusion combustor. Preferably, the oxygen content of the gas stream is less than the limiting oxygen index. By mixing the fuel with a gas stream that has an appropriately reduced oxygen content, auto-ignition prior to the desired flame location in the combustor can be avoided. In some embodiments, the reduced oxygen stream is generated from an air separator or taken from the exhaust of the combustion device.

Abstract: A system and method for waking a person includes the provision of tactile stimulation in a repeating interrupted pattern upon the detection of an alarm signal indicative of an event for which the person should be awakened. In one embodiment, a device for waking a person comprises a circuit for generating a driver signal in response to an alarm signal, the driver signal having a repeating interrupted pattern; an electrically controlled switching device having a control input, a power input and a power output, the power input being connectable to a power source, the control input being connected to receive the driver signal from the circuit; and a tactile stimulation device connected to the power output of the electrically controlled switching device, the tactile stimulation device being configured to produce a tactile stimulation.

Abstract: In one embodiment of a method for vaporizing liquids such as fuels, the liquid is sprayed into a chamber such that the spray does not impinge on any surface. The energy for vaporization is supplied through the injection of a hot diluent such as nitrogen or oxygen depleted air. Additional heat is added through the surface. In another embodiment, the liquid is sprayed onto a hot surface using a geometry such that the entire spray is intercepted by the surface. Heat is added through the surface to maintain an internal surface temperature above the boiling point of the least volatile component of the liquid. The liquid droplets impinging on the surface are thus flash vaporized. A carrier gas may also be flowed through the vaporizer to control the dew point of the resultant vapor phase mixture.

Abstract: A system and method for providing continuous measurement and control of a combustion device by altering the fuel composition delivered thereto. The system includes devices for sensing related information, such as fuel characteristics, combustion characteristics, or other device characteristics, and controlling the performance of the combustion device based on the sensed information. Performance control occurs via addition of one or more additives to the fuel to adjust combustion characteristics. Via such sensing and performance control, consistent combustion device performance may be maintained, despite varying fuel characteristics. In one variation, sensing occurs for the fuel delivered to the combustion device, and one or more additives are added to the fuel, based on the composition and flow rate for the fuel.

Abstract: A pickup truck includes a cab and a bed with sidewalls. In most forms, the bed will also include a tailgate that may be closed in an upright position that in most cases will be substantially vertical, and opened in a horizontal position. Each of the sidewalls can also be deployed, moving from a closed upright position to an open horizontal position. Optional features include a tonneau cover that may be secured atop the bed or raised to an elevated position.