Abstract: An information retrieval method, process, and apparatus are provided which includes iterative or parametric data set querying. The result of each query iteration is displayed in an easy to analyze fashion, enabling the user to interactively refine the query with additional iterations. Each field of data in a data set is represented by a filter in a filter tree table. A user may graphically select and de-select filters using the filter tree table. The selections are converted into a filtering query that is run against the data set to produce filtered data. A summary query is then run against the results of the filtering query. The filtered data is displayed, along with the selected filters of the filter tree table. The filter tree table may also include and display other information related to each filter, such as an associated data item count as generated by the summary query. Further user input is accepted, with the user input further selecting or de-selecting data groupings to be displayed.

Abstract: A method for analyzing a system for safety to personnel is disclosed comprising: identifying at least one operating parameter of a first subcomponent of said product; identifying an inherent hazard of said first subcomponents based on an analysis of the at least one operating parameter; identifying features of the structure or operation of the subcomponent corresponding to the inherent hazard; identifying design modifications for the identified features that would mitigate the inherent hazard; identifying safety instrumented control functions and their probability of failure requirements that would mitigate the inherent hazard; prioritizing the identified features with respect to the effect that each of said features has on safety of the product; and determining whether an unsafe condition could result from the inherent hazard.

Abstract: A system and method for collecting, calculating, and reporting quantifiable peer feedback on relative contributions of team members are provided. Team members may quantifiably evaluate other team members or work group members relative to each other by allocating points from a point pool to each member according to the team member's subjective evaluation. Various types of processing on the quantitative valuations of the team members' relative contributions to a project may be performed to weight the quantitative valuations due to particular criteria, provide relative evaluation calculations between team members' quantitative valuations, report generation, providing action plan suggestions for aiding a team member in increasing his/her relative valuation on future projects, and the like.

Abstract: The disclosed embodiments provide systems and methods for reducing anti-aliasing in a procedural texture. One method includes creating a procedural reduction map describing the texture as applied to an object, and querying the map for radiance of a pixel in the object. One system includes memory and a processor. The processor is programmed, by the code stored in the memory, to create a procedural reduction map describing the texture as applied to an object, and query the map for radiance of a pixel in the object. One system includes means for creating a procedural reduction map describing the texture as applied to an object, and means for querying the map for radiance of a pixel in the object. The map includes a basis functions and a hierarchy of texels. Each texel includes basis weights and a surface normal distribution. Each basis weight corresponds to one of the basis functions.

Abstract: A method for analyzing a system for safety to personnel is disclosed comprising: identifying at least one operating parameter of a first subcomponent of said product; identifying an inherent hazard of said first subcomponents based on an analysis of the at least one operating parameter; identifying features of the structure or operation of the subcomponent corresponding to the inherent hazard; identifying design modifications for the identified features that would mitigate the inherent hazard; identifying safety instrumented control functions and their probability of failure requirements that would mitigate the inherent hazard; prioritizing the identified features with respect to the effect that each of said features has on safety of the product; and determining whether an unsafe condition could result from the inherent hazard.

Abstract: System and methods of synchronizing reference frequencies are disclosed. In an exemplary implementation, a method may comprise providing separate reference frequencies for each of a plurality of operational components. The method may also comprise connecting the separate reference frequencies to one another in a modular, fault-tolerant circuit topology. The method may also comprise synchronizing the separate reference frequencies so that each of the operational components operate at the same frequency.

Abstract: In a control system for a microprocessor, a power supply conductor is configured to supply the power requirements of the microprocessor, and a current-sensing power controller is coupled to the power supply conductor as well as to a thermal control input of the microprocessor. The current-sensing power controller is operable to assert the thermal control input of the microprocessor when current flow in the power supply conductor exceeds a threshold value.

Abstract: A gas turbine engine augmentor has a centerbody within a gas flowpath from upstream to downstream. The augmentor has upstream and downstream shell sections, a downstream rim of the upstream shell section meeting an upstream rim of the downstream shell section shell section. A plurality of vanes are positioned in the gas flowpath outboard of the centerbody. An augmentor spray bar fuel conduit extends through the centerbody and a first of the vanes to deliver fuel to the centerbody. A seal is mounted to the spray bar and positioned in a recess extending from at least one of the downstream rim of the upstream shell section and upstream rim of the downstream shell section shell section. The seal has a first portion and a second portion engaging the first portion in a backlocked interfitting.

