Abstract: A router is described for cutting workpieces with router bits. The router includes a safety system configured to detect one or more dangerous conditions between a person and a router bit. The safety system includes a reaction subsystem configured to perform one or more predetermined actions in the event a dangerous condition is detected. In one embodiment, the safety system is configured to detect accidental contact between a person and the router bit, and then at least partially retract the router bit the person.

Abstract: A tire tread comprising a rolling surface and at least one wear indicator formed by at least one cavity which opens onto the rolling surface, wherein the geometrical shape of the trace of the cavity on the rolling surface changes as a function of the wear level of the tread and wherein the geometrical shape of said trace is an analogical expression of the tread's wear level.

Abstract: A pneumatic tire comprises a tread portion provided with axial grooves opened at a tread edge and a circumferential groove adjacent to the tread edge, wherein each of the axial grooves is provided between the circumferential groove and tread edge with a thin partition wall to prevent noise sound emission without deteriorating wet performance.

Abstract: A heavy duty tire having both an excellent wear resistance and a low rolling resistance and comprising a tread rubber having a two layer structure composed of a cap rubber layer 2Gb and a base rubber layer 2Ga underlying the cap layer, wherein the tread rubber extends axially outward from the tire equator and is bent at its edges to extend radially downward so that the cap layer is located axially outward of the base layer, and a pair of sidewall rubbers are disposed so that the radially outer end portion of each sidewall rubber covers the surface of the axially outer end of the tread rubber.

Abstract: A tire has a tread and a pair of opposing shoulders. In the first sidewall, a series of extension blocks creates a pair of concentric rings. In the second sidewall, a different configuration of extension blocks may be present. The second sidewall has alternating extension blocks where one of the blocks has a portion that is located radially inward of the other block.

Abstract: To provide a pneumatic tire capable of improving the durability of connection points between partition wall parts and a tire inside surface. In a pneumatic tire 10, partition wall parts 24 that extend inward in a tire radial direction from a tire inside surface 17 of tire shoulder parts 21 and whose tire radial direction inside ends contact a rim 12 are disposed. A pair of right and left reinforcement layers 38 are disposed in regions ranging from the partition wall parts 24 to tire side parts 20 via connection parts 29 between the partition wall parts 24 and the tire inside surface 17 such that the reinforcement layers 38 continue from the partition wall parts 24 to the tire side parts 20 via the connection parts 29 between the partition wall parts 24 and the tire inside surface 17.

Abstract: A device for maintaining a desired inflation pressure within a tire mounted on a wheel of a vehicle which includes a microcompressor having a flexible compression chamber and a magnetic element not on the wheel. As the compressor passes the magnet each wheel revolution, a small amount of atmospheric air is pumped into the tire, if needed. The magnet and the compressor need no other contact with the vehicle or the wheel and require no energy source on the wheel. An alternative embodiment uses an electrical coil on the wheel to pass the magnet inducing a voltage that drives a compressor on the wheel. As the coil passes the electromagnet it provides a split transformer that transfers electrical power to the wheel and permits two-way pulse data communication between the wheel and the vehicle.

Abstract: Provided is a glue wheel arrangement for a printer having an integral page binding arrangement. The glue wheel arrangement is configured to apply glue to an edge of a sheet of paper passing through the printer. The glue wheel arrangement includes a glue wheel and a partially hollow axle connected to the glue wheel, said axle having a rotating coupling for a glue supply hose from a glue cartridge of the printer. The arrangement also includes a housing assembly arranged on the wheel and configured to expose the wheel when urged towards the sheet. A media feed assembly feeds the sheet of paper from the printer past the glue wheel to the binding arrangement.

Abstract: Wafers W are supported respectively on inner tables 52 of a table 13, and after a strip of sheet S is fed out to the upper surface side of the wafers W, a press roller 14 imparts a press force. The adhesive sheet S is cut along the outer periphery of the wafers by a cutter blade 63 mounted at the free-end side of a robot 15. The robot 15 has a function to exchange the cutter blade 63 with a suction arm 100, to transfer the wafer W from a magazine 200 to the table 13 and to transfer the wafer W stuck with the sheet to the next process.

