ms

Target positioning systems and methods

The system includes a rotation disengagement mechanism configured to disengage a rotatable shaft from a powered drive unit such that upon disengagement the powered drive unit is no longer able to rotate the shaft. After disengagement, the rotatable shaft may reengage the powered drive unit at only one rotational position relative to the rotation disengagement mechanism. A target coupled to the shaft is thus always in a known home position. The systems and methods further comprise smart positioning logic that assigns a number designation to four rotational orientations spaced 90° from one another.




ms

Personal irritation dispersion device systems

An apparatus for an electronic feedback system designed to work in combination with a television set to enable a viewer to express his or her anger toward televised events by allowing the viewer to vent his or her anger in a physical, satisfying manner, yet do no harm to the television set.




ms

Multi-purpose transaction card and associated methods and systems

An approach for associating a card (e.g., a transaction card, an identification card, etc.) that corresponds to a primary account with one or more ancillary accounts (e.g., a library account, etc.) includes obtaining information from the card and associating that information with an ancillary account. The card may then be used to access the ancillary account. The card may be a transaction card and the primary account may be a financial account. The ancillary account may be a library account. When the card is a transaction card, fees associated with the ancillary account may be charged to the financial account.




ms

Methods and systems for optimizing visual data communication

A system and method for transmitting visual data by displaying a synchronization video that includes synchronization code sequences on a first device, capturing the synchronization video using a video camera of a second device, parsing and decoding the synchronization code sequences on the second device, displaying an indication of which of the synchronization code sequences are compatible for visual data transmission on the second device, receiving a selected synchronization code sequence of the synchronization code sequences on the first device, and displaying a data code sequence corresponding to the selected synchronization code sequence on the first device, wherein the data code sequence includes encoded data, and capturing and decoding the data code sequence on the second device.




ms

Sequential state elements for triple-mode redundant state machines, related methods, and systems

The disclosure relates generally to sequential state elements (SSEs), triple-mode redundant state machines (TMRSMs), and methods and systems for testing triple-mode redundant pipeline stages (TMRPSs) within the TMRSMs using triple-mode redundant SSEs (TMRSSEs). The SSEs, TMRSMs, TMRPSs, and TMRSSEs may be formed as integrated circuits on a semiconductor substrate. Of particular focus in this disclosure are SSEs used to sample and hold bit states. Embodiments of the SSEs have a self-correcting mechanism to protect against radiation-induced soft errors. The SSE may be provided in a pipeline circuit of a TMRSM to receive and store a bit state of a bit signal generated by combinational circuits within the pipeline circuit. More specifically, the SSEs may be provided in a TMRSSE configured to perform self-correction. Also disclosed are methods for using the TMRSSE to test redundant pipeline stages of the TMRSM.




ms

Power savings mode for memory systems

A system and method are disclosed to accomplish power savings in an electronic device, such as a memory chip, by performing selective frequency locking and subsequent instantaneous frequency switching in the DLL (delay locked loop) used for clock synchronization in the electronic device. By locking the DLL at a slow clock frequency, the operational frequency may be substantially instantaneously switched to an integer-multiplied frequency of the initial locking frequency without losing the DLL lock point. This DLL locking methodology allows for faster frequency changes from higher (during normal operation) to lower (during a power saving mode) clock frequencies without resorting to gradual frequency slewing to conserve power and maintain DLL locking. Hence, a large power reduction may be accomplished substantially instantaneously without adding complexity to the system clock generator. Because of the rules governing abstracts, this abstract should not be used in construing the claims.




ms

Methods, systems, and non-transitory computer readable media for wideband frequency and bandwidth tunable filtering

Methods, systems, and computer readable media for wideband frequency and bandwidth tunable filtering are disclosed. According to one aspect, the subject matter described herein includes a wideband frequency and bandwidth tunable filter that splits a filter input signal into first and second input signals, modifies the first input signal to produce a first output signal, modifies the second input signal to produce a second output signal having an intermediate frequency response, and combines the first and second output signals while adjusting their relative phases and/or amplitudes to produce a filter output signal with the target frequency response. Adjustment includes splitting the second input signal into third and fourth input signals, which are modified and then combined to produce the second output signal having the intermediate frequency response.




