Abstract: A printed circuit board is fabricated so contacts for tight-pitch components are at an angle with respect to the bundles of glass fibers in the epoxy-glass printed circuit board such that adjacent component contacts do not contact the same bundle of glass fibers. This angle may be accomplished by manufacturing a printed circuit board panel with the glass fibers at an angle with respect to its edges. This angle may also be accomplished by placing parts on a printed circuit board panel that has a traditional X-Y orthogonal weave of glass fiber bundles at an angle with respect to the edges of the panel. This angle may also be accomplished by starting with a traditional panel that has an X-Y orthogonal weave, laying out parts on the panel along the X-Y weave, then placing components on the parts at an angle with respect to the edges of the parts.

Abstract: A magnet assembly (200) is provided according to the invention. The magnet assembly (200) includes at least one magnet (210), a magnet keeper (220) including a substantially planar magnet receiving face (222) for receiving the at least one magnet (210), and brazing (230) that affixes the at least one magnet (210) to the magnet receiving face (222) of the magnet keeper (220).

Abstract: The present invention provides thermoplastic coated proppants and methods for preparing the thermoplastic coated proppants. Methods for using these proppants in subterranean well formations and hydraulic fracturing operations, for example, are also disclosed.

Abstract: A printed circuit board is fabricated so contacts for tight-pitch components are at an angle with respect to the bundles of glass fibers in the epoxy-glass printed circuit board such that adjacent component contacts do not contact the same bundle of glass fibers. This angle may be accomplished by manufacturing a printed circuit board panel with the glass fibers at an angle with respect to its edges. This angle may also be accomplished by placing parts on a printed circuit board panel that has a traditional X-Y orthogonal weave of glass fiber bundles at an angle with respect to the edges of the panel. This angle may also be accomplished by starting with a traditional panel that has an X-Y orthogonal weave, laying out parts on the panel along the X-Y weave, then placing components on the parts at an angle with respect to the edges of the parts.

Abstract: A computer program product resides on a computer-readable medium, and includes computer-readable, computer-executable instructions for causing a computer to analyze a first playback speed history for at least one audio recording recorded by a first speaker and played by a first listener, the playback speed history being indicative of at least one playback speed associated with the at least one audio recording, and to determine from the first playback speed history a speed setting for playback of another audio recording recorded by a second speaker to be played by a second listener.

Abstract: A method and structures are provided for implementing enhanced reliability for printed circuit board high power dissipation applications. An external return current member provides a return current path outside of the printed circuit board, thereby minimizing power dissipation within the printed circuit board. The external return current member can be implemented with an associated stiffener formed of electrically conductive material. Alternatively, the external return current member can be implemented with a sheet of electrically conductive material with an insulator provided between the sheet and the associated stiffener.

Abstract: A Coriolis mass flowmeter (300) having a low mass drive system comprising a driver coil (D) for vibrating flow tube means (102). The Coriolis mass flowmeter does not use a magnet affixed to the flow tube means. Instead, the flow tube means is coated with or is integral to magnetic material (103) that responds to the magnetic fields generated by the driver coil to vibrate the flow tube means. The flow tube means may comprise one (102) or more (1402C1, 1402C2) flow tubes. The magnetic material may be ferrous material devoid of an internal magnetic field. Alternatively the magnetic material may be steel or stainless steel having internal magnetic fields.

Abstract: Systems and methods for automatically converting data received from a remote device are described. A representative data conversion system includes at least a first remote device. The system also includes a conversion device communicatively coupled to at least the first remote device. The conversion device is configured to receive information from at least the first remote device, wherein the information is configured to enable conversion of data from a first format to a second format. Other methods, devices, and programs are included.

Abstract: A transport apparatus (10) for carrying a spare tire (200) on the rear framework (101) of a semi-tractor (100) wherein, the apparatus (10) includes a base plate member (20) adapted to rotatably receive a vertical support rod member (30) having a rim support arm element (31) wherein, the base plate member (20) is further provided with an aperture (22) dimensioned to slidably receive the vertical segment (40?) of a tire capture member (40) which also is slidably engaged with the vertical support rod member (30) and adapted to captively engage a spare tire (200) on the transport apparatus (10).

