Abstract: A vessel for transporting a material that is solid or semi-solid at ambient temperature, includes a body having an interior surface comprising textured metal, and a superoleophobic coating on the interior surface for inhibiting the material from adhering to the interior surface, the superoleophobic coating including a nanotextured coating disposed on the textured metal and functionalized with a fluorinated compound. The superoleophobic coating facilitates flow of the material along the interior surface.

Abstract: A magneto-quasistatic field may be used to align hydrogen of materials within a structure and/or to disrupt the alignment of hydrogen of materials within the structure. Realignment of the hydrogen after the disruption may cause emission of energy from the hydrogen. The characteristic(s) of the energy may be detected and used to generate image(s) of interior portion(s) of the structure.

Abstract: A vessel for transporting a material that is solid or semi-solid at ambient temperature, includes a body having an interior surface comprising textured metal, and a superoleophobic coating on the interior surface for inhibiting the material from adhering to the interior surface, the superoleophobic coating including a nanotextured coating disposed on the textured metal and functionalized with a fluorinated compound. The superoleophobic coating facilitates flow of the material along the interior surface.

Abstract: A vessel for transporting a material that is solid or semi-solid at ambient temperature, includes a body having an interior surface comprising textured metal, and a superoleophobic coating on the interior surface for inhibiting the material from adhering to the interior surface, the superoleophobic coating including a nanotextured coating disposed on the textured metal and functionalized with a fluorinated compound. The superoleophobic coating facilitates flow of the material along the interior surface.

Abstract: A magneto-quasistatic field may be used to align hydrogen of materials within a structure and/or to disrupt the alignment of hydrogen of materials within the structure. Realignment of the hydrogen after the disruption may cause emission of energy from the hydrogen. The characteristic(s) of the energy may be detected and used to generate image(s) of interior portion(s) of the structure.

Abstract: A truck bed cover for covering a bed of a truck comprises a top panel; two side panels, each coupled to the top with side hinges at opposite sides of the top, respectively, the two side panels transitionable from parallel with the top to perpendicular with the top; a front panel and a rear panel, each coupled to the top with a front hinge at opposite sides of the top, respectively, and between the two side panels; a bottom lock member on the bottom of each of the two side panels for attaching the two side panel to opposite walls of the truck that define the bed; a top lock member at the top of each of the two sides, each top lock member engages with the side hinges, respectively, to prevent each of the sides from extending past perpendicular with the top when swiveled away from parallel with the top.

Abstract: A truck bed cover for covering a bed of a truck comprises a top panel; two side panels, each coupled to the top with side hinges at opposite sides of the top, respectively, the two side panels transitionable from parallel with the top to perpendicular with the top; a front panel and a rear panel, each coupled to the top with a front hinge at opposite sides of the top, respectively, and between the two side panels; a bottom lock member on the bottom of each of the two side panels for attaching the two side panel to opposite walls of the truck that define the bed; a top lock member at the top of each of the two sides, each top lock member engages with the side hinges, respectively, to prevent each of the sides from extending past perpendicular with the top when swiveled away from parallel with the top.

Abstract: A vessel for transporting a material that is solid or semi-solid at ambient temperature, includes a body having an interior surface comprising textured metal, and a superoleophobic coating on the interior surface for inhibiting the material from adhering to the interior surface, the superoleophobic coating including a nanotextured coating disposed on the textured metal and functionalized with a fluorinated compound. The superoleophobic coating facilitates flow of the material along the interior surface.

Abstract: The invention is directed to a fusion cage designed for lateral placement. The cage is roughly rectangular in shape and hollow on the inside to accommodate bone graft material. Staples can be incorporated into the fusion cage to assist in securing the cage in position in the spine. A rod can be attached to the staples to assist in positioning the staples. A cable can be attached to the rod to assist in positioning the cage and to assist in positioning the spine. A lateral plate can be used with the cage to further assist in maintaining the cage and the spine in the desired position.

Abstract: The proposed retractor blade is designed to function with a number of the currently available retractor systems with only minor modifications to those systems. The retractor blade has a hinge allowing it to flex and thereby allow a lateral approach to the discs at L1-L2 and L4-L5 despite the angle to these discs caused by coming in under the ribs or over the iliac crest.