ms

Method and apparatus for applying liquid compositions in rail systems

A method for applying a liquid composition to a rail surface is provided. This method involves supplying a liquid composition in one or more reservoirs on a rail car (revenue generating car), and applying the liquid composition from the one or more reservoirs to the rail surface.




ms

Method and apparatus for applying liquid compositions in rail systems

A method for applying a liquid composition to a rail surface is provided. This method involves supplying a liquid composition in one or more reservoirs on a rail car (revenue generating car), and applying the liquid composition from the one or more reservoirs to the rail surface.




ms

Catalyst compositions, articles, methods and systems

Described are catalyst compositions, catalytic articles, exhaust gas treatment systems and methods that utilize the catalytic articles. The catalyst composition comprises a washcoat including a zeolite, refractory metal oxide support particles, and a platinum group metal supported on the refractory metal oxide support particles. Greater than 90% of the refractory metal oxide particles supporting PGM have a particle size greater than 1 μm and a d50 less than 40 microns.




ms

Rail cover and clip system for embedded track systems

An assembly to hold a rail boot to a rail during embedded track construction comprising: a cover having a bottom surface, a first portion of the bottom surface generally conforming to a length of a top surface of a rail head; the bottom surface having a second portion defining a convex shape adjacent to and generally parallel to the length of the top surface of the rail head; the bottom surface further defining a hook to engage a gauge side of the rail boot; and a clip having first and second ends, wherein the first end engages a gauge side of the cover; and the second end engages a field side of the cover and/or the rail boot.




ms

Systems and related methods involving isolation tubs

Systems and related methods involving isolation tubs are provided. In this regard, a representative system includes: an isolation tub formed of fiberglass reinforced plastic resin, the tub defining a reservoir; concrete positioned within the reservoir; and rails extending across the tub and being supported by the concrete, the rails being spaced from each other to form a special trackwork (STW) assembly.




ms

Single-dose package for transdermal therapeutic system or sheet-like administration forms

In the case of a package (1) for single-dose films (2) containing active substances, comprising an upper packaging material element (3) and a lower packaging material element (4) which are connected together by a peripheral seal area or respectively sealing seam (5) such that a cavity (6) for holding the film (2) is formed, said cavity being enclosed on all sides, wherein the upper packaging material element (3) and the lower packaging material element (4) each have at least one cut (7, 8) in the region of the seal area or respectively, the sealing seam (5), said cuts being congruent, andat least one cut (7, 8) is crossed by a folding or bending line (10), the folding or bending line (10) is formed in a weakened manner.




ms

Gain calibration technique for digital imaging systems

A computer-implemented method for gain calibration is provided. The method includes sorting the calibration data of each pixel location from the offset-corrected X-ray image data into a sequence. The method also includes removing part of the calibration data from one end or both ends of the respective sequence for each pixel location. The method further includes averaging the calibration data remaining within each respective sequence to obtain an average pixel value for each pixel location. The method yet further includes generating a gain map based on the average pixel value for each pixel location.




ms

Methods and systems for the rapid detection of concealed objects

This specification is directed towards finding, locating, and confirming threat items and substances. The inspection system is designed to detect objects that are made from, but not limited to, special nuclear materials (“SNM”) and/or high atomic number materials. The system employs a dual energy CT scanning first stage inspection system and advanced image processing techniques to analyze images of an object under inspection (“OUI”), which includes, but is not limited to baggage, parcels, vehicles and cargo.




ms

Monitoring shots of firearms

A shooting range management system that includes at least one shot detection transducer configured to detect the exit of a shot fired from a ballistic weapon and at least one impact detector configured to detect the impact of the shot on a target. The system further comprises a receiver connected to the at least one shot detection transducer and the at least one impact detector, the receiver including a timer configured to time the firing of at least one shot and to time the impact of the at least one shot and produce a data record thereof, and a display connected to the receiver, the display configured to display the data record of the receiver.




