Abstract: A method and system for dynamically identifying and loading a version of a runtime for custom code of a host application without modifying the host application is provided. A loading system dynamically identifies the version of the runtime during execution of the host application. The loading system is also dynamically linked into the host application so that its algorithm for identifying the version of the runtime can be modified without modifying the host application. When requested by the host application to load custom code, the loading system identifies a version of the runtime to load, loads the identified version of the runtime, and then requests a load component of the loaded version of the runtime to load the custom code.

Abstract: A manipulator joint includes an encoder having a body and shaft. The encoder body may be fixed to a first housing and the encoder shaft may be fixed to a second housing. The second housing is separate from, distal to, and rotatable with respect to the first housing. Rotation of the second housing may be about a common axis shared with the first housing. A hollow driveshaft, rotatably coupled to the second housing, extends across the joint from the second to the first housing. A torque limiter may be fixedly coupled to the second housing and releasably coupled to the driveshaft. The encoder may be configured to output an absolute angular position of the first housing with respect to the second housing. A method of detecting an over-torque condition of the manipulator joint includes transmitting commands from a processor to the drive motor and receiving data from the encoder.

Abstract: A floor cleaner brush arrangement includes a housing having mounted thereto a plurality of adjacent rotating brush assemblies. The rotating brush assemblies each include bristles extending there-from downwardly to the floor and outwardly into an overlapping and intermeshing relationship with the bristles of the brush assembly or assemblies adjacent thereto. The bristles of adjacent brush assemblies cooperate when rotating to contact the floor in overlapping fashion to eliminate cleaning blind spots.

Abstract: A water pump for use in steam cleaning devices includes a plunger pump with check valve and a transmission assembly. The plunger pump with check valve includes a water inlet and a water outlet. The transmission assembly includes a gear transmission system, an eccentric wheel, and a plunger pump push block. The output shaft of the gear transmission system drives rotation of an eccentric wheel. The push block has a reset structure which makes one end of the push block engage the eccentric wheel. The other end of the push block engages a plunger of the plunger pump with check valve. The pump has a simple structural arrangement, requires no additional power source, and provides consistent water flow at a low manufacturing cost.

Abstract: A system and method for construction estimation using aerial images is provided. The system receives at least one aerial image of a building. An estimation engine processes the aerial image at a plurality of angles to automatically identify a plurality (e.g., perimeter and interior) lines in the image corresponding to a plurality of features of a roof the building. The estimation engine allows users to generate two-dimensional and three-dimensional models of the roof by automatically delineating various roof features, and generates a report including information about the roof of the building.

Abstract: A launcher for microwave radiation comprises an elongate guide part, a surround part which surrounds a length of the guide part, at least one inwardly facing baffle provided on an inner face of the surround part and extending towards the guide part; and at least one outwardly facing baffle provided on an outer face of the guide part which is spaced axially along the guide part relative to the at least one inwardly facing baffle and faces outwards towards the inner surface of the surround part.

Abstract: A method and architecture for increasing version resiliency between a host application that is unmanaged code and managed code is provided. A version resiliency technique specifies that the host application and the managed code communicate via an adapter that implements a protocol to access an object exposed by the host application. The version resiliency technique specifies that when a new version of the host application that impacts an interface exposed by the object of the host application is released, a new version of the adapter that executes within the application domain of the custom code is released. A version of managed code that adheres to the protocol will correctly interact with new versions of the host application that include a new version of the object because a new implementation of the adapter is also provided.

Abstract: A manual quick-release latching system includes a first component and a second component. The first component includes a first component mating surface, a socket recessed into the first component and having an opening on the first component mating surface; and a first component retaining structure. The second component includes a second component mating surface, a second component retaining structure, and a latching mechanism. The mating surfaces are juxtaposed when the first component is slidingly engaged with the second component. The retaining structures slidingly engage one another in a first direction and interlock one another in a direction perpendicular to the first direction. The latching mechanism includes a part that can partially extend from the second component and enter the socket of the first component, to latch the first component with the second component by preventing the first component from sliding with respect to the second component in the first direction.

Abstract: A manipulator joint includes an encoder having a body and shaft. The encoder body may be fixed to a first housing and the encoder shaft may be fixed to a second housing. The second housing is separate from, distal to, and rotatable with respect to the first housing. Rotation of the second housing may be about a common axis shared with the first housing. A hollow driveshaft, rotatably coupled to the second housing, extends across the joint from the second to the first housing. A torque limiter may be fixedly coupled to the second housing and releasably coupled to the driveshaft. The encoder may be configured to output an absolute angular position of the first housing with respect to the second housing. A method of detecting an over-torque condition of the manipulator joint includes transmitting commands from a processor to the drive motor and receiving data from the encoder.

Abstract: A method and architecture for increasing version resiliency between a host application that is unmanaged code and custom code that is managed code is provided. A host application exposes an application-level object and a document-level object. A custom code runtime provides a wrapper for the document-level object within the application domain of the custom code runtime. The custom code runtime also provides a mechanism within the application domain of the custom code runtime for providing to custom code a reference to the application-level object directly, rather than through a wrapper. Custom code can then access functionality of the application-level object directly using the reference without having to use a wrapper provided by the custom code runtime.