Abstract: An automatic nose strip bonding apparatus for a face mask is disclosed, including a nose strip providing mechanism, a nose strip turnover mechanism, and a press-to-bond device. The nose strip providing mechanism drives a nose strip forward and carries out stamping operation on the nose strip, and applies a bonding agent to the nose strip. The nose strip turnover mechanism serves to turn over the nose strip that has already been applied with the bonding agent to allow the surface of the nose strip on which the bonding agent is applied to face a face mask. The press-to-bond device includes a first bonding device and a second bonding device to attach the nose strip to the face mask and to carry out a secondary bonding operation, respectively, to ensure firm bonding of the nose strip to the face mask.

Abstract: In a coating film transfer tool having a supply reel a transfer head, a take-up reel mounted in a main casing, and a ratchet gear on one of the reels, a sliding body, which is slidable relative to the main casing, has a cover with an opening through which the transfer head can protrude for spot transfer, and a pawl arranged to drive the ratchet gear in a direction to feed tape past the transfer head when the main casing moves relative to the sliding body in a direction such that the transfer head is withdrawn to a protected position within the cover. The cover is movable to an open position for continuous transfer.

Abstract: A tool has a body having a blunt end and an adhesive end. The adhesive end has a fastener and an adhesive element. The fastener protrudes from the adhesive end of the body. The adhesive element is made of resin and fastened by the fastener. The paillettes can be adhered more easily and rapidly by the adhesive element than by a user's hand. Thus, using the tool of the present invention to make the illustrated card is convenient for the users.

Abstract: A tire fitting machine having a wheel mounting means 1 which is mounted rotatably about a vertical axis 5 and to which a wheel rim 6 is to be fixed when fitting or removing a tire, wherein the wheel rim 6 rests on a support surface 2 of the wheel mounting means 1, the support surface extending perpendicularly to the axis 6, wherein the support surface 2 is displaceable along the axis 5 and is fixable in a plurality of positions.

Abstract: The safety shield is formed of an elongate L-shaped rail shield engaged to a vertical surface adjacent a vertical rail located within the interior of a garage door. An L-shaped panel shield is engaged to the interior of each garage door panel proximate to the vertical rail. The L-shaped panel shield is on the opposite side of the rail relative to the L-shaped rail shield. A generally U-shaped end covering shield may be integral or engaged to said L-shaped rail shield, where the L-shaped panel shields are positioned interior to the panel shield face side of the U-shaped end covering shield.

Abstract: A door system (10) including, a door (D) movably mounted on a track assembly (15), a counterbalance system (20) connected to the door and having at least one spring (25), a tool adapter (26) proximate at least one end of the counterbalance system, a detachable winding assembly (30) adapted to selectively engage and selectively rotate the tool adapter to adjust tensioning of the spring, and a locking assembly (36) interacting with the counterbalance system to maintain a selected tensioning of the counterbalance system upon detaching the winding assembly from the tool adapter.

Abstract: A rolling shutter and a slat for use in a rolling shutter are provided. The slat comprises an engaging track located at a first edge and a receptacle track located at a second edge. Illustratively, the engaging track has a hook-shaped profile and is disposed at an acute angle relative to an adjacent part of the body portion, is disposed at an angle of less than 180° relative to a vertical axis of the slat, or has a hook-shaped profile that curves for more than 180°, and the receptacle track comprises a lip and a guard defining a space adapted to receive therein an engaging track of an adjacent slat.

Abstract: An apparatus and a method for producing a casting mold are provided, according to which the casting mold having a complex shape can be obtained with stable quality. The apparatus comprises a mold having a cavity therein, a steam supply unit, a steam supply passage connected to the cavity, steam discharge passages, flow regulators disposed in the steam discharge passages to regulate an amount of the steam discharged from the cavity, and a control unit for controlling the flow regulators. After a resin-coated sand prepared by coating a refractory aggregate with a binder resin is injected into the cavity of the heated mold, superheated steam is supplied into the cavity. At this time, the control unit controls the flow regulators such that the cavity is uniformly filled with the superheated steam.

Abstract: A method of and an apparatus for high pressure die casting are disclosed. The method uses a die casting apparatus which comprises a group of three plungers for casting metal. The two of which, injection plunger 1 and assistant plunger 3, are used to reduce metal loading time and reduce entrapped gases in die casting during a fast injection stage. By moving into injection sleeve 2, the assistant plunger separates the mold cavity 11 from the space defined by assistant plunger 3, injection sleeve 2, and injection plunger 1. The flow power device for moving said assistant plunger 3 is mounded on a back plate 8. A third plunger, the intensification plunger 12, is used to squeeze casting as soon as the injection plunger advances to a position in which the runner is separated from the closed space.

