Abstract: In some embodiments a high speed interconnect includes a layer of FR4 material, a trench in the layer of FR4 material, and a pair of transmission lines located near the trench. The trench is filled with a homogenous material. Other embodiments are described and claimed.

Abstract: A method, system, and apparatus for high data rate parallel plate mode signaling.

Abstract: According to some embodiments, a waveguide cable includes a dielectric core and a conducting layer surrounding the dielectric core. A first antenna may be provided at a first end of the waveguide cable to receive a digital signal and to propagate an electromagnetic wave through the dielectric core. A second antenna may be provided at a second end of the waveguide cable, opposite the first end, to receive the electromagnetic wave from the dielectric core and to provide the digital signal.

Abstract: One problem recognized by the present inventors is that even in highly successful companies, such as those in the Thomson corporate family, information and solutions provided by one business unit are not readily combined or integrated with those provided by other business units. Accordingly, the present inventors devised, among other things, a computerized implementation of a federated business model and architecture for the creation of integrated information solutions from content sets and service offerings provided by multiple business units. The exemplary system includes a catalog module that facilitates identification of informational assets, such as products, services, and content, that are created by multiple business units; a collaborative infrastructure to facilitate aggregation or integration of two or more informational assets into a new informational asset; and a settlement module for handling one or more financial and accounting aspects of the asset integration.

Abstract: One aspect of the invention provides a drag-inducing kickboard. The kickboard has an undersurface. A funnel member projects from the undersurface and comprises at least one inner surface that is spaced apart from the undersurface to form a channel between the at least one inner surface of the funnel member and the undersurface of the kickboard. The funnel member is shaped to provide the channel with a front opening for allowing water into the channel and a rear opening for allowing water to escape from the channel. The front opening has a cross-sectional area that is greater than that of the rear opening.

Abstract: Hydrogen is produced from a hydrocarbon fuel such as diesel, the process comprising: subjecting a mixture of the fuel with oxygen gas to plasma treatment in a dielectric barrier plasma reactor to generate oxygenated molecules; mixing the resulting oxygenated molecules with steam and subjecting them to steam reforming in a compact catalytic reactor at elevated temperature, and then to a water gas shift reaction (possibly with additional steam) at an elevated temperature. The resulting gases may then be mixed with a small quantity of oxygen gas, and subjected to selective oxidation to convert any carbon monoxide to carbon dioxide. This process avoids diluting the gases with nitrogen from the atmosphere, and can achieve very high yields. The hydrogen may be subsequently used in a fuel cell to generate electricity. Such a process may be used at an offshore facility.

Abstract: A method for distributing data among automotive dealers, including selecting the data from the dealers, processing the data, and providing the processed data to the dealers while maintaining confidentiality of individual data of each dealer. The selecting of the data further includes collecting data indicating which vehicles are in demand. The data includes at least one of a number of a vehicle's make a dealer has in stock, a vehicle identification number, a vehicle's year, a vehicle's make, a vehicle's model, a vehicle's body style, a vehicle's exterior color, a vehicle's interior color, a vehicle's mileage, a vehicle's retail asking price, a vehicle's transactions cost, a vehicle's reconditioning cost, a vehicle's age, a vehicle's selling price, a vehicle's gross profit, an acquisition need of a vehicle, a selling need of a vehicle, a vehicle's image, a vehicle's turnover rate, or an aggregate of any of the above-listed data.

Abstract: The present invention describes a method and apparatus to control the effect of contact impedance on a formation resistivity measurement during a logging-while-drilling operation. The control of contact impedance is accomplished by maintaining a substantially zero difference in potential between two monitor electrodes positioned on the resistivity logging tool near a current electrode. The tool can employ a ring electrode configuration and/or a button electrode, configuration. The ring electrode configuration incorporates two pairs of ring monitor electrodes on each side of a ring current electrode. The button electrode configuration incorporates. a monitor electrode, surrounded by a current electrode, surrounded by a second monitor electrode. Insulation gaps are positioned between each electrode to separate the electrodes. A variable current is supplied to the current electrode in each configuration to maintain the same potential at each monitor electrode.

