Abstract: A data-storage system comprises a head receiver configured to variably receive up to a number M of write heads. The data-storage system also includes an installed number N of write heads arranged in the head receiver, a substrate receiver configured to receive one or more data-storage substrates, and a positioner machine configured to adjust a relative placement of each of the M write heads with respect to at least one of the one or more data-storage substrates.

Abstract: Some variations provide an automated system for solvent extraction of a feed stock to produce a botanical extract, fats, oils, or other desirable solute, comprising: an extraction reactor; a distillation unit; and a second-stage purge chamber or a second-stage purge process utilizing the extraction reactor itself. The second-stage purge chamber or process receives or holds the solid material along with a heated inert non-condensable gas and/or solvent vapor, to recover residual solvent contained in the solid material.

Abstract: An optical data-storage system comprises a laser, an imaging optic, and associated computer logic. The laser is configured to emit a pulsed wavefront having uniform phase and polarization. The imaging optic is configured to modulate the phase and polarization of different portions of the wavefront by different amounts, and to diffract light from the different portions to a substrate with writeable optical properties. The logic is configured to receive data and to control modulation of the phase and polarization such that the light diffracted from the imaging optic writes the data to the substrate.

Abstract: Systems and methods are provided for query and index optimization for retrieving data in instances of a formulation data structure from a database. The methods include presenting an information source for searching for the presence of formulations and generating formulation data from field entries. The formulation data is associated with found formulations. The methods include generating an instance of a formulation data structure. The instance of the formulation data structure associates the information source with the found formulations. The methods include creating optimized index data from retrieved data in the instance of the formulation data structure. The optimized index data includes a mapping between potential search-field terms and the formulation data, and is grouped based on a predicted access pattern.

Abstract: A portable organization bag with removable pockets comprises a flexible main body having one or more removable storage compartments. The portable organization bag with removable pockets can be traversed between a first storage position securable to a surface and a second transportable position that can be transported away from the surface. Preferably, the main body comprises a dividing plate which separates the main body into a first portion and second portion.

Abstract: A portable organization bag with removable pockets comprises a flexible main body having one or more removable storage compartments. The portable organization bag with removable pockets can be traversed between a first storage position securable to a surface and a second transportable position that can be transported away from the surface. Preferably, the main body comprises a dividing plate which separates the main body into a first portion and second portion.

Abstract: A method of remapping allocated memory in a queue based switching element having first and second memory elements each allocated to a first port pair. An unallocated block of memory is identified in the first memory element as a candidate block, and an allocated block of memory is identified in the second memory element as a target block. Block information is copied from the target block to the candidate block, and the candidate block is maintained as unallocated. In response to a determination that read and write pointers are in a suitable position for a remapping operation, the candidate block is allocated and the target block is deallocated so that the second memory element becomes unallocated and available for reallocation to a second port pair.

Abstract: Apparatuses, systems, and methods in accordance with the present disclosure are disclosed herein. The system includes a gripping tool operatively connected to and suspended from the top drive assembly, in which the gripping tool includes an axis defined therethrough and a gripping member, and an adaptor apparatus having a first end and a second end. The at least one gripping member engages the adaptor apparatus, and the second end includes a connection member to connect with the tubular member.

Abstract: Apparatuses, systems, and methods in accordance with the present disclosure are disclosed herein. The system includes a gripping tool operatively connected to and suspended from the top drive assembly, in which the gripping tool includes an axis defined therethrough and a gripping member, and an adaptor apparatus having a first end and a second end. The at least one gripping member engages the adaptor apparatus, and the second end includes a connection member to connect with the tubular member.

Abstract: According to an embodiment, a plectrum apparatus comprises a ring capable of being releasably mounted to a user's finger, and a harness capable of releasably securing a plectrum, the harness being hingedly coupled to the ring. In one embodiment, a first spring is further provided and configured to bias the harness in a stowed position. A plectrum secured to the harness may be positioned toward a thumb side of the user's finger in the stowed position when the ring is mounted on the user's finger. The harness may be further capable of being retracted in a deployed position, the plectrum secured to the harness engaged between the user's finger and thumb.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for determining a set of common link rates for communication between two storage network elements in a storage network system. During the speed negotiation process, a controlling storage network element receives supported link rate information from a connected storage network element without providing any information in return. By not providing such information, although the speed negotiation process may not be completed, the controlling storage network element is still able to determine the supported link rates of the connected storage network element.

Abstract: According to an embodiment, a plectrum apparatus comprises a ring capable of being releasably mounted to a user's finger, and a harness capable of releasably securing a plectrum, the harness being hingedly coupled to the ring. In one embodiment, a first spring is further provided and configured to bias the harness in a stowed position. A plectrum secured to the harness may be positioned toward a thumb side of the user's finger in the stowed position when the ring is mounted on the user's finger. The harness may be further capable of being retracted in a deployed position, the plectrum secured to the harness engaged between the user's finger and thumb.

