Abstract: A display device is provided that comprises a liquid crystal display panel for displaying an image by spatial light modulation, and circuitry for switching liquid crystal in the panel between having a first configuration in a first mode to cause an image displayed using the panel to be discernible from a wide range of viewing angles, and having a second configuration in a second mode to cause an image displayed using the panel to be discernible substantially only from within a narrow range of viewing angles. Several types of display panel to achieve such in-panel switching between public and private viewing modes are disclosed.

Abstract: The annular space around a tubular string has a shape memory material that is in a low profile configuration for run in. After the desired position is obtained and the annulus has cement delivered to fill the annular space, the shape memory device is triggered to revert to an original shape that spans the annulus to seal the tubular and the wellbore sides of the annular space against gas migration through the cement. The structures can have varying run in shapes and can also have original shapes that when the material is triggered will act to displace cement to enhance its compaction on the tubular or the wellbore wall. Combinations of shape memory alloys and polymers are also contemplated to enhance the seal against gas migration.

Abstract: Fine particulate polymer drag reducing agents (DRAs) in bi-modal or multi-modal particle size distributions may be produced simply and efficiently without cryogenic temperatures. The grinding or pulverizing of polymer, e.g. non-porous poly(alpha-olefin) suitable for reducing drag in hydrocarbons may be achieved by the use of at least one liquid grinding aid and at least two grinding processors in series. The blades of the stators of the grinders are of different configuration so that granulated polymer fed to the first processor having relatively larger gaps between blades is ground to an intermediate size which is fed to the second processor having relatively smaller gaps between blades which grinds the polymer to a second, smaller size. A non-limiting example of a suitable liquid grinding aid includes a blend of propylene glycol, water and hexanol. Particulate DRA may be produced at a size of 300 microns or less in only two passes.

Abstract: A display device is provided that comprises a liquid crystal display panel for displaying an image by spatial light modulation, and circuitry for switching liquid crystal in the panel between having a first configuration in a first mode to cause an image displayed using the panel to be discernible from a wide range of viewing angles, and having a second configuration in a second mode to cause an image displayed using the panel to be discernible substantially only from within a narrow range of viewing angles. Several types of display panel to achieve such in-panel switching between public and private viewing modes are disclosed.

Abstract: Drag reduction of hydrocarbon fluids flowing through pipelines of various lengths is improved by polyolefin drag reducer dispersions or dispersions using bi- or multi-modal particle size distributions. Drag reducers having larger particle sizes dissolve more slowly than drag reducers having smaller particle sizes. By using at least bi-modal particle size distributions drag reduction can be distributed more uniformly over the length of the pipeline where smaller sized particles dissolve sooner or earlier in the pipeline and larger sized particles dissolve later or further along the pipeline.

Abstract: A display device is provided that comprises a liquid crystal display panel for displaying an image by spatial light modulation, and circuitry for switching liquid crystal in the panel between having a first configuration in a first mode to cause an image displayed using the panel to be discernible from a wide range of viewing angles, and having a second configuration in a second mode to cause an image displayed using the panel to be discernible substantially only from within a narrow range of viewing angles. Several types of display panel to achieve such in-panel switching between public and private viewing modes are disclosed.

Abstract: An integrated circuit structure for distributing power to one or more standard cells in an integrated circuit includes a first plurality of standard cells and a power mesh power connection structure coupled to the cells. Each of the standard cells includes first and second power rails adapted for connection to a voltage supply and a voltage return, respectively, of the standard cells. Each standard cell in a subset of the standard cells is arranged in direct abutment with at least two other standard cells, and at least first and second end cells are arranged in direct abutment with at least one other standard cell of the first plurality of standard cells. The power mesh power connection structure includes a plurality of conductive elements formed in a plurality of different conductive layers in the integrated circuit.

Abstract: An integrated circuit structure for distributing power to one or more standard cells in an integrated circuit includes a first plurality of standard cells and a power mesh power connection structure coupled to the cells. Each of the standard cells includes first and second power rails adapted for connection to a voltage supply and a voltage return, respectively, of the standard cells. Each standard cell in a subset of the standard cells is arranged in direct abutment with at least two other standard cells, and at least first and second end cells are arranged in direct abutment with at least one other standard cell of the first plurality of standard cells. The power mesh power connection structure includes a plurality of conductive elements formed in a plurality of different conductive layers in the integrated circuit.

Abstract: The present invention provides a method and an apparatus for controlling a radio frequency resource between a first and a second wireless unit and a base station to provide overload control of the radio frequency resource based on an estimate thereof. For example, when feedback information is unavailable for the radio frequency resource at the base station. The method includes estimating the radio frequency resource used by the first and second wireless units in a wireless data network. The method further includes providing an overload control at the base station based on the estimated radio frequency resource. Based on this estimated radio frequency resource, a command may be issued by the base station on a reverse link. For example, a rise over thermal resource may be estimated to issue a rate control command to a wireless unit. By providing a desired timely rate control command on the reverse link, the base station may control a data rate of the wireless unit, maximizing throughput of the reverse link.