Abstract: A process and apparatus are provided to determine the characteristic impedance of a transmission line coupled to the output of a buffer. To achieve this, an output resistance of the buffer is initially set to a relatively high value to underdrive the transmission line. The output resistance of the buffer is then decreased until the buffer overdrives the transmission line. The characteristic impedance of the transmission line can then be determined from a ringback voltage which occurs due to the overdriving of the transmission line. In accordance with an embodiment of the invention, the ringback voltage can be detected by noting when a reference voltage is crossed twice during the same time of the driving pulse on the transmission line (the second crossing being the ringback voltage). The characteristic impedance of the transmission line can then be used to set the output resistance for the buffers on the operational buses.

Abstract: An infrared optical system incorporates a lens for imaging a remote scene onto a detector within a cold shield. Stray radiation incident on the detector is reduced by an optical stop in the form of a light emitting diode producing negative luminescence. The LED emits less radiation than background, and contributes less to the detector photon noise than an optical stop not exhibiting negative luminescence.

Abstract: The instruments of a pulsed nuclear magnetic resonance device are included in a drill collar for evaluating earth formations. The resulting tool makes NMR measurements through an electrically non-conductive shield while the formation is being drilled.

Abstract: The instruments of a pulsed nuclear magnetic resonance device are included in a drill collar for evaluating earth formations. The resulting tool makes NMR measurements through an electrically non-conductive shield while the formation is being drilled.

Abstract: A fitness rope for use in both jumprope and stretching exercises is formed of a stretchable length of resiliently elastic rope. At each end of the stretchable rope length are a segment of flexible material secured at one end thereof to the stretchable rope length end, and a hollow handle of greater rigidity than the flexible segment. The handle is disposed at least in part about the flexible segment, slidable along a limited length of the flexible segment and rotatable relative to the flexible segment. Adjacent the other end of each of the flexible segments, both ends of the flexible segment are releasably joinable together to define a loop, including a respective one of the handles as a part thereof, the loop being configured and dimensioned to receive a limb or a support for use in stretching exercises.

Abstract: A low voltage distribution system comprises a two-conductor track of which one conductor is an outer conductor formed by its casing and the other conductor is an inner copper strip held by insulation. An adaptor can be fitted anywhere along the track and interlocked by closing pivoted members so that portions displace resilient arms outwardly to interlock lips of the adaptor with lips of the track. A fully rotatable contact assembly includes a center contact inside a sleeve contact as well as a lamp bracket which rotates as one with the contact assembly so that wires to the lamp never get twisted. For ease of mounting, a fixing device comprises a rotatable member which can be mounted to a support by a center screw and having a slot or opening to receive a connecting piece which is slidably connected to the back of the track casing by undercut tongue and groove.

Abstract: A distribution bus 12 comprises a conductor sheet 16 and another electrode 18 separated by an insulating sheet 20 of foamed plastic or foamed glass, or by air.A jack plug 14 can be plugged in anywhere on the bus 12 by poking a contact pin 44 through a hole 64 in the conductor sheet 16 to contact the other electrode 18, and poking a contact sleeve 46 through the same hole 64 to contact the conductor sheet 16. The jack plug 14 is clipped to the bus 12 by clips 62 which are pushed through other holes 64 in conductor sheet 16 and are cammed by a rotatable wheel 28 into operative position.

Abstract: A known grid suspended ceiling has a removable panel. A clip will be captive on a ceiling member at the margin of the opening and will also hold an end of a panel ceiling member securely in position with proper location without requiring a tool for removing the panel. The clip has two securing portions which snap into openings in the margin ceiling member. The clip has jaws connected at their lower ends to wings which can be moved to open the jaws. The jaws have detent portions with horizontal upper surfaces. The panel is merely pushed up into the opening, the detent portion being cammed back and then snapping home into position. To remove the panel, the appropriate wing is pushed, withdrawing the detent portion and allowing the panel to drop down.