Abstract: Disclosed are various embodiments for a direct current electric motor and generator. The motor comprises a housing. A frame is attached to an armature that traverses the center of the housing with the frame being attached to the armature within the housing. At least two permanent magnets affixed to the frame such that a first magnetic field of a first one of the at least two permanent magnets is antiparallel to a second magnetic field of a second one of the at least two permanent magnets. Further, a wire is wrapped around the housing to form a pair of coils such that each coil in the pair of coils is affixed to the housing opposite the other coil in the pair of coils and the pair of coils are oriented in an antiparallel manner with respect to each other. Finally, a switching device attached to the wire.

Abstract: Disclosed herein are isotopically labeled calcofluor derivatives and uses of such to detect fungi, such as filamentous fungi, including Aspergillus species, such as by positron emission tomography (PET) scanning.

Abstract: A transponder-reader payment system includes a fob including a transponder, and a RFID reader for interrogating the transponder. In exemplary operation, the fob identifying information may be presented to the RFID reader for completion of a transaction request. The transaction request may be provided to a fob issuer system which retrieves a value for satisfying the transaction request from a fob associated transaction data file. The issuer system may deplete the transaction data file in accordance with the transaction request and replenish the data file in accordance with fob user or fob issuer defined reload protocol.

Abstract: An autonomous valve includes a fluid-sensitive actuator operable to automatically actuate the valve in response to being exposed to a target fluid. The target fluid may be a fluid whose presence is generally undesirable in a production fluid, such as water, and the valve may be actuated to stop flow from an interval within a wellbore that is no longer expected to produce hydrocarbon-bearing fluids. The valve further includes a protective layer disposed between the fluid inlet and the fluid-sensitive actuator, the protective layer being insoluble in the target fluid. The fluid-sensitive actuator may include a swellable piston that swells to actuate the valve in the presence of the target fluid, a soluble plug that isolates a hydraulic, closing piston until the soluble plug is dissolved into the target fluid, and an electromechanical actuator that closes the valve in response to detecting the target fluid using an electronic sensor.

Abstract: A pressure equalization apparatus can include separate longitudinal bores which form a continuous flowpath, the flowpath alternating direction between the bores, and the bores being interconnected at opposite ends thereof. A well system can include a well tool with a chamber therein containing an assembly in a dielectric fluid, and a pressure equalization apparatus including a flowpath having one end connected to the chamber, and the other end connected to a source of a another fluid, the flowpath extending in opposite directions between the flowpath ends through multiple separate bores. A method of installing a well tool can include attaching a mandrel to the well tool, then lowering the well tool at least partially into the well suspended from the mandrel, and then securing a pressure equalization apparatus to the mandrel, a flowpath of the apparatus being connected to a chamber of the well tool containing an assembly.

Abstract: Data is synchronized between a mobile device and a computing device over a wireless link. Synchronization operations are scheduled according to a synchronization schedule that is based on a current time of day. In one embodiment, the day can be divided into different time periods by the user. The user can also specify the frequency with which synchronization operations are to be performed during each specified period.

Abstract: A well tool for use with a subterranean well can include a flow passage extending longitudinally through the well tool, an internal chamber containing a dielectric fluid, and a flow path which alternates direction, and which provides pressure communication between the internal chamber and the flow passage. A method of controlling operation of a well tool can include actuating an actuator positioned in an internal chamber of the well tool, a dielectric fluid being disposed in the chamber, and the chamber being pressure balanced with a flow passage extending longitudinally through the well tool, and varying the actuating, based on measurements made by at least one sensor of the well tool.

Abstract: A well tool for use with a subterranean well can include a flow passage extending longitudinally through the well tool, an internal chamber containing a dielectric fluid, and a flow path which alternates direction, and which provides pressure communication between the internal chamber and the flow passage. A method of controlling operation of a well tool can include actuating an actuator positioned in an internal chamber of the well tool, a dielectric fluid being disposed in the chamber, and the chamber being pressure balanced with a flow passage extending longitudinally through the well tool, and varying the actuating, based on measurements made by at least one sensor of the well tool.

Abstract: Data is synchronized between a mobile device and a computing device over a wireless link. Synchronization operations are scheduled according to a synchronization schedule that is based on a current time of day. In one embodiment, the day can be divided into different time periods by the user. The user can also specify the frequency with which synchronization operations are to be performed during each specified period.

Abstract: A pressure equalization apparatus can include separate longitudinal bores which form a continuous flowpath, the flowpath alternating direction between the bores, and the bores being interconnected at opposite ends thereof. A well system can include a well tool with a chamber therein containing an assembly in a dielectric fluid, and a pressure equalization apparatus including a flowpath having one end connected to the chamber, and the other end connected to a source of a another fluid, the flowpath extending in opposite directions between the flowpath ends through multiple separate bores. A method of installing a well tool can include attaching a mandrel to the well tool, then lowering the well tool at least partially into the well suspended from the mandrel, and then securing a pressure equalization apparatus to the mandrel, a flowpath of the apparatus being connected to a chamber of the well tool containing an assembly.

