Abstract: An attachment apparatus for attaching to a tubular. The apparatus may include a flexible member extending circumferentially around the tubular more than once. A tension force on the flexible member may cause the flexible member to apply a first radially-inward gripping force on the tubular. An annular sleeve may be positioned radially-outward from the flexible member. The sleeve may apply a second radially-inward gripping force on the flexible member and the tubular.

Abstract: In a portable radio transceiver, a power amplifier system includes a saturation detector that detects power amplifier saturation in response to duty cycle of the amplifier transistor collector voltage waveform. The saturation detection output signal can be used by a power control circuit to back off or reduce the amplification level of the power amplifier to avoid power amplifier control loop saturation.

Abstract: A medical device may include tubular member having a proximal end, a distal end, and a lumen extending therebetween. The tubular member may include an opening at a distal portion of the tubular member, wherein the opening is in communication with the lumen, wherein a distal end of the opening is disposed proximate of the distal end of the tubular member, and wherein the distal portion of the tubular member is configured to bend in at least one plane. The medical device may further include an actuation member extending at least partially within the tubular member, wherein a distal portion of the actuation member is configured to exit the tubular member at a location proximate the opening, wherein a distal end of the actuation member is coupled to the distal end of the tubular member, and wherein pulling the actuation member proximally is configured to cause the distal portion of tubular member to form a loop with itself.

Abstract: In a portable radio transceiver, a power amplifier system includes a saturation detector that detects power amplifier saturation in response to duty cycle of the amplifier transistor collector voltage waveform. The saturation detection output signal can be used by a power control circuit to back off or reduce the amplification level of the power amplifier to avoid power amplifier control loop saturation.

Abstract: A method and generator for modifying interactions between a load and the generator are described. The method includes applying output power to the load using a power amplifier, controlling a level of the output power responsive to a power control setting, and adjusting a conduction angle of the power amplifier to reduce a level of sensitivity of the power amplifier to variations of an impedance of the load. The generator includes a compensation subsystem coupled to the power amplifier that controls a conduction angle of the power amplifier to enable a sensitivity of the power amplifier to be adjusted.

Abstract: A resource recovery system may maintain a counter in memory that indicates a number of times one or more threads of execution, which use shared resources, have crashed. The system may associate a first value of the counter with a resource allocated to a thread of the one or more threads, and may set an indicator associated with the thread to indicate whether the thread has crashed. The system may determine whether to re-allocate the resource to the thread based on the first value of the counter associated with the resource and based on the indicator associated with the thread.

Abstract: A wholestalk sugar cane loader includes a piler for accumulating wholestalk sugar cane into piles, and a grab assembly mounted to the end of a boom assembly carried by the loader frame and having opposed tines operable for encircling a mass of piled wholestale sugar cane, with the boom assembly then being operated for lifting the mass of wholestalk cane and depositing it into a container of a haul vehicle. The piler and the grab assembly have respective surface structures which cooperate, when the grab assembly is being loaded with the mass of wholestalk sugar cane, so as to aid the operator in keeping the tines of the grab assembly out of soil contact so that no soil is carried into the mass of wholestalk cane by the tines.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a temperature-controlled external battery charger and standardized, hand-changable battery modules for electric-powered vehicles such as automobiles, trucks, buses, boats, ships, air and spacecraft. Charging a vehicle's batteries in an external charger with a controlled temperature solves the problems of current designs, in which batteries degrade due to charging-induced heating, and must be either charged in the vehicle or must be changed by prohibitively-expensive changing robots. The present invention makes it possible to change vehicle batteries by hand, thereby permitting the vehicle to operate for very long durations by simply changing battery modules. By permitting the batteries to be charged outside of the vehicle the vehicle needs no on-board power source for charging, and need not sit idle for periods of time while its batteries are charging.

Abstract: A computerized apparatus and method may “pull” an event to a city rather than it being “pushed” by promoters. The system manages athletic matches, concerts, and other entertainment events requiring performers (the talent or act), a venue at a city, and ticket sales to attendees who pay the box office or “gate,” processing suggestions, voting, weighting of votes based on previous histories of customers purchasing and preference information. Later purchases substitute for votes in engaging customers to attend proposed events, which may still be cancelled if projected threshold sales are not met. If insufficient attendance is determined by the computer at a pre-determined deadline, the system cancels the event and issues refunds in cash, kind, discounts, or the like.

Abstract: A resource recovery system may maintain a counter in memory that indicates a number of times one or more threads of execution, which use shared resources, have crashed. The system may associate a first value of the counter with a resource allocated to a thread of the one or more threads, and may set an indicator associated with the thread to indicate whether the thread has crashed. The system may determine whether to re-allocate the resource to the thread based on the first value of the counter associated with the resource and based on the indicator associated with the thread.

Abstract: The invention generally provides gypsum-containing slurries including stucco, naphthalenesulfonate dispersant, and pregelatinized starch. The naphthalenesulfonate dispersant is present in an amount of about 0.1%-3.0% by weight based on the weight of dry stucco. The pregelatinized starch is present in an amount of at least about 0.5% by weight up to about 10% by weight of pregelatinized starch by weight based on the weight of dry stucco in the formulation. Other slurry additives can include trimetaphosphate salts, accelerators, binders, paper fiber, glass fiber, and other known ingredients. The invention also comprises the gypsum-containing products made with such slurries, for example, gypsum wallboard, and a method of making gypsum wallboard.

