Abstract: The systems and techniques described herein may allow for optimized boring through a variety of geologies. A plurality of different boring techniques may be utilized for boring through a geological formation, in order to suit the characteristics of various portions of the geological formation. The systems and techniques described herein includes determining geological features and adjusting operation of boring based on the geological features. In certain such embodiments, boring systems may include a bore head that includes a plurality of boring elements. Such boring elements may be contact and/or non-contact boring elements.

Abstract: Novel hybrid tunnel boring methods, systems, and apparatuses are described. Example hybrid methods integrate (a) thermal processing, e.g., preconditioning and/or thermal spallation (which may be used as pre-treatment), and (b) mechanical processing while boring tunnels in rock and other formations. Thermal processing and mechanical processing may be used alternatively or simultaneously. For example, the preconditioning may use thermal energy to induce thermal shock and weaken the rock (e.g., cause expansion stress, micro-fractures, thermal spallation, etc.). This preconditioning changes the relevant properties of the rock relative to the additional (e.g., mechanical) excavation, including, among other things, effective compressive stress, abrasion properties, and hardness. This preconditioned rock can therefore be efficiently removed using mechanical drilling tools, resulting in, for example, faster boring speeds, reduced tool wear, enhanced precision, and longer deployment lengths (e.g.

Abstract: A variety of shifter mechanisms are provided for controlling the axial distance between half-pulleys of a split pulley variable transmission, thus controlling the transmission ratio of the variable transmission. Some of these embodiments include a differential such that a variable transmission can be driven and shifted differentially by two inputs. A torque or rotation difference between the inputs results in a change in the transmission ratio and in-common torque or rotation is transmitted through the transmission to an output. The same motors used to drive the output of the transmission are thus also able to effect shifts in the transmission ratio. Accordingly, motor mass that is not being used to effect high-speed shifts may be used to drive the transmission output, and vice versa. The provided shifter embodiments are well-suited to application to nested-pulley variable transmissions, including nested-pulley infinitely variable transmissions.

Abstract: An ultrasound system and method are provided for detecting lesions and/or abnormalities in a heterogeneous medium. An array of ultrasound transducer elements configured to emit ultrasound signals and to receive backscattered ultrasound signals. A processor performs a lesion detection algorithm that processes the backscattered ultrasound signals to obtain an Inter-element Response Matrix (IRM), splits the IRM into a plurality of sub-IRMs corresponding to subsets of the ultrasound transducer elements, and then performs additional processing that includes performing a depression detection algorithm to identify one or more lesions and/or abnormalities.

Abstract: The systems and techniques described herein may allow for optimized boring through a variety of geologies. A plurality of different boring techniques may be utilized for boring through a geological formation, in order to suit the characteristics of various portions of the geological formation. The systems and techniques described herein includes determining geological features and adjusting operation of boring based on the geological features. In certain such embodiments, boring systems may include a bore head that includes a plurality of boring elements. Such boring elements may be contact and/or non-contact boring elements.

Abstract: A variety of shifter mechanisms are provided for controlling the axial distance between half-pulleys of a split pulley variable transmission, thus controlling the transmission ratio of the variable transmission. Some of these embodiments include a differential such that a variable transmission can be driven and shifted differentially by two inputs. A torque or rotation difference between the inputs results in a change in the transmission ratio and in-common torque or rotation is transmitted through the transmission to an output. The same motors used to drive the output of the transmission are thus also able to effect shifts in the transmission ratio. Accordingly, motor mass that is not being used to effect high-speed shifts may be used to drive the transmission output, and vice versa. The provided shifter embodiments are well-suited to application to nested-pulley variable transmissions, including nested-pulley infinitely variable transmissions.

Abstract: A variety of shifter mechanisms are provided for controlling the axial distance between half-pulleys of a split pulley variable transmission, thus controlling the transmission ratio of the variable transmission. Some of these embodiments include a differential such that a variable transmission can be driven and shifted differentially by two inputs. A torque or rotation difference between the inputs results in a change in the transmission ratio and in-common torque or rotation is transmitted through the transmission to an output. The same motors used to drive the output of the transmission are thus also able to effect shifts in the transmission ratio. Accordingly, motor mass that is not being used to effect high-speed shifts may be used to drive the transmission output, and vice versa. The provided shifter embodiments are well-suited to application to nested-pulley variable transmissions, including nested-pulley infinitely variable transmissions.

Abstract: The systems and techniques described herein may allow for optimized boring through a variety of geologies. A plurality of different boring techniques may be utilized for boring through a geological formation, in order to suit the characteristics of various portions of the geological formation. The systems and techniques described herein includes determining geological features and adjusting operation of boring based on the geological features. In certain such embodiments, boring systems may include a bore head that includes a plurality of boring elements. Such boring elements may be contact and/or non-contact boring elements.

Abstract: Methods and devices for mass spectrometry are described, specifically the use of nanoparticulate implantation as a matrix for secondary ion and more generally secondary particles. A photon beam source or a nanoparticulate beam source can be used a desorption source or a primary ion/primary particle source.