Abstract: A sand-introducing device that uses air for introducing molding sand in a molding space or spaces is provided. The device is provided with air-permeable partitioning plates that define a double-walled structure together with the wall of the body of the device. The air-permeable partitioning plates are easily produced, they can easily inject pressurized air of a desired pressure, and they will not need regular maintenance. The body of the device, which acts as a pressure tank, defines a double-walled structure together with the air-permeable partitioning plates (10, 11), thereby defining chambers (12, 13). In the sand-introducing device that uses air, while molding sand is fluidized by pressurized air injected from the air-permeable partitioning plates, it is introduced in a molding space. Each air-permeable partitioning plate is made of a porous resin or metal.

Abstract: The present invention provides a continuous casting method of steel preventing alumina and other nonmetallic inclusions becoming causes of slivers and argon bubbles becoming causes of blowholes from being entrained and thereby enabling the production of a cast slab superior in surface and internal quality, that is, one giving an inside bore 21 of an immersion nozzle 21 a horizontal sectional shape of an elliptical shape or oblong shape with a length ratio DL/DS of that long axis DL and short axis DS of 1.2 to 3.8, making a direction of that long axis substantially parallel to a long side direction of the casting mold 3, and making the sliding direction of the sliding nozzle 1 a direction perpendicular to said long axis to supply the molten steel in the casting mold 3. Note that a ratio S1/S0 of a sectional area S1 at a smallest sectional area part 23 of the inside bore 21 and a sectional area S0 of a nozzle hole 11 of the sliding nozzle 1 is made 0.5 to 0.

Abstract: A heat exchanger system includes a duct having a duct wall with a duct wall outer surface and a duct wall inner surface; and a heat exchanger partial shell hermetically joined to the duct wall inner surface. The heat exchanger partial shell and a shell portion of the duct wall inner surface constitute a heat exchanger. A heat exchanger inlet manifold is defined by a nonplanar inlet sheet of material hermetically joined to the duct wall outer surface. A heat exchanger outlet manifold is defined by a nonplanar outlet sheet of material hermetically joined to the duct wall outer surface. A heat exchanger inlet opening extends through the duct wall between the inlet manifold and the heat exchanger, and a heat exchanger outlet opening extends through the duct wall between the outlet manifold and the heat exchanger.

Abstract: An evaporator includes a refrigerant inlet header section having a refrigerant inlet at a first end portion thereof and plural heat exchange tubes disposed at predetermined intervals in the longitudinal direction of the refrigerant inlet header section and connected at respective first end portions thereof to the refrigerant inlet header section. A flow-dividing control wall divides the refrigerant inlet header section interior into an upper space, into which a refrigerant flows through the refrigerant inlet, and a lower space, with which the heat exchange tubes communicate. A communication hole in the flow-dividing control wall at an end portion opposite the first end portion establishes communication between the spaces therethrough. A flow-division-adjusting hole communicating with the lower space formed at the first end portion of the refrigerant inlet header section allows the refrigerant to flow into the lower space therethrough without passing through the upper space.

Abstract: In manufacture of a heat exchanger, heat exchange tubes, fins, and header section bodies are arrange in an assembled condition. Projection pieces provided on caps of header sections are fitted into corresponding slits formed in side plates, thereby engaging end portions of the side plates with the caps. In this condition, the caps are arranged in such a manner as to bridge end portions of the header section bodies, and the side plates are arranged on the outer sides of the leftmost and rightmost fins. The heat exchange tubes and the fins, the heat exchange tubes and the header section bodies, the header section bodies and the caps, the side plates and the caps, and the side plates and the fins are respectively brazed together simultaneously. This method enables the side plates to be accurately arranged at respectively predetermined positions.

Abstract: A method for providing for thermal conduction using an array of carbon nanotubes (CNTs). An array of vertically oriented CNTs is grown on a substrate having high thermal conductivity, and interstitial regions between adjacent CNTs in the array are partly or wholly filled with a filler material having a high thermal conductivity so that at least one end of each CNT is exposed. The exposed end of each CNT is pressed against a surface of an object from which heat is to be removed. The CNT-filler composite adjacent to the substrate provides improved mechanical strength to anchor CNTs in place and also serves as a heat spreader to improve diffusion of heat flux from the smaller volume (CNTs) to a larger heat sink.