Abstract: A gas turbine engine augmentor has a centerbody within a gas flowpath from upstream to downstream. A plurality of vanes are positioned in the gas flowpath outboard of the centerbody. An aumentor fuel conduit extends through a first of the vanes to deliver fuel to the centerbody. An electrographitic carbon bushing guides and supports the augmentor fuel conduit.

Abstract: A gas turbine engine fueling system includes a number of spray bars having conduits extending through associated vanes. A number of fuel injector nozzles are along each conduit. Each of the nozzles are positioned to discharge an associated fuel stream from one of the sides of the associated vane. A number of wear members are each mounted relative to the associated one of the nozzles for a range of motion relative thereto. The wear members movably cooperate with the associated vane to accommodate operating deflection and/or tolerances of the spray bars and vanes.

Abstract: A portable metal stud punching system has an alignment frame with an infeed alignment port in a first side and an outfeed alignment port in an opposite side. There is a punch and die positioned within the alignment frame. A length of metal stud is inserted through the infeed alignment port with one vertical side of the metal stud disposed between the punch and the die. A first hydraulic unit is attached to the punch and moves a first direction thereby inserting the punch into the die and punching a tab out of the vertical side of the metal stud. A second hydraulic unit moves the punch assembly in a direction perpendicular to the first direction of the first hydraulic unit. After the tab has been punched, the second hydraulic unit advances the metal stud by sliding the punch assembly a distance equal to the desired space between tabs. The punch is retracted by the first hydraulic unit and the punch assembly is returned to its original position by the second hydraulic unit.

Abstract: Methods and apparatus for driving a positive displacement pump disposed within a wellbore are disclosed herein. Embodiments of the present invention provide a drive mechanism for driving the downhole positive displacement pump. In embodiments of the present invention, the positive displacement pump is hydraulically driven and mechanically counterbalanced. The drive mechanism may be mechanically or electrically controlled, or may be controlled by a combination of mechanical and electrical controls.

Abstract: Methods and apparatus for driving a positive displacement pump disposed within a wellbore are disclosed herein. Embodiments of the present invention provide a drive mechanism for driving the downhole positive displacement pump. In embodiments of the present invention, the positive displacement pump is hydraulically driven and mechanically counterbalanced. The drive mechanism may be mechanically or electrically controlled, or may be controlled by a combination of mechanical and electrical controls.

Abstract: In accordance with at least some embodiments of the invention, a system comprises a plurality of computers coupled together and to an array of redundant storage devices that is accessible to the plurality of computers. Each of the plurality of computers comprises a local memory that stores at least one bitmap. The least one bitmap logs regions of the redundant array that have been modified.

Abstract: A method for improving the wear characteristics of a system for operating a variable vane comprising the steps of providing a trunnion connected to the variable vane via an vane platform and means for causing rotation of the trunnion, and positioning a thrust washer formed from a carbon material about a lower portion of the trunnion and in a space between the vane platform and an outer split case so that during operation of the system the space between the vane platform and the outer split case is maintained substantially constant and unwanted deflection of the vane is avoided.

Abstract: A method for improving the wear characteristics of ID bushings comprising the steps of providing an ID bushing comprising electro-graphitic carbon.

Abstract: One of the disclosed embodiments comprises a method for software emulation of hardware bus lock in a computer system, comprising: acquiring a bus lock semaphore; providing the bus lock semaphore to a device attempting a bus lock operation; acquiring a page table semaphore; invalidating page table entries to prevent access to a location in the computer system referenced by the bus lock operation, wherein the location is an input/output (I/O) device; purging translation lookaside buffer pages associated with the location; and executing a clone instruction without lock semantics.

Abstract: An apparatus for separating two flanges, comprising a first prying grip having at least one flange contact member, a second prying grip having at least one flange contact member; and means for separating the flange contact members.

Abstract: The present invention relates to the identification and use of sequence elements present in the intergenic region of Cysteine Proteinase Genes, cpb, in L. mexicana and the observation that the identified sequences are involved in the control of stage-regulated gene expression. Principal uses include the preparation of vaccines.

Abstract: The builder's square aids in cutting sheet material, such as full sheets of plywood, and in particular reduces the time required for cutting. The square comprises a short leg and a long leg connected in an L-shape. The short leg is of greater height than the long leg so that it can bear against one edge of the sheet of plywood to be cut. There is a clamping member at the distal end of the long leg so that the square can be clamped to the plywood. The builder's square also provides improved accuracy and safety for the user.