ms

Systems and methods for multi-user multi-lingual communications

Various embodiments described herein facilitate multi-lingual communications. The systems and methods of some embodiments enable multi-lingual communications through different modes of communication including, for example, Internet-based chat, e-mail, text-based mobile phone communications, postings to online forums, postings to online social media services, and the like. Certain embodiments implement communication systems and methods that translate text between two or more languages. Users of the systems and methods may be incentivized to submit corrections for inaccurate or erroneous translations, and may receive a reward for these submissions. Systems and methods for assessing the accuracy of translations are described.




ms

Systems and methods for teaching phonemic awareness

A system to teach phonemic awareness uses a plurality of phonemes and a plurality of graphemes. Each phoneme is a unique sound and an indivisible unit of sound in a spoken language, and each grapheme is a written representation of one of the plurality of phonemes. A plurality of distinct graphical images and a plurality of unique names are provided where each unique name is associated with one of the graphical images and represents a grouping of graphemes selected from the plurality of graphemes. The system uses a plurality of sets of display pieces having a plurality of individual display pieces. Each individual display piece includes at least a portion of one of the graphical images and the graphemes from the grouping of graphemes constituting the associated unique name. A predefined instructional environment defines a predefined spatial context and predefined rules governing the acquisition and utilization of individual display pieces.




ms

Systems and methods for carrier phase recovery

Systems and methods for carrier phase recovery are provided. One method includes providing a reference signal, detecting an input signal and determining a Signal to Noise Ratio (SNR) of the input signal. The method also includes employing a Minimum Mean Square Error (MMSE) algorithm based on the SNR to determine a Carrier Phase Recovery Loop (CPRL) bandwidth.




ms

Systems, apparatus, and methods for receiving paging messages by creating fat paths in fast fading scenarios

This disclosure provides systems, methods, and apparatus for receiving paging messages in fast fading scenarios. In one aspect, a method of demodulating a paging message during an assigned time slot by a wireless communications apparatus operating in an idle mode is provided. The method includes determining, in anticipation of the assigned time slot, an expected time position corresponding to a path of a pilot signal having a greater signal strength relative to other pilot signals. The method further includes assigning a first demodulation element to demodulate the pilot signal with reference to the expected time position and assigning a second demodulation element to demodulate the pilot signal with reference to a time offset from the expected time position. Other aspects, embodiments, and features are also claimed and described.




ms

Methods and systems for PDCCH blind decoding in mobile communications

Various methods and systems for efficiently performing the blind decoding of downlink signals is described. Several forms of arranging possible CCE combinations are examined and investigated. Based on PDCCH size estimation/information, CCE concatenations that are most likely (of of limited sets) can be arrived at. Tree-based concatenations are also devised using largest CCE ordering to align smaller CCE sizes to similar boundaries. By such ordering, the search space for all possible CCE ordering and sizes can be reduced to an efficient tree. Set mapping between possible lnposelstartCCElnposelend/REs are also described using a first set to secondary and tertiary sets. Various other ordering and sorting schemes are also detailed that enable a blind decode of a PDCCH channel to be efficiently performed.




ms

System for and method of classifying and translating graphics commands in client-server computing systems

A client-server computing system includes a server that has a virtual display driver that classifies and, if necessary, translates graphics application programming interface (API) functions to a cross-platform format. Classification involves determining whether the graphics command(s) are platform-specific and/or client-supported functions. After classification and translation, the graphics command(s) are marshaled and transmitted to a client via a network. The client includes a client display driver that executes the functions using a client 3D library and renders the resulting image data to a display.




ms

Methods, apparatus and systems for generating location-corrected searchable electronic records of underground facility locate and/or marking operations

Generating a corrected electronic record of a locate and/or marking operation. The operation comprises locating and/or identifying, using a physical locate mark, presence or absence of an underground facility within a dig area. At least a portion of the dig area may be excavated or disturbed. First information relating to a location of the facility and/or the mark is received. Based at least in part on the first information, the location of the facility and/or the mark is represented to generate an electronic visual representation of the operation. Second information relating to a corrected location of the facility and/or the mark is received. Based at least in part on the second information, the corrected location is represented to generate a corrected electronic visual representation of the operation. Third information relating to the corrected representation of the operation is transmitted and/or stored to generate the corrected electronic record of the operation.




ms

Methods, apparatus and systems for generating searchable electronic records of underground facility locate and/or marking operations and assessing aspects of same