Abstract: The making of carbon steel recurve bow limbs involves a number of procedures. Strips of annealed or softer carbon steel 18 to 20 inches long and 1.5 inches wide have a hole drilled at one end of each strip for attaching the limb to the bow, and grooves made at the other end for attaching the bowstring. After forming the limbs into the curvature shown in FIGS. 1. and 3. they are heated in a furnace for 45 minutes at about 1550 degrees F. and then quenched (cooled quickly) in oil which makes the steel hard and brittle. The hardened limbs are then reheated for two hours at about 700 degrees F. depending on the steel percent carbon content and then air cooled. This tempering makes the steel strong, tough, and elastic; the finished limbs act as cantilever springs when used on a bow. This is a new application of the art and science heat treating to make the limbs of very effective sporting recurve style archery bows.

Abstract: The invention is an installment for making multi-channel spectroscopic measurements on a plurality of nanodrop samples held by surface tension between opposing optical fibers wherein a single fiber is scanned across a linear spaced array of receiving, detecting fibers.

Abstract: In one embodiment, an index is created by a first user for a specified video program that is applied when a second user request viewing the specified video program. The index is typically embodied by a file, which identifies one or more content segments of the video program that are not presented to the viewing user. The viewing user selects the program for viewing, typically using a video on-demand service offered by a cable service provider, and potentially indicates the index file to be applied when viewing the program. The cable service provider streams the video program to the user, but excises the one or more content segments identified in the index file, thus providing a customized viewing experience to the viewing user.

Abstract: Apparatus and method for measuring the fluorescence of nanodrop liquid samples is described in which the sample is held by surfa tension between two anvil surfaces (20, 24). Each anvil surface (20, 24) has an embedded optical fiber (18) with its end finished fl with the surface in the containment area wetted by the sample with the fiber (18) in line. Sample excitation is provided from the sid of the sample remote from the containment area. By selection of the fiber transmission numeric aperture the impact of exciting and ambient light on the measurement is minimized. A method of virtual filtering is taught in which any ambient or exciting light that does impinge on the measuring sensor is corrected by subtracting a scaled representation of the source from the measurement. The method and apparatus is capable of detecting (1) femptomole of sodium fluorescein in (1) microliter of TE buffer.

Abstract: A system to re-inject drill cuttings slurry into a well formation for the storage of the cuttings. The system may include a pressure containing conduit that creates a flow path to an annulus within the well formation. The system may include an injection inlet, a drilling guide base, an injection adapter having a circular gallery, an injection mandrel having at least one injection port, and an annulus created between the injection mandrel and an inner casing. The slurry may be injected into the annulus while still drilling the wellbore. The location of the injection inlet may be positioned relative to the circular gallery of the injection adapter such that a cyclone effect is created within gallery minimizing erosion due to the flow of the slurry. The injection mandrel may be adapted to allow the passage of drilling mud to a downhole drilling location while injecting slurry into the casing annulus.

Abstract: The invention is an installment for making multi-channel spectroscopic measurements on a plurality of nanodrop samples held by surface tension between opposing optical fibers wherein a single fiber is scanned across a linear spaced array of receiving, detecting fibers.

Abstract: A vessel (10) for a feedstock that is to be heated using radio frequency electromagnetic radiation (EMR), the vessel being adapted for rotation about an axis that passes through the vessel and having an inlet aperture through which the feedstock may be introduced into the vessel and a wall (16) for retaining the feedstock in the vessel, wherein the wall (16) has at least one vent for venting gases released by the feedstock, the at least one vent being so formed that rotation of the vessel about the axis prevents the feedstock from entering the vent, thereby retaining the feedstock in the vessel. Also heating apparatus (50) comprising such a vessel (10), means (54) for introducing a feedstock into the vessel, means (56, 62, 64, 66) for discharging the feedstock from the vessel, a source (58, 80) of EMR and drive means (75, 200, 202) operable to rotate the vessel (10) about an axis that passes through the vessel.

Abstract: A method and system for dynamically identifying and loading a version of a runtime for custom code of a host application without modifying the host application is provided. A loading system dynamically identifies the version of the runtime during execution of the host application. The loading system is also dynamically linked into the host application so that its algorithm for identifying the version of the runtime can be modified without modifying the host application. When requested by the host application to load custom code, the loading system identifies a version of the runtime to load, loads the identified version of the runtime, and then requests a load component of the loaded version of the runtime to load the custom code.

Abstract: A method and architecture for increasing version resiliency between a host application that is unmanaged code and custom code that is managed code is provided. A host application exposes an application-level object and a document-level object. A custom code runtime provides a wrapper for the document-level object within the application domain of the custom code runtime. The custom code runtime also provides a mechanism within the application domain of the custom code runtime for providing to custom code a reference to the application-level object directly, rather than through a wrapper. Custom code can then access functionality of the application-level object directly using the reference without having to use a wrapper provided by the custom code runtime.

Abstract: A method and architecture for increasing version resiliency between a host application that is unmanaged code and managed code is provided. A version resiliency technique specifies that the host application and the managed code communicate via an adapter that implements a protocol to access an object exposed by the host application. The version resiliency technique specifies that when a new version of the host application that impacts an interface exposed by the object of the host application is released, a new version of the adapter that executes within the application domain of the custom code is released. A version of managed code that adheres to the protocol will correctly interact with new versions of the host application that include a new version of the object because a new implementation of the adapter is also provided.