Abstract: In subsea drilling operations, workover control systems may include deployment of an umbilical from a deepwater drilling vessel. Such an umbilical provides support functions for deepwater drilling operations. In the practice of the invention, a new method, system and apparatus may be employed to deploy the umbilical independently of the drilling riser, which provides commercial and operational advantages. That is, the umbilical may be deployed at a different time than the riser is deployed, and also without intimate close connection from the umbilical to the riser.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for providing a controllable supply of fluid, and optionally power and/or communication signals, to a subsea equipment are provided. The fluid may be a water-based fluid, oil-based fluid, or chemicals. The apparatus includes a reservoir disposed on a seabed for storing a supply of fluid for delivery to the subsea well equipment. A subsea pumping device is configured to receive the fluid from the reservoir, pressurize the fluid, and deliver the pressurized fluid to an accumulator of a hydraulic power unit disposed on the seabed. The hydraulic power unit can store the pressurized fluid and control an output of the pressurized fluid to the subsea well equipment, thereby providing a subsea fluid source for the subsea equipment.

Abstract: A backup program running on a computing device receives a search query. The backup program transmits the search query to a search program. The backup program receives search results corresponding to the search query from the search program. The search results include a list of data objects stored on a storage device and that satisfy the search query. The backup program backs up one or more selected data objects of the list of data objects. The backup program can periodically and automatically without user interaction retransmit the search query to the search program, and receive updated search results corresponding to the search query from the search program. The updated search results include an updated list of data objects stored on the storage device that satisfy the search query. The backup program can then back up the data objects within the updated list of data objects.

Abstract: In subsea drilling operations, workover control systems may include deployment of an umbilical from a deepwater drilling vessel. Such an umbilical provides support functions for deepwater drilling operations. In the practice of the invention, a new method, system and apparatus may be employed to deploy the umbilical independently of the drilling riser, which provides commercial and operational advantages. That is, the umbilical may be deployed at a different time than the riser is deployed, and also without intimate close connection from the umbilical to the riser.

Abstract: A backup program running on a computing device receives a search query. The backup program transmits the search query to a search program. The backup program receives search results corresponding to the search query from the search program. The search results include a list of data objects stored on a storage device and that satisfy the search query. The backup program backs up one or more selected data objects of the list of data objects. The backup program can periodically and automatically without user interaction retransmit the search query to the search program, and receive updated search results corresponding to the search query from the search program. The updated search results include an updated list of data objects stored on the storage device that satisfy the search query. The backup program can then back up the data objects within the updated list of data objects.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for protecting file data is provided that combines or merges revision based backup with backup based on time intervals. One embodiment is directed to a method for protecting data contained in a file of a computer system, wherein the computer system is useable to create multiple successive file versions. The method comprises the steps of specifying a maximum number of file versions that can be stored collectively at first and second storage locations, and apportioning the maximum number into a first number of file versions and a second number of file versions. The method further comprises storing the most recent of the multiple file versions, up to a number equal to the first number, at the first storage location. A number of file versions respectively created before the stored most recent versions, up to a number equal to the second number, are stored at the second storage location, over a pre-specified time period and in accordance with a pre-specified strategy.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for providing a controllable supply of fluid, and optionally power and/or communication signals, to a subsea equipment are provided. The fluid may be a water-based fluid, oil-based fluid, or chemicals. The apparatus includes a reservoir disposed on a seabed for storing a supply of fluid for delivery to the subsea well equipment. A subsea pumping device is configured to receive the fluid from the reservoir, pressurize the fluid, and deliver the pressurized fluid to an accumulator of a hydraulic power unit disposed on the seabed. The hydraulic power unit can store the pressurized fluid and control an output of the pressurized fluid to the subsea well equipment, thereby providing a subsea fluid source for the subsea equipment.

Abstract: A method and system for managing communication of electronic data between a diagnostic service center and a plurality of mobile assets (10) generally remote relative to each other is provided. The electronic data comprises at least respective mobile asset data indicative of respective performance of the plurality of mobile assets. The mobile asset data used for detecting the presence of potential malfunctions which, if left uncorrected, would likely result in respective mission failures of the assets. The method allows for storing in a database (104) a list of respective cases to be processed. The method further allows for assigning to each case a respective download priority. A determining action allows for determining each case to be populated next with new mobile asset data based upon the assigned download priority.

Abstract: An analysis scheduler for scheduling the automatic processing of performance data through a plurality of analysis tools is disclosed. Performance data provided to some of the tools by the analysis scheduler may be specified to be within a predetermined (but variable) look-back period. The analysis tools identify faults and anomalous conditions and also create repair recommendations, and automatically create problem cases when conditions warrant, or update existing problem cases with additional data, all under control of the analysis scheduler. The problem cases are reviewed by a human user and then forwarded to the railroad for implementation.

Abstract: Provided is a permanent seafloor seismic recording system utilizing Micro Electro-Mechanical Systems seismic sensors. The system includes and expandable backbone, multiple hubs and sensor lines. The sensor lines include multiple sensor modules that include 3-C accelerometers and a hydrophone for providing a 4-C sensor module output signal.