Abstract: Systems, methods, and apparatus for dual port ring compatible satellites are disclosed. In one or more embodiments, a method for removably attaching at least one spacecraft to a payload attach ring on a launch vehicle involves attaching a strongback of each of the spacecrafts to two respective payload ports of the payload attach ring on the launch vehicle. In one or more embodiments, the strongback of each of the spacecrafts is attached to each of the two respective payload ports via a respective beam mounted to a respective port adaptor plate. The method further involves separating the strongback of each of the spacecrafts from the two respective payload ports of the payload attach ring on the launch vehicle by using at least one mechanical actuator on each of the beams.

Abstract: Methods and related apparatus pertaining to downhole and surface telemetry, such as a method in which a telemetry system is provided with a communication path formed with an electrically conductive transport medium coupled across a plurality of downhole nodes. Such method includes operating on the communication path with a multi-drop system that provides telemetry to the downhole nodes in a wellbore, including employing modulation in a master-slave arrangement using binary differential phase shift keying or differential quadrature phase shift keying.

Abstract: A laser thickness gauge has three laser displacement sensors each transmitting a laser beam onto a target web. Two sensors are spaced along the web and face one surface of the web and the third sensor faces the opposite surface. The thickness of a web that is positioned along a passline plane between the sensor is measured even when the passline plane is not perpendicular to the beams of the sensors. A data processor computes the passline angle from the distance measurements communicated from the three sensors. During setup and calibration, data representing physical characteristics of the gauge are measured and stored and during operation are processed with currently measured data to generate correction factors that are used to correct thickness measurements determined from the three laser sensors.

Abstract: A stent graft extends in a flow lumen to span a defective portion of the flow lumen and seal the defective portion from further blood contact. The stent graft includes a pair of apertures, from which extensions project into the renal arteries to seal the passage of blood into the renal arteries from the abnormality. The apertures are larger than the opening of the renal arteries, such that the apertures need not be centered with the renal arteries to enable placement of the extensions. The aperture opening and side branch extensions contain hook and loop structures to provide a variably positionable seal of the aperture opening.

Abstract: An automotive security system enables users to remotely monitor their vehicles with the system providing a complete, recorded view of the interior and exterior of the car, while at the same time offering a remote alert that their car's security has been breached. The system comprises a 360 degree rotating camera mounted in the vehicle and a remote handheld, companion video monitor receiving s and control system for viewing and receiving an audible signal.

Abstract: The invention provides a pilot light ignition system comprising a solenoid valve and a flame safeguard controller. Also provided is a pilot light ignition process comprising a normally open solenoid valve that shuts down a main burner gas supply while the pilot is being lit. A fail last position solenoid can also be utilized with the system.

Abstract: Multi-band antennas for simultaneously communicating linear polarity low-band signals and circular polarity high-band signals via a single antenna horn structure. The antennas horn structures have circular and oblong cross-sections. Strategic location and orientation of low-band and high-band ports with respect to internal ridges in transition sections and the major and minor axes of the oblong horn allows the antenna to simultaneously manipulate the high-band circular polarity signal without affecting the linear polarity low-band signals. The oblong horn shape and ridges may apply additive or oppositely sloped differential phase shifts to the linear components of the circular polarity high-band signal. For the horns with circular cross-section, the internal ridges may apply additive or oppositely sloped differential phase shifts to polarize the circular polarity high band signals without assistance from the internal shape of the horn.

Abstract: This disclosure concerns machines that convert rotating motion to reciprocation, and vice-versa, and more particularly, but not exclusively, to reciprocating piston machines. Some embodiments include a crankshaft defining a crankshaft-drive and at least one radially extending piston-journal spaced from the crankshaft-drive, and a piston configured to pivotally engage the piston-journal. The piston defines a cylindrical head and an elongate body. Some embodiments further include a drive-member defining a central-axis-of-rotation and being rotatably engageable with the crankshaft-drive. Some embodiments also include a block defining one or more cylinders for receiving one or more pistons. The drive-member rotates when the piston reciprocates, and vice-versa.

Abstract: Purification of ?-1 proteinase inhibitor (?-1 PI) from solutions comprising ?-1 PI is accomplished using hydrophobic interaction chromatography (HIC). In some embodiments, purification of ?-1 PI is accomplished by precipitation of contaminating proteins from a starting solution comprising ?-1 PI, such as human plasma, followed by anion exchange resin chromatography prior to HIC. Further purification may be accomplished by an optional cation exchange chromatography subsequent to anion exchange chromatography but prior to HIC. Some embodiments of the invention also include virus removal and/or inactivation by methods such as nano filtration and such as contact with a non-ionic detergent. The methods of the present invention result in greater yield, purity, and pathogenic clearance of plasma fractions than known methods.

Abstract: Opposite end sections (20, 26) of a piston/cylinder drive unit (14) are clamped to longitudinally spaced apart transverse mounting beams (10, 12), by a fixed clamp parts connected to the mounting beams (10, 12) and removable clamp parts that are connected by bolts to the fixed clamp parts. The piston rod end sections (20, 26) include longitudinal passageways having outer end openings that project outwardly from the clamps. Manifolds are secured to the mounting beams (10, 12) outwardly of the end openings in the piston rod end sections (20, 26). A detachable coupling connects ports in the manifold with the end openings in the piston rod end sections (20, 26). The piston cylinder drive unit (14) can be detached from the frame by first detaching the fluid couplings and then detaching the clamps which clamp the piston rod end sections (20, 26) to the mounting beams (10, 12).