Abstract: A method and apparatus are provided for implementing finished printed circuit board high potential testing to identify latent defects. A printed circuit board to be tested includes adjacent surface features having opposing applied voltages. An electrically non-conductive material is disposed between at least some of said adjacent surface features. A predefined voltage potential is applied between predefined power connections of the printed circuit board to identify the latent defects. The electrically non-conductive material prevents surface arcing between the adjacent surface features at the applied predefined voltage potential.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a linear actuator that maximizes the flux density in the air gap where work is to be done by increasing the lines of flux that are captured while keeping the cost of production and mass relatively low. This is achieved by an improved linear actuator, which is characterized by a keeper comprised of a cross-shaped piece of ferromagnetic material bent such that the four ends of the cross are located perpendicular to the longitudinal axis of the magnet.

Abstract: Pre-production processing an electronic document in which programming responsible for processing the composition need not have any inherent knowledge of programming responsible for manipulating one or more of the elements. A method embodying the invention includes creating a composition comprising a series of directions for retrieving one or more elements from one or more data stores and assembling those elements into a document. One of the composition's directions is then edited by adding data identifying an imaging service responsible for manipulating a particular element when the composition is processed.

Abstract: A method and apparatus are provided for implementing finished printed circuit board high potential testing to identify latent defects. A printed circuit board to be tested includes adjacent surface features having opposing applied voltages. An electrically non-conductive material is disposed between at least some of said adjacent surface features. A predefined voltage potential is applied between predefined power connections of the printed circuit board to identify the latent defects. The electrically non-conductive material prevents surface arcing between the adjacent surface features at the applied predefined voltage potential.

Abstract: A method, program product and system for integrating user specific output options into an upload for a network service, the method comprising: obtaining information regarding user specific output options from an source that is not a part of the network service; and, incorporating the user specific output options into user interface data to be uploaded from a network service to a network service agent of the user. Another embodiment provides an implementation at the client side.

Abstract: An outrigger has a plurality of telescoping tubes capable of being retracted and extended with respect to one another, and a sleeve between the tubes; and said tubes and sleeve having longitudinal tracking means comprising protrusions and grooves to permit the tubes to be retracted and extended, while preventing substantial relative rotation therebetween; and locking means to lock the tubes in an extended position.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a linear actuator that maximizes the flux density in the air gap where work is to be done by increasing the lines of flux that are captured while keeping the cost of production and mass relatively low. This is achieved by an improved linear actuator, which is characterized by a keeper comprised of a cross-shaped piece of ferromagnetic material bent such that the four ends of the cross are located perpendicular to the longitudinal axis of the magnet.

Abstract: Systems for retaining print job settings based upon a user's preferred print settings including a processor adapted to communicate with an imaging device and a registry coupled to the imaging device that includes the user's preferred print setting. In one embodiment, the registry stores the user's print settings in a database as name/value pairs. The user's print settings in the registry can override any default settings stored in the registry. Likewise, if print settings accompany a print job, those settings can override the user's preferred print setting stored in the registry. Systems and other methods also are provided.

Abstract: Systems and methods for automatically converting data received from a remote device are described. A representative data conversion system includes at least a first remote device. The system also includes a conversion device communicatively coupled to at least the first remote device. The conversion device is configured to receive information from at least the first remote device, wherein the information is configured to enable conversion of data from a first format to a second format. Other methods, devices, and programs are included.

Abstract: Apparatus for and a method of operating a mass flowmeter having a first embodiment that uses gyroscopic forces to determine material flow information for a material flow. The interior of the flow tube defines a helix element that imparts a rotation to the material flow within the flow tube. Driver induced transverse flow tube vibrations and the rotation imparted to the material flow together generate cyclic gyroscopic forces within the flow tube. The magnitude of the flow tube deflection from the gyroscopic forces is related to the magnitude of the material flow and is measured to determine material flow information. A second embodiment of the flowmeter detect the Coriolis forces on the vibrating flow tube and generates material flow information from the detected Coriolis forces. The Coriolis based flow information and the gyroscopic based flow information are both applied to meter electronics which uses the two sets of Information for comparison and error checking and other purposes.

Abstract: A motorized display using piezoelectricity to impart motion to a jewelry item or other items is disclosed. A quartz movement, otherwise used for rotating hands of a clock, is preferably used to rotate the display. In a preferred embodiment, a housing which has a drive aperture encloses the piezoelectric motor and a battery. A drive shaft, which rotates when the motor is powered, passes through the drive aperture of the housing. A holder for removably but securely holding a jewelry item or other items is positioned on the end of the drive shaft exterior to the housing and may be removable from the drive shaft. The holder may be a ring holder, a watch holder, a broach holder, etc., or may even be an entire jewelry box. The rotation of the drive shaft may be either stepped or continuous and a kit may be provided to the user which includes both types of motors.