Abstract: Shunt tube flowpaths extending through swellable packers. A well system includes a packer assembly including a base pipe and an annular seal element which is swellable in response to contact with a selected fluid, and a shunt tube flowpath extending through the seal element for delivery of a slurry in a gravel packing operation. A swellable packer assembly includes a base pipe; a swellable annular seal element having a shunt tube flowpath extending through a swellable material; and a valve connected to the flowpath and positioned within the swellable material. Another well system comprises a packer assembly including a base pipe and an annular seal element which is swellable in response to contact with a selected fluid; a shunt tube flowpath extending through a swellable material of the seal element; and a connection between the flowpath and a shunt tube assembly, the connection being positioned within the swellable material.

Abstract: A downhole combustion unit for creating a high temperature, high pressure, thermal energy carrier fluid or TECF inside a drill hole, which can be injected into a hydrocarbon, permeable zone for mining and producing hydrocarbons therefrom. The combustion unit includes an outer well-bore casing cemented in place in the drill hole. An inner well-bore casing, with injection holes in a lower portion thereof is used as a combustion chamber. The inner casing is suspended inside the outer casing. The configuration of the concentric outer and inner casings provide an outer annulus therebetween for receiving a natural gas fuel and water mixture from a ground surface and circulated downwardly under pressure. Compressed air and steam are circulated down the inside of the inner casing. A glow plug may be attached to a lower end of an electric power cable and suspended inside the combustion chamber for better control in igniting the fuel and water mixture in the compressed air and steam mixture creating the TECF.

Abstract: A drive assembly for powering a rotating rod string (14) passing through a surface wellhead (18) includes a torque conveying housing (32) containing a radially outer member supporting a plurality of outer member magnets and rotated by a motor. A radially inner member (48) supports a plurality of inner member magnets and is rotatable within the outer member, with magnetic forces between the plurality of outer member magnets and the plurality of inner member magnets rotating the inner member magnets and thus the radially inner member.

Abstract: A bail support and a top drive system for an oilfield drill rig. The top drive system includes a drive apparatus, and the bails have bodies with upper head portions and two spaced-apart legs. Each leg includes an upper leg portion and a lower leg portion. The upper leg portions are non-parallel to each other and extend from the head portion at an angle to a centerline of the bail. Each lower leg portion extends down from its corresponding upper leg portion in a reverse bend.

Abstract: A packer insert for sealing multiple items used in a wellbore includes an elastomeric member having one or more channels configured to seal on the multiple items when compressed by a packing unit, wherein the elastomeric member is made of a material selected from rubber, an elastomer, and a composite material, and wherein the packer insert is not affixed to a pressure control apparatus having the packing unit disposed therein. The packer insert is axially fixed to at least one of the multiple items.

Abstract: An apparatus and method is provided for protecting control lines used with tool strings in a downhole environment. A control line protector assembly comprises a plurality of components formed into a unitary piece which includes a guard section having a first end section and a second end section, a slot on each of the first end section and the second end section, and a securing mechanism for coupling the guard section having the first end section and the second end section to the coupling. A control line protector assembly is formed using a metal stamping process.

Abstract: A transmitter generates an acoustic ping in a fluid in a borehole, and a receiver monitors waves resulting from the acoustic ping. Responsive to the monitored waves, an attribute of the fluid is estimated, including a sonic velocity, a mixture of gas and oil, a mixture of water and oil, an amount of sand, an amount of gas, an amount of skin effect, or a depth of fluid. An operation of the artificial lift device is then controlled responsive to the estimated attribute. Alternately, a sonic velocity is estimated for the fluid through an analysis of a sample pumped to the surface or through an analysis of monitored waves. A depth of the fluid is calculated responsive to the estimated sonic velocity for the fluid in the borehole and the monitored T-waves. The operation of the artificial lift device is then controlled responsive to the calculated depth of fluid.

Abstract: A method of testing the response of a subterranean formation to a formation treatment is described including the injection of a treatment fluid and the production of formation fluids from two separate boreholes or two boreholes from a single well such that the treatment fluid sweeps the formation between the two boreholes, and the use of downhole monitoring devices to determine a volume swept by the treatment fluid.