Abstract: Multi-band antennas for simultaneously communicating linear polarity low-band signals and circular polarity high-band signals via a single antenna horn structure. The antennas horn structures have circular and oblong cross-sections. Strategic location and orientation of low-band and high-band ports with respect to internal ridges in transition sections and the major and minor axes of the oblong horn allows the antenna to simultaneously manipulate the high-band circular polarity signal without affecting the linear polarity low-band signals. The oblong horn shape and ridges may apply additive or oppositely sloped differential phase shifts to the linear components of the circular polarity high-band signal. For the horns with circular cross-section, the internal ridges may apply additive or oppositely sloped differential phase shifts to polarize the circular polarity high band signals without assistance from the internal shape of the horn.

Abstract: A method for joining two large metal surfaces together by inserting a gasket or coating between two sheets of metal and heating to a temperature above the eutectic temperature of gasket or coating and the metal surfaces.

Abstract: A trailer (T) and a dock (D) are provided with substantially identical slat conveyors (10, 12). Each conveyor (10, 12) has alternating conveyor slats (36, 36?) and lifting/holding slats (38, 38?). The trailer (T) is backed up to the dock (D). Upper portions of the lifting/holding slats (38, 38?) are coupled together at their ends. The confronting ends of the conveying slats (36, 36?) are also coupled together. A mechanism carried by the dock (D) raises and lowers the upper portions of the two sets of lifting/holding slats (38, 38?) a drive mechanism carried by the dock (D) where it reciprocates both sets of conveying slats (36, 36?).

Abstract: This disclosure concerns machines that convert rotating motion to reciprocation, and vice-versa, and more particularly, but not exclusively, to reciprocating piston machines. Some embodiments include a crankshaft defining a crankshaft-drive and at least one radially extending piston-journal spaced from the crankshaft-drive, and a piston configured to pivotally engage the piston-journal. The piston defines a cylindrical head and an elongate body. Some embodiments further include a drive-member defining a central-axis-of-rotation and being rotatably engageable with the crankshaft-drive. Some embodiments also include a block defining one or more cylinders for receiving one or more pistons. The drive-member rotates when the piston reciprocates, and vice-versa.

Abstract: A trailer (T) and a dock (D) are provided with substantially identical slat conveyors (10, 12). Each conveyor (10, 12) has alternating conveyor slats (36, 36?) and lifting/holding slats (38, 38?). The trailer (T) is backed up to the dock (D). Upper portions of the lifting/holding slats (38, 38?) are coupled together at their ends. The confronting ends of the conveying slats (36, 36?) are also coupled together. A mechanism carried by the dock (D) raises and lowers the upper portions of the two sets of lifting/holding slats (38, 38?) a drive mechanism carried by the dock (D) where it reciprocates both sets of conveying slats (36, 36?).

Abstract: Disclosed is both a process for producing a reversibly inactive acidified plasmin by activating plasminogen and a process for producing a purified plasminogen. The produced plasmin is isolated and stored with a low pH-buffering capacity agent to provide a substantially stable formulation. The purified plasminogen is typically purified from a fraction obtained in the separation of immunoglobulin from Fraction II+III chromatographic process and eluted at a low pH. The reversibly inactive acidified plasmin may be used in the administration of a thrombolytic therapy.

Abstract: Opposite end sections (20, 26) of a piston/cylinder drive unit (14) are clamped to longitudinally spaced apart transverse mounting beams (10, 12), by a fixed clamp parts connected to the mounting beams (10, 12) and removable clamp parts that are connected by bolts to the fixed clamp parts. The piston rod end sections (20, 26) include longitudinal passageways having outer end openings that project outwardly from the clamps. Manifolds are secured to the mounting beams (10, 12) outwardly of the end openings in the piston rod end sections (20, 26). A detachable coupling connects ports in the manifold with the end openings in the piston rod end sections (20, 26). The piston cylinder drive unit (14) can be detached from the frame by first detaching the fluid couplings and then detaching the clamps which clamp the piston rod end sections (20, 26) to the mounting beams (10, 12).

Abstract: An improved process for the purification of antibodies from human plasma or other sources is disclosed. The process involves suspension of the antibodies at pH 3.8 to 4.5 followed by addition of caprylic acid and a pH shift to pH 5.0 to 5.2. A precipitate of contaminating proteins, lipids and caprylate forms and is removed, while the majority of the antibodies remain in solution. Sodium caprylate is again added to a final concentration of not less than about 15 mM. This solution is incubated for 1 hour at 25° C. to affect viral inactivation. A precipitate (mainly caprylate) is removed and the clear solution is diluted with purified water to reduce ionic strength. Anion exchange chromatography using two different resins is utilized to obtain an exceptionally pure IgG with subclass distribution similar to the starting distribution. The method maximizes yield and produces a gamma globulin with greater than 99% purity. The resin columns used to obtain a high yield of IgG retain IgM and IgA.

Abstract: An improved process for the purification of antibodies from human plasma or other sources is disclosed. The process involves suspension of the antibodies at pH 3.8 to 4.5 followed by addition of caprylic acid and a pH shift to pH 5.0 to 5.2. A precipitate of contaminating proteins, lipids and caprylate forms and is removed, while the majority of the antibodies remain in solution. Sodium caprylate is again added to a final concentration of not less than about 15 mM. This solution is incubated for 1 hour at 25° C. to effect viral inactivation. A precipitate (mainly caprylate) is removed and the clear solution is diluted with purified water to reduce ionic strength. Anion exchange chromatography using two different resins is utilized to obtain an exceptionally pure IgG with subclass distribution similar to the starting distribution. The method maximizes yield and produces a gamma globulin with greater than 99% purity. The resin columns used to obtain a high yield of IgG retain IgM and IgA.