A method is disclosed for assessing an aspect relating to a locate and/or marking operation performed by a locate technician based on an electronic representation of the operation. The operation includes locating and/or identifying, using a physical locate mark, a presence or an absence of an underground facility within a dig area. A portion of the dig area may be excavated or disturbed during excavation activities. The method includes digitally representing, on a display device, the facility and/or the physical locate mark to generate an electronic visual representation of the operation. The method further includes determining a length associated with a portion of the digitally represented facility and/or physical locate mark in the electronic visual representation of the operation. The method further includes, based on the determined length, automatically assessing the aspect relating to the operation.




ms

Methods, apparatus and systems for generating digital-media-enhanced searchable electronic records of underground facility locate and/or marking operations

Generating a digital-media-enhanced electronic record of a locate and/or marking operation performed by a locate technician. The locate and/or marking operation comprises locating and/or identifying, using at least one physical locate mark, a presence or an absence of at least one underground facility within a dig area, wherein at least a portion of the dig area may be excavated or disturbed during excavation activities. A location of the at least one underground facility and/or the at least one physical locate mark is electronically rendered on a display device so as to generate an electronic visual representation of the locate and/or marking operation. At least one digital media file representation of a corresponding digital media file relating to at least one aspect of the locate and/or marking operation or an environment of the dig area is also electronically rendered on the display device, so as to generate a digital-media-annotated representation of the locate and/or marking operation. Information relating to the digital-media-annotated representation of the locate and/or marking operation is electronically transmitted and/or stored so as to generate the digital-media-enhanced electronic record of the locate and/or marking operation.




ms

Unreleased mems resonator and method of forming same

A microelectromechanical (MEM) resonator includes a resonant cavity disposed in a first layer of a first solid material disposed on a substrate and a first plurality of reflectors disposed in the first layer in a first direction with respect to the resonant cavity and to each other. Each of the first plurality of reflectors comprises an outer layer of a second solid material and an inner layer of a third solid material. The inner layer of each of the first plurality of reflectors is adjacent in the first direction to the outer layer of each reflector and to either the outer layer of an adjacent reflector or the resonant cavity.




ms

Group of reflection optic sensors in a weft feeder for weaving looms

Group of optic sensors (S) in a weft feeder, in particular for weaving looms, comprising one or more pairs of emitting sensors (E) and receiving sensors (R) arranged on a portion of the weft feeder (C) which extends laterally to the drum (T) of the weft feeder whereon the coils of the weft thread are wound, so as to form optic radiation going-paths from each of said emitting sensors (E) to a reflecting surface (9) provided on said drum (T) and optic radiation back-paths, from said reflecting surface (9) to corresponding receiving sensors (R), for detecting the presence/absence of a thread which crosses said paths. The optic sensors (E, R) are of the SMT type and are wired on a printed-circuit board (8) with an optic axis parallel to the plane of said board (8). A first group of total-reflection mirrors (V), one for each pair of emitting/receiving sensors (E, R), is inclined so as to deviate the optic radiation from the plane of the board (8) to a plane perpendicular to or inclined with respect to the same. A second group of partial-reflection mirrors (H), one for each pair of emitting/receiving sensors (E, R), is inclined so as to deviate the optic radiation in the same plane as board 8.




ms

Systems and methods for detecting ultracapacitor cell short circuits

A system for detecting a short-circuited ultracapacitor cell in a machine is disclosed. The system may have a memory that stores instructions and one or more processors capable of executing the instructions. The one or more processors may be configured to perform cell balancing among ultracapacitor cells arranged within two or more ultracapacitor modules, each ultracapacitor module including at least two ultracapacitor cells connected in series. The one or more processors may be further configured to measure a module voltage generated by each of the plurality of ultracapacitor modules after performing the cell balancing and before applying a load of the machine to the ultracapacitor modules, and determine whether an ultracapacitor cell among the plurality of ultracapacitor cells is short-circuited based on a comparison of the measured module voltages.




ms

Systems and methods for determining cell capacity values in a multi-cell battery

Systems and methods to determine cell capacities of a vehicle battery pack. Cell capacities may be determined using state of charge (SOC) estimates for the cells and a charge count for the battery pack. The SOC estimates may be determined when the SOC of the battery pack is below a lower threshold and above an upper threshold. Error values may also be generated for the cell capacity values.




