Abstract: A surgical instrument, has an end effector that includes an ultrasonic blade, and a clamp arm that moves relative to the ultrasonic blade from an opened position toward an intermediate position and a closed position. The clamp arm is offset from the ultrasonic blade to define a predetermined gap in the intermediate position between the opened position and the closed position. A clamp arm actuator connects to the clamp arm and moves from an opened configuration to a closed configuration to direct the clamp arm from the opened position toward the intermediate position and the closed position. A spacer connects with the clamp arm to inhibit movement of the clamp arm from the intermediate position toward the closed position for maintaining the predetermined gap between the clamp arm and the ultrasonic blade.

Abstract: A neuromodulation therapy is delivered via at least one electrode implanted subcutaneously and superficially to a fascia layer superficial to a nerve of a patient. In one example, an implantable medical device is deployed along a superficial surface of a deep fascia tissue layer superficial to a nerve of a patient. Electrical stimulation energy is delivered to the nerve through the deep fascia tissue layer via implantable medical device electrodes.

Abstract: A neuromodulation therapy is delivered via at least one electrode implanted subcutaneously and superficially to a fascia layer superficial to a nerve of a patient. In one example, an implantable medical device is deployed along a superficial surface of a deep fascia tissue layer superficial to a nerve of a patient. Electrical stimulation energy is delivered to the nerve through the deep fascia tissue layer via implantable medical device electrodes.

Abstract: Methods and systems for managing and/or processing a blockchain to maintain data security for confidential and/or personal data are provided. According to certain aspects, the disclosed data security techniques may enable access sharing functionality utilizing the blockchain. For example, access sharing may be utilized to share policy information. The policy information may be associated with a smart contract. Accordingly, the policy information may be encrypted using a public key for the smart contract and compiled into a block of the blockchain. In response to a request to provide access to the information to a particular node, the private key for the smart contract may be encrypted using the public key for the particular node and compiled into a block of the blockchain.

Abstract: Methods and systems for processing a blockchain comprising a plurality of immutable sales records corresponding to sales made by agents of an entity are provided. According to certain aspects, a transaction request indicating a sale made by an agent of the entity may be received at a first node. A block including a sales record indicating the sale made by the agent may be added to a blockchain and transmitted to another node for validation. The first node may add the block to a copy of the blockchain, where the block may be identified by a hash value that references a previous block in the blockchain that includes at least one additional sales record.

Abstract: Methods and systems for managing and/or processing a blockchain to maintain data security for confidential and/or personal data are provided. According to certain aspects, the disclosed data security techniques may enable access sharing functionality utilizing the blockchain. For example, access sharing may be utilized to file documents, share policy information, and/or comply with an audit. The data security techniques disclosed herein also enable the use of smart contracts to transfer funds associated with payment obligations and/or other forms of blockchain based payments, comply with anti-money laundering requirements, report industry data, validate interest payments and/or maintain agent sales data. Data security may be achieved through the use of public key/private key encryption techniques.

Abstract: Some embodiments may include a drilling rig comprising base structure; a hoisting device to raise drill pipe into a position in which the drill pipe is aligned with a bore axis of a well, the hoisting device connected to the base structure and including a hoisting cable and a mast, the mast having an operating side and a back side opposite the operating side, wherein the operating side of the mast is configured to accept the drill pipe; and a drawworks operatively connected to the mast via the hoisting cable, wherein the drawworks is closer to the operating side of the mast than to the back side of the mast. Other embodiments may be disclosed and/or claimed.

Abstract: Some embodiments may include a coil tubing injector, which may include: a cylinder-rod assembly including at least one cylinder rod operably coupled to a first load beam and a second load beam, the at least one cylinder rod to change a separation distance between the first load beam and the second load beam; opposing grippers; and at least one additional beam, at least one link, a set of gears, or control valves to maintain a parallel orientation of the load beams relative to each other during operation of the at least one cylinder rod, the at least one additional beam, the at least one link, or the set of gears operably coupled to at least one of the load beams or the control valves coupled to hydraulic piping to hydraulically operate the cylinder-rod assemblies independently. Other embodiments may be disclosed and/or claimed.

Abstract: A load transporting apparatus is configured to move a load bearing frame carrying a load over a base surface. A support foot provides a first load bearing surface. A lift mechanism during a step operation raises the support foot off of the base surface, lowers the support foot onto the base surface, and raise the load off of the base surface. A first travel mechanism moves the lift mechanism and attached load along a non-linear horizontal path and a second travel mechanism moves the lift mechanism along a different horizontal path. A control system operates the first travel mechanism and the second travel mechanism to move the lift mechanism along a selected horizontal path.

Abstract: A walking apparatus uses a unique single substantially planar interface between the top of support foot and the bottom of load plate to move a load both laterally, longitudinally, and in any curved, angular, diagonal, or non-linear direction. The single substantially planar interface used for moving the load plate in different directions provides the walking apparatus with a low vertical profile that can be installed in load bearing frames with lower ground clearances. In one example, a load bearing device provides a single steering plane movable over a support foot in different directions. A travel mechanism is coupled between the support foot and the load bearing device and is configured to change a horizontal path of the load while the weight of the load is transferred onto the support foot and the travel mechanism is moving the load relative to the support foot.