Abstract: There is a method for enhancing the recovery of oil from a reservoir. The method has the step of a) introducing a flooding fluid into the reservoir and b) extracting the oil through a wellbore at a location different than the point of introduction of the flooding fluid into the reservoir. The flooding fluid has water and an amount of one or more non-polymeric viscoelastic surfactants sufficient to provide an interfacial surface tension of about 1 mNm or less and a viscosity of about 10 cps or more. The one or more surfactants is selected from the group of one or more cationic surfactants, one or more zwitterionic surfactants, one or more amphoteric surfactants, one or more anionic surfactants, and combinations thereof.

Abstract: A system includes a wellbore in fluid communication with a formation of interest and a fracturing slurry include a carrier fluid with a low amount of a viscosifier, an amount of proppant including a first average particle size between about 200 and 2000 ?m, an amount particulates including a second average particle size between about three and ten times smaller than the first average particle size, and a third amount of particulates having a third average particle size smaller than the second average particle size. A sum of all of the particulates in the fracturing slurry exceed about 16 pounds per gallon of the carrier fluid. They system further includes a pumping device that creates a propped fracture in the formation of interest with the fracturing slurry, and a removal agent that removes the second amount of particulates and/or the third amount of particulates from the propped fracture.

Abstract: Methods and compositions are provided that may comprise cement, a nano-particle, latex, and water. An embodiment of the present invention includes a method of cementing in a subterranean formation. The method may include introducing a cement composition into the subterranean formation, wherein the cement composition comprises cement, a nano-particle, latex, and water. The method further may include allowing the cement composition to set in the subterranean formation. Another embodiment of the present invention include a cement composition. The cement composition may comprise cement, a nano-particle, latex, and water.

Abstract: A tubing component for use in a downhole environment including a tubular having a plurality of openings therein and a plurality of beaded matrixes disposed in the plurality of openings the beaded matrixes being configured to be pluggable in situ in the downhole environment. A method for controlling flow in a wellbore.

Abstract: Subterranean formation treatment methods incorporating a rheology model which enables prediction of fluid rheology properties during a treatment operation, where the foundation of the model is a description of the reaction chemistry which describes how the number of crosslinks and broken polymer linkages develops in time under the influence of crosslinkers, breakers, and/or thermally induced effects and pressure effects. In one aspect, when used as a tool for simulating the fluid viscosity, the model can help optimizing the fluid design and optional breaker schedule for a hydraulic fracturing treatment.

Abstract: A method is provided for in-situ production of oil shale, gas via gas (methane) hydrates and gas shale, and steam via geothermal formations wherein a network of fractures is formed by injecting liquified gases into at least one substantially horizontally disposed fracturing borehole. Thereafter, heat can be applied to liquify the kerogen or to dissociate the gas (methane) hydrates so that oil shale oil and/or gases can be recovered from the fractured formations.

Abstract: An offshore oil well drilling assembly is provided that includes an offshore platform; and a tension lift frame, which supports a coiled tubing injector and a blow out preventer connected thereto and for further connection to a wellhead, wherein the tension lift frame is a free standing assembly that is supported by the platform.

Abstract: A subsea insulation device is described. The device includes a frame coupled to and at least partially enclosing a subsea component. A bag may be at least partially enclosed in the frame. The bag may substantially seal against at least one surface of the subsea component when the bag is at least partially inflated. A port may be attached to the bag. The port may allow the bag to be coupled to a fluid provider connector so that fluid can be provided into the bag to inflate the bag.

Abstract: A system for extracting a gas and a liquid from a well broadly includes tubing strings that collect well liquid and a gas lift system that removes the collected liquid. A standing valve connects the strings and permits liquid to enter the strings from the subsurface formation. The gas lift system includes a compressor that uses pressurized gas to remove the collected liquid and discharge the liquid into a separator. The system permits liquid to be collected and removed while simultaneously producing gas from the well casing. The system includes an accumulator that stores compressed gas for removing the collected liquid.

Abstract: A self-propelled swabbing device and method for use in removing liquid to surface from within an installed wellbore casing.