ms

Rechargeable flameless candle systems and methods

According to an embodiment of the present invention, a recharging device includes a recharging port that receives a flameless candle and recharges a battery in the candle. The recharging device includes a first stacking structure that has a top portion and a bottom portion. There is a top stacking contact on the top portion. An electrical power bus is connected with the top stacking contact. The electrical power bus is also configured to provide electrical power to the flameless candle through the recharging port. The top portion of the first stacking structure is configured to mate with a bottom portion of a first stacking structure of another recharging device.




ms

Systems and methods for in-vehicle charging of pallet jack batteries

Systems and methods for in-vehicle charging of pallet jack batteries are provided. An example system allows using a power source of a host vehicle configured to provide power at voltage levels lower than the operating voltage of the pallet jack battery stack. The system may allow, for example, charging a 24 volts pallet jack battery stack from a 12 volts power source of the host vehicle. The system may further comprise an interconnecting circuit having a plurality of contactors electrically coupling the batteries in parallel for charging and serially for discharging. The system may further comprise a voltage monitoring circuit to detect whether the pallet jack is connected to the host vehicle power source for charging. Based on the detection, the voltage monitoring circuit may reconfigure the interconnecting circuit to electrically couple the pallet jack batteries in parallel.




ms

Multiple voltage generator and voltage regulation methodology for power dense integrated power systems

An integrated power system suitable for simultaneously powering marine propulsion and service loads. The system includes: (a) at least one generator configured with at least first and second armature windings configured to output respective first and second alternating current power signals of different voltages, the at least two armature windings positioned within the same stator slots so that they magnetically couple; (b) at least first and second rectifier circuits coupled to said generator to convert said first and second alternating current power signals into first and second direct current power signals; and (c) a first load to which said first direct current power signal is coupled and a second load to which said second direct current power signal is coupled.




ms

Systems for wound field synchronous machines with zero speed rotor position detection during start for motoring and improved transient response for generation

An electrical machine includes a stator having a main armature winding, an exciter field winding, and a transformer primary winding. A rotor is operatively connected to rotate relative to the stator, wherein the rotor includes an exciter armature winding operatively connected to the exciter armature winding for field excitation therebetween, a main field winding operatively connected to the main armature winding for field excitation therebetween, and a transformer secondary winding operatively connected to the transformer primary winding to form a rotating transformer. A generator control unit is operatively connected to the main armature winding, exciter field winding, and transformer primary winding to control the main armature and exciter field windings based on excitation in the primary winding received from the transformer secondary winding.




ms

Methods and systems for monitoring excitation of a generator based on a faulty status of a generator breaker

Systems and methods for monitoring excitation of a generator based on a faulty status of a generator breaker are provided. According to one embodiment, a system may include a controller and a processor communicatively coupled to the controller. The processor may be configured to receive, from a contact associated with a generator breaker, a reported status of the generator breaker, receive operational data associated with one or more parameters of a generator associated with the generator breaker, and correlate the reported status of the generator breaker and the operational data. Based on the correlation, the processor may establish an actual status of the generator breaker, and, based on the actual status, selectively modify a mode of excitation of the generator.




ms

Methods and systems for charging vehicles

This disclosure provides systems and methods for charging a vehicle. A vehicle and charging station can be designed such that an electric or hybrid vehicle can operate in a fashion similar to a conventional vehicle by being opportunity charged throughout a known route.




ms

Device for the coupling of elastic and rigid contact line systems

For the coupling of two parallel contact wires of an elastic contact line system with a rigid contact line system, which has a power track (3) and a contact wire (4) affixed thereon, an elongated cantilever (5) is provided in a transition area, whose rigidity increases in the longitudinal direction from the elastic contact line system to the rigid contact line system. The two contact wires (1, 2) of the elastic contact line system are located along the cantilever parallel to the first contact wire (4), which is, in turn, clamped over the entire length of the cantilever. All three contact wires (1, 2, 4) are affixed on several multiple clamps (9) in the area of the cantilever (5), which clamps are located in a distributed manner along the cantilever. The multiple clamps (9) are located in recesses (12) of the cantilever.




