Abstract: A closure [10] for a cylindrical vessel includes at least one holding means [30] configured to move the closure into a fully closed state, the holding means having a predetermined actuation force or torque to properly close the closure, the closure including one or both of the following failsafe failure detection features: a mechanical fuse [20] having a predetermined load failure force below that of a load failure force of at least one component of the holding means and above that of a predetermined actuation force or torque to properly close the closure; or a block[40] sized to at least partially overlap a pressure warning lock hole [19] of the closure door when the closure is not in the fully closed state and to fully expose the pressure warning lock hole when the closure is in the fully closed state, thereby permitting insertion of a pressure warning lock [17].

Abstract: A pigging device of this disclosure includes a wear indicator configured to visually indicate an amount of material loss of a pipe wall contacting surface. The material loss may be symmetrical or asymmetrical. The pipe wall contacting surface may be any shape suitable, including but not limited to spherical-shaped, cylindrical-shaped, cup-shaped, disc-shaped, conical-shaped, frusto-conical shaped, bowl-shaped, and bullet-shaped. In some embodiments, the pigging device is a pipeline pig such as but not limited to a spherical foam pig, cylindrical-shaped foam pig, or a bullet-shaped foam pig. In other embodiments, the pigging device is a component of a pipeline pig such as but not limited to a cup or disc arranged about a body of the pipeline pig. The pigging device may also be a pigging disc element. The pigging device may be made of any suitable material, including but not limited to an elastomer such as urethane.

Abstract: Method and apparatus associated with clocking synchronization are disclosed herein. In various embodiment, a method for communication comprises: entering a clock training period, on successful performance of clock training handshake; entering a start static phase measurement (SSPM) sequence of clock training period, receiving a recovered clock; and processing the recovered clock to determine parts-per-million (PPM) differences, to be subsequently applied to compensate for the PPM differences determined during subsequent clocking synchronization. Linking training is performed after the subsequent clocking synchronization. In various embodiments, clocking synchronization comprises SSC synchronization. Other embodiments are also described and claimed.

Abstract: A sequencing capture array for identifying mutations in Multiple Myeloma is disclosed. Also disclosed are targeted next generation sequencing methods for identifying SNV, CNV, and translocation mutations in Multiple Myeloma tumor cells. A capture array representing fewer than 500 genes implicated in Multiple Myeloma can be used to analyze tumor mutations and create a personalized treatment plan for a Multiple Myeloma patient. Analytical methods are presented that allow tumor mutations to be elucidated with coverage at a sequencing depth of no more than 500×, or as low as 100×, with optimal efficiency achieved at a sequencing depth of about 300×.

Abstract: A pigging device of this disclosure includes a wear indicator configured to visually indicate an amount of material loss of a pipe wall contacting surface. The material loss may be symmetrical or asymmetrical. The pipe wall contacting surface may be any shape suitable, including but not limited to spherical-shaped, cylindrical-shaped, cup-shaped, disc-shaped, conical-shaped, frusto-conical shaped, bowl-shaped, and bullet-shaped. In some embodiments, the pigging device is a pipeline pig such as but not limited to a spherical foam pig, cylindrical-shaped foam pig, or a bullet-shaped foam pig. In other embodiments, the pigging device is a component of a pipeline pig such as but not limited to a cup or disc arranged about a body of the pipeline pig. The pigging device may also be a pigging disc element. The pigging device may be made of any suitable material, including but not limited to an elastomer such as urethane.

Abstract: A closure [10] for a cylindrical vessel includes at least one holding means [30] configured to move the closure into a fully closed state, the holding means having a predetermined actuation force or torque to properly close the closure, the closure including one or both of the following failsafe failure detection features: a mechanical fuse [20] having a predetermined load failure force below that of a load failure force of at least one component of the holding means and above that of a predetermined actuation force or torque to properly close the closure; or a block[40] sized to at least partially overlap a pressure warning lock hole [19] of the closure door when the closure is not in the fully closed state and to fully expose the pressure warning lock hole when the closure is in the fully closed state, thereby permitting insertion of a pressure warning lock [17].

Abstract: Method and apparatus associated with clocking synchronization are disclosed herein. In various embodiment, a method for communication comprises: entering a clock training period, on successful performance of clock training handshake; entering a start static phase measurement (SSPM) sequence of clock training period, receiving a recovered clock; and processing the recovered clock to determine parts-per-million (PPM) differences, to be subsequently applied to compensate for the PPM differences determined during subsequent clocking synchronization. Linking training is performed after the subsequent clocking synchronization. In various embodiments, clocking synchronization comprises SSC synchronization. Other embodiments are also described and claimed.

Abstract: An algae-based powdered fuel is configured to be fluidized in a gas stream. The algae-based powdered fuel is manufactured by drying an algae slurry to produce a powdered composition and then comminuting the powdered composition to produce the fuel. The algae-based powdered fuel can be combusted in a gas turbine to generate electricity and/or to propel an aircraft.