Abstract: Some embodiments may include a drilling rig comprising base structure; a hoisting device to raise drill pipe into a position in which the drill pipe is aligned with a bore axis of a well, the hoisting device connected to the base structure and including a hoisting cable and a mast, the mast having an operating side and a back side opposite the operating side, wherein the operating side of the mast is configured to accept the drill pipe; and a drawworks operatively connected to the mast via the hoisting cable, wherein the drawworks is closer to the operating side of the mast than to the back side of the mast. Other embodiments may be disclosed and/or claimed.

Abstract: An alignment assembly is coupled between a steering assembly and a support foot to maintain an alignment of the support foot with the load transport assembly while the steering mechanism rotates in different steering directions. A biasing device activates in response to non-linear displacements of the load transport assembly relative to the support foot and moves the steering assembly and the support foot back into original alignments with the load transport assembly. The alignment assembly may include a lower main gear assembly that rotates the support foot relative to the steering assembly and an upper main gear assembly that rotates the steering assembly relative to the load transport assembly.

Abstract: A low-profile roller assembly reduces an overall mounting height of walking machines enabling use in a wider variety of structures and locations while also reducing complexity and over cost. The low-profile roller assembly may include a roller device with a substantially flat roller cage with one or more slots configured to hold a single layer of rollers. The roller device may move longitudinally relative to a support foot and a load plate may move longitudinally relative to both the support foot and the roller device. The load plate may laterally displace relative to a longitudinal axis of the support foot or may laterally displace relative to longitudinal axes of both the support foot and the roller device.

Abstract: A load transporting apparatus is configured to move a load bearing frame carrying a load over a base surface. A support foot provides a first load bearing surface. A lift mechanism during a step operation raises the support foot off of the base surface, lowers the support foot onto the base surface, and raise the load off of the base surface. A first travel mechanism moves the lift mechanism and attached load along a non-linear horizontal path and a second travel mechanism moves the lift mechanism along a different horizontal path. A control system operates the first travel mechanism and the second travel mechanism to move the lift mechanism along a selected horizontal path.

Abstract: A multi-axle assembly includes an axle frame configured to move in a first travel configuration, a first axle assembly attached to the axle frame and including a first axle, and a second axle assembly attached to the axle frame and including a second axle. A common axis of rotation passes through both the first axle and the second axle in the first travel configuration. A first axle mount that operably couples the first axle assembly to the axle frame, and a second axle mount that operably couples the second axle assembly to the axle frame. Both the first axle assembly and the second axle assembly may be repositioned to a second travel configuration in which the first axle and the second axle are rotationally offset from the common axis of rotation.

Abstract: A walking apparatus uses a unique single substantially planar interface between the top of support foot and the bottom of load plate to move a load both laterally, longitudinally, and in any curved, angular, diagonal, or non-linear direction. The single substantially planar interface used for moving the load plate in different directions provides the walking apparatus with a low vertical profile that can be installed in load bearing frames with lower ground clearances. In one example, a load bearing device provides a single steering plane movable over a support foot in different directions. A travel mechanism is coupled between the support foot and the load bearing device and is configured to change a horizontal path of the load while the weight of the load is transferred onto the support foot and the travel mechanism is moving the load relative to the support foot.

Abstract: Embodiments of the present invention are directed to a load transporting apparatus that automatically aligns a support foot of the apparatus with a load-bearing frame connected to the load transporting apparatus during a recovery phase of an incremental walking movement. In particular, the load transporting apparatus includes a linking device attached to a support foot of the apparatus and a biasing device connected to the linking device that is deflected during non-linear load transporting movements, where the biasing device acts to automatically return the support foot to an aligned position relative to the load-bearing frame after a non-linear movement has been completed and the support foot is raised above a ground surface. Other embodiments of the present invention are directed to a load transporting apparatus that automatically centers a support foot of the apparatus about a roller assembly during a recovery phase of an incremental walking movement.

Abstract: An alignment assembly is coupled between a steering assembly and a support foot to maintain an alignment of the support foot with the load transport assembly while the steering mechanism rotates in different steering directions. A biasing device activates in response to non-linear displacements of the load transport assembly relative to the support foot and moves the steering assembly and the support foot back into original alignments with the load transport assembly. The alignment assembly may include a lower main gear assembly that rotates the support foot relative to the steering assembly and an upper main gear assembly that rotates the steering assembly relative to the load transport assembly.

Abstract: Embodiments of the present invention are directed to a load transporting apparatus that automatically aligns a support foot of the apparatus with a load-bearing frame connected to the load transporting apparatus during a recovery phase of an incremental walking movement. In particular, the load transporting apparatus includes a linking device attached to a support foot of the apparatus and a biasing device connected to the linking device that is deflected during non-linear load transporting movements, where the biasing device acts to automatically return the support foot to an aligned position relative to the load-bearing frame after a non-linear movement has been completed and the support foot is raised above a ground surface. Other embodiments of the present invention are directed to a load transporting apparatus that automatically centers a support foot of the apparatus about a roller assembly during a recovery phase of an incremental walking movement.

Abstract: A mounting structure for a rig may include a base configured to support the mounting structure on an operating surface and a plurality of transport systems operatively connected to the base and configured to lift the mounting structure off of the operating surface. An elevated rig platform may be connected to the base by a plurality of support struts, wherein at least some of the support struts comprise a mounting connection that is configured to pivot to lower the elevated rig platform toward the base and place the mounting structure in a partially collapsed state. Additionally, a connecting member may be attached to one or more of the plurality of transport systems, wherein in response to the elevated rig platform being lowered to the partially collapsed state, the connecting member may be configured to displace at least a portion of the one or more transport systems.