Abstract: A kit of parts which is assembled to form downhole apparatus comprises a swellable member, which expands upon contact with at least one predetermined fluid, and a connector. The swellable member has a first mating profile towards a first end and a second mating profile towards a second, opposing end. The connector has a mating profile configured to mate with each of the first and second mating profiles of the swellable member. The connector can therefore be connected to either the first and second ends of the swellable member. The connector may be an end connector, or may connect the swellable member to a second swellable member. In either case, the connector may define an arresting surface against which the swellable member abuts when expanding. The kit of parts can be adapted to and installed on any well tubular, and may form any of a variety of tools.

Abstract: A device for handling well pipe includes a mandrel including an upper end, a lower end and a long axis extending between through the upper end and the lower end. The mandrel secures to a top drive of a drilling rig. A threaded collar is located on an outer surface of the mandrel to loosely engage threads of a well pipe. An annular force generating assembly is carried on the mandrel and positioned between the upper end and the threaded collar. The force generating assembly applies a load to an upper end of the well pipe along the long axis, enabling torque to be transmitted between the threaded collar and the well pipe. The force generating assembly may be cams or a hydraulic piston.

Abstract: An installation system for installing a liner in a well includes drilling while simultaneously running the liner. A string of drill pipe with a bottom hole assembly including a drill bit on a lower end is lowered into the liner while the liner is suspended at the rig floor. The bottom hole assembly engages a lower sub of the liner for torque transmission. A running tool secured to the drill pipe engages the upper sub such that the running tool supports the weight of the liner and transmits torque. The drill pipe and liner are rotated to drill deeper into the wellbore. The liner hanger can be set to engage the casing, then released and reset at a different point.

Abstract: A downhole waterflood regulator installs in a side pocket mandrel to regulate fluid flow in a waterflood completion. The regulator has an internal piston and can have a check dart. The piston and check dart regulate fluid flow within the regulator's housing. Packings on the regulator's housing packoff the mandrel's ports that communicate with a surrounding annulus. When initially installed in the mandrel, a blanking plug on the regulator's latch prevents fluid flow through the regulator so that the regulator acts as a dummy valve and allows operators to set and test packers or perform other operations. To begin the waterflood operation, operators use a slickline to remove the blanking plug disposed in the latch. With the plug removed, fluid communicated from the tubing string can pass through the ported latch and into the regulator where the piston and check dart regulate the fluid flow out to the annulus.

Abstract: An improved firefighting vehicle of a type supporting a pump system (e.g., a fire pump system) is provided. The firefighting vehicle generally includes a chassis and an operator cab. The operator cab is movable (e.g.; tiltable, etc.) relative to the chassis between a transit position and a service position. The firefighting vehicle also includes a fire pump system supported by the chassis at least partially under a rear portion of the operator cab. Positioning the fire pump system in such a location may advantageously allow for a vehicle with improved maneuverability or handling, reduced overall length, reduced overall height, additional capacity for storage, and/or with a fire pump system that is relatively convenient to service.

Abstract: A horizontal sidewall fire protection sprinkler is provided, including a deflector having a vertical face, transverse to the fluid flow from the output orifice, and a horizontal shelf positioned above and perpendicular to the vertical face. A portion of the horizontal shelf extends in the fluid flow direction by a first length, with respect to the vertical face, and this first length is less than about half of a total length of the horizontal shelf in the fluid flow direction. The sprinkler is installed in a support cup having a raised mounting platform configured to receive the sprinkler body and a cylindrical outer surface, with a front edge in a fluid flow direction, and a back edge. The mounting platform of the support cup is closer to the front edge of the support cup in an axial direction thereof than to the back edge.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for suppressing in a space includes structure and/or function for generating a first oxygen displacing fire suppressing gas mixture from at least one non-azide solid propellant chemical, the first fire suppressing gas mixture having at least a first gas. The first gas comprises nitrogen. At least the first gas is delivered into the space, thereby delivering a clean agent fire suppressant into the space that reduces the concentration of oxygen in the space to below a level necessary to sustain combustion. Preferably, the method and apparatus are used in inhabited spaces.

Abstract: A soil aeration apparatus may include aeration tines that are actuated by a relatively compact gear system that reduces the size and weight of the apparatus. In addition, a soil aeration apparatus may operate without a centrally disposed support shaft, thus enabling the tine-holder shafts to be positioned closer to one another and reducing the size of the apparatus.