Abstract: A method and a system for assessing a condition in a subject. An example of a condition is a Major Depressive Disorder (MDD). The method comprises measuring at least one speech-related variable in a subject; extracting a channel-delay correlation structure of the at least one speech-related variable; and generating an assessment of a condition of the subject, based on the correlation structure of the at least one speech-related variable.

Abstract: A well tool for use with a subterranean well can include a flow passage extending longitudinally through the well tool, an internal chamber containing a dielectric fluid, and a flow path which alternates direction, and which provides pressure communication between the internal chamber and the flow passage. A method of controlling operation of a well tool can include actuating an actuator positioned in an internal chamber of the well tool, a dielectric fluid being disposed in the chamber, and the chamber being pressure balanced with a flow passage extending longitudinally through the well tool, and varying the actuating, based on measurements made by at least one sensor of the well tool.

Abstract: A transponder-reader payment system includes a fob including a transponder, and a RFID reader for interrogating the transponder. The system may further include a personalization system for populating onto the fob and RFID reader identifying information and security and authentication keys which may be used during mutual authentication of the fob and the reader and for completing a transaction. In exemplary operation, the fob and RFID reader may be personalized, the fob may be presented to the RFID reader for interrogation, the fob and reader may engage in mutual authentication, and fob identifying information may be provided to the reader for transaction completion. In another exemplary embodiment, operation of the transponder-reader payment system may be controlled by an activation circuit. Further, the fob may be responsive to multiple interrogation signals.

Abstract: A safety valve for use in a subterranean well can include a housing assembly having a flow passage extending longitudinally through the housing assembly. An outer diameter of the housing assembly is eccentric relative to the flow passage. A well tool can include a magnetic coupling between magnet devices. One magnet device includes a series of magnets which are unequally spaced circumferentially about the other magnet device. Another safety valve can include a longitudinally extending flow passage, a closure device which selectively permits and prevents flow through the flow passage, and an outer diameter which is eccentric relative to the flow passage.

Abstract: A transponder-reader payment system includes a fob including a transponder, and a RFID reader for interrogating the transponder. The system may further include a personalization system for populating onto the fob and RFID reader identifying information and security and authentication keys which may be used during mutual authentication of the fob and the reader and for completing a transaction. In exemplary operation, the fob and RFID reader may be personalized, the fob may be presented to the RFID reader for interrogation, the fob and reader may engage in mutual authentication, and fob identifying information may be provided to the reader for transaction completion. In another exemplary embodiment, operation of the transponder-reader payment system may be controlled by an activation circuit. Further, the fob may be responsive to multiple interrogation signals.

Abstract: The invention is directed to wastewater treatment and wastewater reuse. A distributed biological treatment system for modification of the sewer biofilm through the mechanism of competitive exclusion by strategic dosing with facultative bacteria is illustrated, in conjunction with a novel membrane biological reactor (MBR)/biological breeding reactor (BBR) package plant, a plurality of which are likewise designed for strategic placement throughout the sewer/collection system infrastructure. The inclusion of the MBR/BBR plants at specific locations within the distribution system provide upstream water reclamation, thereby facilitating more efficient operation of the downstream wastewater treatment plant and providing for water reuse at intermediate points within the distribution network, as well as a means for concentrating the facultative bacteria which has been dosed to various points in the system, which can then be re-inoculated to the system.

Abstract: The invention concerns a module (100) adapted for use with a hand-held power drill (200) for dual-action abrading, polishing, and/or cleaning of a substrate. The module (100) uses a direct drive mechanism whereby rotation of a suitable work member (204) is actuated along a circular orbital path. The module (100) optionally includes a handle (114) coupled to the module (100), which allows the spindle (110) motion induced by the power drill (200) and the motion of the housing (102) to be effectively decoupled from each other and enhances operator control over the work member (204). Providing a modular device (100) that can be used with a common household tool results in an increased versatility as well as space and cost savings for the consumer.

Abstract: In a gas turbine engine, a flow directing member includes a platform supported on a rotor and includes a radially facing endwall and at least one axially facing axial surface extending radially inwardly from a junction with the endwall. The flow directing member further includes an airfoil extending radially outwardly from the endwall and a fluid flow directing feature. The fluid flow directing feature includes a groove extending axially into the axial surface. The groove has a radially inner groove end and a radially outer groove end, wherein the outer groove end defines an axially extending notch in the junction between the axial surface and the endwall and forms an opening in the endwall for directing a cooling fluid to the endwall.

Abstract: A method of actuating multiple valves in a well can include applying a pressure cycle to the valves without causing actuation of any of the valves, and then simultaneously reducing pressure applied to the valves, thereby actuating the valves. Another method can include releasing a locking device of each valve which prevents actuation, and then reducing pressure applied to the valves, thereby actuating the valves. A valve can include a port which provides for fluid communication between an exterior and an interior of the valve, a closure member which selectively permits and prevents fluid flow through the port, the closure member permits flow through the port in response to a decrease in a pressure differential from the interior to the exterior of the valve, and a locking device which prevents displacement of the closure member, the locking device being released in response to mechanical force applied to the locking device.