ms

Apparatus and process for encapsulating capsules or other solid dosage forms within capsules

The present invention provides an apparatus and process for making softgel capsules having incorporated therein other solid dosage forms selected from the group consisting of pellets, smaller capsules, smaller tablets, sustained release solid dosage forms, immediate release solid dosage forms, extended release solid dosage forms and zero order release solid dosage forms, said apparatus comprising: (a) two spreader boxes; (b) two casting drums; (c) a pair of rotary dies having means for suction; (d) a liquid fill system; (e) a wedge for heating gelatine ribbons and feeding said fill; and (f) two lateral dispensing devices said lateral dispensing devices including hoppers having said solid dosage forms, channelguides for transporting said solid dosage forms and a grasping claw for dispensing said solid dosage form into the softgel pocket formed in the rotary dies.




ms

Methods and systems for processing application forms

A method for processing application forms comprising extracting content from filled first forms of consumers, each of the first forms comprising one or more fields, arranging the extracted content of one or more fields of the plurality of fields of the plurality of filled first forms in a first matrix; encoding the content of each of the rows of the first matrix to define a second matrix; and disposing the encoded content of the second matrix in multiple empty second forms such that content of one column is disposed on only one of the empty second forms, each of the second forms includes the same type and number of fields as that of one of the filled first forms, further wherein the number of the filled second forms is based on the number of the one or more fields in the filled first forms.




ms

Packaging systems and methods

An apparatus is provided for delivering single-dose packages sequentially from a substantially continuous strip having a first dispensing end and a second end. The strip includes a cover layer attached to a base layer to define a plurality of blisters therebetween that have one or more medications therein. The blisters are aligned in single file generally along the longitudinal axis between the first and second ends and/or otherwise arranged in single-dose packages adjacent one another, e.g., at least some of the single-dose packages including a plurality of blisters having different types of medications therein. A first single-dose package at the first dispensing end may be separable from a second adjacent single-dose package such that individual single-dose packages may be removed successively from the first dispensing end.




ms

Systems and methods for RFID-enabled dispenser

Methods, apparatuses and systems for radio frequency identification (RFID)-enabled information collection are disclosed, including an enclosure, a collector coupled to the enclosure, an interrogator, a processor, and one or more RFID field sensors, each having an individual identification, disposed within the enclosure. In operation, the interrogator transmits an incident signal to the collector, causing the collector to generate an electromagnetic field within the enclosure. The electromagnetic field is affected by one or more influences. RFID sensors respond to the electromagnetic field by transmitting reflected signals containing the individual identifications of the responding RFID sensors to the interrogator. The interrogator receives the reflected signals, measures one or more returned signal strength indications (“RSSI”) of the reflected signals and sends the RSSI measurements and identification of the responding RFID sensors to the processor to determine one or more facts about the influences. Other embodiments are also described.




ms

Systems and methods for adjusting moisture concentration of a veneer

Systems and methods for adjusting a moisture concentration of veneer are provided. In at least one specific embodiment, the method for adjusting a moisture concentration of a veneer can include estimating a moisture concentration of a veneer surface at one or more locations thereon. The method can also include comparing the one or more estimated locations to a minimum moisture concentration level. The method can also include moisturizing at least a portion of the one or more estimated locations that are below the minimum moisture concentration level to increase the moisture concentration thereof.




ms

Agricultural devices, systems, and methods for determining soil and seed characteristics and analyzing the same

Agricultural seed planting systems are provided. In some aspects, the system includes a processing unit, a frame, a furrow opener coupled to the frame for opening a furrow in soil, and a sensor in communication with the processing unit and adapted to sense a characteristic associated with seed planting. The sensor may generate a signal associated with the sensed characteristic and the processing unit may receive the signal. In some aspects, the sensed characteristic may be either a soil characteristic or a seed characteristic. Information associated with the sensed characteristic can be saved in memory for future use and to assist with more effective planting in the future.