Abstract: The systems and techniques described herein may allow for optimized boring through a variety of geologies. A plurality of different boring techniques may be utilized for boring through a geological formation, in order to suit the characteristics of various portions of the geological formation. The systems and techniques described herein includes determining geological features and adjusting operation of boring based on the geological features. In certain such embodiments, boring systems may include a bore head that includes a plurality of boring elements. Such boring elements may be contact and/or non-contact boring elements.

Abstract: An ultrasound system and method are provided for detecting lesions and/or abnormalities in a heterogeneous medium. An array of ultrasound transducer elements configured to emit ultrasound signals and to receive backscattered ultrasound signals. A processor performs a lesion detection algorithm that processes the backscattered ultrasound signals to obtain an Inter-element Response Matrix (IRM), splits the IRM into a plurality of sub-IRMs corresponding to subsets of the ultrasound transducer elements, and then performs additional processing that includes performing a depression detection algorithm to identify one or more lesions and/or abnormalities.

Abstract: An example system includes a vehicle, a robot, and a controller. The vehicle may include an accelerator operator and a steering operator. The robot may include as accelerator actuator configured to operate the accelerator operator, and a steering actuator configured to operate-the steering operator. The controller is configured to: in response to an accelerator command, send a first signal to the accelerator actuator to operate the accelerator operator of the vehicle, and in response to a steering command, send a second, signal to the steering actuator to steer the vehicle.

Abstract: A variety of shifter mechanisms are provided for controlling the axial distance between half-pulleys of a split pulley variable transmission, thus controlling the transmission ratio of the variable transmission. Some of these embodiments include a differential such that a variable transmission can be driven and shifted differentially by two inputs. A torque or rotation difference between the inputs results in a change in the transmission ratio and in-common torque or rotation is transmitted through the transmission to an output. The same motors used to drive the output of the transmission are thus also able to effect shifts in the transmission ratio. Accordingly, motor mass that is not being used to effect high-speed shifts may be used to drive the transmission output, and vice versa. The provided shifter embodiments are well-suited to application to nested-pulley variable transmissions, including nested-pulley infinitely variable transmissions.

Abstract: An example system includes a vehicle, a robot, and a controller. The vehicle may include an accelerator operator and a steering operator. The robot may include as accelerator actuator configured to operate the accelerator operator, and a steering actuator configured to operate-the steering operator. The controller is configured to: in response to an accelerator command, send a first signal to the accelerator actuator to operate the accelerator operator of the vehicle, and in response to a steering command, send a second, signal to the steering actuator to steer the vehicle.

Abstract: The proposed invention relates to a pipe intermodal logistics apparatus and system to facilitate the transportation and storage of industrial pipe The pipe intermodal logistics apparatus includes a lower clamp which embraces the weight of one or more pipes, and an upper clamp which engages the upper surfaces of the one or more pipes to be transported. The lower and upper clamps each frictionally engage with surfaces of the one or more pipes to prevent longitudinal and lateral movement of the pipes during transportation.

Abstract: A container rollout warehousing system is contemplated that includes at least two inter-connectable modular platforms with each platform having at least one roller at one end. The two or more platforms are inter-connectable such that the central longitudinal axis of the platforms are collinear and the two or more platforms are also vertically stackable in a spaced apart relationship to receive cargo therebetween.

Abstract: The proposed invention relates to a pipe intermodal logistics apparatus and system to facilitate the transportation and storage of industrial pipe The pipe intermodal logistics apparatus includes a lower clamp which embraces the weight of one or more pipes, and an upper clamp which engages the upper surfaces of the one or more pipes to be transported. The lower and upper clamps each frictionally engage with surfaces of the one or more pipes to prevent longitudinal and lateral movement of the pipes during transportation.

Abstract: The proposed invention provides a container rollout warehousing system including at least two inter-connectable modular platforms, each platform having at least one roller at one end, wherein two or more platforms are inter-connectable such that the central longitudinal axis of the platforms are collinear and wherein two or more platforms are also vertically stackable in a spaced apart relationship to receive cargo therebetween.

Abstract: Method and apparatus for data migration are described herein. In one embodiment, in response to data received from an application to be written to a first storage volume, the data is written to the first storage volume and a second storage volume substantially concurrently. When the first and second storage volumes are synchronized, a switchover is performed from the first storage volume to the second storage volume, such that subsequent data received from the application is written to the second storage volume, where writing the data to the first and second storage volumes and the switchover are performed without knowledge of the application. Other methods and apparatuses are also described.

Abstract: A method of suture welding is disclosed which includes: receiving suture segments between first and second jaw members, the first and second jaw members being in an open state. closing the first and second jaw members to captively hold and position the suture segments between the first and second jaw members; selectively applying an elongated joiner element to the suture segments where the joiner element has a selectively operative heating element facing the suture segments; and applying energy to the heating element to weld the suture segments-to-be-welded, whereby the heating element has a temperature above a predetermined threshold adapted to at least partially melt the suture segments.