Abstract: A method and generator for modifying interactions between a load and the generator are described. The method includes applying output power to the load using a power amplifier, controlling a level of the output power responsive to a power control setting, and adjusting a conduction angle of the power amplifier to reduce a level of sensitivity of the power amplifier to variations of an impedance of the load. The generator includes a compensation subsystem coupled to the power amplifier that controls a conduction angle of the power amplifier to enable a sensitivity of the power amplifier to be adjusted.

Abstract: A network device may include a line interface to receive and transmit data units, a memory including instructions associated with a user space and a kernel space that are executable by a processor, the user space including a first-in-first-out (FIFO) region for storing the data units and corresponding metadata, where the kernel space writes the data unit and the corresponding metadata to the FIFO region, the metadata including a next pointer that identifies a memory address for storing the next data unit in the FIFO region, a user space process determines whether to transmit or drop the data unit, the user space process being a single process, and the user space transmits the data unit from the FIFO region without involving the kernel space when the user space process issues a command.

Abstract: A ball retrieving apparatus configured to receive and retain one or more altering balls from a surface. The ball retrieving apparatus comprises a housing including a first end for receiving one or more altering balls from a surface and a second end for dispensing the one or more altering balls from the housing. The ball retrieving apparatus also comprises a retention member releasably attached to the first end, said retention member comprising (a) one or more clips disposed along the first end of the housing; and (b) a displacement member surrounding the housing and at least part of the one or more clips; the displacement member being configured to regulate the displacement of the one or more clips as a ball is received from said surface into said housing.

Abstract: One embodiment of the invention comprises a mass flow controller comprising a digital controller, a valve, and a sensor. The digital controller is adapted to implement a control loop having a proportional signal modifier in series with an integral signal modifier. The integral signal modifier is adapted to receive a combination signal and output an integrated signal. The valve is adapted to receive the integrated signal and adjust a valve opening in accordance with the integrated signal. The sensor is adapted to output a measured flow rate signal indicative of an actual fluid flow rate in the mass flow controller. The measured flow rate signal is received by the proportional signal modifier and used in conjunction with a setpoint signal to determine the error signal.

Abstract: An apparatus for the heat-treating of a heat-hardenable steel cruciform article having a weld seam includes a heating element to heat the weld seam to a point that an austenitic transformation occurs, and a quenching chamber to cool the weld seam, causing the formation of Martensite and an associated expansion. The quenching is rapid since slow quenching may allow a crystalline phase other than martensite to form. The apparatus may comprise rollers operable to convey the welded cruciform article through the apparatus at a speed such that the weld seam is subjected to heating for a predetermined heat time sufficient to cause a formation of martensite there within, and such that the heated portion reaches the quenching chamber and is quenched to create a substantial amount of martensite, e.g., an amount sufficient to cause expansion of the part.

Abstract: One embodiment of the present invention comprises a mass flow controller. The mass flow controller may comprise a pair of thermal sensing elements, a bridge circuit adapted to receive at least one first signal from the pair of thermal sensing elements and a differential amplifier adapted to (i) receive at least one bridge signal from the bridge circuit, and (ii) emit an output signal generally proportional to a flow rate of fluid passing through the mass flow controller. The mass flow controller is also comprised in one embodiment of a filter portion of a control module having one or more first filters comprising substantially permanent parameters adapted to provide a more accurate output signal for a baseline fluid upon a change in the flow rate and one or more second filters comprising variable parameters, with each of the one or more second filters being adapted to provide a more accurate output signal for non-baseline fluids upon a change in the flow rate.

Abstract: Radar ranging data are collected from a down hole tool at various depths in a fractured well bore, and analyzed to provide a profile of the length of each wing of the fracture as a function of depth. The height of the fracture is determined from the vertical positions where the fracture is just observed or no longer observed as the tool is raised or lowered. For consecutive depths along the fracture (and for selected elevations from each depth for the case of a switchable antenna beam), reflection intensity as a function of range is measured. Simulated radar data are computed from a fracture model having the height of the fracture begin measured. The fracture model is varied and the resulting simulated data are correlated with the survey data until a match of minimal error is determined.

Abstract: An apparatus for the heat-treating of a heat-hardenable steel cruciform article having a weld seam includes a heating element to heat the weld seam to a point that an austenitic transformation occurs, and a quenching chamber to cool the weld seam, causing the formation of Martensite and an associated expansion. The quenching is rapid since slow quenching may allow a crystalline phase other than martensite to form. The apparatus may comprise rollers operable to convey the welded cruciform article through the apparatus at a speed such that the weld seam is subjected to heating for a predetermined heat time sufficient to cause a formation of martensite there within, and such that the heated portion reaches the quenching chamber and is quenched to create a substantial amount of martensite, e.g., an amount sufficient to cause expansion of the part.

Abstract: A resource recovery system may maintain a counter in memory that indicates a number of times one or more threads of execution, which use shared resources, have crashed. The system may associate a first value of the counter with a resource allocated to a thread of the one or more threads, and may set an indicator associated with the thread to indicate whether the thread has crashed. The system may determine whether to re-allocate the resource to the thread based on the first value of the counter associated with the resource and based on the indicator associated with the thread.