ms

Seed delivery apparatus, systems, and methods

Referring to the drawings, wherein like reference numerals designate identical or corresponding parts throughout the several views, FIG. 1 illustrates a side elevation view of a single row unit (10) of a conventional row crop planter such as the type disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 7,438,006, the disclosure of which is hereby incorporated herein in its entirety by reference. As is well known in the art, the row units (10) are mounted in spaced relation along the length of a transverse toolbar (12) by a parallel linkage (14), comprised of upper and lower parallel arms (16, 18) pivotally mounted at their forward ends to the transverse toolbar (12) and at their rearward end to the row unit frame (20).




ms

Electrolytic systems and methods for making metal halides and refining metals

Disclosed are electrochemical cells and methods for producing a halide of a non-alkali metal and for electrorefining the halide. The systems typically involve an electrochemical cell having a cathode structure configured for dissolving a hydrogen halide that forms the halide into a molten salt of the halogen and an alkali metal. Typically a direct current voltage is applied across the cathode and an anode that is fabricated with the non-alkali metal such that the halide of the non-alkali metal is formed adjacent the anode. Electrorefining cells and methods involve applying a direct current voltage across the anode where the halide of the non-alkali metal is formed and the cathode where the non-alkali metal is electro-deposited. In a representative embodiment the halogen is chlorine, the alkali metal is lithium and the non-alkali metal is uranium.




ms

Systems and methods for treating a ground surface

Some embodiments of a ground surface treatment system can include a flexible roller system having one or more of rollers arranged in a side-by-side position and include a flexible axle member extending through each row of rollers.




ms

Releasable binding systems

A releasable water ski binding system includes a trigger mechanism that causes releasable bindings to release a boot from a ski. The trigger mechanism senses a displacement of a portion of a body of a skier past a point of criticality and causes the releasable bindings to release the boot from the ski.




ms

Transport trailer with adjustable-width swing arms

A system and method for adjusting the arms of an over-sized trailer is described herein. In one embodiment, the system can comprise a center support, a plurality of swing arms, and a plurality of stabilizer rods. The swing arms can be mounted to the left side and the right side of the center support. The swing arms can each comprise an arm and an arm hinge. The swing arms can be capable of rotating about the arm hinge. Furthermore, a dolly can be capable of being mounted to each swing arms. Each of the stabilizer rods can comprise a first rod portion and a second rod portion. The first rod portion can be connected to the center support and the second rod portion connected to one of the swing arms.




ms

Convertible ski systems having toe binding mounts and associated quick-release locking mechanisms

A ski system includes a ski, a heel binding provided on an upper surface of the ski, a toe binding mount provided on the upper surface of the ski forward of the heel binding, a toe binding releasably mounted to the toe binding mount, and a quick-release locking mechanism for locking the toe binding to the toe binding mount. The quick-release locking mechanism is configured for release by hand.




ms

Methods and systems for improved drilling operations using real-time and historical drilling data

Methods and systems are described for improved drilling operations through the use of real-time drilling data to predict bit wear, lithology, pore pressure, a rotating friction coefficient, permeability, and cost in real-time and to adjust drilling parameters in real-time based on the predictions. The real-time lithology prediction is made by processing the real-time drilling data through a multilayer neural network. The real-time bit wear prediction is made by using the real-time drilling data to predict a bit efficiency factor and to detect changes in the bit efficiency factor over time. These predictions may be used to adjust drilling parameters in the drilling operation in real-time, subject to override by the operator. The methods and systems may also include determining various downhole hydraulics parameters and a rotary friction factor. Historical data may be used in combination with real-time data to provide expert system assistance and to identify safety concerns.




ms

Systems and methods for processing drilling data

Systems and methods for processing drilling data. One embodiment provides a method comprising building user-designed contexts (which can be designated as built-in contexts) for drilling structures. The method also comprises orchestrating module execution within the user-designed contexts. The method further comprises providing data from the user-designed contexts to such modules via an interface. Some methods include monitoring drilling data to detect events (for instance departure from a pseudolog) and orchestrating module execution responsive thereto. The method can include exposing the orchestration of the execution of the module instances as a service. Moreover, some embodiments provide extra-contextual application program interfaces. In addition, or in the alternative, some embodiments schedule the orchestration of the modules based on declarations related to the inputs and/or outputs of the modules.