Abstract: Disclosed herein is a method of installing an elastomeric element onto a tubular. The method includes, positioning the elastomeric element onto a radially expandable member, radially expanding the radially expandable member and the elastomeric element installed thereon, positioning a tubular coaxially with the radially expandable member, and axially urging the elastomeric element off the radially expandable member thereby allowing the elastomeric element to be positioned coaxially about an outer perimetrical surface of the tubular.

Abstract: Fine particulate polymer drag reducing agent (DRA) in bi-modal or multi-modal particle size distributions may be produced simply and efficiently without cryogenic temperatures. The grinding or pulverizing of polymer, such as poly(alpha-olefin) suitable for reducing drag in flowing hydrocarbons may be achieved by the use of at least one liquid grinding aid and at least two grinding processors in series. The impellers of the grinders are of different openness so that granulated polymer fed to the first processor having a relatively more open impeller is ground to an intermediate size which is fed to the second processor having a relatively more closed impeller which grinds the polymer to a second, smaller size. A non-limiting example of a suitable liquid grinding aid includes a blend of propylene glycol, water and hexanol. Particulate DRA may be produced at a size of about 300 microns or less in only two passes.

Abstract: A method, apparatus, and computer program product for storage pools with write atomicity. An abstraction manager enforces write atomicity and disallows options which are inconsistent with write atomicity. The abstraction manager constructs through a physical device interface a logical continuous view of a storage pool in a manner consistent with write atomicity. Applications collect information specific to write atomicity from the abstraction manager through an application interface.

Abstract: A system and method of allocating contiguous real memory in a data processing system. A memory controller within system memory receives a request from a data processing system component for a contiguous block of memory during operation of the data processing system. In response to receiving the request, the memory controller selects a candidate contiguous block of memory. Then, after temporarily restricting access to the candidate contiguous block of memory, the memory controller identifies a set of frames currently in use within the candidate contiguous block of memory, relocates the set of frames, and allocates the candidate block of memory for exclusive use by the requesting data processing component. The allocation of contiguous real memory occurs dynamically during the operation of the data processing system.

Abstract: A system and method of allocating contiguous real memory in a data processing system. A memory controller within system memory receives a request from a data processing system component for a contiguous block of memory during operation of the data processing system. In response to receiving the request, the memory controller selects a candidate contiguous block of memory. Then, after temporarily restricting access to the candidate contiguous block of memory, the memory controller identifies a set of frames currently in use within the candidate contiguous block of memory, relocates the set of frames, and allocates the candidate block of memory for exclusive use by the requesting data processing component. The allocation of contiguous real memory occurs dynamically during the operation of the data processing system.

Abstract: BGA packages have thermal properties which are enhanced by a heat channel through the substrate. Solder ball attachment points are provided at the surface of the heat channel for receiving solder balls. A BGA includes an IC operably coupled to a substrate having a top surface for receiving the IC and a bottom surface defining the perimeter of the package bottom. An encapsulant encloses the IC and at least a portion of the top surface of the substrate, defining the top and sides of the package. The substrate includes a heat channel aperture for receiving heat channel having a surface proximal to the IC and having a patterned opposing surface defining at least an interior portion of the package bottom and coupling to solder balls. Methods for assembling packages are disclosed in which a substrate is provided with a heat channel aperture and the heat channel is placed therein.

Abstract: A method is provided including installing a variable frequency drive unit to drive a previously non-variable air handler fan of an HVAC system. The method includes setting a control strategy for the variable frequency drive. The control strategy includes a drive speed for each mode of the HVAC system. The method includes operating the HVAC system in each mode and monitoring the HVAC system. The method includes adjusting the HVAC system or the control strategy of the variable frequency drive to increase drive speed based on monitoring the HVAC system.

Abstract: A method for producing a particulate polymer drag reducing agent, comprising granulating a bulk polymer DRA having an average size of greater than about 100 mm in the presence of a liquid wetting agent to form a granulated polymer DRA having an average size of from about 1 to about 100 mm. The granulated polymer DRA may then be ground to form a particulate polymer DRA having an average particle size of less than about 1 mm. The “wet” granulation process may advantageously enable one-step granulation and therefore simplified production of polymer DRAs. Examples of the liquid wetting agent include blends of glycols with water and/or an alcohol. Preferred production apparatus includes use of multiple rotary jaws for the granulation.

Abstract: A method, system and computer program product for allocating real memory to virtual memory page sizes when all real memory is in use is disclosed. In response to a page fault, a page frame for a virtual page is selected. In response to determining that said page does not represent a new page, a page is paged-in into said page frame a repaging rate for a page size of the page is modified in a repaging rates data structure.

Abstract: A method for monitoring compressor performance in a refrigeration system includes calculating an isentropic efficiency of a compressor of the refrigeration system, averaging isentropic efficiency over a predetermined period, comparing the average to an efficiency threshold, and detecting a compressor malfunction based on the comparison. The method may be executed by a controller or stored in a computer-readable medium.

Abstract: A method for predicting maintenance in a refrigeration system includes counting occurrences of a compressor operating event and calculating a cumulative total of the compressor operating events. The method also comprises comparing the cumulative total with an operating threshold and estimating a time period until the cumulative total exceeds the operating threshold. The method may be executed by a controller or stored in a computer-readable medium.