Abstract: A desired FIFO buffer fill level is continuously derived during mapping or demapping of plesiosynchronous data signals into synchronized data signals, or vice-versa. One of j predefined integer values Ii is repetitively consecutively produced during each consecutive one of j FIFO buffer write clock cycles, where i=1, . . . , j and where j and the integer values Ii are selected such that ? i = 1 j ? ? I i j closely approximates the number of bits read from the FIFO buffer per FIFO buffer write clock cycle. During each kth consecutive FIFO buffer write clock cycle, a Bits_Read value Ik+Ik-1 is produced where k=1, . . . , p; a Bits_Written value is produced; a Gap_Pattern value is derived by subtracting the Bits_Read value from the Bits_Written value; and, the Gap_Pattern is added to a predefined value representative a FIFO buffer center fill level to produce the desired FIFO buffer fill level.

Abstract: The piston for a magneto-rheological fluid system is manufactured from a piston skirt of a material having a high magnetic permeability and a piston plate which closes one end of the piston skirt having a low magnetic permeability and therefore must be made out of a material such as stainless steel. The piston is manufactured by placing the plate on one electrode and clamping another set of electrodes against the outer circumferential surface of the piston ring or skirt. The plate and ring are brought into contact with one another while applying a current through the piston ring and the piston plate, thereby heating interfering portions of the ring and plate and permitting the plate to be forced inside of the ring while at the same time allowing the softened or plastic portions of the ring and plate to intermingle with one another and thus form a solid state bond.

Abstract: The piston for a magneto-rheological fluid system is manufactured from a piston skirt of a material having a high magnetic permeability and a piston plate which closes one end of the piston skirt having a low magnetic permeability and therefore must be made out of a material such as stainless steel. The piston is manufactured by placing the plate on one electrode and clamping another set of electrodes against the outer circumferential surface of the piston ring or skirt. The plate and ring are brought into contact with one another while applying a current through the piston ring and the piston plate, thereby heating interfering portions of the ring and plate and permitting the plate to be forced inside of the ring while at the same time allowing the softened or plastic portions of the ring and plate to intermingle with one another and thus form a solid state bond.

Abstract: A magneto-rheological (“MR”) damper having a damper body tube containing an MR fluid. A piston assembly is disposed in the damper body tube and forms an annular flow gap between the piston assembly and the damper body tube. The piston assembly has a piston core containing ferrous material and an electromagnetic coil mounted on the piston core for generating a magnetic field. The damper further includes a ferromagnetic member positioned outside of the damper body tube substantially adjacent the piston assembly for providing at least a part of a magnetic flux return path for the magnetic field.

Abstract: The piston for a magneto-rheological fluid system is manufactured from a piston skirt of a material having a high magnetic permeability and a piston plate which closes one end of the piston skirt having a low magnetic permeability and therefore must be made out of a material such as stainless steel. The piston is manufactured by placing the plate on one electrode and clamping another set of electrodes against the outer circumferential surface of the piston ring or skirt. The plate and ring are brought into contact with one another while applying a current through the piston ring and the piston plate, thereby heating interfering portions of the ring and plate and permitting the plate to be forced inside of the ring while at the same time allowing the softened or plastic portions of the ring and plate to intermingle with one another and thus form a solid state bond.

Abstract: A piston rod for use in a magnetorheological dampening device having a surface finish that renders the device resistant to wear at the elastomeric seal/piston rod interface. The piston rod has a surface finish of Ra<0.065 &mgr;m and &Dgr;a≦1.4°, as measured using a Gaussian filter with a 0.08 mm cut-off length. There is further provided a method of achieving the surface finish, including rotating the piston rod while moving an abrasive tape against the outer surface of the rod.

Abstract: A piston rod for use in a magnetorheological dampening device having a surface finish that renders the device resistant to wear at the elastomeric seal/piston rod interface. The piston rod has a surface finish of Ra<0.065 &mgr;m and &Dgr;a≦1.4°, as measured using a Gaussian filter with a 0.08 mm cut-off length. There is further provided a method of achieving the surface finish, including rotating the piston rod while moving an abrasive tape against the outer surface of the rod.

Abstract: A damper body for a magnetorheological (MR) damper and associated methods of forming the damper body. The damper body is formed of a base material, such as a steel, and is coated with an abrasion-resistant layer comprising chromium. The layer of chromium provides a sliding wear surface for sliding contact with a reciprocating piston. To avoid high-stress abrasive wear over the expected service life of the magnetorheological damper, the layer of chromium has a minimum thickness greater than or equal to a minimum thickness of about 8 &mgr;m. In other embodiments, before applying the abrasion-resistant layer of chromium, the damper body is coated with a layer of a hard coating material having a hardness greater than the hardness of the base material. The effective hardness of the damper body is a composite of the respective hardnesses of the base material comprising the damper body and the layer of hard coating material.