Abstract: Described is an apparatus for over-clocking or under-clocking, the apparatus comprises: a locked loop (e.g., phase locked loop or frequency locked loop) having a feedback divider, the locked loop to receive a reference clock and to compare it with a feedback clock which is output from the feedback divider, and to generate an output clock; a post locked loop divider, coupled to the locked loop, to receive the output clock and to generate a base clock for other logic units; and a control logic to adjust first and second divider ratios for the feedback divider and the post locked loop divider respectively for over-clocking or under-clocking the base clock such that the locked loop remains locked while being over-clocked or under-clocked.

Abstract: A sequencing capture array for identifying mutations in Multiple Myeloma is disclosed. Also disclosed are targeted next generation sequencing methods for identifying SNV, CNV, and translocation mutations in Multiple Myeloma tumor cells. A capture array representing fewer than 500 genes implicated in Multiple Myeloma can be used to analyze tumor mutations and create a personalized treatment plan for a Multiple Myeloma patient. Analytical methods are presented that allow tumor mutations to be elucidated with coverage at a sequencing depth of no more than 500×, or as low as 100×, with optimal efficiency achieved at a sequencing depth of about 300×.

Abstract: An algae-based powdered fuel is configured to be fluidized in a gas stream. The algae-based powdered fuel is manufactured by drying an algae slurry to produce a powdered composition and then comminuting the powdered composition to produce the fuel. The algae-based powdered fuel can be combusted in a gas turbine to generate electricity and/or to propel an aircraft.

Abstract: Described is an apparatus for over-clocking or under-clocking, the apparatus comprises: a locked loop (e.g., phase locked loop or frequency locked loop) having a feedback divider, the locked loop to receive a reference clock and to compare it with a feedback clock which is output from the feedback divider, and to generate an output clock; a post locked loop divider, coupled to the locked loop, to receive the output clock and to generate a base clock for other logic units; and a control logic to adjust first and second divider ratios for the feedback divider and the post locked loop divider respectively for over-clocking or under-clocking the base clock such that the locked loop remains locked while being over-clocked or under-clocked.

Abstract: An algae-based powdered fuel is configured to be fluidized in a gas stream. The algae-based powdered fuel is manufactured by drying an algae slurry to produce a powdered composition and then comminuting the powdered composition to produce the fuel. The algae-based powdered fuel can be combusted in a gas turbine to generate electricity and/or to propel an aircraft.

Abstract: An apparatus for clock generation is presented. In one embodiment, the apparatus comprises a phase interpolator that generates an output with a phase value within reference phases associated with two input clocks. Logic units are coupled to determine a number of phase settings for the phase interpolator. A divider is coupled to the phase interpolator to generate an output clock based on a modifiable divider setting.

Abstract: An apparatus for clock generation is presented. In one embodiment, the apparatus comprises a phase interpolator that generates an output with a phase value within reference phases associated with two input clocks. Logic units are coupled to determine a number of phase settings for the phase interpolator. A divider is coupled to the phase interpolator to generate an output clock based on a modifiable divider setting.

Abstract: A system is provided for locating and identifying an acoustic event. An acoustic sensor having a pair of concentric opposing microphones at a fixed distance on a microphone axis is used to measure an acoustic intensity, from which a vector incorporating the acoustic event is identified. A second acoustic sensor or movement of the first acoustic sensor is used to provide a second vector incorporating the acoustic event. Combination of the first and the second vector locates the acoustic event in space. A command unit in communication with the acoustic sensors can be used for combining the vectors as well as comparing a signal spectra of the acoustic event to stored identified spectra to provide an identification of acoustic event.

Abstract: According to an embodiment of the invention, a method and apparatus for DC voltage conversion are described. According to one embodiment, a voltage converter comprises a current mirror, the current mirror being coupled with a power source; a first transistor device coupled with a bias generator to receive a bias voltage; a second transistor device coupled between the current mirror and the first transistor device; and an output transistor device, a gate of the output transistor device being coupled with a gate of the second transistor device and to the current mirror.

Abstract: A porting control routing (PCR) node (302) is adapted to efficiently route signaling messages associated with a mobile subscriber that has been either ported in to or out of a service provider's wireless communication network. The PCR node (302) includes both range- and exception based routing rule databases (348 and 346). These databases increase flexibility in allocating mobile identification numbers among multiple mobile service nodes. Furthermore, the association of a ported status indicator and related routing information with entries in the exception based database allows the PCR node (302) to more efficiently manage a service provider's mobile service resources.

Abstract: A substance and method for treating a subterranean formation using hydraulic fracturing. A non-metallic, substantially deformable, proppant particle is “elastically flexible” or “plastically compressible” and adapted for use at concentrations which will substantially create a partial monolayer.

Abstract: A braking system for a movable unit which travels along a cable includes a plate of conductive material extending from the cable to define a braking zone having a start and an end along at least a portion of the cable. There is a brake unit movable along the cable and positionable at the start of the braking zone. The brake unit has magnets positionable on opposite sides of the conductive material. The brake unit is engagable by the movable unit when the movable unit reaches the start of the braking zone to couple the two units together. The movable unit acts to push the brake unit through the braking zone such that movement of the magnets of the brake unit relative to the conductive material induces eddy currents in the conductive material to create a braking force between the brake unit and the plate of conductive material to brake the brake unit and the movable unit. In an alternative arrangement, the magnets are installed directly in the movable unit to eliminate the separate brake unit.